El Burro – The Overview…
Food: Croquettes, Chorizo Frio, Bravas, Lamb ribs, Meatballs, Pescado Taco, Carne Taco, Churros,
Ratings:
Food: 4/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value: 5/5
The details…
Having spent a lot of time in Spain we were particularly excited to try the tapas at El Burro. With many of those Spanish holiday resort classics like croquettes and meatballs we ordered quite a feast. The vibe in El Burro is pleasantly laid back, and while there’s a hefty choice of alcohol it doesn’t have much of a bar feel, being well suited to families. A stone’s throw from the foreshore it’s perfect if you’re hungry after a day at the beach. It’s pleasantly small but does have a couple of tables for bigger groups with about 10 other tables for 4 or less and an outdoor eating area.
At first glance the menu looks compact but once you start reading you realise there’s a lot to it. The paellas are pretty huge so they’ll easily fill you up, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed go for a banquet and let El Burro decide for you. Otherwise, staff are more than happy to help you navigate the various options to get food that matches your hunger levels. We started with the chorizo which is the perfect entree just to get your pallet going and well worth ordering while you’re waiting for a paella. The slight bitterness to the chorizo adds a rich depth to the flavour without this being a particularly spicy dish.
Next we tried the tacos – mine a Pesacdo and Lee’s a Carne (obviously). I enjoyed the flavours of my Pescado. I felt there was a little too much avocado, which didn’t allow the fish to shine as much as it should, however we were pleased that they were trying something a little different and weren’t just relying on mayonnaise as a taco dressing as some places can often do. The carne was delicious – a nice subtle spice and the sticky pulled beef was plentiful throughout.
We moved on to the more meaty dishes of our order before saving the croquettes for last. The meatballs put a nice tingle on your tongue with their spices which is then pulled back by the sweet tomato based sauce (which is ideal for dipping bread in too should you have any left over). The lamb ribs were a sticky mess, in the way all good ribs dishes should be. The lamb was so soft it fell of the ribs as we were picking them up and they had plenty of meat, we all but licked the bones cleaned. The jalapeño in the sauce doesn’t jump out at you but leaves a slight lasting spice.
The croquettes were classic jamon and cheese, great crunch on the outside and a soft saltiness inside. They’re an easy eat, mild flavours and a great choice for little ones too. Alongside everything we added some Patatas bravas – I mean did you even go for tapas if you didn’t get Bravas? These were nicely tossed in salt and herbs, well oiled and crispy and served with tomato and aioli dips on the side. This was all washed down with a jug of their home made lemonade which was delicious: A nice sourness from the lemon but well balanced with a heavy sweetness. Lastly, we finished off with a plate of their delicious churros, a simple, but always enjoyable choice. All in all El Burro ticking all those classic Spanish Tapas boxes.
Everything else…
Website: http://elburrotapas.com.au/
Address: 209 Nelson Street, Williamstown
Opening Times:
Mon 5pm to late
Tue 5pm to late
Wed 5pm to late
Thu 5pm to late
Fri 5pm to late
Sat 12pm to 4pm and 5pm to late
Sun 12pm to 4pm and 5pm to late
Parking: While Nelson Street itself is paid parking all the way along, we found a park on a side street which gave us more than enough time.
Getting here on PT: It’s about a 10 minute walk from Williamstown Beach railway station
Disclaimer: We dined as guests of El Burro, Williamstown. Reviews are honest and based on our own personal experiences. We cannot guarantee things at a restaurant won’t change including, but not limited to, menu items and opening hours, so please confirm any details with the venue before visiting.