Know your Locos: Five fave dishes at the new Super Loco Customs House

Our favourite Singapore Mexican restaurant has added a new location and kicked things up a notch with an elevated food and drinks menu. Get the deets on the bueno new Super Loco Customs House

Until a few years ago, finding quality Mexican food in Singapore was a near impossibility: the best you could hope for were bland burritos, stale tortilla chips, and cloyingly sweet margaritas that totally came from a mix.

Then Lucha Loco exploded onto the scene in 2012, simultaneously bringing new life to Duxton Hill with its outdoor beer garden and giving Mexican food aficionados something to believe in (namely, amazing tacos).

Specializing in tacos, ceviches, quesadillas and various share plates, along with a wide range of cocktails and tequila, Lucha Loco is great for groups and celebrations. It’s also the unofficial hands-down date night fave for mamas across Singapore (sit inside if you want a slightly more intimate vibe).

In 2014 along came Super Loco at Roberston Quay, a bigger, more family-friendly alternative with amazing outdoor seating right along the river (did you know they’ve even got a pet license so dogs are welcome, mamas?!). Super Loco offers an fab weekend brunch with everything from Huevos Rancheros and Breakfast Burritos to fluffy pancakes and granola. They also do a brisk business in group functions and parties – no shocker given the colourful, convivial atmosphere – but make sure to limit group bookings to three per night to ensure families and casual walk-ins can still dine there as well (they don’t take reservations, but I’ve never had to wait for a table during any weekend visit).

And now a new younger sibling, Super Loco Customs House, has arrived on the scene, fully formed and self-assured. The team worked with a different design team to create a sleek space befitting its CBD location, and the vibe is definitely a bit glossier; the bright colors of its sister restaurants are replaced by rich woods and shiny chromes.

Super Loco Customs House will be the first Loco location (locotion?) to feature weekday lunch – ideal for hungry office crowds. Watch this space because they’re planning to soon offer takeaway and delivery, too!

We really dig the panoramic views of Marina Bay. While the menu retains popular Loco faves like corn Elotes and Ceviche, it’s been “elevated” for the bankers and businesspeople with luxe dishes like Lobster Tostadas, Wagyu Tacos and Oysters.

There’s also an extensive menu with more than 80 tequilas to go with a fab selection of cocktails and wines. During our visit we were lucky enough to try a rare Fuenteseca Tequila aged 18 years – with notes of caramel and wood this is decidedly not the sort of thing to do body shots with at the bar (though Loco Group offers plenty of that, too, with its fun roving tequila carts).

Check out our gallery of some of our fave dishes and drinks at Super Loco Customs House, and be sure to give them a visit soon, mama!

Opening Hours: 12pm-Midnight (Mon-Fri); 5pm – Midnight (Sat); Closed Sundays and select public holidays.

Super Loco Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, #01-04, Singapore 049323, Tel: (+65) 6532 2090, www.super-loco.com/customshouse

A popular carryover from Lucha Loco, this frozen delight almost feels like a smoothie (with açaí it’s totally got health benefits, right?). It’s totally refreshing and ideal for taking in the stunning views from Super Loco’s patio. Other ingredients include La Venenosa Raicilla mezcal, berries, spearmint agave, and lime — it tastes sweeter than a margarita. Just watch out for the imminent brain freeze!

With Maine lobster, celery hearts, avocado, spring onion, piquillo & orange mayo, this is the Loco Group’s Latin spin on the classic lobster roll (and exhibit A in their new “elevated” menu geared toward a finance and business crowd). Light, a little bit decadent, and absolutely gorgeous to look at.

Paired with air-dried Wagyu, watercress and Burrata, this moreish starter is ideal for sharing or pairing with post-work cocktails. We like the various light, healthy options on the menu at the new location that are perfect for lunch, such as the superfood-laden Mexican Grain Salad ($8/$15) and the Pepino y Mas ($6/$11) with cucumber, mint, yoghurt, fennel, green grapes, cactus, capers, lime and radish.

Falling under the “For the Family” section that’s designated for sharing, this yummy “roll-your-own” dish is highlighted by grilled pineapple, the sweetness of which balances out the tangy pork. The doughy black bean torta makes this a delectable alternative to your humdrum sandwich.

Available by the pitcherful, this refreshing spin combines Cava sparkling wine with Cimarron Blanco tequila, zesty yuzu, apple, white peach and mint. Purists can opt for the red wine version that incorporates Cimarron Blanco tequila along with apple, guava, currants, orange, cinnamon clove and agave. Or of course you could always opt from the list of 10 margaritas (we recommend the Margarita de Coco) or various other classic cocktails.