El Camino

Martin Kevill

Posted 17 February 2019

El Camino, 40 Flixton Road, Manchester, M41 5AA – Visit Now

It’s all happening in Urmston this February. Mexican pop-up, El Camino, is taking over a little spot temporarily vacated by burger joint, Get Chucked, to throw a month-long party for Mexican food and drink. The El Camino gang’s calling it a Taco-ver and it feels like an exciting little boost to the Trafford-based satellite town.

“It can’t be THAT good if it’s in Urmston!” – I pretend to hear you shout.

El Camino comes across as more than a temporary pop-up; the branding is eloquently confident and the menu is drenched with contemporary Mexican dishes, loaded with big flavour. The staff talk passionately about the food and this warm, vibrant joint in Urmston is packed to the rafters, with yupsters, young families, couples and even a dog or two. It doesn’t feel like something that should simply disappear. Much like an able-bodied, Mexican horse, the El Camino concept has legs.

There’s folding, wrapping, snapping, dipping and dunking

There’s a great choice of cocktails, including the exceptional Lagarita, which is a Margarita with added house lager, but there’s a full bar too, as well as Camden Hells on tap for the beer fans. I’m a beer fan so I had beer. Tick.

The food is a lot of fun and when the plates show up it feels like I’m at an origami session at an arts and crafts festival. There’s folding, wrapping, snapping, dipping and dunking, but it all tastes incredible.

The Mixed Tray is very good value at £21.50 and could feed three or four, but good luck trying to share the tacos between the four of you; take a modest, single bite and a swinging slice of meat or a dollop of chunky guacamole will slap you on the chin and have you gnawing further and further into the tasty taco treat. Before you know it, you’re a taco down and in a state of euphoric confusion. This is moreish, meaty, juicy, messy goodness and it’s exactly what everyone’s here for.

The stand out dish is the Short Rib Taco

If tacos aren’t your thing, there are three ‘Plates’ on the menu, with Hanger Steak, Grilled Bream or Pork Chop to choose from. These are cooked incredibly well and served with bittersweet charred greens and salsa verde; not to be overlooked if you’re looking for something with the wow factor.

The stand out dish is the Short Rib Taco, with beer-braised beef, chipotle crema, pink onion and pickled chili. It’s an elite-level taco andarrives splayed open, waiting for you to inspect the succulence wide-eyed, before wrapping it up and buying it a one-way ticket to Mouth City. Beef aside, there are tacos featuring fish, pork, corn, chicken and sweet potato, so it’s quite the table party and if you’re STILL hungry (er wow), there’s a great range of ‘Bites’ to choose from, such as the Corn Croquettes or Chips and Guac.

A fresh and dynamic addition to a growing Urmston centre

Sancho Poder of El Camino said ‘We are really excited about the dining scene in Urmston at the moment but it is clear there is still the demand for new and exciting food experiences here in the suburbs. We had originally planned to open in the town centre last year but couldn’t agree final terms on the lease so we’re doing a pop-up while we wait for the right space.”

It’s a fresh and dynamic addition to a growing Urmston centre, but it’s not here for long so get down before the 28th February if you’re keen.