Steve's ALS food blog #17


My daughter and her husband were over the top about the new Mexican restaurant that moved into their neighborhood at the corner of Delaware and 22nd Street.  It took the place of a restaurant that opened and closed within two weeks.  This daughter and her husband are really pretty good about discovering new restaurants so we gave it a try.
                                                                        LOCO
Loco is a Mexican restaurant located at the corner of Delaware and 22nd Street in Indianapolis.  (Loco means “crazy” in Spanish—hence my clever opening).   Heeding my off-spring’s warning about crowds and long lines, we arrived at about 3:30 PM on a Friday afternoon.  We were the first patrons, but as we ate, the restaurant began filling up pretty quickly.  I was able to maneuver my chair adequately close to a table so that eating was not a problem.   There are no high tables.  We counted 2 handicap parking spots in the large lot behind the building, accessed from 22nd Street.  We snagged one with a ramp.
 The menu was standard Tex-Mex.  My wife ordered a salad which she found agreeable.  Because of my dexterity (actually lack thereof) I needed to find something that I could pick up and eat.  I opted for a chicken burrito without any sauce.  The other options, at least for me, would have been soft or hard shelled tacos.  The burrito was pretty good.  Loco has a liquor license and I think does a pretty brisk business with Margaritas.  We both opted for iced tea.
The aisles are wide and you will have no difficulty maneuvering your chair, scooter, or walker.  The bathroom is spacious.  Getting in was easy.  I used the foot pads on my chair to push open the door.  However, getting out was nearly impossible.  The door opens inward and is, at least for me, almost too heavy to deal with.  Take someone with you to the bathroom.  It is OK, and at the very least you will save yourself some really bad words as you try to exit.
Back to the food.  As I ate my burrito, I, mentioned to my wife that it did not taste as if there were spices that would add heat.  Since I do not care for spicy food, I was grateful.  That is, until I got home.  I wasn’t exactly sick, but not exactly well either.  Suffice to say, I am grateful that my wife is a fast driver.
The service was adequate, but just.  Our server was pleasant, but felt his job was completed once he seated us and took our order.  Normally, a server will check back to refresh drinks and just generally see how you’re doing.  Not this guy.
CONCLUSION:  Loco is located in a vibrant neighborhood with lots of young families.  It will do well.  Personally, though, I was unimpressed with the service and pretty miffed about barely escaping the bathroom.  I have already explained my reaction to the food and am trying not to dwell on it.  Loco isn’t  awful—but it also isn’t really good.  The next time I am in the mood for Mexican food I will head back to Biscuits.
2 chairs
NOTE:  Like you my condition changes and these reviews reflect those changes.  Currently, I use a power its yield five chair for mobility, and no longer attempt to transfer to a regular chair at a restaurant.  I struggle with eating utensils soul look for menus with finger foods, or with a kitchen staff graciously willing to cut up my food.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ALS Restaurant Review #1

For me, one of life’s pleasures is going out to eat.  My wife and I have loved trying new foods and new venues here in Indianapolis.  We also have fun whittling down the list to a few that we return to time and again. Like you, changes in my body have sharply limited what I can do—but have not curtailed my enjoyment of restaurants.  Those changes have, however,  altered what I deem important in restaurant dining.    Great food and good prices, but poor access?  Off my list. If I can get in, get seated comfortably, and easily use the bathroom-- HUGE POINTS.  Even if the place specializes in Brussel Sprouts. I do not like Brussel Sprouts. So, from time to time I will post reviews.  I will mention food, prices, and service, but will focus on access.  After all, dining out should be comfortable and without stress. My rating system will be based on my scooter (thank you Mitch). 4 scooters:  Great!  Do not miss this. ...
Read more

STEVE'S ALS RESTAURANT REVIEW #4

‘Tis the season.  Mistletoe and holly, crowded shopping centers, struggling with the Christmas tree, and holiday parties. This year, as in several years past, our office held its annual holiday party at FOGO DE CHAO Throughout the rest of this review, I will refer to the restaurant has “Fogo”. Fogo is located in downtown Indianapolis, at the corner of Washington Street and Virginia Avenue.  Because of its location, access is going to be a challenge—unless you are as lucky as were we.  Immediately around the corner on Virginia Avenue is a handicap parking spot—the only one that we saw.  If you are fortunate enough to grab the spot, you will end up in the street until you get to the accessible curb at the corner of Washington and Virginia.  If there is no handicapped slot available, you will be well advised to use the car valet.  I did not see any parking garages close by.  Even with the valet though, you will still need to travel a bit to get t...
Read more

Steve"s ALS Restaurant Review #15

THE MERIDIAN Decades ago there was a small, family owned restaurant on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis.   Dodds Townhouse was a popular eating spot, especially nice for dinner before Starlight Musicals.   It was family friendly, and made certain to hire neighborhood teenagers (mine included) to hostess and bus. Time passed, and as these things go, the owners grew weary and ultimately Dodds was no more.   New owners took over, spruced up the aging house that the restaurant called home, changed the menu, and the name.   Thus was born The Meridian. We tried it a couple of times early in its existence and for reasons that I cannot now remember just didn’t care for it.   But, we were recently looking for someplace different to celebrate our anniversary and decided to give The Meridian another chance.     We arrived wearing socks and shoes.   We left with just the shoes—because the restaurant blew our socks right off.   We had chang...
Read more