Lalo is a downtown haven for fusion food — their dishes are creatively inspired with vibrant, bold colors. The Main Street storefront, opened in 2017, is unique in that it acts as foodie bridge between two distinct cultures: Chinese and Latin American.
And, the spot happens to be a favorite among the CityBeat editorial staff.
Walk in and the zig-zag colored walls mirror the menu: bold, but refined. Take the Mexi Bibimbap ($10), a traditional Korean dish with a Mexican spin. What could be a messy mash-up feels like a harmonious inspiration — and, it feels new. Served in a warm stone bowl, the unexpected blend of kimchi, black beans, corn, pickled carrots and cabbage, cucumber, kale and pico de gallo meld together. You can add chicken, carnitas or grilled beef for $2. On top, an oozy sunny side-up egg and spicy sauce recall dishes from both cultures.
The underrated eatery is the brainchild of the Huit Group, which originally opened Lalo on Court Street in 2016 before moving to its current location at 709 Main St. Tobias Harris, a co-owner of Huit (along with Trang Vo and Eduardo Reyes) says the concept is intended to act as a lab-restaurant.
“Our mission is to birth concepts of an excited and unique positioning… from innovation to the business model,” Harris says in an email.
The group also opened Dope!, a ’90s noodle and dumpling shop. And, before that, they ran Huit Craft BBQ/Huit Craft Soulfood. After several years, they rebranded that craft barbecue concept into Lalo (in between, it was coined “Neuf”).
The idea behind the “Chino-Latino” fusion is simple: The food is a reflection of the owners’ blended cultures.
“It indicates what we eat when we get together,” Harris says. “We are Asian Americans and Latin Americans. We want to share what we eat with everyone.”
Start by ordering a round of delicious, delicious queso, salsa or guac with crispy housemade chips ($6, $3 and $8, respectively).
Grab a marg, too ($7.5-$12). As Harris notes, they’re “to die for.” We have to agree.
There are a few to choose from: the Smoky Mezcal, made with Wahaka mezcal, triple sec, Lalo’s sour mix and salt around the rim; the house marg, complete with a splash of orange juice — for $1, you can add mango, peach, strawberry or raspberry flavor; the El Diablo Sangria, a spicy incarnation with jalapeño peppers, red sangria and a chile rim; and more classic takes dubbed the Skinny Margarita and the Perfect Margarita.
For lunch or dinner, munch on a host of items, ranging from various tacos ($4-$4.50) to rice bowls ($9.50-$12.50) and noodles ($11). Their burritos ($10-$12) were named “Best Burrito in Ohio” byFood & Wine Magazine this year. For fillings, you can select from options like the drunken brisket, curry chicken, Sriracha BBQ fajita or mixed vegetable. Harris praises the magic of their drunken brisket burrito (which is also available in a burrito or over rice), made with rice wine, brisket, various greens and that creamy, creamy queso.
But, he says his current favorite are their wings. Get them crispy and tossed in honey-chipotle sauce or sans sauce with a garlic basil crust, both $9.
The summation of Lalo’s vibe, according to Harris, is that it’s a restaurant with fun, delicious food for everyday people.
“It has Latin warmth and exotic Asian flare,” he says. “The result is deliciousness. One-of-a-kind without an attitude.”
Hold onto your chopsticks, though. Harris hinted that the group may be working on a new concept “soon to be revealed.” Score.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday. Lalo is located at 709 Main St., Downtown, lalocincinnati.com.
