With the summer heat approaching, who isn’t on the lookout for the most welcoming, lazy day relaxed dining and sipping destinations? Stylish interiors that take full advantage of panoramic views, or people watching – plus decent food and drinks – are top of the search criteria. Better yet, drinks that are free flow.
The answer to this search comes in the form of El Santo, Shanghai’s go-to for casual Mexican fare, ever-flowing margaritas, fun-tastic events and friendly approachability.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
El Santo’s biggest draw is one of the most celebrated free flow deals around. Every weekend between 11am-2pm, free flow Blue Demon lager, house wine and prosecco are just RMB178.
Go premium free flow for RMB228 and you can add house frozen margaritas, Corona, El Santo Margarita on the rocks, Aperol Spritz, Bloody Mary, Michelada and draft pale ale and IPA to that list. El Santo also rocks only sustainable straws made specifically for frozen drinks, so you can rest easy knowing you're weekend sipping is helping Mother Earth.
That’s three hours of drinks, people, with the option to extend until 3pm for just RMB88 more.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Outside of the free flow menu, other trendy cocktails are on offer, like the Proseccorita (RMB50/happy hour, RMB65/regular) – a frozen margarita with the addition of Prosecco, plus your choice of lemon, strawberry, mango or passion fruit – the Mexican Spritz (RMB65) and the Coronita (RMB50/happy hour, RMB65/regular) – for when you can’t decide between a frozen margarita and a Corona so you go for both together in one glass.
For the non-boozers and the kiddos, the Innocent Margarita (RMB48) is available both frozen or on the rocks – for the full flavor of your favorite margarita sans alcohol. They also offer a variety of Aguas Frescas (RMB35), our favorite of which is the Horchata, Mexican sodas (RMB35), the Mexican Chocolate Shake (RMB48) – a breakfast smoothie-like blend with banana, vanilla, milk and cinnamon – and more!
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The food menu involves as many heavy hitters as the beverage side. First up, the Chilaquiles Duo (RMB78) sees a base of corn chips simmered in Mexican red and green tomatillo sauce, aged cheddar, sunny side up eggs, crema and fresh avocado. As a breakfast alternative to nachos, these are ideal for sharing.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The substantial Short Ribs Egg Benedict (RMB98) is all about the melt-in-your-mouth beef short ribs topped with soft-poached eggs and a lashing of citrus-chipotle hollandaise. Guacamole and bacon bring everything together in an open-faced burrito that serves as the perfect base for that free flow deal.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Craving a more mainstream plate, The Big Breakfast (RMB128) is for you. With two eggs (fried, scrambled or poached), cured bacon, gourmet breakfast sausage, toasted sourdough bread, potato hash, balsamic vine tomato and grilled flat mushrooms, it covers all of the brunch basics and then some.
Mexican Chorizo & Egg Toast (RMB75) house-made chorizo, avocado, cheese, caramelized potato, beans, sunny side up eggs and salsa Mexicana, served with rustic bread, Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
If you have any inkling of a sweet tooth, the Pancake Tower (RMB98) is the one for you. A thick stack of fluffy pancakes sandwiching a dense layer of sticky salted caramel, candied walnuts, a caramelized banana and sweet blueberry compote serve as the ultimate sweet ending to an already delectable meal.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Found is also the best place for brunching with the kids, as they are able to play outside in a safe and engaging environment through Found Land. That’s right, Found 158, as a collaborative group, is rolling out supervised kids’ activities, like a daycare for the young’uns while you play too. Every weekend from 12-4pm, Found Land will watch your kids for just RMB58 with pre-booking or RMB88 onsite.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Outside of weekend brunch, El Santo also rocks some stellar weekday specials, like RMB25 margaritas on Mondays, RMB20 tacos and Coronas on Tuesdays, half price food and drinks on Wednesdays from 5-8pm – plus Shanghai's #1 Quiz Night – and RMB2 chicken wings on Thursday from 5-7pm.
See a listing for El Santo
[Cover image by Sophie Steiner/That's]
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