Camacho Garage Opens in New Haven From Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho

Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho is no stranger to pleasuring CT diners. As a matter of fact, on top of numerous accolades, he’s been nominated for Chef of the Year. Along with the team from Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, and Nantucket’s Bar Yoshi, Chef Arturo certainly has a following for his food. (That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if his silver mane has its own instagram page). So, we know when he gets in the kitchen, the food will be fresh, high quality, and pretty friggin’ delicious. And yet, his creativity with each new venture still offers elements of surprise. Cue his newest, Camacho Garage in New Haven.

Opened on Monday, September 28, Camacho Garage might just be the hippest place you eat a taco. On the corner of yum and yes in New Haven, this new tasty spot will dazzle you with the flavors of his youth. When he came by my table at the soft opening a few days prior, he told me about the inspiration for this latest endeavor. As a teenager in Tijuana, Mexico, his father would want him up early on summer mornings to help him at a garage in town where his dad fixed up old cars. Chef said he used to drag his feet with disinterest at first, until he realized they’d be eating homemade tortillas for tacos at lunch. Suddenly, everything else came to life; working with his father, the garage and the cars, and really delicious local food. Fast forward to this homage to his father, to Mexico, to hard work; something we all now get to enjoy.

Walking around the restaurant, you will be welcomed by a large center bar and huge garage doors which open up to a very spacious patio. Take note of the industrial decor with lots of bolts, sheet metal, and wood. I was particularly tickled by the nods to mechanics and old garages; and you’ll find other tokens of  yesteryear with a giant old bank safe (the building used to be a bank), and a cigarette vending machine by the restrooms.

We were immediately welcomed with very strong, smooth margaritas followed by a beautiful Aguachile, or shrimp ceviche over ice with cucumber, cilantro, chile and radish. Swimming in the most vibrant lime juice, the butterflied shrimp was so fresh and meaty. Then came a mound of herbed guacamole, topped by seasoned pepitas and paired by large crunchy tortillas. Everything was served on sleek black plates, bowls, or in clear glass, turning up the notch on simple yet tremendously delicious food.

By this time, my guest and I pivoted to mojitos; I swear I could taste the sugar cane as it was extra fresh and balanced--and nice and strong. With this perfect drink we were then taken by surprise by the hot, steamy queso bubbling from a huge molcajete placed at the table. Everyone swooned as the buttery smell permeated the entire patio before it was directly under our noses. Served with hot, fresh flour tortillas, that was a highlight for sure; and as delicious and heavenly as the aroma promised.

Then there were the perfectly smoky, charred (pork) Al Pastor tacos and the Pocho Asado (chicken) tacos marinated in adobe and topped by crema and cotija. Every spice rang through; and there was just enough heat to keep drinking, yet let the spices linger in your mouth.

The indulgence deepened with sweet kisses of dessert on another sleek black plate. Bites of maduros with dulce de leche, a frozen arroz con leche pop with cinnamon, and sweet roasted figs. At this point, we already knew we wanted to come back.

All this is just an iota of the plates Camacho Garage offers and I’m sure there will be updates and frequent fun new concoctions coming out of Chef Arturo’s newest culinary venue. 

As we stood and took a picture, I told Chef that I’ve described him as a cross between a Silver Fox and Einstein; he gave me a shy, little smile, but you could tell he knew it was true. There’s creativity and magic behind that wild mane!

Camacho Garage
36 Fountain Street
New Haven
@camachogarage