You Can Now Sip OTT Margaritas with a Beach View at El Camino Cantina's New Surfers Paradise Outpost
The lively Tex Mex chain has opened its sixth Queensland venue — and its first by the beach.
It's been almost four years since El Camino Cantina first opened in Queensland, bringing its now-signature vibe — think: loud, bright and filled with giant cocktails, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes, free sombreros and other Tex Mex fare, plus the requisite food and drink menu — to Bowen Hills in Brisbane. Since then, the chain has been getting comfortable around the state's southeast, including at Chermside and South Bank in the River City, and also Robina on the Gold Coast since 2020. None of those venues have beach views, though.
It's true when you're on holidays, kicking back in far-flung locations with a drink in your hand. It's true if you're a Brisbanite heading down to the Gold Coast for a day, weekend or short getaway, or if you're a coast local as well. That unfaltering reality? That everything tastes better when it's paired with ocean sights. So, El Camino has combined that idea with its tacos and OTT margaritas, launching in Surfers Paradise's revamped Paradise Centre.
First revealed in late August, and now slinging its wares seven days a week, the new chain boasts all the usual El Camino's components — plus the sea breeze and a vantage out over the waves while you eat. Skulls, crosses, cacti and lightning bolts still feature heavily, alongside a corrugated iron bar decorated with flame graffiti, and a custom-designed Ben Brown mural featuring a surfing skeleton.
Indoors, El Camino's Surfers Paradise seats 220 patrons — with booths, high-top tables for large groups and swing-style seats all on offer — while there's room for 30 in the al fresco dining space.
The menu sticks with all the favourites, spanning fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, and soft-shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations. A key difference? This is the brand's first to also serve up breakfast, with brekkie tacos coming packed with grilled sirloin and scrambled egg, refried black beans and queso fresco, and streaky bacon with jalapeno and cheddar.
Also on the lineup: El Camino's signature specials, including $2 tacos on Tuesdays and ten-cent wings on Wednesdays.
Slushie machines, a popular feature at the chain's other venues, are part of the fitout as well. Cue big nights and brain freezes. El Camino's margaritas come in multiple sizes and renditions — such as a tropical Red Bull flavour, which really says it all. Other options include a host of beers from near and far, and a sizeable collection of mezcals and tequilas.
Until mid-October, the new spot is also hosting a margarita festival. Called Ritapalooza, it's serving up those frosty, boozy beverages in 24 different flavours. On the limited-edition menu: Wizz Fizz, Jelly Belly, Skittle, fairy floss and grape Nerd varieties, as well as Hubba Bubba, marshmallow and fairy bread.
And yes, El Camino has plenty of company in the Paradise Centre. First, axe-throwing bar Maniax announced that it was branching out to the venue, setting up shop there at the beginning of August. Then TGI Fridays revealed the same, although exactly when in the coming months that chain will open its new venue — its Australasian flagship and first-ever beachside venue, in fact — is yet to be revealed. And, Mark Wahlberg's Walburger's chain is also on its way sometime soon with its first Queensland outpost.
Find El Camino Cantina on level one in the Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise.
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