The new location of El Asadero Mexican Grill in Secaucus was designed with a simple idea: Make authentic Mexican food from the heart, and treat every guest like family.
Originally opened in 2012, this will be the fourth expansion for El Asadero Mexican Grill. Other locations are in Passaic, Rochelle Park and Fort Lee. The family-owned restaurant was founded by the Delgado Brothers: Jose, Bonifacio, Marco, Jaime and Hector.
After immigrating to the United States at different times, the brothers wanted to honor their mother, Teresa Mendez. They wanted to celebrate the foods they ate they lived in Mexico, the foods of their home.
“In every conversation with my brothers, the same ache would return,” Jaime Delgado said. “We couldn’t find our food here. Real food from Veracruz, from Mama.”
The Delgado family celebrates the opening of their Secaucus location. From left, Hector, Bonifacio, Jose, Marco and Cindy.Provided by El Asadero
The brothers missed a lot about their home food: The spices, the slow stews, the flavors. They missed their mama’s hands making tortillas without rushing.
They missed her calling them while they played outside, and them running into their mama’s kitchen with muddy feet and eating all their favorites with abandon, and with apetite they couldn’t revive here at their new home in the United States.
“That was when the idea of opening a restaurant was born,” Jaime said. “We wanted a restaurant to offered not just food, but a piece of home, a way for other compatriots to feel closer to Mexico, to their childhood, to their mothers.”
The menu at El Asadero features the rustic Mexican tradition of cooking over open flames. Signature dishes from the grill include the jalapeño burger, ($20) with grilled black angus topped with chipotle Asadero sauce, guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and served with fries. The birria tacos, ($15) come with shredded beef in chili consommé with cilantro, onions and lime; and the chicken, shrimp, or skirt steak fajitas, ($16) are served with sautéed peppers, onions, tomatoes, refried beans and handmade tortillas.
Grilled meats will come to your table steaming at El Asadero Mexican Grill in Secaucus, New Jersey. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.Provided by El Asadero
On the lighter side, you can try the shrimp ceviche ($18) with pico de gallo, cucumber, tomato and avocado; or the avocado salad, ($16) with avocado, tomato and red onion.
Heading the culinary program for El Asadero Mexican Grill is executive chef Gonzalo Colin, a Mexico City native. He also values the memories of home.
“I view my dishes as a tribute to what I grew up eating in Mexico,” Colin said. “And I’m always working on mixing our old traditions with modern ways of cooking.”
The bar at El Asadero Mexican Grill includes a large collection of tequilas and mezcals. Cocktails include the Asadero mezcalita with mezcal, lime, and agave; the passion azteca with añejo tequila, passion fruit, and the honey pina Asadero with grilled pineapple, lime, and blanco tequila.
With handcrafted wooden chairs and artisanal tiles and pottery, the new Secaucus space is designed to match the authenticity of the food.
Give El Asadero Mexican grill a try. You’ll sample dishes made with authetic Mexican ingredients and spices, and with a ton of heart.
Karim Shamsi-Basha may be reached at kshamsi-basha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter & Instagram.
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Dining and Cooking