Myrtle Beach Restaurants: Perpetual Fiesta at Burro Loco

By Becky Billingsley

Fiesta del Burro Loco is one of the best established Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach, and the reasons for its popularity are deliciously fun.

Burro Loco, located in the heart of Myrtle Beach off U.S. 17 Bypass, provides a comfortable atmosphere akin to a Mexican hacienda. The high-ceiling dining room has a fireplace and colorful-yet-tasteful décor items, and the roomy and well-ventilated bar allows smoking and has several televisions tuned to the day’s big games. To the side of the bar is an enclosed patio. Even the restrooms stay on theme with long three-faucet sinks that would look at home on any Mexican farm.

To add to the fiesta atmosphere there’s often live music, and it’s not unusual for customers to form conga lines. The Cinco de Mayo celebration is colossal.

Burro Loco’s menu lists full-flavored Mexican food that will satisfy a need for heat without causing uncomfortable side- or after-effects.

All meals begin with complimentary chips and salsa, and the chips are delicately flaky and super crunchy, while the salsa bursts with juicy fresh veggie flavors. More appetizers include spicy chili con queso dip made with poblano peppers; hearty nine layer dip; crunchy chicken taquitos; and freshly made guacamole. Stuffed jalapenos are filled with Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses before being dipped in beer batter and fried to delectable crispiness. They come with Ranch dressing for dipping.

Other finger foods include several types of quesadillas, nachos and Mexican pizzas baked in a wood-burning oven, like the De Casa Pizza with chicken, barbecue sauce and sliced onion. Customers can also select their own pizza toppings.

Soups and salads include fajita steak and chicken taco salads, tortilla soup and black bean soup served over rice.

Burritos are generously portioned and come with rice, sour cream and a choice of refried, black or ranchero beans. We tried refried beans, which are topped with cheese, and ranchero beans, which are pinto beans cooked with meat, and they are both flavorful and fabulous. Crunchy chimichangas are available, including a special pollo fundido topped with spicy cream cheese and melted Cheddar. Fajitas can come either with traditional soft tortillas or with guilt-free lettuce leaves for wrapping.

But while the tacos and burritos and fajitas are wonderful, my husband and I always look forward to enjoying the house specialties like shredded beef or shrimp enchiladas, barbecue ribs, or fiesta steak that’s brushed with jalapeno butter. My husband loves carnitas, which are large and tender slow-roasted pork chunks served with pico de gallo and flour tortillas. My favorite entrée is the chili relleno, where a large roasted poblano pepper is stuffed with a generous amount of shredded chicken and cheese, dipped in beer batter, deep-fried and smothered with white queso sauce. It’s incredibly tender, creamy and delicious.

For extra-large appetites, Burro Loco offers the Velvet Elvis Special with a half rack of ribs and fajitas; or the Crazy Donkey Feast with a full rack of ribs, fajitas, rice, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese and tortillas.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, several lunch specials are offered including fajita sandwiches on buns, a Mexican-style club sandwich with lots of goodies stacked within three tortillas, chicken taco salad and fajita steak salad. There are also lunch combos like soup and salad, a trio of enchiladas, soup and quesadilla, and enchilada/taco pairings.

In the bar area, happy hour takes place daily from 4-7 p.m. with drinks specials and reduced prices on select menu items, such as $3 Mexican pizzas and $5.50 for a steak quesadilla. For $7, the Plato de Bontanas includes nachos, quesadillas, stuffed jalapenos, flautas and chili con queso.

If you want some sweet after the heat, try cinnamon-dusted churros with ice cream and fresh fruit.

Fiesta del Burro Loco is at 960 Jason Blvd. in Myrtle Beach, and the number is 843-626-1756. It’s open daily starting at 11 a.m.

MORE PHOTOS

Jalapeno peppers are stuffed with two cheeses, deep-fried and served with Ranch dressing.

Burritos can be filled with barbecue fajita chicken, beef, chicken or slow-cooked pork.

Tacos can be added to any order.