What Is a Molcajete? Rocco's Sizzling Molcajetes, Explained
A molcajete (pronounced “moka-het-tay”) is the traditional Mexican mortar carved from volcanic rock — the heavy three-legged bowl that has been used to grind chiles and spices for centuries. At Rocco’s Tacos you’ll meet it twice: first when our Famous Tableside Guacamole is made in one at your table, and again when a sizzling Molcajete entrée arrives from the kitchen still bubbling.
What Makes a Molcajete Different
Volcanic rock holds heat. That’s the whole point of serving a dish in one: the molcajete comes to the table hot, so the steak, chicken, chorizo, and sauce keep sizzling while you build your first taco. It’s the same stone bowl our guacamole is made in — cool and fresh for the guac, scorching for the entrée.
The Molcajetes at Rocco’s
Every Molcajete on our menu is served sizzling in a traditional lava rock molcajete with flour tortillas, pico de gallo, queso fresco, guacamole, sour cream, and lime wedges. Two to choose from:
- Carne — marinated skirt steak, adobo chicken, chorizo, chili rajas, salsa roja & chipotle butter
- Surf & Turf — marinated skirt steak, adobo chicken, chorizo, shrimp, roasted potatoes, salsa verde & tequila
Both are gluten-free when served with corn tortillas — just ask your server to swap.
How to Eat a Molcajete
Warm tortilla in hand, build as you go: a little steak or chicken, a spoon of the sauce from the bottom of the bowl, pico, queso fresco, a swipe of guacamole, a squeeze of lime. Repeat until the sizzling stops. It’s the dish to order when the table wants to share and nobody wants to pick just one protein.
Molcajete FAQ
What is a molcajete made of? Volcanic rock. The rough stone is what lets it grind and what lets it hold heat at the table.
Is the Molcajete entrée gluten-free? Yes, when served with corn tortillas instead of flour — ask your server.
Is it the same bowl as the guacamole? Same style of stone molcajete — one comes to the table cool with fresh guacamole, the other arrives sizzling from the kitchen.
Molcajete Near You
The Carne and Surf & Turf Molcajetes are on the All Day menu at every Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar:
Florida: Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach Gardens, Sarasota, Tampa, and West Palm Beach
New York: Huntington Station at the Walt Whitman Shops
Massachusetts: Burlington at the Burlington Mall
Start with the tableside guacamole, order a Molcajete for the table, and pick from more than 150 tequilas at the bar.