Steve F.
Yelp
Date of visit: October 14, 2024
How apt that we chose to check out Centrico on Indigenous People's Day? Centrico and its parent restaurant Paseo (along with the takeout only Tiendita) are concepts of Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaitan, whose aim is to introduce people to more types of Mexican food than they may be used to.
We started with an order of tortilla chips and salsa ($6 - all prices listed are pre-Magic Key discount); these were freshly made with a solid crunch, and the red salsa, while not chunky, had a pleasantly mild kick that wasn't overpowering.
Kat's order was for the Chicken Taquitos ($20), which came in an order of four and topped with sour cream, salsa verde, shredded lettuce, tomato, and queso fresco. Most taquitos we've had are overly crispy, but Centrico's are cooked to near perfection, and the amount of shredded chicken inside was great.
My order was for the Huarache de Asada ($24) - this is made up of grilled carne asada atop a black bean puree, with sauteed spinach, caramelized onions, and a goat cheese fondue, all on top of a oval-shaped corn masa (hence the name "huarache" = it's meant to evoke the shape of a sandal). I've had huaraches before at the Paradise Garden Grill, but this one blows all the ones I've had out of the water, especially with that tender carne asada.
For dessert we got a couple of Boo-nuelos ($12) - these fried crispy treats were powdered with sugar and half-dipped in chocolate, and served with a garnish of edible flower petals.
Centrico's vibe is MUCH better than its predecessor Uva Bar's, with the contemporary Latin music playing without it being overwhelming, much more shade (and even some fire pits for the chilly evenings), and attentive and friendly servers. The seats are also on the comfortable side as well.
While a bit pricy for casual Mexican cuisine, I assure you that Centrico's offerings are definitely worth it, and are a great addition to Downtown Disney!