Eat Out critic Linda Scarborough visits Green Point’s favourite Mexican joint, El Burro, for a feast of tequila, tacos and tasty bites.

A photo posted by Nancy Flint (@enflint) on May 27, 2016 at 4:26am PDT

Food

People still talk about it, and it’s no wonder: the ceviche at El Burro never gets old. A generous serving of chopped line fish, zippy with lime, ginger, chilli and coriander, plus the punch of red-onion slivers, comes with a few stacked nacho chips for ease of scooping. Another winning starter, the chilli rellenos, are smoky, flavoursome and filled with queso fresco, which strikes the perfect balance between melty and chewy. A fresh little side salad is a nice touch. You could also opt for pan-seared squid or fried taquitos to kick things off.

For mains, the build-your-own tacos with cholorio pork (twice-cooked pork shoulder with roasted garlic and chilli paste, origanum, paprika and chilli) is as delicious as it sounds: rich and tasty, leaving behind a tingling warmth on the tongue. You can choose from flour or corn tacos, which come in their own container to prevent them from drying out while you pick. (Swap out the pork for line fish or grilled chicken if that’s how you roll). It’s all part of the fun to dip into the bowls of guacamole, roasted and fresh tomato-and-onion salsa, pickled red onion and sour cream, allowing you to paint a different flavour picture with each mouthful.

A photo posted by charnelle van der ross (@tierrapaz) on Apr 4, 2016 at 2:27am PDT

The chicken mole with its spicy dark chocolate sauce is also popular here, and banters can opt for the line fish of the day served on courgette ribbons with a lemon butter sauce.

Vegetarians are looked after with options that show a lot of care, such as the field mushroom and black bean quesadilla with spinach, chipotle and goat’s cheese; the tenderstem broccoli and walnut taco with baby spinach and goat’s cheese served on corn tortillas; and the corn tacos with spiced cauliflower, chickpeas, red cabbage, roasted peanut, chilli and avocado.

For dessert, forget the chocolate fondant and rather stick to the theme with golden churros dipped in dark chocolate sauce or the les paletas ice lollies.

Nothing like the smell of churros #churros #churrosandchocolate #mexican #treat

A photo posted by RunningTrailOfBrownieCrumbs (@eloisebrink) on Apr 8, 2016 at 6:50am PDT

Drinks

The festive atmosphere almost demands that you start with a cocktail. The offering of tequila cocktails is very appealing, peppered with the likes of mint, lime, berries, basil and chilli. There are a few wines available by the glass (very reasonably priced from R25 to R42), but with this fare you’re probably better off with a cocktail, beer or one of the 20 tequilas. The Mexican hot chocolate is rich, spicy and nutty, and the milky horchata made with rice, cinnamon, almonds and lime offers a cool alternative to the juice of the day if you’re forgoing the alcohol.

A photo posted by Caroll Payne (@mscarollpayne) on Mar 24, 2016 at 8:12am PDT

Ambience

Once you’ve walked up the steep stairway from Main Road and step through the doors into El Burro, you feel like you’ve entered another world – one where women have flowers in their hair and flickering candlelight creates a vibrant yet cosy warmth. Little cactus pots line the walls to add some Mexican-themed greenery. A little paper donkey with your name on it keeps your place at the table if you’ve made a booking – which you absolutely should do. (You will even get a phone call before the day to confirm your booking.)

A photo posted by Kathy Rawlings (@kathyrawlings) on Jan 11, 2016 at 3:19am PST

Service

Attentive and polite. Our waitress seemed genuinely interested in how we were enjoying the meal, and was concerned she’d brought the mains too soon after the starters. We ended up rearranging plates to keep some of the starter titbits while we tucked into our mains – it all worked out into a veritable feast.

And…

Parking can be pretty tricky in this part of town, so rather get a taxi. Then you can really apply yourself to the tequila menu.

Have you visit El Burro recently? Rate and review them now to put them in the running for the 2016 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries – we have a new Best Mexican Eatery category!

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.