Situated right across the street from its more innocent sister, El Tapatio, this Mexican restaurant/nightclub has finally put out its sticky fingers and claimed a crowd of its own, albeit a randy one. A mix between early evening, Lakeview locals and late night, hip shakin' lounge lovers, they all come out in packs for hefty doses of blood red sangrias and killer, black out-inducing mojitos ($6).
Mixed drinks are the specialty, offering a plethora of refreshing cocktails perfect for summer. We love kickin' back on the lovely outdoor patio with a blended mango margarita ($6.50) or a tasty Matilda (hibiscus tea with Malibu rum). We've managed to slurp our way through dozens of Cazuelas (a spicy version of a long island iced tea made with fresh orange, pineapple and grapefruit juices and served in a earthy clay bowl) and we've closed the place down guzzling (it's just so easy) the mojitos (a delicious blend of rum, crushed mint leaves, sugar and soda water).
Though the tapas-style food is just slightly above average (try the sopas, three tiny masa cups stuffed full of chorizo and potato, shredded chicken and corn with mushroom), the generally less-than-$6 prices make the dishes so user friendly and a superb way to soak up some of the liquor rolling its way through your veins (come on, we know you're going to order full pitchers of the summery drinks), while shakin' it to the Latin techno music that kicks in about after 10 p.m. (the music melds effortlessly with the comfortable dark wood and ruby red, candle-lit layout).
The Tamales de Rajas con Queso (corn stuffed with mild poblano peppers and chihuahua cheese, wrapped in a cornhusk and sprinkled with salsa and sour cream) is delightful shove down material, as is the Champinon Bello (sliced portabello mushrooms marinated in guajillo pepper, chargrilled and served on a bed of addictively sweet caramelized onions). But, really the best bet is to stick with the sweet drinks and just devour complimentary baskets of chips and salsa; the pretty, we-travel-in-packs crowd seems to agree, judging from the empty chip baskets strewn all over the outdoor patio.
Don't miss the near nightly specials like $1 empanadas, $2 sangrias and 50-cent tamales; but be careful to come early on the weekends, sometimes the crowd gets so congested it's like you've walked into a jam packed bar on Rush Street. (and at 1 a.m., no less). Yuck.
Centerstage Reviewer: Misty Tosh
