Margaritas and Classy Mexican Cuisine at Caló Kitchen, El Segundo

The Rosecrans corridor has seen plenty of growth over the past year with new choices in dining.  Thankfully Caló Kitchen + Tequila is among the new additions bringing a solid margarita menu and serious Mexican food.

Cozy Dining Room

Walking into the dining room at Caló Kitchen, one of the first thing I noticed was how cozy things were.  The space is split into two levels with a bar, tables, and a patio on the first floor and more tables and booths on the second floor.  Downstairs seats 60 and upstairs about 40.

With limited seating, I highly recommend calling ahead for a reservation. Caló might not be the best location for large parties but I can see it as a choice spot for intimate dinners with friends or couples.

Tequilas y Margaritas

Caló Kitchen + Tequila literally has one of my favorite liquors in their name so my expectations were high going in.  Thankfully the well thought out selection of tequilas and margaritas did not disappoint.

The tequila selection includes 30+ selections of blancos, reposados, and anejos with each category featuring price points for all tastes and budgets.  

Thankfully you won’t have to give instructions on how to mix up a margarita to suit you; the margarita menu is varied enough that you’ll find something to suit your liking.  Many of the margaritas feature fresh fruits and herbs, like the popular La Sandia that includes watermelon and basil and is on the sweeter side of tequila cocktails.

My favorite though was Jefe’s Spicy Margarita, a classic lime+tequila mix accented with serrano chiles.  It’s just hot enough that you can feel the heat while still enjoying a well balanced margarita without sweating bullets.  

For best all around I would toss up between The Grilled Pineapple and Chile and the Fresh Blackberry margaritas.  Both bring a solid sweetness from agave and their respective fruit ingredient, followed quickly by a wave of tequila saltiness.  Heat seekers will appreciate the jalapeños in the pineapple and chile.

Mexican Sections with Flair

For starting off a meal at Caló, I would suggest the guacamole and the shrimp taquitos.  I almost hate to compare their guacamole to one as pedestrian as the guac from chipotle but its that good…only better.  Caló’s guac is a bit brighter in flavor and freshness.

And the shrimp taquitos without a doubt are a great selection.

The crispy outside and tender, whole shrimp on the outside make this appetizer more like a meal.  The accompanying condiments – lettuce, cheese, salsa quemada, and pico de gallo – round out the dish nicely.

On the entrée menu, you’ll find salads, “classics” (with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, flautas, and even a chimichanga), and Kitchen Specialities.  I’m sure you’ll be pleased with a select from any of these categories but my suggestion: go for one of the specialties.

With their choice of fresh ingredients and time-honored preparation techniques, the classics are better than what I’ve had at other places.  But honestly, the specialities are like none I’ve ever had.

Let’s start with the shrimp and crab enchiladas.  I don’t even like enchiladas; I prefer my tortilla dishes on the drier side.  But for the sake of review I tired the shrimp and crab enchilada and I’m willing to make an exception for this melding of seafood flavors wrapped snugly and doused in roasted tomatillo salsa.

The Salmon Asado is another recommended selection from the Kitchen Specialties section of the menu.  I’m trying to think and I can’t recall ever having seen a salmon asado on any Mexican restaurant’s menu.  “But, Michael”, you’re saying, “Why would you go to a Mexican place and order salmon!?”. I counter with “why not?!”. 😀

The salmon is a nice addition to the menu for lighter fare and adds to the options for diners that might want Mexican but are looking for something other than pork, beef, or chicken (Caló also features halibut tacos as a specialty).

Along with a prime skirt steak (also in the Specialties section), the salmon raises Caló to more than just another high-end Mexican place.  I would pit it against Fleming’s right down the street for diner’s that want their steak and potatoes (albeit, rice instead of potatoes) prepared in a way that satisfies an American craving while staying true to Mexican flavors.

And if you find yourself in a state of analysis paralysis while looking at the menu, consider a reasonably priced three item combination plate that lets you select from tamales, chile relleno, enchiladas, and tacos along with one side selection from rice and beans, salad, or Mexican corn on the cob.

• Caló Kitchen + Tequila
  • https://www.calokitchen.com/
  • 2191 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245; (424) 269-2322