By Dr. Ink | Come On Get Happy!
Setting foot inside Rockin’ Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina is like being instantly transported to some coastal party bar in the Mexican tropics. But it works just fine for Old Town, too, where the establishment has remained anchored in a spacious alcove on Twiggs Street since 1995.
Additional locations reside also in the Gaslamp District and in Oceanside, although each offers slightly different specials during happy hour.
In Old Town, visitors are greeted with splashy wall colors, surf board décor, neon beer signs and music videos playing loudly throughout a series of dining sections. Even on low-key Monday afternoons, you get the feeling the place is about to be taken over by busloads of college students on spring break as the bar churns out one “frozen Rita” after another while patrons cluster at the salsa bar loading up on free, unlimited chips and marinated veggies.
The icy cocktails come in assorted flavors, not excluding vibrant blueberry and raspberry, both of which we ordered. They’re usually $8 apiece, but only $5.50 during happy hour.
“Wow, this is strong,” my drinking companion said when taking his first sip of the blueberry Rita. I seconded him after drawing from my raspberry Rita. No amount of the supposedly fresh pureed fruit could mask the generous tequila pours sitting in these slushy libations.
The fruit flavor in each was robust; almost candy-like but without tasting overly sweet. Our waitress insisted that no syrups or liqueurs are involved. But given their extraordinarily bright colors glowing through our tall glasses, I wasn’t convinced.
Happy hour also signals price drops in domestic and Mexican beers, fireball shots, Jack Daniels cocktails, Long Island teas and red sangria — everything your palate would demand if painting the town red on some warm-weather getaway.
All appetizers are $3 off during happy hour, except for oysters. We tried the battered, deep-fried “lobster bites,” which rocked less than the Jimmy Buffet, U2 and other music videos playing on multiple flat screens. The batter was salty and the lobster wasn’t so fresh.
A trio of $4 tacos we ordered, however, were far better, especially the surf and turf. The taco encased plump shrimp and the most tender carne asada I’ve had in a while. The others, filled with grilled chicken, were also satisfying, and all three included generous doses of avocado.
But money isn’t the only thing you save when visiting Rockin’ Baja Lobster during happy hour. The restaurant offers free, ample parking on both sides of the structure, a precious rarity when rolling into Old Town with a thirst for tequila.
