A favorite go-to spot for Flash and me is Mojo Burrito in Red Bank. It’s the perfect late night dinner hangout, with its funky local art, hip overhead music, and fresh Tex-Mex concoctions.
When I go, I usually stick with the signature Mojo Burrito. “St. Elmo’s Fire chicken, Spanish rice, black beans, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and red onion, please.” That’s how I order it. But you could order yours however you like. Have it with steak or ground chuck. Have it with guacamole, green onion, and warm queso. Whatever you choose, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
But tonight I felt like branching out. Flash did too. When we got to the buffet-style counter to order, the server with black hair and dark eyeliner, wearing a rock band tee and a welcoming smile, said right now she was all about the Enchiladito ($9.50).
“With fire Chicken, black beans, Monterey Jack, pico de gallo, jalapenos (pickled or fresh) in a jalapeno-cheddar tortilla that’s grilled or fried. Man, you can’t go wrong,” she said. “Did I mention it comes served on a bed of rice and drizzled with queso and zesty red sauce?”
Flash ordered the Enchiladito - fried - without a second thought.
“Excellent choice,” the waitress said, putting her thumbs up.
I really expanded my horizons and went with the Chili Cheese Burrito ($8.50), which comes with Papa Bear’s vegetarian chili, ground chuck or fire chicken, Spanish rice, Monterey Jack, red onion, green onion, jalapeno, sour cream, tomatillo salsa and guacamole, wrapped in a chipotle tortilla and grilled.
We filed down the line to the cash register, a field of burrito and nacho toppings cleanly displayed behind the counter. We paid our bill ($18 before tax/tip) then went to the back room (what I call the hip-groover’s hangout), chose a booth against the lime green wall, and chilled.
Mojo Burrito is unique with its neon signs and stain-glass light fixtures. It’s like a museum of the funky-fresh. I was looking at the painting next to our table of Greek gods cheersing PBRs, when the black-haired server brought out our food.
I instantly knew I should have ordered the mini version of mine it was so monstrous. (Many of Mojo’s dishes come in miniature sizes at a lower cost.) But Flash couldn’t have been happier over his hardy Enchiladito. His dish was cheesy and fried to that perfect golden crisp. He let me try a bite, and the spicy flavors of the chicken and jalapenos melted in my mouth with the warm cheese and crispy tortilla.
“Delicious,” I said then let him try mine.
The Chili Cheese Burrito felt like the weight of a newborn. Flash had several bites, and I had to take it back from him before he ate it all along with his meal. I really enjoyed how the vegetarian chili mixed with the ground chuck and melted cheese. It was too big for me to finish, but something I would definitely order again.
We hung out at Mojo a little while longer after we finished eating because it’s just that kind of place. It’s easy and fun at Mojo, and the food is always good. It’s our definite go-to restaurant. And I don’t see that changing.
Location: 1800 Dayton Blvd
Hours: Mon. - Sun. 11am - 10pm