Getting Borracho

In the mood for Mexican? Luckily for Motor residents, there is a new place just a stone's throw from home. Located at 20th and Locust in the space formerly occupied by Nectar, El Borracho serves up traditional Mexican fare with traditional Mexican flair.

You'll be overwhelmed when entering this restaurante by the attention to detail in the decor. They really went the extra mile in this regard, and the effect makes the restaurant unique among many restaurants in the area. With pictures of luchadores and mujeres in thick frames covering every inch of the wall, you can sit for hours looking at all the different things they found to fill their space. Accented by unique lighting and real wood, you'll feel transported to a warm and festive place far from St. Louis.

Another nice surprise about the restaurant is the drink menu. All the drinks are made with real juice - not a mix. Margaritas and sangria are available at happy for a mere $3. They are tasty and a very good size. You only need a few of these deep glasses before dinner to become a little borracho.

While enjoying a margarita; your complimentary hot, crunchy chips; and two types of salsa, you can peruse the menu. The menu fits on a long card, and breaks your choices for a meal into four categories: Starters, Taqueria Borracho, Favorites and Sides. Starters include standards like guacamole and nachos, but also include traditional dishes like queso blanco and posole. We opted for the guacamole, and it came in a heaping bowl that was more than enough for four people. Again, only fresh ingredients are used for this dish, unlike other places which add mayonnaise to their guacamole.

For the entree, you can pick from either the Taqueria or Favorites section of the menu. The tacos are traditional tacos, served on corn tortillas (or wheat if you like them gringo style) and offer you a choice of fillings such as shredded or barbecued pork. The choices on the Favorites menu include classics like burritos and tamales. To accompany your meal, you can pick from a list of sides. Of course beans and rice are available, but there are a few nice surprises like the camote which is a whipped sweet potato dish with a flavor reminiscent of sweet potato pie. Maiz Mexicana is another interesting side. Similar to elote, it is barbecued to a chewy consistency and covered with queso fresco and spices.

Vegetarian options (in case anybody besides me cares : ) are limited in a way since some dishes use traditional ingredients such as lard and chicken stock. I talked with Gary and his head chef the first time we went there, and they took a lot of time to listen to my concerns. They informed me about the dishes I could eat, and I think they talked with their staff because our server had a list of vegetarian dishes in her pocket the next time we went.

El Boracho is a great addition to the downtown restaurant scene. In an area that really needed a Mexican restaurant, this place fills the void in a big way. With festive decor, fresh ingredients, traditional food, and good prices, El Borracho is a great destination for Motor residents, and is only a few blocks away.

El Borracho
2001 Locust St.