EL TRIO LOCO III

As the III suggests, this is the third location for the El Trio Loco family, with other restaurants in Manzanita and Gearhart. We became fans of the one in Manzanita, but we live in Rockaway, so this one is in walking distance. The staff is friendly and has made a point of opening up to the community; they had a regular table at our Artisan Farmers Market all summer, selling aguas frescas and tamales between the organic farm table and the Rockaway Renaissance Artists. My current favorite is their chile relleno, a big, fresh poblano chile blistered and peeled, then filled with cheese and wrapped in a thin, delicate egg layer more like a crepe than an egg dip. It's available in the usual combinations, but the flavor of roasted chile transports me. If you're very hungry, their chuletas de puerco are superb. The dish includes two generous pork rib chops (think prime rib of pork) in a warm, savory spice blend. It's served on a bed of sauteed onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños, so heat is available if you want it. But be hungry: the first chuleta will satisfy an ordinary appetite (especially if you're on your second bowl of chips and salsa). They also do whole fish (tilapia) al mojo de ajo, with a crispy golden crust over tender delicate white fish. That's another that's suitable for sharing. And because the crust is made from corn meal, it's gluten-free. Drinks include a wide selection of tropical-themed libations, including several unique twists on the margarita. One favorite is the Margarita Oaxaqueña, which uses mezcal (a smokier version of tequila, made by roasting the agave plant instead of steaming it) and Grand Marnier, all with a Tajin rim (salt, chile powder, and dried lime). They also use the Tajin rim on my new favorite, the Jamaica Margarita. In this case, jamaica refers to the dried hibiscus flower used to make a tart, refreshing beverage. When you add tequila, triple sec, and Tajin, it raises it to a whole new level. Perhaps best of all, El Trio Loco is open till 9 PM most (all?) nights—a rarety in Rockaway. (In the past, we've had to explain to visitors looking for dinner at 7 PM that they're out of luck: most places here are closed by then.)

Gluten free items clearly marked on the menu. Highly recommend the al pastor! But also had the combo fajitas with chicken, steak, and bacon wrapped shrimp. The shrimp were incredible. The sopes were typical, with shredded chicken, was good but paled next to the shrimp and al pastor. The salsa on the table was very mild. I asked for a side of salsa verde and oh my... I was not disappointed! The heat and flavor were spot on. Don't miss this place.