Tastes like bacon, without the bacon.

Last night I went all the way to 8 PM without eating. I left Mud Island before my friends took the Boston butts off the grill. After showering and changing, I stopped at Bardog to see Panda Manda (who promised a tube top this Tuesday) and then the Saucer. After a couple of beers there I was starving and in the mood for something spicy. I walked up the street to Rio Loco.

I ordered the Shrimp al Chipotle. It’s a generous serving of shrimp in a chipotle cream sauce, with rice and beans on the side. Knowing the dish would have a fair amount of spice to it, I ordered a small guacamole dip as well, to take the heat off.

I don’t know how they manage to do it, but that chipotle cream sauce makes the shrimp taste like they are wrapped in bacon. It’s brilliant. The guac did its job controlling the burn in my mouth, although the shrimp were not quite as spicy as I’d thought they’d be. I needed food in my stomach to have a base for the evening, and this meal nailed it. If I ever end up on death row I’d be totally content with the Shrimp al Chipotle as my last meal.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo, sorry.

Another thing about eating at Rio Loco is that you can control how the rest of the evening will turn out through your choice of beverage. Here’s the way I see it:

  • Want to be sober later in the evening? Order a Coke with dinner.
  • Want to be hammered? Order a jumbo margarita.
  • Prefer something in between? Order a 25 ounce Dos Equis Lager.

I should mention that Rio Loco has an excellent selection of tequilas, if that’s your thing. I’m not into tequila, other than as a margarita ingredient, so I don’t look at that as an option.

All in all, a fine meal that got the evening started right. If you’ve never looked beyond the burritos and enchiladas at Rio Loco, you’re missing out on some good stuff.