El Chilango’s menu is different from what you’ll find at other Mexican restaurants around the Coast. This small but mighty establishment brings their A-game in terms of both food and service.
First things first: I always try the salsa, guacamole, and queso on my first visit to any Mexican restaurant. They’re a good litmus test for the rest of the menu. The first thing I noticed here was how fresh everything was. The guacamole was delicious in its simplicity, with avocados so fresh you’d swear they were picked off a tree in the backyard. The salsa had a surprisingly smoky flavor, contrasted with onion and cilantro. The queso is on the milder side but had chopped onion and peppers if you wanted a little extra kick.
We also started our meal with the aguas frescas. We tried the Jamaica, which is a dark hibiscus tea, and the Horchata, which is made from rice water with notes of vanilla and cinnamon. The Jamaica was steeped very dark, with notes of pomegranate. The Horchata was creamy and sweet with a touch of cinnamon that lingered on the palate. Both were lightly sweetened and refreshing.
For our meal, we tried three very different dishes – two of which are authentic Mexican specialties you’ll only find at El Chilango.
The Surf & Turf is essentially a fajita with steak, chicken, shrimp, onions, peppers, and cheese – but what makes it special is that it’s served in a pineapple. It’s absolutely beautiful, and we all took a moment to admire it before digging in. The shrimp were perfectly cooked – firm, with a hint of crunch and served tail-on. The chicken and steak were juicy with a delicious char from the grill. The pineapple infuses the meat with a bit of sweetness, but I recommend scraping the sides to get some of the grilled fruit with each bite. The combination of sweet, salty, umami, and charred flavors is excellent, and the mix of textures makes it fun to eat.
The Panuchos are fried corn tortillas filled with refried beans and Cochinita Pibil, a Yucatan-style slow-roasted pork dish. This is a dish that “plays well with others,” so I recommend jazzing them up with the different toppings. They come with red and green chili sauce, lime slices, pickled red onions, and sour cream, with Spanish rice and charro beans on the side. I loved the puffy, crunchy texture of the tortillas and appreciated that they didn’t fall apart. The pork was rich and succulent, with a citrusy, slightly spicy marinade.
The Birria Ramen is served with a robust beef consommé full of long, slurpy ramen noodles and tender slices of beef. They bring chopped onion, cilantro, and lime on the side so you can adjust to taste. This is a delicious, comforting dish that would be perfect on a rainy day. The consommé is bold and flavorful, and the sliced lime adds a bright, zesty twist.
For dessert, we enjoyed a cool, creamy Tres Leches cake topped with cherries and strawberries, as well as the Carlota – a lime icebox cake layered with Maria cookies and lime-infused cream. Both were the perfect end to the meal: cool, sweet, and creamy – just what you want after a round of bold and spicy flavors.
El Chilango brings something special to the table – fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, and thoughtful presentation. Whether you’re craving comfort food or looking to try something new, this spot is a standout worth visiting.
El Chilango
1116 Cowan Rd., Ste. K, Gulfport
228.206.7108
www.elchilango.com
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri & Sat, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
