From nachos to burritos

Craving Mexican street food in Australia? While in New South Wales, Alan Teh Leam Seng checks out a highlyrecommended eatery serving just that!

My horchata drink is refreshing and delicious. The spicy habanero hot sauce made my meal even more memorable.

esting brews, I start reassuring myself that there will be something to dine on should my original intention turn out to be less than expected.

LITTLE CRAVINGS

With awnings that extend all the way to the edge of the street, Antojitos projects a very relaxed and casual atmosphere.

I am offered the suggestion to take full advantage of a sunny afternoon and head straight for the al fresco dining area at the back of the building.

Antojitos means “little cravings” in Spanish, a casual term for street food in Mexican culture. It turns out that Antojitos started out as a street food market stall in Newcastle in 2014 and within three years, owner Eric Flores decided to maintain a permanent address right here in the middle of up-and-coming Carrington.

Eric and his staff strive to highlight the Mexican people’s culture and contributions to the farming industry by offering high quality “people food” amidst a comfortable, fuss free approach to dining.

A simple two-page menu reaches me as soon as I sit down. Good selection, nice prices. Those are my first impressions after a quick scan. Burritos, quesadillas, tacos, nachos. You name it. They are all there.

I no longer need to fall back on my steak and burger plan anymore. I settle for some grilled chicken tacos chorreadas and a plate of vegetarian nachos with a glass of horchata which essentially is a rice water drink spiced with coconut and a generous topping of traditional Spanish cinnamon.

First to arrive, the horchata would have tasted like any ordinary coconut water drink had it not been for the sweet spicy flavour from the aromatic ground cinnamon.

The end result is a surprisingly refreshing drink, very suitable for this day which is turning out to be quite hot for early summer.

The food arrives not long after with the two dishes landing in quick succession. I look around for the usual dining implements but find none. It is only then that I am reminded that I am eating Mexican street food. I am supposed to use my hands!

The grilled tacos, served in either twos or threes, look simply delightful. Several pieces of seasoned chicken meat, grilled to perfection, rest on top of freshly made flat corn tortillas. I pinch out an odd-shaped piece of batter and taste it plain.

It is sweet and rather crispy. Main ingredients aside, it is the dressing that steals the show.The colourful ensamble includes whole pinto beans, shredded cabbage, cilantro, avocado sauce and several lime wedges at the side.

Despite the fresh ingredients and the chicken pairing well with the slightly acidic garnishing, I instantly feel like something is missing but I just cannot put my finger on it. It is only after finishing my first taco two bites later that I become enlightened.

From the corner of my eye, I spy two colourful bottles at an unoccupied table nearby. I quickly retrieve them and then smile widely in jubilation when they turn out to be the very thing that I need to make my meal whole.

As far as I am concerned, no Mexican meal is complete without the customary habanero hot sauce.

Unaccustomed to the brand, I decide to try a little of each before deciding. The fiery La Costena green habanero gets my vote of confidence. My last two tacos certainly taste much better with this new addition.

Even with my full stomach, I develop a desire to sample more from the menu. Perhaps I can find time within these two days in Newcastle to return and indulge in what must be one of the best Mexican fare I have ever tasted.

87 Young St, Carrington, New South Wales 2294 Australia.

+61 422 106 220

11am-8pm daily.Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Serves interesting Mexican street food at reasonable prices.

Do not miss the chicken taco and various types of nachos.

The portions are large with dishes ranging from A$3.50 to A$ 17.

Clean and relaxed.

Efficient and helpful. Go give it a try.