Mezcal — Local services in Old Bridge

A Bold Twist on Dining at Mezcal!

If you're anywhere near Old Bridge (or even if you're not), and if you're looking for a dining experience that combines the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the sophistication of a steakhouse, Mezcal is a must-visit. This exciting new restaurant offers not only exceptional food but also a carefully curated cocktail menu and an impressive selection of tequilas, making it a true standout in the area.

As soon as you step inside, you’ll notice the attention to detail in Mezcal’s decor. The space seamlessly blends modern elegance with vibrant Mexican influences, creating a stylish yet cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you're here for a casual night out or a special celebration, the ambiance at Mezcal makes the experience unforgettable.

Food Highlights: Mezcal excels with its innovative menu, which blends high-quality steakhouse fare with bold Mexican-inspired flavors. One dish you definitely don’t want to miss is the tomahawk tacos! The steak was cooked to perfection, well-seasoned, and accompanied perfectly. My compliments to the chef (a young man named Chris who is making a name for himself on this particular scene).

And for those who love a side dish that packs flavor, the roasted heirloom carrots are a must-try.

Cocktails and Tequila: Mezcal’s cocktail menu is just as impressive as the food. The master mixologist (her name is Corinne) has created a wide range of innovative cocktails. She'd like a 50 page cocktail menu, but was limited to only 5 (which is more than enough). I wanted to try a few, but the first one was so incredible that I ordered it again. The El Jefe margarita with the Don Julio 1942 is a perfect example, offering a refreshing yet bold twist on classic margarita with a rockstar presentation and is a perfectly balanced cocktail.

For tequila lovers, Mezcal’s selection is top-tier. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just getting into the world of tequila, their extensive collection offers something for everyone – from smooth sippers to bold, smoky options. I'm not sure I'll ever get through all of them.

Dessert: And don’t skip dessert! Mezcal’s dessert menu is as creative and impressive as the rest of the offerings. The dolce de leche stuffed churros were a perfect ending to the meal. My wife hates flan (I mean hates...I get yelled at any time I suggest it). But tonight, when flan was offered, she tasted it and said it "wasn't bad", which is exceptionally high praise for a flan-hater.

Service: The service at Mezcal was exceptional (led by GM Eddie). The staff, clearly passionate about the food and drinks they’re serving, provided attentive and knowledgeable service. Whether recommending a dish or guiding us through the tequila selection, they made sure our experience was memorable. Every person we encountered was happy to see us, happy to be there, and eager to provide an enjoyable experience.

Atmosphere: The decor at Mezcal truly elevates the dining experience. The vibrant yet sophisticated space makes it the perfect spot for a night out. The modern design elements, combined with Mexican touches, create a welcoming atmosphere where you can unwind and enjoy your meal in style.

Final Thoughts: Mezcal is a fantastic addition to the area. The proprietors (Matt and Liz) have created a space that offers an amazing combination of flavorful cuisine, creative cocktails, an impressive tequila selection, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether you're a fan of steak, Mexican flavors, or just looking to try something new, Mezcal has something for everyone. Highly recommend!

PS, I wrote this review after two amazing margaritas, a giant steak, and some wine, so please...

I have always been told never to judge a restaurant on first impressions, so I have gone back twice and can confidently report that this is one of the best dining experiences you will enjoy in the region - that includes NYC, so too bad for the nothing can compare to NYC crowd. Walking into the anteroom one is subsumed in modern music and an orange paint reminiscent of a cantina, then you move into the inner sanctum; the bar area of the restaurant with flames alighting from the bar top, sights and sounds everywhere. They were striving to compete with the modern NYC steakhouse and they have succeeded, in my opinion topped it. The restaurant is composed primarily of booth seating and is very well laid out, my only complaint is that the ambient sound is loud; but, that is primarily as a result of the patrons having such a good time - can't really complain about that.

