Tools
Place: El Chupacabra, 6711 Greenwood Ave
Time: 7:40 pm
I never went to the Stalk Exchange, the organic restaurant that previously occupied this cozy Greenwood space, so I can't elaborate on how things have changed. But I can tell you I like this new place a lot. I'm always supportive of any business that endeavors to pour more margaritas down the throats of Seattle drinkers--particularly when they take the time to make their own sweet and sour mix from scratch--but toss in Day of the Dead décor, an above-average Mexican menu, and a free jukebox, and things get even better. A large group of us arrive during the latter half of happy hour, crowding around a table in the middle of the smallish, living room-like space while the jukebox cranks out a schizoid mix of Loretta Lynn and Faith No More. Our lone bartender admirably and expediently handles the task of shaking up half a dozen pint-sized margaritas as we check out the chalkboard menu describing the kitchen's offerings. While there's some grumbling about the $8 price tag of a Sauza margarita, no one can complain when our chipotle chicken nachos arrive, smoky, spicy, and evenly dressed with fresh, vibrant guacamole. The saucy laugh of Anna Lange (owner of girlie vintage boutique Pretty Parlor down the street) is about the only thing that can be heard over the jukebox, which is now offering up the Clash's "London Calling." I find myself staring at the curvy, aluminum-plated bar when one of my companions solves the mystery of its familiarity: "These guys have some past relationship with the Storeroom Tavern [a great, long-gone punk dive on Eastlake]," she explains, "and that's actually the old bar from there." HANNAH LEVIN
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