El Loco is a great place to go mad over Mexican food
A Mexican wave of eateries is taking Sydney by storm. A recent addition to Sydney’s cultural melting pot of ethnic food, the Mexican experience is proving very popular. While Italian, Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine has been readily available since the 1950s, Mexican has only made a bold appearance in the past five years.
“Tex-mex” Californian-style outlets Guzman y Gomez (GYG), Mad Mex and Beach Burrito opened up shop, kick starting the trend in the early 2000s. The founders of these chains recognised the lack of fresh, flavoursome Mexican cuisine and under-representation of the vibrant Latino culture in the Australian marketplace.
Steven Marks, founder of GYG, says the two core focuses of his business are food and culture. Marks describes the GYG atmosphere.
“You hear that Latin music; then our staff, they can’t wait to show off their Latin culture, the beauty of their people and how we take care of people.”
The Mexican void was clearly deep. Once Australians got a taste they couldn’t get enough. The funkiness and warmth of Mexican culture appeals to Aussies and our insatiable travel appetite means we are increasingly culturally savvy.
An array of higher end eateries burst onto the scene in response to the hype and growing awareness of good Mexican food.
El Loco, part of the Merivale clan, has a definite festive spirit with its bright floral tablecloths, high communal tables, and loud music and banter. It lives up to its name of the ‘crazy one’ providing a non pretentious reasonable night out with all tacos at $5 and margaritas at $13.50.
If you are after an extra special margarita or a more chilled out atmosphere, head down the road to Tio’s. Look for the big neon sign on Foster Street, and duck downstairs into the dimly lit cave. Furnishings are minimal with rows of long wooden benches, fairy lights, bar shelves cluttered with trinkets, melting candles, and rare tequilas.
Complimentary spiced paprika popcorn is served with each handcrafted beverage from the super friendly rockabilly styled barmen. The cocktail range is outstanding and cheap, with my favourite being El Roberto, a mix of cucumber, apple and tequila. It isn’t too strong on the tequila front for those who haven’t had a steady past relationship with this powerful liquor. Not a fan of cocktails? Try the $5 Spirit of Mexico beer or one of the twelve wines offered by the glass.
In Kings Cross, Barrio Chino is another newbie. The feel isn’t as authentic as some of the other eateries but it is still very appealing with a more polished industrial warehouse look. The menu is strong showcasing more than one hundred Blue Agave tequilas and creative blends of authentic Mexican flavour with local seasonal produce.
By far the top of my list is Cafe Pacifico in Darlinghurst purely for its flamboyant atmosphere. The granddaddy of Sydney’s Mexican hotspots opened in 1997 when Mexican restaurants were sparse, and it has flourished in the boom.
Walking up the narrow staircase of blood red walls plastered with Mexican icons towards the hip shaking music I am transported back to my Mexican adventure. The interior is a treat for the curious with every inch of wall covered in posters, human-sized cacti, mismatched tables and chairs, and tambourine shaking staff. If you are up for a celebration you will leave Cafe Pacifico sparkling with pizzazz and possibly weak legged after the free tequila shots.
I am sorry, Cafe Pacífico has a cuban concept and cuban dishes. It is not 100% Mexican.
Indian food in Sydney is far more than “curry”, Mexican food is far more than tacos, which is a quick snack we Mexicans have during the day.
Have you seen a good “Mole Poblano” or “Chiles en Nogada” or “Tinga” at these restaurants you have mentioned here in this article? Then, they are Mexican restaurants, otherwise they are Tex-Mex, a bad try to sell authentic Mexican cuisine and decent prices in Sydney.