Locos Cocos has been a staple of the Seacoast restaurant scene since its founding in 2004 and is located in Kittery, Maine, by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Locos Cocos takes pride in its authentic recipes, fast service, large portions, and affordable prices. The restaurant also boasts a variety of drinks and appetizers.
Louis and Ramona Valdez opened Locos Cocos on October 4, 2004. They took inspiration from their traditional Southern California Mexican roots and created their recipes based on the diverse tastes of their customers.
In an interview with manager Jesse Scardina, he described how his sister Jami and their cousin Doug acquired Locos Cocos from the Valdezs. The sale of Locos Cocos to the Scardinas on February 24, 2021, marked the first time the restaurant changed hands in its almost 20-year history.
When my older brother and I first pulled into the parking lot, I didn’t know what to expect. The exterior of a quaint but reasonably sized restaurant boasted bright colors and a packed parking lot, even so early in the evening.
Upon entrance, my brother and I were met with big smiles and a warm welcome. As I picked up their expansive yet compact menu, I was overwhelmed by the amount of options that I was presented with.
The outdoor seating was warm despite the cold weather that night. After getting settled in, my brother and I set out to choose our appetizers for the night.
Upon introduction to our waitress for the night, we were presented with a bowl of chips and guacamole. My brother and I settled on the yuca fries as our appetizer, and I ordered a nonalcoholic version of the Loco’s House Margarita. As our appetizer and my drink were served, I noticed the heavy scent of aromatics like onions and garlic wafting from the kitchen.
When my brother and I were finally ready to order our entrees, we were already filled up with chips, guacamole, and yuca fries, but our hunger got the best of us so we decided to go on with our endeavor.
I ordered the Texas Burrito and a Special Carnitas taco, while my brother ordered a Special Carnitas taco, a Barbacoa taco, and a Tia Margarita Shrimp taco.
After taking the first bite of my taco, I knew that some way, somehow, I was going to finish all my food. The tender carnitas paired with the renello salsa and the tomatillo salsa provided a well crafted blast of flavor. The taco’s pairing with pepper jack cheese helped maintain the spice level and cut through the acidity of the tomato-based salsas.
As I started working on my Texas Burrito, I was hit with the mellow flavors of the well-seasoned steak combined with sweet potatoes, chipotle aioli, pico de gallo, and cheddar cheese.
While I, unfortunately, did not finish the entire meal at the restaurant in my interview with Locos Cocos Manager Jesse Scardina, he remarked on how their large portions were a contributing factor in the restaurant staying afloat during the COVID-19 Pandemic, their large portion sizes and affordability allowed for the business to be of great appeal to people who were looking for a quick takeout meal.
Overall I’d give Locos Cocos a 5/5 stars in my book. From the homey environment to the delicious food, I’d recommend Locos Cocos to anyone who’s looking for a quick affordable meal.
Locos Cocos continues to serve the Seacoast area from 11 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, 11 am to 7 pm on Sundays, and 11 am to 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays. More information about their restaurant and their menu are available online.
