What Makes it Unique
- “Mexican Soul Food” & Scratch Kitchen: El Camino prides itself on a scratch kitchen, making items like their tortillas, salsas, and sauces in-house and emphasizing fresh, often organic and locally sourced ingredients.
- Craft Margaritas and Tequila/Mezcal Program: The bar is a major highlight, featuring an extensive selection of over 300 tequilas and mezcals. Their signature craft margaritas use house-made lime bitters and fresh-squeezed juices, avoiding simple syrup. Unique flavors include Spicy Avocado and Watermelon-Jalapeño.
- Vibrant Atmosphere and Design: The large, 10,000-square-foot space features an “authentic, industrial, inspired” design, with exposed structural elements and a signature art collection, including murals by Miami street artist Ruben Ubiera (known for his “Postgraffism” style).
- Unique Events and Specials: The restaurant hosts popular daily specials, such as:
- $6 Margarita Mondays
- A nightly Late-Night Happy Hour (from midnight to 2 a.m.) with specials like $3 tacos and $6 margaritas.
- An “In the Biz” discount for hospitality professionals, offering 50% off regular menu items and beverages (typically from 10 p.m. to midnight).
History
El Camino Boca Raton opened in December 2023 as the largest location for the Modern Restaurant Group’s concept. The group’s founders (Brian Albe, Brandon Belluscio, and chef Anthony Pizzo) have a history in the Boca Raton restaurant scene, making the opening in the city somewhat of a homecoming. It is a standalone anchor restaurant in the new “Restaurant Row” development near the Town Center Mall.
Customer Feedback
Customer reviews frequently praise:
- The Margaritas: Highly regarded for their freshness and unique flavor combinations.
- Food Quality: Patrons often commend the fresh ingredients, generous portions, and “soul food” flavor profile, with many appreciating the house-made elements.
- Atmosphere: The vibe is described as lively, energetic, and a great spot for date night or a night out.
- Popular Dishes: Favorites often mentioned include the Guacamole (made to order), the Gringo Tacos, and various Burritos and Enchiladas (especially the Smoked Brisket options).
A common point of feedback regarding the El Camino brand in general (though less so for this larger Boca location) can sometimes be the lively crowd and volume during peak hours.
Highlight Menu Items
El Camino serves a core menu of Mexican classics, but the Boca Raton location introduced some exclusive dishes:
- Appetizers: Made-to-order Guacamole, Mexican Street Corn, and Short Rib Empanadas.
- Tacos: A wide variety, often highlighted are the Gringo Tacos (a crowd favorite), Tinga De Pollo Tacos, and Carnitas Tacos.
- Mains: Smoked Brisket Burritos, Chile Rubbed Steak Fajitas, and a range of Enchiladas with different house-made sauces (salsa roja, verde, creamy tomatillo, or mole negro).
- Boca Exclusives (at opening): Red Snapper Ceviche Veracruz and the Avocado Margarita.
Significant Events
As a relatively new location (opened in late 2023), its most significant event to date was its Grand Opening, which marked its establishment as the brand’s largest and flagship restaurant. The restaurant is consistently a destination for its recurring daily and weekly events, such as its popular Happy Hours, which draw large crowds.
Location and Contact Information
