Back in the day, my friends and I had our go-to Mexican restaurant in Stamford. If we wanted good Mexican food in a friendly setting, this place was where we went. Since it closed many years ago we have been on the hunt for a spot we like as much. I’m thrilled to say that at last, with the arrival of Mexicue on February 22, (which just so happens to be National Margarita Day,) we will once again have a go-to, kick-back, Mexican spot.
Not the Traditional Food Cart with an Umbrella
Mexicue started out as a food truck in NYC in the summer of 2010. According to co-founder and president, Thomas Kelly, “It was a really cool time to be a part of the NYC culinary scene. It was exciting! We were a part of one of the newer waves of trucks that had a creative, weird take on food and fusions and branding and using social media. Mexican BBQ was food that I loved eating and was comfortable cooking. At home I was always experimenting with marrying comfort food from the south and slow and low BBQ with the exciting, bold, spicy, flavors of Mexico.“ The Mexicue food truck was a hit and gained such a following that a year later it opened its first restaurant.
Mexicue now has several locations in NYC, but Thomas Kelly and his team wanted to expand outside of NYC. After much research, they decided that Stamford was the perfect spot to expand the brand. More specifically, 15 Harbor Point, in a beautiful space on the water that just happened to have become available at that time.
Authentic, Down-home Cooking
Everything about Mexicue is carefully thought out and of the highest quality, but not fussy or pretentious. The way the food is cooked is Mexican-inspired with a twist of the American South, thus the name “Mexicue,” as in Mexican BBQ. It’s all about authentic, down-home cooking techniques.
Marinades, rubs, garlic dustings, salsas, guacamole, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, are all made from scratch daily. No need to worry about peanut allergies or food being processed somewhere with tree nuts because it’s house made, in house and peanut-free. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are plentiful and absolutely everything is delicious.
According to culinary director, Alonzo Santiago, one of the crowd favorites is the smoky pulled pork taco, which he deliciously describes as “being cooked for four hours in house-made carnitas sauce until it is pull-apart tender.” It’s topped with jack cheese, corn salsa, creamy chipotle homemade slaw and BBQ strips. It is spicy and delicious. For those that prefer something less spicy, the wild cod lightly dusted with house-made lemon herb rub is a winner. You can get it fried or baked for a gluten-free option.
There are 40 different kinds of tequila and 26 different kinds of bourbon. Both come as flights. There are yummy house cocktails and awesome margaritas that range from seasonal to traditional to smoky to spicy.
The food is amazing, the drinks are delish, the décor is chill, the music is carefully curated over years by Thomas himself, the staff is friendly and attentive and the view is unbeatable. Happy hour is seven days a week from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and the weekend brunch is killer. The cornbread french toast is especially noteworthy.
The restaurant officially opens its doors on Thursday, February 22nd at 11:30 am, which yes, just so happens to be National Margarita Day! A perfect way to to celebrate!
Mexicue is located at 15 Harbor Point Road. It will be open Sunday through Thursday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm and Friday and Saturday 11:30 am – 12:00 am. Happy Hour specials will be available every day from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm and brunch served 11:30 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Source: HeyStamford.com
