- Scott
I've been slightly obsessed with Mexican food for a few years now; finding good local purveyors, buying or growing a few ingredients, learning how to make it. Most importantly I like eating it. In fact, it seems to have taken over from Thai food for me - perhaps because it's much easier to pull together a good version at home.
But if you're not into making your own, you're in luck - there are Mexican joints popping up around the place, most recently in Wellington's film hub Mirimar. As I've been telling anyone who'll listen that AK has the best spot in the country, it seems we're heading for... dum, dum, daaahh... The Mexican Stand Off!
Today is Cinco De Mayo - the 5th of May, Mexican Independance Day - so it seemed like the perfect time to take a trip out to Mexican Specialties in Ellerslie, Auckland and conduct some 'research'.
I'll lay my cards on the table right now and state, I am a Mexican Specialties lifer. I have eaten here 50+ times in the last few years - and that's saying something given it's 25kms from my front door to theirs. It's a combination of the vibe; loose, vibrant and homely, and the food; super fresh, unassuming, tasty as all hell. The menu has remained pretty much unchanged since it opened 4 years ago - but that's just a sign that they know what they're doing, and that they're delivering something people want. Personal favourites are the Prawn Tostada; poached prawns in avocado and chilli sauce on a crunchy corn tortilla. Chicken Enchilada with Tomatillo Sauce. Marinated Fish Tostada. And of course the Beef Taco - which, with its perfectly cooked steak (please, dear God! - or rather, dear Chef Carlos? - tell me what's in the marinade!) partnered with guacomola all wrapped in soft flour tortilla, is the stuff of legend. People (well, Fiona mainly) rave about the hot chocolate too, but the dark cocoa, chilli and cinnamon combo is too much for me.
I'm sure visiting Mexicans / Americans find it a bit pricey - $8 for a cheese quesadilla, $12 for the beef taco - and I guess it does stray from its 'cheap and tasty' roots for that, but it's worth the effort and expense.
8.5/10 (points deducted for not serving freezing cold cerveza... or being open more than three days a week)
I'd been hearing about the tasty tacos & burritos being pimped from a stand at the Sunday market in central Wellington for months, but when I had the chance to stroll down, there was no such thing to be found. "Never fear", my southerly friends said, "They're opening a full Taqueria soon". And lo and behold, La Boca Loca opened its doors a fortnight ago. I've made two trips to the Park Road site in Mirimar, and so far so good. Unlike Mexican Specialities, the menu here is extensive... and looks likely to get even bigger given the builders are hard at work putting together a dining room next door to the current taco counter. The food here is almost a different beast to my local. It's definitely more refined, which makes sense given the chefs have some pedigree in the restaurant trade, and that is reflected in the environment too; think lots if stained wood and carefully crafted flashes of colour.
So far I can definitely recommend the Burrito de Res; stuffed with slow cooked beef brisket (an underused cut) and the Roasted Pork Tacos - which come in delicious white corn tortillas and with a tangy pineapple salsa. Everything looks beautiful on the plate and is presented with a touch of flair. I like that they fry their own tortilla chips on the premises too, and that they make a point of sourcing sustainable and 'happy' products (I'm talking pigs, chickens and cows here mainly). Again I think that the prices might raise an eyebrow - but probably not, this is NZ and we're used to paying over the odds for quality food.
7.5/10 (but watch this space, I think I'll be back for more)
Other spots around AK:
Taqueria (Ponsonby Rd) - Well, the prices are right... and it's definitely a quick and cheap bite, but there is no love in the air here. Corn torillas (yeah!) but overly sweet fillings (boo!). 6/10
Mexicali Fresh (various locations around AK) - Kind of like an upmarket Taco Bell... I'm not into it. 5/10
Ashi Itzcalli (Surrey Cres) - I went for lunch, which was a mistake. This is definitley a dinner spot - with prices for mains ($25+) that reflect that. I like that they have a dish called Slutty Mexican Fillet on the menu and shape the rice like an Aztec pyrimad... no lie! 6/10
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