Taco Brat’s #GerMexican Cuisine Opening in OC

Orange County is in for a new German/Mexican fusion eatery unlike anything we’ve seen. Chef Thomas Curran is opening Taco Brat in Costa Mesa — his ode to taquerias, brathauses, and beer gardens — with grand opening celebrations on Saturday, June 17 through Saturday, June 24.

Be one of the first guests to come in during opening week, and receive a FREE Taco Brat t-shirt (while supplies last, and there are plenty!), plus the opportunity to enter a raffle for 1 FREE taco or sausage combo per month for a year. Winners will be chosen the week of June 24 on Facebook Live.

Taco Brat, in the former spot that was Taco Jr./El Taco at Harbor Boulevard and Hamilton Street, was redesigned extensively by Curran and Taco Brat Partner Chance Owen. The menu features craft beers and signature drinks, Mexican and German dishes, plus some unique mash-up items that aren’t found anywhere else.

Due to space constraints, the majority of Taco Brat’s sausages are made off-site, though the chorizo, special sausages and bacon are made on-site. Corn tortillas are made in-house using masa from El Metate. Corn Dogs are hand dipped. Bavarian Pretzels are bought from Germany. Highlights of the menu include:

GerMexican Nachos, tortilla chips, kartoffelpuffer (smashed-fried potatoes), sausage bites, charro beans, Negra Modelo queso, bacon, esquites, guacamole, Taco Brat salsa, chicharron; served tableside.

GerMexican Burrito: GerMexican Nachos ... in a large flour tortilla! Glazed Smoked Kielbasa Bites, sweet, spicy and tangy.Tacky Bacon, house cured, smoked, candied Duroc bacon; and a Bavarian Pretzel, it’s HUGE, soft and buttery with Negra Modelo queso and spicy mustard.

Citrus Adobo Carne Asada Taco, with charro beans, chili lime crema cabbage, pickled radish and cotija.

Pollo Taco with Onion lemon marinade, grilled with charro, cool slaw, jalapeno; and Charro Dog, a chili dog, Taco Brat style.

Stacked Tostada: triple layer tostada layered with choice of beans, choice of meat or fried avocado, ranchero sauce, guacamole, greens, agave lime vinaigrette.

The Fried Pie is housemade with seasonal fruit or cream filled, fried and glazed.

Taco Brat serves beer on draught, cans and bottles. Highlights include Einstock Icelandic White Ale on tap, plus Mexican and German beers in cans and bottles. Por Favor from Baja Brewing Company will be added to our taps within the upcoming weeks after opening.

Taco Brat also offers a dozen specialty drinks featuring sabe blanco (tequila/sake blend), beer and wine. Wine is served by the glass or bottle. Non-alcoholic options include gourmet Stubborn Craft sodas and other specialty drinks, including horchata, ThunderKing Cold Brew, Fritz Kola Miscmach, Topo Chico, Mexican Coke and Shangri La Iced Tea.

Open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

2101 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. 657.346.2005.