The menu is sublime; every dish is a treat for the palate. The Crab Louie is delicious (not a shell piece to be found anywhere - anyone who has de-shelled king crab knows what a feat this is); the sauce is traditional with a slight kick at the end, truly inventive. The chef has gone out of his way to infuse the plates with a Mexican touch, sometimes very slight, but ubiquitous and it works well. The steak tartare is arguably the very best I have had anywhere in the state of New Jersey and I try it everywhere I go. I guarantee it is on par with the very finest available in NYC. Why not - all the beef is prime cuts; nothing second rate here. The entrees are steak centric, which is what one would expect in a steakhouse; that is what Mezcal is a world class steakhouse in the heart of NJ. The filet mignon melts in your mouth as it is cooked to perfection; accompanied with the Guajillo Bearnaise presents as an explosion of flavor on the tongue with that little hint of spice reminding you of the Mexican heritage being honored. Not to be missed: the Spinalis Ribeye Cap Steak, this cut of meat is considered one of the finest by chefs throughout the world and when prepared correctly, as it is here, is paramount in the steak world. The sides are your typical steakhouse fare, what you would expect, but they are all executed flawlessly. I would highly recommend the Mac and Cheese. The Mexican "Fried" Ice Cream is very much a fun desert which serves as the proper closing act for an incredible production.

The staff, many of whom have migrated from Mezcal's sister restaurant 618 in Freehold are among the most outgoing and accommodating servers in the industry. You can tell they enjoy what they are doing with every interaction. When a person is happy who has been standing on their feet for the entire day and still maintains a smile and is solicitous of your needs, you know you are in a remarkable place. Well here is a good time to end this review, as the best way to describe Mezcal is a remarkable place, worth the trip, that will leave you satiated both gastronomically and...

Let me just address the other reviews about cost…yes it’s “expensive”. If you looked at the website prior to coming you’d know this is not a cheap date. It’s amazing how cheap people sound. You are not only paying for the experience but you are paying for quality steak, steak you won’t find at seasons52 or Texas Roadhouse. Just thought I’d let you know!

I’m sorry in advance to the waiter I’m horrible with names. But when we got in the door the lady who sat us down immediately greeted us with a handshake and wished us a happy anniversary which felt welcoming. She also offered us a tour, kinda cool but kinda strange as I never been offered a tour of a restaurant before. The place was beautiful, no space was left untouched. It had a night club vibe but elegant. Unfortunately, she sat my wife and I at a booth which was odd for the two of us, I hate making a big stink out of little things but the waiter came over and got us another table. No big deal and I appreciate that they were very accommodating. The waiter came and wished us a happy anniversary and gave us the whole run around of the menu and the specials.

Food and Drinks: We started off with drinks she got the “left on dead” drink and she loved it, it came in a little hanging planter with dry ice. I got the old fashioned and I got it smoked. Look I always thought you couldn’t mess up an old fashioned but it can be done, not in this case the bartender definitely got it right here.

As far as food we got chips and salsa to start which I think is complementary…I think! And we also got the queso fundido. Just a word of advice, the queso fundido was amazing! Buuuut if you want dessert later I’d skip it. We really enjoyed the chips and salsa but I kinda wish the chips were served warm but again, complimentary I’m not complaining. I got the e Australian wagyu…. If you get it any more down than medium rare you just don’t like steak. And she got the 10oz spinalis, not the experience. And we got a side of Mac and cheese and esquites.

Both steaks were cooked how we liked it, they do in fact ask you how you want it cooked, if they don’t by any chance definitely let them know how you want it cooked. The only thing that both of us found was that they sear the steak in loads of I’m guessing sea salt. It was very salty on the seared sides. Aside from that both dishes were delicious. The esquites were like crack, it was super addicting…yes corn…trust me you’re going to want to get that as a side.

Oh let me tell you about the sides!!! The sides are portioned like full meals. I kid you not you could probably get the Mac and cheese as a meal. So my wife and I shared two sides together and we still took almost half of each home.

I would definitely come back, probably with a better plan so we can make it to dessert. Also, again, not cheap. It might be reserved for life events for me. But...