Super El Camino: Little Italy

2400 India St.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 685-3881
http://www.elcaminosd.com/
5pm-2am Daily
Full Bar
Live Music- Mariachi; DJ spinning Top 40; Dance; House
Nightly Special* (see below)
Happy Hour** (see below)
Kitchen Open Late
Outdoor patio
*Hipster*

Super El Camino, in the former Airport Lounge venue in Little Italy, provides a breath of fresh air, and ignites the sky with its bright pink neon lights, to wake up Little Italy’s somewhat sleepy nightlife.

The interior -designed by co-owner Mauricio Courturier (who also designed Voyeur and most recently, Noble Experiment)-is vibrant, quirky, and at times, simply brilliant.

The DJ stand is made entirely out of Corona boxes; while the speakers, coated in gold paint, create the olé-inspiring juxtaposition between alley-street chic & fancy bling action.

Like its hermana restaurant, the walls dazzle with the same Mexicana pop culture posters and decor– but taken to a whole nueva level: Even retro era movies and TV shows are played in tiny screens built into the bar! Giving you a reason to look down, while you wait for your drink– and away from those tequila-drenched eyes starring at you from the other side of the bar.

Hanging metal pig-shaped chandeliers, with numerous tiny holes drilled out, allow small bursts of light to illuminate the room. Ranchero boots and small horses, generously dipped in gold, glimmer out of various nooks throughout the space.

Mauricio really pulled out the big art guns — teaming up with San Diego’s own breakout artists, Juan (Tocayo) and Abe (Exist 1981), to wheatpaste and drench the walls with eye-popping colors, skeletons wearing sombreros, and luchadores.

Huge booths coated in bright paisley vinyl are perfect for melting into as you enjoy your Michelada out of the boot and a festive snack.

If things get a bit too spicy indoors, retreat to El Camino’s HUGE back patio, equipped with kitschy entertainment like air hockey and video games. Try not to let the noise above from enormous 747 air crafts coming in for landing distract you from your Pac Man missions.

What El Camino’s interior offers in aesthetics, its cuisine equally offers in flavor. Fresh, thoughtful, and traditional Mexican dishes bring a comforting sense of familiarity, while unique nuances in the form of sauces, salsas, and organic, local ingredients validate the restaurant as its self-proclaimed super-cocina.

Stand-outs on El Menu include the Sopa De Fideo – a recipe three generations-old, this vegetarian-delight comes in the form of a rich and fragrant tomato broth, with fideo, garlic, cilantro, and onion that is so immensely flavorful you could only assume grandma was in the back cooking it herself. The Nachos El Camino are great for sharing – until you get a taste of that zesty cilantro crema sauce and the fresh black beans underneath. In which case, you may consider ordering your own.

Cuidado! The heavy on the tequila-tainted libations will take you on a one-way trip to the floor – the dance floor that is! With a great stage ready for live band performances, there is no excuse not to get up and shake those Sweet Potato Flautas off.

Whether you decide to dine, or just indulge in few sinful sips, waitresses flouncing around in hot pink ruffle-y aprons will bring baskets of deliciously fresh tortilla chips alongside four house-made salsas – perfect for adding extra spice to any dish, or to slow down the creeping effects of that tequila. The zesty crema sauce is the best — if you’re with two or more amigos you should probably ask for extra.

Events & Specials*:
Super Taco Tuesday: $3 Coronas & 1/2 off tacos; Karaoke
Sunday Brunch: 10am -close: $1 Mimosas; DJs spinning from 12pm

Happy Hour **
Mon-Fri 5pm-7pm

BY: TD