Let’s Talk Tacos:
Three Mexican restaurants that hit the spot
Love a tasty taco, a classic plate of nachos or a frosty margarita? Then read on. We put three popular Mexican restaurants to the test – and let’s just say there’s a lot to taco ‘bout!
TE QUIERO MUCHO
If you’re looking for a spicy night out with the girls, look no further; not only will the margaritas at Te Quiero Mucho (“TQM”) knock your socks off, but the food will leave you wanting to come back for more. Each dish packs a flavourfilled punch where the kick of spice is never too far behind.
This fun and vibrant restaurant has a real buzz; the sliding doors overlook Queen’s Road Central – the ideal spot for those Hong Kong feels we all crave. Having the choice of high tables by the bar or cosy sofa seating also gives it a perfect “girls’ night out” vibe.
The health-conscious part of me was thrilled to find a number of lighter options on the menu. To start, we had guacamole and swapped the tortillas for crudités, which left more room for tacos. We then tried the Hokkaido scallops – they’re immersed in jalapeños and a cucumber lime juice, and work well as a palate-cleanser.
Next came the main event: the tacos. TQM uses blue corn tacos freshly made with organic corn from Oaxaca. We chose three varieties: first, the Al Pastor, a spit-grilled pork taco balanced with sweet pineapple on top (according to Chef Pepe Herrada, this dish has some Lebanese influences); then, Pescado, a Baja-style sea bass taco with a generous helping of spicy mayo made with morita peppers – a real crowd pleaser; finally, and perhaps best of all, the Carne Asada, with rich grilled wagyu steak with guacamole, and a peanut crunch on top.
The last dish that Chef Pepe whipped up for us was a makeyour-own taco experience; this included finely chopped wagyu steak and a homemade spicy chorizo on a bed of gorgeous roasted vegetables. Not only that, but it was served in a traditional Mexican bowl made from volcanic rock, which kept everything hot as we treated ourselves to more taco goodness.
By now, we were glad to have swapped out the tortilla chips for our starter, as it (somewhat) justified eating an entire bowl of Churros for dessert. The sensational cinnamon sugar sticks were hot out of the oven and the gooey dark chocolate sauce was so tasty that I shamelessly had a spoon of it at the end.
Te Quiero Mucho translates into English as “I love you so much”, and that accurately describes my feelings towards this restaurant. If you try it, I suspect you’ll share my sentiments!
The Sheung Wan, 286 Queen’s Road Central ovolohotels.com/the-sheung-wan/te-quiero-mucho
EL MACHO
Perched on the corner of Third Street and Eastern Street in Sai Ying Pun, this intimate neighbourhood restaurant stands out with its colourful wall art inviting you to enter. Inside, you’ll find more striking murals to look at, including colourful sombreros and items inspired by El Dia de los Muertos (“The Day of the Dead”).
We were quickly seated, at which point El Macho manager Prayrya recommended we start with a signature margarita. (Who are we to say no?) We chose passionfruit ($108) – expertly blended tequila, triple sec and lime balanced with just the right amount of fruit. The Dia de Los Muertos theme extends here to the iconic skull glasses that the drinks come in – perfect for satisfying any Insta needs!
Just as the drinks list boasts an impressive range of tequilas and Mexican cocktails, the food menu is full of Mexican favourites: nachos, quesadillas, burritos, tacos and fajitas (plus plenty of options for vegetarians). We knew we were in for a treat.
First up, we shared the chilli con carne nachos ($148). These were the perfect bite, each homemade tortilla chip smothered with spiced chilli con carne and melted cheese – simply delicious.
To be honest, I could have eaten the whole portion alone!
Spotting our empty glasses, Prayrya suggested we try a mango margarita, which again didn’t disappoint. It set us up nicely for the arrival of the chicken quesadillas; they were well filled with just the right amount of tasty chicken and crunchy vegetables ($148). The pulled pork tacos were also generously filled with sweet, tender meat ($88). Both dishes came with tomato salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
To finish, we chose the banana and Nutella chimichanga, and it was spot-on – a soft tortilla oozing with banana and chocolatey loveliness. Scrumptious! And, of course, a final margarita – this time Jalapeño to end our lovely meal on a refreshingly spicy note.
EL Macho is the perfect spot for casual Mexican dining and fabulous margaritas. 1 Third Street, Sai Yin Pun
2523 2488 | bistro-concept.com
TAQUERIA SUPER MACHO
As soon as you learn a restaurant is part of the Black Sheep group, you know it will be of high quality – Taqueria Super Macho is no different. Inspired by the coastal roadside taquerias that litter the streets of Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, this restaurant offers the perfect taco-bar date spot.
We kicked off our lunch with freshly cooked tortilla chips and an array of salsas, guacamole and toppings. Prepared in the traditional style, the guacamole had plenty of lime and tomatoes, with a sprinkle of chilli to give it that addictive kick. My partner’s mantra is “the spicier, the better”, and some of the salsas really tickled his fancy.
In keeping with the local taqueria theme, we each had charcoal-grilled Mexican street corn (on the cob). It was a combination I hadn’t had before, but will certainly be having again! The juicy and slightly charred corn had a healthy dusting of Añejo cheese and Guajillo chilli – a delicious taste explosion. Make sure to ask for more napkins, especially if you’re on a date!
Next came my dish of the day. I absolutely love fish, so for me the red snapper ceviche was second to none. Freshly caught that morning, the fish was prepared in a citrus and coconut sauce with vibrant red habanero pickle – a must-try! The ceviche dish rotates each week, depending on what’s fresh and in season.
We loved the enthusiasm and service from the restaurant staff, typified by the taco delivery style. Every time someone was served a taco, we’d hear jubilant cries of “It’s taco time!” as the dish made its way to another table of eager customers.
For our selection of tacos, we put our fate in the chef’s hands – and he didn’t disappoint. The crispy fish taco came with a generous portion of cabbage slaw that offered the perfect crunch; it was dressed with a dash of lime and a big dose of salsa roja. Next up was my partner’s favourite, the habanero-marinated steak taco with a healthy serving of crema on top – the chilli and garlic flavours really leave you wanting more. Finally, the pièce de résistance, a soft shell crab taco with a crunchy corn salsa and sliced avocado, covered in spicy chipotle mayo – I could have eaten 10!
I’m dying to go back and try every cocktail on the menu. This very reasonably priced taco joint is a must try for date night – just make sure you’re hungry!