Toro Loco

Toro Loco
23 Valley Street
South Orange, 973-761-1515

Hours: Sun–Thurs, 11:30 am–9:45 pm; Fri and Sat, 11:30 am–10:45 pm.

Price: $$

Style: Clay-tile floors, rough-hewn furnishings and iron lanterns create an old-fashioned hacienda atmosphere.

Don’t Miss: Sangria—a tasty balance of wine, brandy, triple sec and fresh fruit ($19/pitcher; $11/half). You’ll get a free basket of freshly made tortilla chips and salsa, but leave room, the starters are worth sampling. Try the empanaditas, three flaky turnovers stuffed with chicken, cheese, ground beef or chorizo ($7.95), or the ceviche options: shrimp and crabmeat ($11.95), octopus and crabmeat ($11.95), or octopus ($11.95). Soups, especially black bean ($3.95), are another good choice. The extensive menu includes traditional Mexican favorites, along with house specials like marinated rack of lamb ($24.95) and a surf-and-turf of shell steak and shrimp scampi ($22.95), each served with Mexican rice and beans and salad. Combination platters offer three favorites such as burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos, tostadas and chile rellenos for $11.95. For a change, try the camarones en pipian, shrimp simmered in a creamy pumpkinseed sauce that has a nutty, sweet flavor ($16.95), or the huachinango al mojo de ajo, fried red snapper in a garlic sauce ($16.95).

Heads Up: There is a lively bar area, sometimes with romping music. Just a couple of miles from Seton Hall University, Toro Loco is popular with the college crowd.

The Scoop: This family-owned eatery has been a South Orange Village mainstay for 20 years.