Grab a cerveza, tear open a bag of corn chips and kick back as we celebrate all things Mexican this week.
These days Mexican cuisine is some of the most popular in the world – from tacos to nachos and fajitas we all have our faves…don your poncho as we say hola to five restaurants sure to put the arriba into dinner!
High-energy Mexican Dining
High-energy dining and imbibing vibes await at Mia Margarita on Seaview Road in Henley Beach. Head upstairs to find an ambience of neon lights, pastel colours, booths and a separate private dining room at this Adelaide restaurant; take a seat in a circular bright blue booth under the glowing green neon cactus, outside with nature in the alfresco area, or have a bite at the bar.
Pair an El Diablo Margarita with char-grilled corn on the cob to start with garlic butter, Parmesan and a Mexican spice mix, or fried chicken wings with hot sauce, shallots and sesame; then wrap your mouth around beef barbacoa tacos with slow-cooked brisket, beans, pickled onion and jalapeño aoli, or devour a pulled pork burrito bowl with Mexican rice, guac, sour cream, cheese, salsa, lettuce and pico de gallo. Don’t go past churros with dark rum chocolate sauce, dulce de leche and seasonal fruit to finish.
Mexican Alleyway Cantina
Cheer, feast and fiesta together at Maheno’s on Rainbow Beach Road in Rainbow Beach. This Mexican alleyway cantina and bar oozes authenticity with a rainbow and cactus mural, sombreros on the walls and twinkling fairy lights to set the mood for tacos and tequila with amigos. Say arriba to a salty Margarita cocktail and sizzling garlic prawns to start your adventure, before chowing down on tempura Baja fish tacos with Monterey Jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo.
Perhaps flame-grilled rump steak hits the mark topped with salsa and Mexican cheese sauce, jalapeños, fiesta rice and salad, or be tempted by a chicken gringo burger with fried chicken, bacon, cheese, jalapeños, avocado, pineapple and lettuce.
Home of Mexican Flavours
The home of Mexican flavour in Airlie Beach can be found at Mika on the breezy Airlie Esplanade, just within reach of majestic Airlie Bay. A vibrant interior vibe of pink walls, a Day of the Dead mural and colourful mismatched stools sets the scene for catch-ups with amigos over tacos and tequila, or perch on a stool at the full glass frontage and take in a picturesque view of the tropical beach through swaying palms.
Say gracias to tempters such as battered prawn skewers with coconut glaze, or local fish ceviche with pickle, coriander and jalapeño salsa to start; moving onto a Sante Fe naked chicken parmy with charred salsa, bacon, cheese, avocado, chips and salad, or beef fajitas served on a sizzling hot plate with onion, capsicum, street salsa, soft flour tortillas, guacamole, cheese and sour cream, best enjoyed with a Matador Margarita.
All Your Mexican Fave Dishes
Gather your amigos and discover a taste of Mexico in Moonee Ponds at Hecho en Mexico on Pratt Street. Glowing neon signage, a mosaic-tiled bar, Aztec-printed walls and trailing greenery set the scene for memorable meals while revelling in the zesty perfection of signature Margaritas along with tasty tacos.
Take a seat to peruse an extensive menu of all your Mexican faves saying hola to starters of chorizo and smoked paprika empanadas, or habanero chicken wings with smoky chipotle and BBQ salsa; for the main affair, opt for a classic California burrito stuffed with Mexi Mexi chips, jalapeños, grilled chicken and salsa fresca. Those looking for a taco fix, order beef birria with Oazaca cheese, birria consommé, pickled onion, corn salsa, ricotta salata cheese and coriander.
Now a Permanent Fitzroy Fixture
From humble beginnings as a pop-up, Chicano Taqueria is now a permanent fixture on Brunswick Street bringing a slice of Mexico to Fitzroy. The dining room features an open kitchen and Chef’s table so you can see where the tortillas are made, along with a moody vibe of bright blue painted brick walls, a mosaic-tiled bar, polished wood and vibrant artwork, setting the scene for tacos and tequila with amigos.
Pair a Smoky Paloma mezcal cocktail with carnitas-style pork tacos, smoked pineapple salsa, citrus slaw, house crema and salsa criolla; or hickory smoked chicken quesadillas, chipotle-braised beans, cilantro lime rice, Oaxaca cheese blend and house crema. Perhaps say gracias to barbacoa beef empanadas with chipotle-braised beans, or Peruvian pork, caramelised onion and braised orange.
