Stop by Central Taco & Tequila in Westmont, NJ to celebrate National Taco Day with Throwback Tacos topped with ground beef, shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, lettuce and diced tomatoes on a flour tortilla! This modern Mexican eatery at 350 Haddon Avenue, marks the by PJW Restaurant Group’s fourth concept on the same half-mile stretch of the avenue- including P.J. Whelihan’s, Treno Pizza Bar, and The Pour House.
The 150-seat-plus restaurant, formerly The Irish Mile, is open and boasts an industrial feel designed by Stokes Architecture with a raised the roof of the building to create an airy atmosphere and exposed wooden beams and rafters, where string lights hang to create the fun, festive atmosphere. Exposed brick walls and cinderblock walls feature one-of-a-kind murals by local Philadelphia artist, Gibbs Connors, who also created the exterior signage. Guests dine on large wooden tables were made by Pennsylvania Amish carpenters from the remnants of a Lancaster barn.
We stopped by to try some of the seasonal specials and of course some tacos! For starters we loved the Avocado Egg Rolls served with a sweet cashew dipping sauce and the Mexican Chicken Dip is a delicious twist on your traditional buffalo chicken dip with pulled chicken with creamy cheese and Mexican spices, baked and served in a hot skillet with crispy tortilla chips. Other classics on the menu include Tortilla Chips with a variety of dips: Guacamole, Queso, or the Salsa Trio with salsa morita, salsa verde, and roasted jalapeño pico de gallo. Nachos are offered up on a metal tray topped with queso oaxaca, monterey jack cheese, cotija cheese, pickled red onion, roasted jalapeño pico de gallo, black beans, and drizzled with crema.
You will certainly find this restaurant great for a small or large group, the menu is broken up into a variety of small plates, you can even mix and match your tacos with the option of ordering one of each type. If you’re a fan of Tuna Tartare we’d also recommend you try the Tuna Tostada which features cubes of soy citrus marinated ahi tuna, drizzled with chipotle crema, avocado, and topped with crispy leeks. This light dish is great for health conscious diners. Other healthy choices include Shrimp Coctel which is chilled shrimp in a spiced tomato sauce with avocado and cucumber or the Mexican Street Bowl filled with blistered corn, cotija cheese, roasted jalapeño, pico de gallo, pinto beans, avocado, crispy tortilla strips, radish, farro, arugula, and chipotle lime vinaigrette. Guests can also choose to add their own protein.
We enjoyed the special Chipotle Glazed Shrimp Tacos filled with spicy chipotle glazed shrimp with avocado crema and pineapple pico de gallo. Definitely check out some of the more non-traditional tacos like the Spicy Crispy Chicken Taco, filled with buttermilk soaked, corn flour dusted chicken breast, queso fresco, chipotle crema, cabbage, pickled onion, cilantro (reminiscent of buffalo chicken). And we definitely love the Crispy Fish Taco made with mahi mahi, crema, cabbage and salsa. More traditional Mexican options include Al Pastor Tacos, Carne Asada Tacos, and Carnitas Tacos.
Burritos are loaded up with mexican rice, pinto beans, guacamole, roasted jalapeño pico de gallo, crema, monterey jack cheese,and your choice of protein like grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or carne asada inside a warm flour tortilla. There is also the option for a Burrito Bowl or wet “mojada” style burrito.
For dessert they’re even serving up Churros with warm chocolate dipping sauce or Pumpkin Caramel for Fall! Plus there’s a warm Shortbread Skillet Cookie with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon sugar.
And let us not forget about the impressive bar menu including 118 agave-based spirits. That’s 91 tequilas, 26 mezcals and one sotol varietal. Five flights are available including a Mexican Spirits flight featuring a tequila, mezcal and sotol. While the Single Village flight highlights three mezcals by Del Maguey. The cocktail menu offers guests 10 margarita options and 9 other specialty cocktails. The beer list even offers Mexican lagers and a selection of local South Jersey beers by Tonewood, Double Nickel and King’s Road.
Plus check out Happy Hour at Central every Monday through Friday, from 4 – 6 pm, with $6 Central margaritas, $5 Tonewood Fuego drafts, $5 glasses of vinho verde and malbec, and $4 Mexican beers, including Modelo drafts and bottles of Corona, Pacifico, Dos Equis, Tecate, and Negra Modela!
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