One of Delray Beach’s most popular purveyors of tacos and margaritas, El Camino Mezcal & Tequila Bar, will open an outpost in Fort Lauderdale this weekend. It’s adding a bottomless brunch to the mix, something the Palm Beach County location doesn’t offer.

The new eatery will open its doors at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 25, at 817 E. Las Olas Blvd. Nearly three times the size of the flagship, the 6,000-square-foot space is the product of a more than $3 million redevelopment by Modern Restaurant Group, which also operates the Delray Beach-based Cut 432 and Park Tavern.

“With the ongoing development of the Las Olas area, we thought El Camino was a perfect fit,” Modern Restaurant Group cofounder Brandon Belluscio says. “Our Delray Beach location has become a favorite spot for locals and tourists, and we hope the same will be of our new location.”

El Camino is best known for its take on Mexican soul food, what amounts to a collection of the cuisine’s usual suspects, from tacos and burritos to quesadillas and enchiladas ($8 to $24), along with the obligatory made-to-order guacamole. Modern Restaurant Group cofounder and executive chef Anthony Pizzo gets most creative with appetizers such as smoked octopus with peanut romesco, crisp annatto-spiced potato, and pickled ancho chile ($11); wahoo ceviche piqued with mezcal, ginger, cumber, and serrano pepper ($9); and a chile relleno stuffed with seasonal ingredients ($9).

The Delray Beach restaurant draws huge crowds for its Taco Tuesday, when guests can order any of the menu’s specialty tacos for $2 all day. The weekly special will also be available at the Fort Lauderdale location.

The bar program, created by Modern Restaurant Group cofounder Brian Albe, is all about margaritas ($10 to $12). They contain house lime bitters and are served in a variety of flavors, including watermelon-jalapeño and blood orange, which was a “Best of Broward-Palm Beach” winner for Best Margarita in 2014.

El Camino also offers a late-night happy hour, from midnight to 2 a.m., with $2 tacos, $5 margaritas, and half-priced tequila and mezcal. Come the weekend, the deals continue with brunch, when unlimited mimosas, craft beer, and sangria cost $10 with the purchase of an entrée.

El Camino Mezcal & Tequila Bar grand opening. 11 a.m. Sunday, March 25, at 17 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 561-865-5350; elcaminoftlauderdale.com.

Source: www.miaminewtimes.com
By: Nicole Danna