It’s all about the Latin styles Tuesday nights at Maxwell’s. Charismatic executive chef Frank "El Diablo" Carcamo mixes up the eats, while DJ Pat Longo of the band Hippopotamus drops the beats.
Longo spins salsa, bolero, mambo, rumba, merengue, and bachata. And Carcamo comes up with the menu appropriately titled "Sabroso," Spanish for delicious.
"It’s been more than a year since we started, and people seem to like it a lot," Carcamo said. "I change the specials weekly. If people like something, we stick with it."
"Sabroso" is not just excellent food; it’s a vibe. Tuesday nights at the popular venue, famous for its rock shows, are relaxed and comfortable. The drinks of the evening include Cuba Libre ($5), martini de Toro Rojo (Red Bull, $7), and cerveza (beer, $3).
The purpose of "Sabroso" was to expose the Maxwell’s crowd to Carcamo’s Latin cuisine. Originally from El Salvador, Carcamo has worked at Maxwell’s for more than three years. He earned his nickname "El Diablo" ("The Devil") after one of the venue’s owners saw a picture of him dressed up like a devil celebrating the Jersey Devil hockey team’s most recent Stanley Cup victory.
"I love the Devils. What can I say?" he said.
Carcamo met Longo when he first arrived at Maxwell’s, and they brainstormed ideas for a while about the concept of "Sabroso." After months of planning, Carcamo prepared a traditional Latin menu and Longo got a hold of vintage Latin records of salsa legends and mambo kings.
" ‘Diablo’ kept saying to me, ‘if you build it, they will come,’" said Longo.
So far, the system is working.
My meal
I began my meal with Corona ($3), and a sample of enchiladas de pollo (chicken enchiladas, $6.95), and tostadas de puerco (fried pork, $6.95). They were rich in spices and a little hot. Other appetizers include caldo de camarones (shrimp soup, $4.95/bowl), ensalada con queso azul (salad with blue cheese, $5.95), and camarones sabroso (delicious shrimp $7.95).
For the main course I enjoyed a terrific catfish dish ($14.95). It was served with chick peas, tomatoes, onions, black olives, tons of garlic and olive oil. Recommended by Carcamo, it is one of the most popular "Sabroso" entrees. I also tried the arroz con pollo (chicken with rice, $11.95), served with rice pilaf with chicken and vegetables. Carcamo’s recipes include plenty of cilantro sauce and traditional adobos to add that Latin flavor.
For dessert I enjoyed coconut pie ($4.95). Other desserts include apple pie, chocolate mousse, and tiramisu.
Maxwell’s is located at 1039 Washington St. in Hoboken. They are open seven days a week. Tuesday nights "Sabroso" is from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit www.maxwellsnj.com or call (201) 653-1703. q