Our wild conspiracy theory about Xoco’s opening date might have been handily dismissed, but that doesn’t stop the fact that Rick Bayless’s quick-serve temple to Mexican street food — already likely to be one of fall’s hottest openings — is likely going to be a madhouse once it opens its doors on September 8. Some might be lining up to bask in the Bayless glow, but those in the know will be there for the food. In fact, after checking out the full menu (just posted by Thrillist), we already know what we’re in for:
Tortas are coming from both the oven and the griddle, with varieties like pepito (braised Tallgrass shortribs with caramelized onion, cheese, black beans, and jalapenos), Cubano (a juiced-up version with pork loin and bacon, blaack beans, avocado, Jack cheese, and mustard), and the sure-to-be-signature head-cheese-and-tongue, a special that decks out its offal with black beans and picles. Plus a variety of caldos for the post-3 p.m. crowd inlcuding a very ramen-craze-esque pork belly vermicelli studded with mushrooms, zucchini, and avocado. The breakfast/bakery aspect looks like a winner as well: poblano-scrambled egg empanadas, farmers-market muffins, a margarita chiffon cake, and — of course — churros. [Thrillist]
