El Santo Bar and Restaurant, a Latin American restaurant on Miller Street in Glasgow city centre, has been flying under the radar since it opened in 2022, according to reviewer Nicola Croal. It is a dog-friendly spot that has previously hosted doggy events such as brunches, and Croal decided to visit with her dog Harvey and her partner to enjoy a night out together.
As soon as they arrived, they were greeted by a waitress called Nada, whose hospitable service made the entire experience more special.
Eight dishes for £45 per person
El Santo has a range of menus, including an à la carte menu showcasing the bold and vibrant flavours of Latin American cuisine, with fresh ceviches, tacos and premium charcoal-grilled meats. Instead of ordering from that, the group opted for the El Santo signature menu, an eight-dish sharing menu costing £45 per person.
The menu includes three set small plates to start, a portion of two tacos each with optional flavours, a large plate of meat — steak, fish, chicken or a veggie casserole — with a chosen sauce such as chimichurri, garlic butter, peppercorn or pico de gallo, and finally two set sides.
A table-side guacamole and ceviche start
The meal began with a white rum Mai Tai, before the first dish arrived: fresh guacamole and tortilla chips, prepared at the table in front of the diners. Combining avocado with fresh coriander, red onion, lime, tomato and chilli in a grinder, Nada made what Croal described as "hands down one of the best I've ever had." It was paired with plain tortilla chips and darker ones which were slightly spiced.
Next came Mexican ceviche, a traditional Latin American dish Croal had never tried before. The dish is essentially raw fish cured in a vibrant Leche de tigre marinade made of fresh lime juice, fish trimmings, aromatics and chili peppers, topped with crispy sweet potato strands. The third small plate was crispy Brazilian-style tapioca sticks filled with halloumi, with a rich truffle parmesan sauce on top.
The tacos then arrived before they had even finished. Croal opted for beef birria tacos with refried beans, queso fresco and pico de gallo, while her partner had crispy pork with avochillio, pineapple, lime and pico de gallo. She could not fault how fresh the meat and the corn wraps were.
Picanha steak and sides
The large plate was a flame-grilled Picanha steak, described on the menu as 250g of the most prized Brazilian rump cap. The steak was requested medium rare and cooked to perfection, with garlic butter on top completing the dish. "I am not exaggerating when I say it is one of the most juicy and delicious steaks I've ever had in my life," Croal wrote.
It came with skinny fries with chilli powder and chipotle mayo, and Elote, a traditional Mexican corn on the cob dish with aioli, queso fresco and chilli powder. The entire banquet of food was £45 each, which Croal called not only a brilliant deal but also a chance to try several new dishes. El Santo runs this deal every day.
Dessert and verdict
The meal ended with the chocolate cigar dessert, which arrived in a sealed wooden box. The filled chocolate cigar came with a passion fruit mousse in an ash tray filled with edible smoked tea ash. Like everything else, it exceeded expectations and was presented beautifully.
Croal's one complaint was that El Santo lacks a dog-friendly menu, which she thought would make it even more appealing to guests wanting to bring along their four-legged friends. However, when asked if Harvey could have something to eat, the chef prepared him his own chopped up steak in a bowl along with plenty of water.
The decor inside impressed Croal, with neon lights, plush red and yellow booths, and a standalone rounded bar with a green panelled design and gold bars above it holding endless bottles of drinks and hanging glasses. She noted the restaurant managed to balance a luxurious aesthetic with a casual, laid-back feel, especially with dogs welcome.
"To conclude, I was blown away by our dining experience at El Santo and the fact we could bring our dog just made it so much better," Croal wrote. She recommended the restaurant to other dog owners wanting to bring their pooch, as well as couples or friends looking for somewhere new for a dinner date night or cocktails.
