Fuego Latino Gastropub Review

Grandma Rating: 5 out of 5 Werther's

Recently we stumbled upon Fuego Latino Gastropub located in downtown Round Rock, Texas.  Having lived in Texas for nearly a year, we had not yet encountered any Mexican food that wasn't your average chips, salsa, and page after page of menu choices full of bland Americanized food.

Fuego Latino Gastropub is anything but average and our Granny taste buds celebrated with every bite of this fresh, made from scratch, delight.  Any real foodie knows that a large menu spells trouble right from the beginning so we were pleased when we saw that Fuego Latino Gastropub's lunch menu consisted of one page with only twelve menu options.

Aracely Alcocer, co-owner of Fuego Latino Gastropub with her husband Chef Mario Alcocer, was a delight.  Aracely was thoroughly knowledgeable of the menu informing us of the various cultural flavors found in the various dishes from Central and South America.

While we wanted to eat absolutely everything on the menu (and we will eventually), we settled on the Chicken & Goat Cheese Empanadas and Al Pastor Tacos.  Both dishes were tasty treats. We had made chimichurri on our own at home but it didn't have half the flavor of the chimichurri served with the Chicken & Goat Cheese Empanadas.  We asked Aracely about the chimichurri and she explained how the castelvetrano olives make all the difference.  She told us about inquiring of her husband, Chef Mario Alcocer, why he didn't use a less expensive olive and his response was, "People who know the food will know the difference".  I love that Chef Alcocer wants only the best for those who have the privilege to delight in the flavors of his culinary artistry.

As for the Al Pastor Tacos, I was especially delighted with the corn tortillas. Corn tortillas are only good when made fresh, but even then I have only experienced subpar taste and texture.  Chef Alcocer's corn tortillas floated in my mouth with the most exquisite, delicate flavor that married perfectly with the rest of the dish. 

Chicken & Goat Cheese Empanadas description:

Turnovers filled with slow-cooked cilantro & oregano chopped chicken breast, mixed with sweet onions tomato jam, served with castelvetrano olive chimichurri.

Al Pastor Tacos description:

Signature marinated slow roasted pork, grilled pineapple cilantro & red onion, creamy tomatillo avocado salsa.

We also treated ourselves to a margarita, or two, or three, but who's counting. Mind you, nothing you eat or drink at Fuego Latino Gastropub is packages, pre-made, or a bottled "mix".  Everything, including the mixed drinks are made fresh and all juices are hand squeezed. Sweetness comes from natural ingredients like honey, juices and other natural flavoring.  Our margaritas were hands down the best we have ever had, and we've consumed copious amounts of margaritas!

Do they have chips and salsa?  Of course, but not like any chips and salsa you have ever put in your mouth before.  Chips and salsa are not delivered to your table until your dining order has been placed.  Why? Because everything is made fresh!  The chips were light and crispy and the salsa was pure perfection with just the right amount of heat.

When we left the Fuego Latino Gastropub I didn't want to brush my teeth because the lingering flavors in my mouth were so good! 

We will be going back to the Fuego Latino Gastropub until we have experienced EVERYTHING on their lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch menus.  

Please help this mom and pop restaurant survive in this competitive Austin arena.  We want to be able to visit the Fuego Latino Gastropub for years to come!

Learn more about the Fuego Latino Gastropub here: http://www.fuegolatinogastropub.com/index.htm

Also "like" them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/FLGastropub/reviews/?ref=page_internal