Mexican food in Auckland

[Bruckner]

Found good reviews of this place on the site posted by Ivy (DineOut, New Zealand). They even have fish tacos!

http://www.mexicalifresh.co.nz/

If you try it, post back about your experience.

Also, this site was recommended for buying Mexican food products: http://www.mexifoods.co.nz/1.htm


Emily

[Michelle and Richard]

I work in the office directly above it and its fine, atmosphere could do with a bit of work though its too much like a fast food place. Great spot though looking out at the harbour and ferries coming and going.

Michelle

[Oregonkiwi]

The subject of where to get Mexican food keeps coming up so I'm reviving this old thread to remind people about Mexicali Fresh. (link above)

We went to the Newmarket location with people from work last week. It reminds me of several Mexican places we went to in Oregon, which might not be entirely a coincidence as the owners are from Oregon and ran Mexican restaurants there for a long time.

You order at the counter then carry the food to your table, so it's not "fine dining", but the atmosphere is pleasant, a nice place to hang out after work (I think they're open for lunch too). The food was good; the menu is standard American-Mexican food: burritos, soft or hard tacos, quesadillas, nachos, sides of beans/rice. They have a happy hour with $3 Sol beers. Seems kid-friendly, we took toddler Peter with no problems and I did see a high chair available. We enjoyed it, and the American woman I work with goes there a couple of times a week. (She says the chicken quesadillas are really good.)

[Ana&Steve]

Good job bumping this thread!
Ana

[KerryS]

The most authentic place for Mexican food in Auckland is Mexican Specialities, which is in Ellerslie. It's very simple, with a family atmosphere, but the food is incredible.
However, it only opens for meals on Saturdays - the rest of the time it is a deli selling food stuffs.

There is also a place on Ponsonby Road, which is a fast food taco and burrito place. Choose your filling and you get it in a basket to either eat at one of the little tables, or to take home and devour. I 'think' it's called Taquiera...

I'd avoid the Mexican Cafe on Victoria St. The margheritas are great, but the food is very disappointing.

[neilw71]

I'd avoid the Mexican Cafe on Victoria St. The margheritas are great, but the food is very disappointing.

LOL....I was just about to recommend it We looked at the Mexicali place in Newmarket and walked out because the menu looked lame to us .... just shows it takes all sorts We regularly go the the Mexican Cafe though and love it - it has a more natural/cafe feel which we like - just personal preference!

Neil

[Sean-n-Judy]

Thanks for the bump! I'm going to go have a fish taco tomorrow for lunch!

Sean

[jubjub]

I have to say the verrry best mexican I had was in California... shame its a bit far to nip back... it was the smallest diner in the corner of a mall..., i think it was Monterey...

But we find the Mexican Cafe nice, and also a place in Howick called Giggles, does pretty passable mexican/cajun dishes.

There is also a place on (I think) Elliot St in town called Margueritas, can't tell you whats its like though...

I need to try that place in Ponsonby Rd, thanks Kerry....

and will give Mexicali a go one of these days too...

I just cant create tex mex that well at home, I manage tasty & perfectly eatable, but its just not quite right when you are used to a good restuarant!!

[KerryS]

LOL....I was just about to recommend it We looked at the Mexicali place in Newmarket and walked out because the menu looked lame to us .... just shows it takes all sorts We regularly go the the Mexican Cafe though and love it - it has a more natural/cafe feel which we like - just personal preference!

Neil

Wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same! I like my Mexican food to be spicy and hot. Maybe I was unlucky as when I visited, as what they served up was bland and flavourless. The cheese dip was good though.
The location is great, and I love the salsa dancing on a Friday night after a few drinks at the bar. I'm just not a fan of the food.

[kanatakiwi]

the food at the newmarket place is not too bad, except that my chicken burrito was flavoured with soy sauce!! Yuck. that kinda ruined it for me. give me good chili powder and cumin for flavouring please! Reminded me of the guy trying to put chili and mustard sauce on my kebob! Seems like they get the basics right here and then go a little crazy on the toppings!