El Loco at Slip Inn
The pub where you can meet your Prince has made a permanent change from pizzas and Thai to Mexican: Executive Chef Dan Hong’s (Merivale) pop-up ‘El Loco’ Mexican menu is here to stay. Skip the stuffier upstairs and head straight down to the Mexican-themed beer garden with yuccas, palm trees, bamboo awnings and party lights with bar boys sporting sombreros, and girls done up Frida Kahlo-style with flowers in their hair. Since I happened to walk in on their inaugural taco eating competition (the record being 16 tacos in 15 minutes) that’s what I craved. They’re palm-sized, messy explosions; with Ali Pastor ($6) of spit-roasted pork with pineapple salsa, and Camaron ($6) prawns with pico de gallo and salsa verde, scrubbing up best. The Cobia Ceviche ($15) is even better, with slices of black kingfish, Vietnamese mint, apple and coriander, served in a stack with corn chips. Throw in a zingy side of Chipotle Fries ($7) for good measure; they’re great against cocktails in biodynamic cups. The earthy beetroot and lime Loco Rojo Margarita ($14.50) drinks best with a lick of the salty rim; or there’s Jalisco Colada ($14.50) – a clever Pina Colada update that swaps creamy coconut for coconut water. Save space for Churros ($8) with dulce de leche…
El Loco at Slip Inn
111 Sussex Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 8295 9999 merivale.com.au/el-loco-at-slip-inn
Mexican $$
