As featured on Travel Channel

(Yields about 4 tacos)

Ingredients:

Gator Taco Directions: 

Using a sharp knife, cut gator into bite-size pieces. In a large bowl, stir together 

buttermilk and 1/4 cup Cajun spices. When mixed, add gator meat and cover, 

allowing to marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

In a shallow pan, combine cornmeal, salt, pepper, and Cajun Spices to create 

a dredge. Dredge pre-marinated gator into the mixture. Meanwhile, coat the 

bottom of a large, deep pot with enough canola oil to reach halfway up the side.  

Heat the oil to a temperature of 350° and fry coated gator pieces 4-5 minutes or 

until golden brown. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and place on paper 

towels to drain excess grease.

Layer slaw onto each tortilla, then top with fried gator meat (5-6 pieces on each 

taco). Drizzle with Chipotle Aioli and top with diced green onions.

Slaw Directions:

In a large bowl, mix oil and vinegar until well combined. Add Napa cabbage 

and cilantro, tossing until fully coated. Marinate for minimum of 1 hour.

Chipotle Aioli Directions:

In a blender or food processor, add mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, lemon juice, 

sour cream, and 1 tablespoon Cajun spice. Blend until smooth.
Recipe adapted and printed with permission of Rockin Tacos.

you rockin? Order the Avocado Fries—fresh avocado slices 

seasoned and fried to a golden crisp and a cool, creamy 

center served with Chipotle Aioli and Cilantro Crema. Or 

bite into the Mexican Street Corn, a grilled corn on the cob 

slathered with Chipotle Aioli and topped with crumbled 

Queso Fresco, diced roasted red peppers, cilantro, and a 

squeeze of fresh lime. For dinner, try out a best seller like the 

Blackened Shrimp Burrito, a house made chipotle-seasoned 

flour tortilla packed with lightly blackened shrimp, rice, 

“Borracho” pinto beans, and Queso all wrapped up and 

served enchilada-style with house-made Ranchero Sauce, 

melted Monterey Jack cheese, Queso Fresco, and chopped 

red peppers.

For those who love a good tequila, Rockin Tacos delivers, 

offering 75 different varieties as well as tasting flights that 

can be customized or poured on with the recommendations 

of the house. And as one might expect, the margaritas are a 

must, featuring signatures like the bright and citrusy Rockin 

Rita and the sweet-n-spicy Jalapeño Margarita. But whether 

you come just for the tacos or come for the entire experience, 

Rockin Tacos is sure to rock your senses with every last bite.

September 2018   |   63 

Rockin Tacos is located at 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton 

Beach, Florida 32548. Open daily 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 a.m. For more 

information, call (850) 226-8226 or visit www.rockintacos.com.

1 lb. alligator meat (fresh, canned, or 

frozen)

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup Cajun spices, plus 1 tbsp. for 

Chipotle Aioli and 1 tbsp. for slaw

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cup course-ground corn meal

2 tbsp. salt

2 tbsp. pepper

1 head Napa cabbage (shredded)

2 green onion stems, chopped

1 cup canola oil, plus oil for frying

1 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons of chopped chipotle 

peppers 

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ cup sour cream

4 flour or corn tortillas

Rockin Tacos 

Gator Tacos

62-63 CoastalCuisine - Rockin Tacos.indd   2

8/29/18   10:58 AM