Mexican restaurant opens: Rooftop tacos and margaritas in Fall Creek Place

UPDATED July 3, 2018: Promising a monthly rooftop taco party, the owner of Loco opened the Mexican Restaurant July 3. 

Loco hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The 2205 N. Delaware St., restaurant also includes a walk-up window, separate from the dining room, for take-out orders.

EARLIER STORY:

That Fall Creek Place restaurant space that suffered two closings in 12 months? A Mexican restaurant opening there this summer sounds like the place that will break the curse.

A Tex-Mex menu, 50 tequilas and a monthly rooftop taco party are in the works at Loco Mexican Restaurant, 2205 N. Delaware St., where LongBranch and 22nd Street Diner both gave it shot.

“It’s going to be different from everyone else,” owner Erick Carrasco said of Loco.

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The four-story building at the corner of 22nd Street includes a rooftop patio that accommodates up to 100 people, Carrasco said. That’s where he’ll host a taco party with margaritas and music once a month all summer long.

Barbacoa (brisket), carne asada (steak), grilled chicken, shrimp, tilapia and seared tuna tacos in corn tortillas are one part of the menu Carrasco plans at the family-friendly restaurant. LongBranch owners blamed the closing of there restaurant in part on serving a 21-and-older crowd only.

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At Loco, expect typical Tex-Mex dishes such as nachos, queso dip and burritos and enchiladas with rice and beans on the side for lunch and dinner along with Mexican specialties: ceviche, a skirt steak in red chilli sauce dish named chili Colorado and fish fajitas featuring two whole tilapia.

Carrasco taps his mother and grandmother’s recipes for daily soups. The family hails from Chihuahua, Mexico. “I want to present people the authentic Mexican soups that are out there, that I eat. It’s not going to be your typical tortilla soup,” Carrasco said.

Carrots and zucchini go into chicken soup. Creamy cauliflower soup with chicken broth, tomatoes, onions and fresh cauliflower will have enough cheddar and mozzarella to stretch high with each dip of a spoon, Carrasco said.

Lunch combination-plate specials will start at $6.25. Dinner prices will range from $8.99 to the most expensive selection, the “ultimate fajita” platter hosting chicken, shrimp and steak together, for $15.99.

Carrasco is a bartender who has been working with Luciana's Mexican Restaurants in Indianapolis. Corralejo tequila will be the Loco house brand. Various mezcals and mezcal cocktails will be offered, as well. Choose classic margaritas with fresh lime juice, orange liqueur and tequila or flavored margaritas — mango, raspberry, peach or strawberry.

Changes are coming to the décor, too. Back-lit shelving behind the bar will spotlight tequilas. Booth seating and options for groups of up to 20 people will fill the 100-seat dining room. Another 40 seats will be on the patio. Murals and pictures depicting agave fields are in the works.

This is Carrasco’s first restaurant. He said he has been working in the restaurant business for the past 17 years, starting as a busboy and dishwasher and working his way up to manager and bartender.

Follow IndyStar food writer Liz Biro on Twitter: @lizbiro, Instagram: @lizbiro, and on Facebook. Call her at (317) 444-6264.