Mexican flavours coming to Tokoroa

Crucifix, donkeys, sombreros, and skulls will soon replace the old offerings of Wong’s Kitchen in Tokoroa.

The owners of award winning Rosebery St cafe Rumbly Tums, Dominic Morris and Cushla Arbuckle, are busy setting up their new venture in the former Bridge St takeaway shop- a Mexican takeaway which will be appropriately called Tacoways.

Arbuckle said Tacoways will follow similar lines to Subway and Turkish takeaways where people will be able to come in and select what they want from a cabinet.

‘‘It is going to be real Mexican fresh foods such as cornbread, tacos, burritos, nachos, and enchiladas with real flavours so they’ll have a bit of a kick.’’

‘‘There are heaps of Indian and fish and chip shops in Tokoroa but we’ve always thought the town needs something a little bit different,’’ Morris said.

Arbuckle, who was heavily exposed to Mexican cuisine when she lived in America, said she wants to do things right.

‘‘Unfortunately with franchises you have got people working for you and the owner is not really there so they are out of touch. We’ve been to a couple of the franchises in Hamilton and Auckland but I’ve been so disappointed with the food,’’ she said.

‘‘It was not like real Mexican food whereas we want to go down traditional lines of Mexican food,’’ Morris said.

‘‘We are not going to have a huge menu but we will specialise in what we have got. We will still offer fish and chips too but it won’t be hot dogs, it will be restricted to fish, chips and maybe sausages so if parents come in wanting Mexican but the kids don’t there will be options for them.’’

Arbuckle said Tacoways will also double as an ice cream parlour. ‘‘The other exciting thing is we will have Rush Munro’s Ice Cream which people will be able to buy by the scoop or they can buy tubs to go with their takeaway dinners,’’ she said.

‘‘Everyone will be able to take a menu and phone in their orders and we will have to employ a couple more people to help us run it. We haven’t got a fixed opening date yet but we are hoping to be open by February,’’ she said.

She said opening hours are also yet to be determined but will likely be five days a week which could extended based on demand.