Pina Loca has been “exciting people” since opening
A Wirral man who grew up working in his family’s Indian restaurant didn’t know what kind of food to serve when his time came to open up his own place in Bromborough. Because of this, he asked local residents on Facebook community groups what they’d like to see and now his restaurant is “exciting people” in the area.
Babul Miah has worked all over Merseyside’s hospitality scene, whether that be in the kitchen, on the bar or on the floor. The 35-year-old, who owns Mexican restaurant Pina Loca, was just a schoolboy when he got his first taste of the industry. He told the ECHO: “I’ve grown up in this environment and spent my whole life in it.
“My dad’s always worked in restaurants, my uncle’s always worked in restaurants, my grandad’s always worked in restaurants. When I was in school, my family had a restaurant; I’d leave school and go in to wash pots until I worked my way into the main restaurant and it just became second nature.”
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After gaining experience in numerous establishments across the region, it was Babul’s turn to take the reins and open his own restaurant. The only question was: what type of food would he serve? He said: “I just wanted to open a restaurant but didn’t know what kind of restaurant.
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“I started looking into different types of food which I’ve got experience in. Indian was my go-to, and then Italian – I’ve learnt a few things working in Gusto. I actually settled on Italian food but it just wasn’t exciting me at all. I love Italian food, it’s my favourite food to cook, but there’s so many Italian restaurants which do it well – really, really well. So there was something in the back of my mind telling me to try something else.
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“I literally just went on some of the local Facebook groups and asked what was wanted. Mexican seemed to be the most popular choice so I started looking into Mexican food and it’s actually quite similar to Indian food in terms of cooking methods – there’s lots of different chillies and it felt quite familiar to me.
“I happened to already have a chef who had quite a lot of experience with Mexican food so we put a menu together and decided to go for it. And the more and more we did it, the more interested I became in it.”
Babul says Pina Loca is not necessarily better than other Mexican restaurants in the area, but definitely different. He continued: “There’s about two Mexican restaurants on the Wirral – and nothing like what we’re doing with the small plates and cocktails, which is always a winner.
“I don’t think that this place is better than the other restaurants, just different; what I’ve been able to do here is just express myself and all the things that I’ve learnt over the years – being able to implement them in my own way. We offer what we offer and most people who come in really like it.
“We’ve tried to go down more of an authentic route and we’re really interested in all the different ingredients and cooking methods which are used in Mexican cuisine. In most of the big Mexican chains, the food is Tex-Mex; deep-fried, covered in sauces and stuff like that.
“Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for that kind of food but its just not the kind of food I want to serve in the restaurant. We try to keep everything as fresh as possible. It’s fresh, authentic tapas.”
Pina Loca serves small plates such as papadillas (potato quesidillas), mango habanero wings, tostada de hongos (chilli marinated roasted mushrooms) and a selection of tacos, burritos and rice bowls. The drinks menu features a selection of beers, wines, tequilas and cocktails.
Due to popular demand, Pina Loca has opened up a takeaway venue opposite. Babul said: “We’ve just opened a takeaway across the road three months ago, Poco Loco. We get quite a lot of requests for takeaway in the restaurant however, it’s not something I necessarily wanted to introduce because the kitchen is busy enough.
“The most important thing in the restaurant is the diners who are seated. The last thing I’d want, when I’m sitting in a restaurant to enjoy myself, is loads of people coming in and out for takeaways.
“The takeaway’s menu isn’t exactly the same as the restaurant but it’s similar enough to know that it’s Pina Loca. But we have tried to design the menu so it’s more suited towards takeaway food. We’ve introduced a few comfort foods to it too, things that’d be quite nice when you’re sitting in the house in your pyjamas watching the tele.
“People are treating it like a bit of a treat. Within the radius which we deliver to, from what I can tell there’s nothing like us on the delivery apps, so I think it’s still quite exciting for people.”
Pina Loca can be found at 24 Allport Lane, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 7HP. You can visit their website by clicking here.
