Authentic Mexican cantina Tres Jefes set to open in Wollongong

The restaurant is set to transport diners to Mexico with a homely, bright energy and delicious menu to match.

Harley Jaque (right) and chef Seth Somers at Wollongong's new restaurant Tres Jefes.

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A brand new cantina is set to open in Wollongong in the coming weeks, bringing with it all the authentic tastes, sounds and feels of Mexico.

Tres Jefes, which means three chiefs, is the name of the newest eatery to hit the Illawarra’s competitive dining scene.

The restaurant, owned and soon-to-be-operated by Harley Jaque and Seth Somers is set to transport diners to Mexico, with a homely, bright energy and delicious menu to match.

“Our main focus is to create a family vibe with really good food,” Harley said.

“Authentic Mexican food is easy, tasty, quick with a really good vibes and we’ve tried to create that here.”

The walls of Tres Jefes are brightly coloured with Mexican murals, while the bar features funky artwork, the obligatory sombreros and a whole lot of Mexican tequila.

Tres Jefes Wollongong is set to open in the coming weeks.

“All our main tequilas are sourced from Mexico and made with 100 per cent agave,” Harley said.

“The main focus is happiness, and we’ve tried to achieve that with the colours, the artwork, music, all of it.”

Harley said the cantina was different to any other Mexican restaurant in the Illawarra, in that the food was authentic, not “westernised”, with almost every ingredient made or prepared in house by chef Seth Somers, who grew up travelling in around Mexico.

“We are serving tamales and flautas, which you can’t get anywhere else around here,” he said.

“Seth grew up in Seattle and has worked in a few chef-hatted restaurants so we are really excited to have him.”

Tres Jefes Wollongong.

The food will also cater to people with allergies, particularly those with coeliac disease.

“The whole menu will be gluten-free,” Harley said. “That’s something Wollongong is lacking and we want everyone to feel like they can come in here and enjoy themselves without worrying.”

The staff at Tres Jefes will also deliver on the authentic Mexican feel, with 80 per cent of them speaking Spanish.

“We want service that’s professional but also to the point where you can have a chat and get to know us,” Harley said.

The new restaurant is located next door to Sakura Sushi on Corrimal Street Wollongong and will open in the coming weeks.

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