Going Loco for Loca…Mexican Food that Hits all the Right Notes

Category: Food
October 24, 2017

Loca, a longstanding Mexican eatery in Dubai with three branches, invited us to sample their Friday brunch at their Souk Al Bahar branch. With a beautiful backdrop of The Burj Khalifa beckoning in the background, Loca is designed in dark colors and emanates an industrial look and feel with dimmed lighting, music playing, wood accents, and huge colorful murals painted on the walls. This place buzzes with energy and was crowded even when we arrived.

loca

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20171013_131317_preview Served at the table, the first course was my perennial favorite–a made-at-the-table fresh guacamole served with a basket of fresh tortilla chips and a bowl of spicy salsa.

20171013_131602_preview As we munched on these, we were served delicious strawberry virgin margaritas.

20171013_132535_preview Next, a platter of two kinds of tacos was served; a basket contained hard corn shell tacos and soft white tortillas. This was served with assorted fillings to create our own bespoke tacos; there was beef, chicken, veggie, and shrimp with toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, guacamole, and shredded cheese along with a seriously delicious chipotle sauce. I made a scrumptious shrimp soft taco, stuffed it with cheese, chipotle sauce, and lettuce while the kids enjoyed crispy hard shell tacos with beef and chicken.

20171013_132606_preview The next course was a celebration of ‘huevos rancheros’– eggs cooked and served in many different ways. There was a Mexican mushroom omelet, a tortilla with enchilada sauce topped with a fried egg, a platter of Chilaquiles—my favorite; a plate of warm, soft tortilla chips with melted cheese and egg. This exotic egg course takes breakfast to a new level and is unique to the other Mexican eateries in Dubai.

IMG-20171013-WA0026_preview For this brunch, you select one dish from the mains. I had the burrito with chicken– a large, warm, stuffed-to-the-brim flour tortilla smothered in a spicy, yummy enchilada sauce. The kids’ enjoyed beef and chicken fajitas. Guacamole and sour cream are always provided to complement the dish. Also, bear in mind that here, mains are large and can be shared. Each was flavorful and packed with the spicy goodness of Mexican cuisine.

20171013_145928_preview Leave your diet at home because this brunch stretches across to 5 pm so you can wait a bit and graze before indulging in their amazing desserts. This dessert platter had my favorite–Tres Leches, but with a twist; it was a super chocolaty cake drenched in sweetened cold milk with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice-cream to taper down the richness. Sheer indulgence! Then the best dessert of all– the Flan. One of the best I have tried, it was smooth, rich, and creamy, and with my espresso coffee, made this meal complete.

Verdict: If you love Mexican food, you will love Loca. It ticks all the boxes of a superb brunch; a variety of delicious food, friendly service, and superb views of the glorious Dubai skyline.
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