Loco Coco's Mexican Restaurant

Down a side street in Kittery, Maine, Loco Coco's is nestled away from the main part of Kittery. It isn't in the bustling outlets, nor does it overlook the water. Looking at Loco Coco's, a small and simple Mexican restaurant, you wonder what all the popularity is about. But this humble establishment has a lot to offer if you are looking for something different. Quite simply, it is about the food.

Featuring traditional Mexican fare, their menu is simple but the quality and quantity stands out. Their tortilla chips are made in-house along with their salsa, and everything is fresh. The lettuce is crispy, the tomatoes are tasty, and the veggies are crunchy. Burritos are large, layered with fresh vegetables and meat, and there are 6 different sauces available to use as dips or condiments for anything. Their menu offers both meat and vegetarian items, ranging from quesadillas, to burritos, to salads. Some dishes in particular that I enjoy are any of the quesadillas, and their traditional Mexican flan. Flan is a custard dessert that is hard to get right. Loco Coco's has it spot on - it is the best flan I have ever had.

Beverage choices are simple and limited, coming in the form of soda, bottled water, or beer. Unlike a lot of the "big box" restaurants, Loco Coco's is quite small and seating can sometimes be a challenge in the winter during busy times. In the summer there are tables setup outside to help with this. The seating, too, is simple, with the option of sitting at the bar facing the kitchen, or one of several small tables with high chairs. Either way, it is well worth the short wait for a table to open up.

I find that Loco Coco's is a terrific place to eat after a long day of running around with friends. It is a lot more appetizing and satisfying than the mall food court, and you will be very far from hungry after leaving. Socially, it is usually a bustling place, and is best enjoyed with a table full of friends, trying each other's foods.

The pricing is especially good. Everything on the menu is under $10.00, and the portion sizes are not small. It is very easy to go in hungry, not spend much money, and leave more than satisfied (sometimes with enough left for a great lunch the next day.)

Loco Coco's has a strong local following, so if you live in the area it is well worth seeking this out. I have even had the owner and people working there recognize me and my friends since we're frequent visitors. It's a great feeling to have the people in a restaurant know who you are, and it's part of some of that small-town charm that Maine and New Hampshire have to offer. Service, in general, is quick and responsive, and I have never had a problem or received a rude response if I asked a question or requested a substitution.

I would say that the hardest thing about eating at Loco Coco's is that once you've had some of the menu you want all of it, so it's challenging to make a decision. No matter what you pick on the menu, it has so far been my experience that I won't be disappointed.