6 RCA-winning Mexican Venues to Get Your Sombrero On!

Arriba…it’s Mexican Week here at AGFG and we know how to fiesta! As we celebrate all things from South of the Border, let’s continue on our delicious culinary drive around the country to visit Readers’ Choice Award-winning dining destinations.

Here are six where donning a sombrero and sipping a Margarita are not only encouraged, but expected:

Gringos seeking tasty Mexican fare in Moranbah, head down Belyando Avenue to find Mexicasa Restaurant & Bar. Located in Drovers Rest Motel, step through the turquoise door to discover a fun and funky vibe of orange, yellow and bright blue walls and accents, along with colourful mosaic tiles and an eclectic mix of artwork.

 

Settle in with a Margarita and say gracias to starters of chicken tostadas with sour cream, mixed vegetables and chipotle sauce, on fried Mexican tortillas; then devour sizzling beef fajitas, with refried beans, rice, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato sauce, sautéed capsicum and onion, or Mama’s special creamy chicken breasts, capsicum, onion, chipotle, rice and vegetables. For a dessert to finish the fiesta, opt for churros and chocolate sauce.

Inspired by small eateries in the Southern USA and Baja, Mexicoast Cantina on Main Road in Toukley brings a taste of Mexico to hungry Central Coast amigos. Find a vibrant, enjoyable meeting place for locals and tourists alike to chill out with a Margarita in hand among Day of the Dead artwork, a colourful tiled bar and glowing neon signage to peruse a menu dishing up all your Mexican faves.

 

Get the party started with charred corn, with housemade chipotle mayo and feta, or choriloco bites – deep-fried chorizo and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla, with sweet soy sauce; every day is taco day with choices such as La Baja – battered fish, cabbage, pico de gallo, pineapple, housemade chipotle salsa and creamy salsa verde – or wrap your mouth around a Tinga beef burrito, with adobo marinated, slow-cooked beef, guacamole, beans, rice and tomatillo sauce.

Glenunga amigos say hola to Mexican fare with flair at Cha Chi’s Mexican Cantina on Portrush Road. Step into a vibe of aqua and orange-coloured walls and accents, where sombreros, a rustic water feature and potted greenery add a zen-like touch and chandelier lighting sets the mood for inspired dining.

 

Every flavourful dish on the menu has been created using traditional recipes and fresh ingredients, from fall-off-the-bone ribs to yummy sides and authentic desserts; jump right in with guac and corn chips, or a slow-cooked pulled pork taco, topped with smoky BBQ salsa, caramelised onion, pineapple salsa, cheese, lettuce and chimichurri. For the main, think rich chilli con carne with Mexican beans, tomato, onion, chilli and spices, combined with beef, rice and corn chips.

If you thought Ballarat's vibrant dining scene couldn’t get any better, meet the city's latest sensation, serving authentic Mexican cuisine since 2013 - Hecho en Mexico on Sturt Street. It’s hard to miss this bustling restaurant with neon signage out front along with black and yellow striped umbrellas for alfresco dining while indoors takes you to the streets of Mexico with brightly coloured couches, table settings and sombreros.

Perhaps say hola to delicious starters of juicy habanero chicken wings tossed with smoky chipotle and BBQ salsa, or flame-grilled jalapeños, stuffed with creamy cheese and tomatillo salsa; then chow down on a Cali burrito with Mexi Mexi chips, jalapeños, grilled chicken, chipotle habanero, corn salsa, spring onion, red cabbage and coriander. Vegetarians opt for jackfruit tacos, with vegan aioli, frijoles charros, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños and corn salsa, or Spanish paella with tofu, tomato, carrot, onion, mushroom, capsicum and shallots.

Gorge on a fiesta of flavours at Loco Mexican, a vibrant hot spot to see and be seen in Victor Harbor on the upstairs level of the Harbor Mall. Radiating warm and lively colours, inside feels energetic with a wallpaper backdrop of orange and red apartments and tables in burnt orange, adding character, while a window gives a sneak peek into kitchen creations.

 

As much as possible is prepared from scratch in-house, including smoked meats, pickled vegetables, spice mixes and sauces to ensure fresh and zesty flavours tingle the tongue. Snack on street food like kingfish ceviche with charred corn, coconut lime dressing, shallots, avocado, coriander and corn chips; while hungry Mexicans go for twice-cooked pork belly with Mexican rice, sriracha caramel, char-grilled pineapple, slaw, sesame and sriracha aioli.

Like all good things, a table at Mamasita is definitely worth waiting for, so follow the crowd to this Collins Street establishment. This hugely popular eatery has been described as Melbourne’s first true taqueria and its smart wooden benches, banquettes and bar stools are full from lunch ’til late.

 

Charismatic staff add to the energetic vibe and a creative menu plays on authentic Mexican flavours which come fresh and far from cliché. Dishes are designed to share so all can enjoy multiple courses together; throw back a tequila and carve out a path with octopus chipotle flautas, salsa Negra and pecorino. Perhaps opt for Chef’s share plates such as crispy-skinned pork belly, padrons toreados and salsa Negra, or slow-braised brisket, chimichurri rojo, pickled onion and sides of tortilla chips and Caesar salad.