Tacos, burritos, nachos and margaritas – if you don’t like Mexican food then we’ve got some serious questions for you!
Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo or Mexico’s National Independence Day on Friday, September 16 - we love the hit of jalapeno, chilli and sour cream that epitomises our favourite Mexican dishes.
Among the staples of this cuisine are beans and corn, used to make tortillas, tamales and dips; whether light and cheesy, zesty or spicy, we all love to titillate our senses with the taste from across the border.
Put on your sombrero, wax that droopy moustache and grab a cerveza, then visit these restaurants to wow your friends and family for a Mexican fiesta to remember. Arriba amigos!
A local favourite for great Mexican food and the perfect Margarita, St Kilda foodies head to Radio Mexico on Carlisle Street for good vibes and times. Offering indoor and outdoor dining as well as an intimate function room tucked away upstairs, take a seat in a trendy ambience of potted cacti, multi-coloured tiles, polished wood and eclectic accents.
Stop in on Friday and say hola to house specialty tostaditas de jaiba with spanner crab, corn and avocado, on bite-sized crispy tortillas; before devouring oven-roasted pork belly, charred pineapple salsa and green rice.
It’s a place where people go to share a smile, a laugh, a cold drink and tasty Mexican fare with flair – say arriba to tacos and tequila at Hello José on Peel Street in West Melbourne. Don’t expect to say see José, he seems to disappear at the drop of a sombrero, at this taqueria - which rocks a Mexican beach vibe with an alfresco Cerveza Garden, strung with flags, lights and a disco ball - while green plastic crates topped with cushions provide seating.
Catch up with amigos this Friday and wrap your hands around house-pressed soft corn tortillas hand-made to order and stuffed with fillings such as slow-cooked beef, chipotle cream, pickled cabbage and chilli.
Looking for a late-night taco bar in the heart of Crows Nest? Pumping out mouth-watering tacos until all hours, head to El Gringo’s Tacos on Falcon Street for all things Mexican and tequila; where there is also an ethos of helping everyone out with a chunk of every month’s profits given back to staff.
Snack on char-grilled corn with queso and sansho tajin, washed down with a cheeky Margarita; then chow down on tacos such as octopus and chimichurri, or grilled steak, green slaw and lime.
Celebrate any special occasion at Lime Mexican Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Nelson Bay and The Entrance and spice up your life with all things Mexican and Margarita. Say cheers to independence on Friday with $12 selected cocktails and $6 beers while grazing on tapas plates like prawn chimichangas, with corn, capsicum, onion and sweet chilli chutney.
Perhaps sizzling achiote chicken fajitas hit the mark with Spanish onion, peppers, warm tortillas, guacamole, sour cream and chipotle mayo; before chocolate tacos for dessert, with banana, vanilla gelato, Nutella, cream and a chocolate drizzle.
For an intimate Latin-Mex street food experience head to Sydney’s harbourside suburb of Balmain to find Cantina Bar on Darling Street. With a menu drawing inspiration from street food vendors in Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Cuba and a bar selection laid out over 44-gallon drums; even the most-fickle gringo will be satisfied in funky surrounds of wall murals, exposed brick and recycled timber.
Pair a Jalapeño Margarita with slow-cooked lamb barbacoa tacos, house slaw and pickled red onion; or be tempted by duck carnitas tostadas, with red cabbage, chipotle mayo and house guacamole.
Still searching for a Mexican fix near you? Click here for more venues to get your tequila on.
