Palomino is a surprising place. Don't be afraid of the dodgey location on the LRT next to the sketchy stores and the Crack house... think of it as part of the adventure! Amazing food AND you can score a 'dime bag' on your way out!
Seriously though... it's not nearly as nasty as it used to be or as bad as many people might expect it to be and the food is well worth stepping over syringes for.
If you dine on Swine you will LOVE what they do with a pulled smoked pork sandwich. Completely best in class. I was there just yesterday and had their special, a Jerk Pork Sandwich... pulled smoked Pork with a Jamacian Jerk BBQ sauce, topped with coleslaw... excuse me while I get a napkin... and the sides were even special... garlic fries and (their in-house specialty) Jack Daniels Apples - which I've only ever seen at Palomino and are worth going for all on their own... I'd love to talk about other items on their menu but really I haven't managed to get past the pulled Pork!!
The space itself is much larger than it looks like it ought to be and is trying to go for that kinda country industrial worn out dive feel... in some ways it reminds me of Bookers Crab Shack. I suppose my only criticism is that this well worn feel is maybe a bit more fact and reality than style choice... tables (presumably post drunken bar brawl) are wobbly and seating is iffy at times and wouldn't rate a Consumers Choice Award any time soon.
All together though the package is easy to appreciate and I look forward to future adventures getting to the Palomino