55 Burro Cafe is a Forest Hills institution for authentic Mexican fare, fabulous margaritas, cocktails, beer, and fun, owned and operated by the local Cornejo Family since 1989. The clever name is a pun for “Burro” which means donkey in Spanish and the 5 “Boroughs.” We could all use some fun in this upside-down world, and 5 Burro Café delivers a pleasurable evening with great food, friendly service, and a festive atmosphere all at reasonable prices.
The kitschy interior looks like a roadside cantina with license plates and memorabilia on the walls. The corrugated tin bar mixes up the best drinks, such as the Cadillac Margarita made with fine tequila and lime juice for a cocktail that will chase the blues away. Frozen margaritas are flavored with fruit, such as mango or strawberry and go down easily. Pina colada, Shark attack, and daiquiris are house favorites. Michelada is a popular mix of Mexican beer, Worcestershire, lime juice, and Tabasco with a salt rim and slice of lime.
Rodrigo, our kind, helpful waiter suggested some of their excellent “aperitivos” or starters and we loved the flautas, which are tortillas rolled up with pulled chicken or vegetables, served with pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole ($14). Aguacate relleno is a stuffed half avocado filled with shrimp and 5 Burro’s special dressing that was refreshing and bright. 5 Burro Café serves awesome hand mixed guacamole with homemade tortilla chips, hot and spicy chicken wings, and irresistible queso fundido, creamy melted Monterey Jack cheese blended with spicy Mexican sausage and topped with pico de gallo ($14). Quesadillas are oozing with cheese, chicken, steak, shrimp or beans and are great to share as a first course, or a dinner entrée.
Plates at 5 Burro Café include Mexican classics like massive burritos filled with chicken, beef, shrimp, or lobster, wrapped in soft flour tortillas with rice, beans, guacamole, and sour cream, served two to an order.
Enchiladas Suizas are a specialty made with corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken, topped with green tomatillo sauce for a delicious lunch or dinner. Fajitas are very popular at 5 Burro Café, with your choice of sizzling, marinated steak, chicken, grilled shrimp, salmon, or vegetables. 5 Burro tacos are served three to an order for dinner and two at lunch, filled with pork al pastor, ground beef “del norte,” or grilled fish with salsa and cilantro. Another margarita, please!
The chef creates special dishes with a modern twist. I loved the chipotle chicken with slow-cooked chipotle sauce over a breaded chicken breast. This delightful sauce goes over the chuleta pork chops for a hearty dish served with Mexican fries and grilled vegetables. Camarones al ajillo are shrimp with garlic, butter, and wine sauce and 5 Burro makes it so well, served with seasoned rice, beans, guacamole, and pico de gallo ($28). Salmon Veracruz is juicy and flavorful, sauteed with tomato, onion, peppers, olives and capers served with seasoned rice, refried beans, and guacamole ($28). Skirt steak and sirloin steak are tender, juicy, and cooked to order, while the surf and turf pairs a 10-ounce sirloin steak with six plump shrimp for dinner. The service is great and everything is served hot and nicely presented.
Cool, creamy flan will sweeten your palate, as will the apple chimichangas, a sweet treat of apples, walnuts and cinnamon, fried till crisp in a flour tortilla, dusted with cinnamon.
Beat the winter blues at 5 Burro Café open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner from 12-11pm, and until 1am at the hip bar. Weekend Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm with an $18 menu that includes huevos rancheros and omelets, and an a la carte menu. Check out their website for photos, menus, and to place an order for delivery. Don’t be a stubborn mule….visit 5 Burro Café for great food, cocktails, and festivities!
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