Los Bocados — Restaurant in Parkland

A gas station might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a great place to get a meal but maybe it should. CBS Sunday morning just broadcast a story about a gentleman opening Indian restaurants in gas stations in the Midwest, a region not known for it's familiarity with international cuisine but the food has been a hit. The small footprint of a gas station allows for an economical way to open a new restaurant.

Los Bocados which translates to snacks, a bite, or mouth in Spanish, is located in the back of a Chevron station on State Rd 7 in Parkland. At this Mexican inspired taqueria, you order at the counter and pay at the gas station register. Drinks can be purchased from the gas station cooler. Seating is at a communal high top table or one of the few lower tables. They also have a counter with a several stools for people waiting for take out.

Chef Anthony Hoff personally took my order. He was very welcoming and signed me up for the rewards program where you receive a $10 gift card for every $100 you spend. His partner intone business is chef Robby Bushman who graduated from Johnson & Wales culinary school. Both chefs come from a fine dining background and they opened Los Bocados in 2016.

The menu is a mix of chef creations, toasted burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. For my meal I ordered the elote and spicy citrus pork burrito. The elote was tasty but the quality of the corn was terrible. The tiny dried up kernels of corn were not able to properly showcase the delicious toppings. $3.50 for 3 tiny cold pieces of corn was ridiculous. The burrito on the other hand was a explosion of flavors. I was a little wary of ordering it because it was listed as hot and I don't like really spicy food but this was the perfect heat for a wimp like me. I loved the red picked onions and cream combined with the sweet pork. At $10.50 it was worth the price. On Tuesdays they offer $3 tostadas. The BBQ brisket tostada swept the awards at a Boca tailgate competition in 2018 earning it a permanent place on the menu. I may have to come back to try that.

I live to support small businesses like this unique restaurant. If possible they may expand out of the gas station in the future or possibly just take over more of the gas station. They were certainly busy on the night I visited as I seem to be among the last to have heard of them. When I went in to work the next day and a told people I had eaten dinner from a gas station last night they knew exactly where I had been. Los Bacados will have you thinking of filling up at the gas station...

Enjoyed this spot very much, we were buying a car at the nearby dealership when our stomachs grumbled for some lunch. Plus, how can anybody make a deal on a car on an empty stomach? I bookmarked this spot since it has been listed in the top 10 places to eat in Broward County and in the area, along with the BBQ Brisket Tostada being the "Must eat menu item". My wife got an order of the BBQ Brisket Tostada and I decided to get the Citrus Pork Burrito.

This is during the Covid time, and luckily they receive call orders and are able to offer pickup service. It was interesting to head to the Chevon gas station and see this restaurant inside, so as we head in to pick up our order that was done in about 10 minutes. The order was hot and ready, and everyone on the staff was nicely dressed to the "gas station" theme- very clever of them and points for that creativity. They don't sell drinks but right next to their order/pickup window is an ice stand that has drinks from Mexican Coke/Sprite to Jarritos to more. We added a sprite and tamarind Jarritos and enjoyed both of our orders. And it was cool that our orders came included with a side order of chips and salsa.

The BBQ Brisket tostada has a delicious cilantro lime crema drizzled on it that complements the meat perfectly. Inside my burrito is the Citrus Pork (very tasty), cilantro rice, and I believe beans and cheese. Overall, my wife liked my burrito and I loved her tostada. Everything was amazing, and even better news- we bought our second car after a stomach filled with delicious food! Thanks for the lunch! We will definitely be...

Short version: Its legit - whole in the wall Mexican food spot in the middle of a gas station. Get the carne asada Burrito, the cheese quesadillas or ask Alex what he gave the Indian guy. OMG - best Mexican food EVER

Long Version: My mom (who lives in a near by retirement community) kept saying that she heard about this place from her friends. My brother who lives near by came over to Taco Tuesday and told me to just go. Me - rolled up into a gas station with two hungry kids in tow. We just came back from Lala land and wants some good food. Since my bro and mom told me about this place, figured why not. Ordered food through Alex - really upbeat friends guy who knows his food and can read people to make sure he makes solid recommendations. I ordered the quesadillas for the kiddos and Alex made the recommendation of the Burrito over a few other things I asked him. Done! Waiting. Alex asked me if I had meat and offered me a tasting sample of the brisket sample. Damn, I wish I could have changed my order. Seriously EVERYONE GET THAT! I noticed someone behind the counter analyzing his vegetable cuts. i glanced at his name tag. It said Richie. I noticed the two business cards on the counter - one said Richie. I asked him if I could take a photo with him. He came out and I was so humbled that he did - WHY? Bc this chef WILL BE FAMOUS ONE DAY. He food is 1. healthy, 2. tastes great. Best tacos, burritos and quesadillas i've ever had! Highly recommend. The reviews are...