Bold headline right? I invite anyone to post their favorite Mexican restaurant in Thailand in the comments below - I promise if I have the opportunity, I'll check it; if it comes anywhere close to as good as El Barrio in Koh Chang, then I'll write about it.
This place has super yummy food, and beautifully constructed cocktails designed to your taste and delivered graciously.
An informal atmosphere, in a high season non-covid time you'd have to book or wait, El Barrio is right on the main road. As you can see from the photo we sat at a table outside next to the road.
When you think of Mexican food you tend to think of highly filling food, spicy, but mostly beans and minced beef - not so El Barrio. These are authentic photos taken the day we went (the photo with the skull is from them - but it had a skull so you know).
These were amazing, got ordered twice.
Same with this dish, very like a Swiss fondue, except with Mexican spices and seafood - yummy doesn't get close.
My experience was enhanced through several different types of cocktails (my eleven-year-old keeps asking me for Tequila shots - yeah, I know, worrying - the phrase "reap the whirlwind" springs to mind), and a few glasses of high-quality Tequila and Mescale. I was not driving and neither should you if you're planning a visit.
Quick note: the number of people suffering from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic is huge - it's rough out there. In 1997 we had "Tom Yum Goong" - in the tourist industry now is a worse time. If you can, get out there and help by spending money and enjoying yourself.