E viva México!
It’s a case of the more the merrier, even without alcohol, at the new Market Place Mexican restaurant Pachangas as CAMERON BLACKSHAW finds out
PACHANGAS, Newbury’s newlyopened The crispy fried halloumi was topped Mexican restaurant, takes its with salsa and was on top of a bed of coriander name from a Latin American slang and sundried tomatoes. word meaning a party that includes This was a really lovely mix of flavours food, drinks, family, friends and and definitely my highlight of the music.
It’s a suitable title for the town’s new The simple combination of different food hotspot, with a menu that ingredients made for a bold and tasty emphasises sharing all its different taco. dishes among one’s fellow hungry companions. I’ll be getting this again next time! The tacos themselves were soft, but
The Market Place restaurant also has fried long enough to have crispy edges a vibrant interior to match, with sombreros that added to the texture. donning the walls, a colourful For the main course, we shared a neon sign by the bar and dia de los muertos-inspired smoked beef brisket chimichanga murals dotted around the (£12.50) and a chicken al pastor enchilada place. (£14.50).
Arriving on a packed Thursday evening, The chimichanga delivered on its deep myself and a friend were welcomed fried promise. in by friendly staff and seated at a pleasant A large, cheesy, meaty parcel that booth table. will get any carnivore’s mouth watering.
Choosing what to have was definitely the most difficult thing we had to do all Surrounded by tasty red sauce and evening because of the sheer choice of topped with some salad, this was a what Pachangas has to offer. hearty meal that will leave everyone satisfied.
Once we had finally chosen from the different options of tacos, nachos, burritos, The enchilada was the typical cheesefilled enchiladas, chimichangas and sides, baked tortilla you’d expect. the rest of our evening was easy, as we The chicken filling was cooked perfectly, were served by helpful waiters and waitresses and the peppers and onions on top who brought out our food in a provided a welcome fresh additive. timely fashion. A deserved staple on any Mexican
To start, we ordered the spicy halloumi menu, and Pachangas has done it tacos (£7.50) and the fish tacos justice.
(£7.75), both dishes coming with two We also had a side of homemade tacos each. salsa.
The fried fish was in a cumin and It was a generous portion of spicy paprika batter, and it had a spicy mayo sauce that was perfect for dipping, dolloping topping with avocado and red cabbage and spreading onto any of the underneath. menu items.
A nice starter with a spicy kick. For dessert we shared a portion of churros (£6.50) that came out hot, fresh and caked in cinnamon sugar.
Paired with ice cream, chocolate sauce and salted caramel sauce, they were a delicious end to a delightful meal.
The restaurant hasn’t quite sorted its alcohol licence yet (which is something I am assured will be rectified soon), but for drinks it does offer a fine virgin cocktail menu (£6.95) full of various fruity and fresh concoctions.
Pachangas is a truly welcome addition to Newbury’s fine selection of independent restaurants.
It has a wide-ranging menu (which also includes pizzas, burgers and other options for silly people who don’t like Mexican food) that contains reasonablypriced dishes that explode with bold and exciting flavours.
I had a real blast, and I look forward to returning soon!
It takes its name from a Latin American slang word meaning a party that includes food, drinks, family, friends and music