El Toro Loco and the ‘$5 Always Margarita'!!!
Artwork in El Toro Loco - Bloomfield, NJ.
Today, on December 11, 2018; I decided to indulge my senses and visit Bloomfield, NJ’s own El Toro Loco. Not open yet to the public, I stumbled upon its pre-opening as I was going to my favorite bar to grab a pint. Curiosity weighed upon me as I saw its Mexican-Flag lighted atmosphere and the beautiful door sign. Driven by hunger and an insatiable thirst for all things alcohol, I decided to give it a try.
Previously, this exact location was home to the infamous Tilted Kilt. I’m sure you probably heard of the franchise. The franchise parallels Hooters but instead of serving wings they serve and specialize in modernized Irish Food and the women; instead of wearing orange ‘booty shorts’, they wear mini-skirts that resemble Irish kilts.
Well, not anymore. Mexico has now invaded the former real estate of Ireland and with great flair and tequila. Armed with over 100 selections of tequila and 3 chefs in the kitchen, the owner spared no expense as he remodeled the establishment to resemble a Mexican Cantina [Bar], but with a more modernized feel. Armed with flat screen televisions and exquisite Mexican artwork as though it was painted and drawn by ‘Frida’ herself, I felt a piece of Mexico as I sat at the bar and I ordered my food. Now for some, this place would be considered a tequila paradise on Earth, but for me, armed with limited funds and a ravenous hunger, I ordered the simplest of items.
Side Note: For those that don’t know me, when it comes to eating food in a new place, I play it safe. I judge a place by their chicken wings and always, their low price drinks.
As I looked at their menu, I saw a glimmer of hope as I saw two things that called my name…the Infamous ‘$5 Margarita Always’ and wings dubbed the ‘Alitas Bravas’; which are chicken wings in a Pineapple-Habanero glaze with fresh cilantro and jalapeno peppers. I’m going to my happy place.
As I’m waiting for my order, the waitress greets my appetite with heated nachos and homemade salsa. I immediately dig in and I’m in Mexican-Heaven. The nachos are great and the salsa feels as though ‘abuela’ handmade it herself, but nothing prepared me for the main course…the Alitas Bravas!!!
Alitas Bravas and the $5 Maragrita
OMG!! First the overall presentation of these wings was something out of this world!! Sweet-smelling and easy to look at, when I placed my finger along the skin of the ‘chicken’ and tasted it; I tasted a hint of the islands!!! These wings are out of this world. Next, came the ‘$5 Maragrita Always’!!!
Now the moment of truth…the moment that will prove whether I would come back to this place…I take my first sip and another and then another…I’m gone…. All it took was two to relax me, then 2 more to bring me to my heavenly climax!!! My eating needs then became satisfied as I mix my drink with the sweet tasting chicken. My drinking needs satisfied, the lights bring me to a comfortable mode as I sat back and enjoyed all that this little piece of Mexico had to offer.
Now, I will say this, I’m not a food critic, but I like to eat good food and I like to drink good margaritas, especially at a low price. All I can say is that my food curiosity has definitely paid off!!
El Toro Loco, the newest tequila bar in Bloomfield, NJ is definitely the place to go to on a budget as well as to go even if you’re not!!! I can’t wait when they officially open on December 15th, 2018. I might even take fellow writers Maya, Josh and Erik here for some tequila shots!!!
