Restaurants / Reviews
El Diablo, Gloucester Road: ‘Authentic Mexican flavours’ – restaurant review
On a recent Sunday evening, a trip into El Diablo felt like an immediate, warm welcome. The atmosphere was relaxed and buzzy, with fellow diners – a mix of families, groups of friends and couples – chatting away as they tucked into tortilla chips and tacos.
I began the night with a classic Tommy’s margarita (£9.85) and nodded at the first sip; barman Ben knows his margaritas.
I ordered a tostada (£6.50) – fried tortillas topped with refried black beans, queso fresco (impressively made in house) and pico de gallo – topped with chicken tinga and grilled corn (£4), otherwise known as elotes.
is needed now More than ever
The tostada, heaped with chicken, was delicious but a little over-seasoned. As was the corn, which suffered in texture from having been cooked from frozen.
The tostada was a little over-seasoned
The flavours were otherwise good and I happily devoured the lot and found myself wanting more, but not that much more.
Happily, Ben allowed me to order what he called the best combination on the menu: a battered cod taco (order of two, £9.50) with a side of birria (beef) dipping broth (£2).
The crunch and succulence of the fried fish in the savoury meatiness of the dip proved a scrumptious combination and decided what I’d order first on my next visit.
Try it: you’ll thank me and Ben.
There are good vegetarian and vegan options on the menu
There are good vegetarian and vegan options on the menu as well: oyster mushroom birria nachos and tacos; diablo croquettas of chopped jalapenos mixed with bechamel and mozzarella, breaded, and deep fried (£7); and a nopales salad of marinaded cactus with queso fresco (optional, of course), cherry tomatoes and lime-cured red onion and coriander (£5.50).
Indeed, it was the inclusion of nopales that gave me the first indication that El Diablo might be the elusive thing this American expatriate has been looking for: authentic Mexican flavours in Bristol.
El Diablo, 39 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AD
www.eldiablo.uk
All photos: Carrie Etter
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