Back where it all began in 2000, the El Loco Slip Inn pub in Sydney is preparing to commemorate the accession of King Frederik X and Queen Mary with a special ‘DenMex’ celebration.
During the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Crown Prince Frederik anonymously slipped into the Mexican-themed pub with friends (including his brother, cousins King Felipe, Princess Märtha Louise and Prince Nikolaos) and met Mary Donaldson, a marketing executive who had no idea the man she was talking to was the future king of Denmark.
After three years of dating, the couple became engaged and for the past 20 years, have prepared for the day they would ascend as King Frederik X and Queen Mary.
Now, as that day arrives, the Slip Inn has prepared a special menu for their accession. A specialty cocktail called ‘There’s Something About Mary’ and a Danish-inspired hot dog called the El Frederiko in honour of Frederik.
The There’s Something About Mary cocktail is composed of aquavit (a Danish spirit), lemon, vanilla, lychee, Absolut Vodka and aquafaba, and is dusted with red and white colouring to mimic the Danish flag.
The El Frederiko hot dog was created by the El Loco Slip Inn’s executive chef, Tal Buchnik, who made a special trip to Denmark last year to research Danish hot dog toppings.
The kingly hot dog is a smoked wiener topped with ancho chili ketchup, mustard, white onions, gherkins, fried shallots, with a side of fries and remoulade sauce.
The El Loco Slip Inn plans to feature Danish-inspired menu options all January in recognition of Queen Mary’s Australian ties. There are mini Danish flags strung up throughout the pub, and two thrones for guests to sit upon and take pictures.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the pub’s owners shared how Australian and British broadcasters will be reporting from the pub on Sunday.
Royal Central will bring you full coverage of Sunday’s events in Denmark as King Frederik X ascends and Queen Margrethe abdicates.
