On a hot summer Tuesday, we head to Chupacabra Cantina, an al fresco outpost of the popular Long Branch taqueria. As we enter the parking lot, it is mobbed by some kind of inspiring cheerleader photo op that is so large, we have to cautiously back up and park at the bank across the street.
We walk into the shipping container cantina to the ersatz patio and find a picnic table near the back. There’s also a shorter patio to the left of the bar. Between the two is a makeshift stage area where live music happens.
We’re sitting way at the end because we have our dog Fred with us. They are dog-friendly and even have a special pup menu if your dog doesn’t do tacos.
Our server Austin comes over and J orders a cold can of Pacifico. I order a Classic Frozen Margarita from a menu that includes many flavors including strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, pineapple jalapeno, and mango chili. Yum. They also have an impressive selection of specialty cocktails including the Paloma, Rumrunner, El Diablo, Mojito, and Pina Colada.
Even though tostadas are my favorite and they have both regular and birria tostadas, J reminds me we had them for lunch earlier. So, I go for the beach classic fish tacos breaded with panko and served in corn tortillas. I’ll be back again for you, tostadas!
J gets chicken mojito tacos with flour tortillas. Other taco flavors include carne asada, pork carnitas, blackened tuna, steak carnitas, and pork al pastor, plus three types of birria dishes.
The cheerleaders have moved in here now and tacos are gonna take a minute, so we get a chips and salsa to stave off the hangry.
When I see my neighbor’s nachos piled high, I initially regret plain chips n salsa, even though they are purportedly ‘endless.’ But when the fresh mound of multicolor corn chips is presented on a tiny metal tray, I’m happy again. The salsa verde has tiny chunks of avocado onions and cilantro and the red salsa is rich and redolent with chipotle flavor. Nomo nacho FOMO.
Justin Perry, the young guitar player at the front of the joint, is playing a beach version of “Oye Como Va”. I see a fellow from open mics in town. Everyone mingles from group to group, seeming to know each other. Suddenly there’s a giant black lab named Rosie crawling under our table. Even the dogs are going table to table!
We tuck into chips and drinks and check out the scene for a while. We talk about all the friends and family members we could take here and make jokes about the breeze from the passing trains as it’s cheek to jowl by the train tracks. Kids are playing cornhole and Plinko and goofing around in the oversized Adirondack chair in the back.
Our tacos are suddenly here! The chicken tacos good—a solid taco, but a little bland with chipotle mayo. My fish tacos are crunchy and covered with pineapple chunks, but the green guaca salsa is a bit bland. Still, it’s three big tacos. Dinner: a solid meal with a floor show for $70.
J orders another Modelo on tap while feeding our leftover tacos to the dog. I guess I’m driving home!
All in all, Chupacabra Cantina was a hit. They’re not the most authentic tacos—but then again, the chupacabra is Puerto Rican folklore, not Mexican, so that’s on brand. As they put the soccer game on the shipping container bar TV, we pay our check and hit the road. We don’t need no stinking badges.
Chupacabra Cantina
155 Brighton Ave.
Long Branch, NJ 07740
732-870-9133
https://chupacabranj.com/
Tuesday-Sunday 4-9 p.m.
Save a Few Clams
Get your drink on with $6 margaritas all day, every day
Shore Tastes Great 
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