Basic Info:
Name: El Poco Burrito
Address: 37 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads
Phone: 03 5254 2288
Website: www.elpocoburrito.com.au
Opening Hours:
Espresso, smoothies & breakfast taco bar - Daily from 7am - 11am
Dinner - Thursday to Sunday from 5.30pm
Little Eats ‘soundbite review’:
If you’re looking for a casual and fun cantina with cold beer and great food then make a sandy beeline for El Poco Burrito. Tiny tacos and San Antonio Sundaes will keep the little "ninos" happy whilst parents are well catered for with their fabulous Signature Fish Tacos. Barwon Heads locals are lucky to have this Mexican gem in their ‘hood. So kick back in a brightly coloured Acapulco chair and mucho relaxo.
Highchair: Yes
Change table: No
Pram access: Limited
Separate kids menu: Yes
Normal menu suitable for kids: Yes
Friendly staff: Yes
Play area for kids: No
Activities provided for kids (eg: crayons): No
Vibe/atmosphere: Colourful, quirky and comfortable
Change table: No
Pram access: Limited
Separate kids menu: Yes
Normal menu suitable for kids: Yes
Friendly staff: Yes
Play area for kids: No
Activities provided for kids (eg: crayons): No
Vibe/atmosphere: Colourful, quirky and comfortable
Prices: Standard to high
Little Eats detailed review:
Ole! El Poco Burrito has got it going on! This seriously cute little weatherboard shack is decorated in an explosion of colour, quirky knick-knacks and dramatic artefacts. Tables are laid with brightly coloured oilcloths and mismatched chairs add to the eclectic decorations. There is a cute terrace area out the front replete with brightly painted outdoor furniture and festoon lighting. And with plans for a beer garden out the back, El Poco Burrito will be rocking it during the summer months if it keeps up the standard that has already been set.
It was the end of the weekend when we took advantage of the early dinner sitting and ducked out with the two eldest gals. I wasn’t sure if they’d be up for Mexican but they promised me they loved tacos and that was enough to get us there.
Faster than the staff could say ‘would you like this table’, we had ordered the guacamole and corn chips and a Medelo Especial – a smooth and very drinkable beer that kept that weekend feeling going for a little longer. The kids tucked into the ‘green dip’ and we checked out the menu. It was hard to go past the signature dish of fish tacos – flathead tails in soft tacos with purple cabbage and pico de gallo. At $24, they’re not the cheapest thing on offer but with three tacos plus a generous serving of corn chips, they are certainly good value. The kids tucked into tiny tacos and mexi-mac-n-cheese. The "ninos" menu is well thought out and reasonably priced which reflects owner Amy’s understanding of kids with three young ones of her own.
The mornings see a kiosk operation where you can grab a very well made Genovese coffee and a breakfast taco from the little window. It is all take away but you can pull up an Acapulco chair and kick back in the Barwon Heads vibe. There’s no bubbacino's for the kids but super popular chocolate milk boxes instead.
A Mexican cantina will definitely not suit all families but mine loved it. The beer was cold, the food was great and the service was slick. It is a tiny place crammed full of tables and decorations which kept little eyes well entertained. And Amy’s signage of ‘Unsupervised kids will be given a shot of Tequila and a free kitten’ smacks of hilarity and makes an awkward subject more comfortable.
Apparently the blender is always on at El Poco Burrito, which must mean that the margaritas are just that, mean! I think I’ll have to save them for another visit, perhaps sans enfants. But, in the meantime, this new Barwon Heads gem will have a well-worn sandy track from the beach. Bring on the summer!
This special guest review was written by Anna Spurling - fellow foodie, Geelong local, Mamma of 3 gorgeous girls and a new little baby boy, and co-owner of artisan bread company La Madre.
