Loquita opened in the early days of August, but only managed to get through a few days before being hit like many other businesses by the COVID lockdown. Occupying the space previously fleshed out by HonkyTonks they’re still partial to a mexican influence. They’ve been open again for roughly three weeks and while they tout themselves as a not a restaurant but more of a bar, the food definitely isnt an after thought.
We visited on a week night so drinks weren’t high on the priority list but the magheritas seemed popular with the other customers with most people getting the odd bit of food with a focus on the drinks. I did get one of the PIÑA-LITA magheritas which was whipped up quickly and wasn’t too bad.
We tried three of the tacos on offer and also ordered a couple of Antojitos which I think translates roughly to street food. Aligning with their focus on being a bar there is only a small food menu to choose from. Out of the Taco Al Pastor, Taco Birria de Res and Taco de Pollo we both agreed the Taco Al Pastor (pork) was the standout. It had crunch from some bits of pork crackle and the sauce gave it a real deep smokey flavour that was delicious! For the Antojitos we ordered the guacamole; it was solid but nothing amazing. It came with both a pico de gallo and some moreish corn tortilla chips that were housemade. They’re so simple but the corn tortilla chips were just tasty.
It wasn’t all painless though, we also ordered the corn and we had to ask about it after everything had already come out. This in itself was a bit hard as I felt the place was light on staff, with most of them being taken up by the bar. It freed up a little at times and it could have been a result of being a Tuesday but we got the corn in the end and it was juicy and flavourful. We finished with the churros, crisp but the texture just wasn’t quite right. I felt like the inside was too cripsy and it was missing a soft centre which made them feel overall less doughtnut and more fried batter. The caramel, sorry dulce de leche, was thick and rich though; just perfect! We also got a resonable amount for four churros.
Depsite staff being light on they were enthusiastic and asked about how the meal was going, etc. It was more they just couldn’t get to everyone. Otherwise the place felt a little more casual restaurant than bar at the time we went, around 7ish. It was relaxed, not too full but not empty with a constant stream of people buying food and drinks. We booked but I don’t think there was a need too. But I imagine it would be a very different place later in the week and later in the night. It also could just be ‘covid inflation’ but we came away thinking it was all a bit pricey. The food was good not great, for example with the tacos while they were pretty tasty it felt bad paying $9 for a small taco.
I think overall it’s got good reasonable food and some intersting looking drinks and does what it sets out to be. The focus is on the bar but they have tacos and some other bits and pieces that you’d be happy munching on later into the night if you were a bit hungry. It’s not a restaurant though, and they say that upfront. I’d still probably go back for a sneaky taco now and again though.
dumplingysk. 