Enchilada amigo? Muchos gracias Senor!
That’s about the extent of my ability to speak “Mexican” unless you throw in the word nacho, taco and tequila…
and yes… I’m aware the language is Spanish, and that’s casually racist. Mmm Churros *drool*
Alas I’m getting side tracked…
I have been referred to as a Mexican by my New South Wales and Queensland friends for many years (in Melbourne we are south of the border) 😐
As far as I can remember dishes like Tacos, Nachos and Burritos were always on the menu as a quick throw together meal, and el cheapo trips to Taco Bill in my Uni days I can look back on fondly… Pancho Villa and a free sombrero anyone?
Recently I was planning my birthday dinner and was on the hunt for a good value for money cuisine option that would suit a multitude of tastes. With this in mind I stumbled across a plethora of Mexican restaurants…
I’m not talking about chain style restaurants like Taco Bill or Montezuma but, funky, hip and dare I say trendy places that all spouted the line of real Mexican!
When I asked some advice about where to go, it seemed that everyone had an opinion on the best mexican in Melbourne, and all had a restaurant that they either frequented regularly or were dying to visit.
So I’m posing some questions… Is Mexican the new cool kid in the food playground? Or are people’s restricted budgets driving them to seek cheaper yet still fresh alternatives?
Gone are the days when Mexican (thanks to Old El Paso $5 kits) is a quick at home fix, or a cheesy greasy fast food style restaurant option…
In the end I ended up going to a pub for my birthday dinner…
Why? Finding a mexican restaurant that would take 20 people; without having to go with a set menu was a task (and story) better suited to another blog!
Mugarita?
I did get to a funky place called Touche Hombre for lunch, which I have to admit was fantastic!
I will definitely be returning… mmm Margarita in a mug! Mugarita?
Perhaps it can be my “best Mexican in Melbourne” restaurant, but I’d better try the others first!These are some that were suggested to me as alternatives:
I’m sure that there are plenty more… let me know so I can try them out!
The Hungry Ginger 
Hey Hungry ranga,
Great blogging since Mexican is one of my favorite cuisines amongst Thai, Japanese, French.
You’re right, you can find a lot of Mexican in Melb’s but the question is can you find good Mexican and that’s really hard to find.
My review of your suggested places:
Love, love, love Mumasita, it has great food and consistently good. (surprised you didn’t go their with you know who)!
Fonda Mexican is also brilliant – you still have to que for a table on a Tuesday night.
Don’t bother Mexicali Rose.
Love to go to Los Amates – we should go some time.
The thing I like to do is pick up a burrito and devour it in the privacy of my home with the dogs watching.
I can recommend these 2 places around Richmond and Hawthorn as not too shabby for a cheap, quick Mexican take out to get your fix!
– Salsa’s on Bridge Rd (the chain is ownedby Boost Juice) salsas.com.au
– High Tech Burito on Glen Ferry Rd hightechburrito.com.au
I’m knee deep in the land of pizza, pasta and gelato at the moment and have resorted to having pizza for breakfast just to make sure I try enough of Italian cuisine…and the fact that I love pizza for breakfast, reminds me of my childhood……
Big love to you hungry ranga, all this Melbourne talk is making me a little home sick and hungry.
See you soon
Lu
Yum yum! We shall have to Mexicano it up on your return! Maybe Los amates or touché hombre! Safe travels and see you in the land of oz soon!
X