You know how you can just tell that some restaurants are money without even eating there? Cabrito is a prime example. Any place with a big-ass pink goat hanging above a space that’s consistently slammed with people enjoying themselves is most likely awesome. Another telling sign? Their smart and effective use of the internet. In today’s world, it remains pretty shocking to us how few restaurants have embraced the internet and social media properly. For the same reasons bands are using their websites, Twitter and Facebook to connect with fans and potential customers, so should the restaurant biz. Your people are out there; it’s simple to get them. Not only does Cabrito have an impressive website with info, press clippings, happy hour details, online delivery capabilities and so on, but both the restaurant’s Twitter and the chef’s Twitter are informative and quite entertaining.
After a recent group dinner here, our initial good feelings were confirmed. Cabrito’s food is top notch and is some of the better Mexican available downtown. They’re famous for their goat, but don’t let that scare you. We passed on goat completely, and still had a successful feast. When it comes to margaritas, they don’t mess around. They’re constantly having happy hour specials (follow their Twitter to cash in on their impromptu drink specials), and even when the drinks are full price, they’re stiff and worth every penny. Added bonus in the form of two flat screens at the bar and NFL Sunday Ticket for those like myself looking for a good Sunday alternative to generally shitty sports bars this city has to offer.
Food Rundown:
Rajas Con Crema
This ‘make your own’ soft taco appetizer of roasted poblano peppers in a cream sauce tastes way better than it looks. If you’re into spicy peppers, order this.
Tacos
Along with the margaritas, these three bite wonders are reason enough to visit Cabrito. We sampled every taco on the menu and they were all good. Our favorites were the spicy house-made chorizo, pork belly, dry rubbed skirt steak and the al pastor marinated pork in a pineapple habanero pico de gallo. They’re not cheap though, three tacos cost $18.
Red Chili Short Ribs
This is served up pretty much like a Mexican short rib beef stew. Braised chunks of short rib show up swimming in a big bowl of some kind of reddish chili rojo. Not exactly sure what it’s made of, but whatever it is, it’s freakin good. Don’t be afraid to order this one up.
Mexican Half Rack
Although I really wanted to dive face first into Cabrito’s namesake (slow roasted goat with a sour orange, garlic and chili rub), it was impossible to turn down this special half rack of pork ribs. These were very good, not life changing, but I was in the mood and they hit the spot. Really dug the honey-chipotle glaze on top.
Pollo Barbacoa
This is a serious meal. A chili rubbed and roasted half chicken on top of mezcal raisin and fried plantain coconut rice. The chili rub on the chicken makes this dish stand out and something you should seriously consider ordering.
