Zocalo Happy Hour Review – Upscale Drinks and Flavorful Bites
By Lauren Ferry and Katelyn Ryan
Sacramento is an up and coming foodie hot spot that is continuously growing. While venturing around Midtown, you are surrounded by a mixed vibe of rustic and industrial concepts. This vibe instantly puts you in the mood for happy hour. So where to quench your thirst? Let us cruise down Capitol Avenue.
Zocalo, a swanky Mexican restaurant fitted on the corner, grabbed our attention. Zocalo, meaning public square or plaza, exemplified the meaning of its title. Inside this restaurant you’ll find an inviting ambiance with high ceilings and warm decor.
The Spanish style atmosphere cheerily greets you hello as soon as you step through the door. The layout is spacious with high ceilings and an open concept giving guests the ability to enjoy each other’s company. The wrap around bar is a focal point in the design. The hostess was pleasant and readily knew what we were in search of: happy hour!
We started our happy hour experience with drinks of course. The menu was full of half-priced Mexican beers, margaritas, tequilas, sangria, and mojitos making the decision of choosing just one drink very difficult.
Photo Credited to Photography by Gabriel Teague
If you give their Blackberry Margarita a try, you will not be disappointed. The vibrant magenta color is whimsically eye-catching. The rim is delicately brushed with sugar. A zesty lime and blackberry duo dance together to garnish this quenching beverage. The tequila is Monte Alban Silver. This drink is a festive choice to kick off the afternoon.
If you’re feeling a bit more classic, the Margarita de la Casa is for you. The drink is equipped with a salted rim and kiss of lime served on the rocks. It is simple, but absolutely satisfying for your happy hour fix. It acts as the perfect pairing for the bar bites to come.
Zocalo has a tasty collaboration of Mexican classics on their happy hour menu. Each priced affordable at five bucks! This is a great way to mix and match, share, and taste. You get to experience the full spectrum of the Zocalo flavor profile without breaking your bank.
As soon as we sat down we were given a fresh basket of tortilla chips and two little trays of dips. One was their house-made salsa, the other was a bean dip topped with a little queso fresco.
Both dips were equally as addicting as the other and made for the perfect accompaniment to our margaritas.
Is there anything more thrilling than having a plump bowl of Guacamole delivered to you? I don’t think so. You can taste the freshness of the avocado, which is key for the foundation of the ideal guacamole. The other elements included a swirl of jalapeno, tomato, cilantro, and lime. Queso Fresco is sprinkled on top before being served. The texture was ideal for guacamole, not too smooth and not too chunky. It was the perfect start to our afternoon snacking.
The Sopes were a favorite at our table. They were delicate on the outside, but robust on the inside. Thick little masa cakes are the base to this dish. A smear of pinto smothers the bottom of the cakes. A generous dollop of carnitas lay a top of that. The carnitas had a rich, savory flavor profile with crispy caramelization to cut the fat. Also entwined for bright flavor were the additions of tomatillo salsa, onion, and cilantro. Dry yet firm Cotija cheese was the final touch.
The happy hour Nacos Tacos are a bite-sized treat. You choose from a selection of chicken, carne asada, and carnitas. These miniature corn tortillas are filled with pico de gallo and salsa morita (dried chipotle) for some freshness and some smoke. I recommend mixing and matching taco variations to bring some variety to your taste buds. Other happy hour menu items include Empanadas, Nachos, Quesadillas, and Flautas. You really cannot go wrong with any of the of the tantalizing menu options.
The Mojito was a definite palate cleanser and a crisp finish to our happy hour experience. The muddled mint freshens the breath, but is not too overbearing. For those who enjoy an herbal refresher, you should give this drink a try.
The overall Zocalo experience was a positive one. It is a great place to connect with friends and enjoy a light and fun atmosphere. Happy Hour is from 3-6 pm seven days a week with a vast amount of drinks and little bites to choose from. The service here is phenomenal with constant refills of dips, chips, and drinks. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily and serves brunch on the weekends. Zocalo holds true to its name acting as a public plaza for people to come together for drinks and flavorful food.