Best of the Gold Coast 2018: 13 of the best mexican spots
LOVE a taco, burrito or tucking into some nachos? The Gold Coast has a thriving Mexican food scene. Here’s 13 of the best restaurants.
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LOVE a taco, burrito or tucking into some nachos? The Gold Coast has a thriving Mexican food scene. Here’s 13 of the best restaurants.
MORE GOLD COAST TOP 10 FOOD LISTS
Comuna Cantina
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach Waters
Situated at the aptly-named Resort precinct of Pac Fair, Comuna is a vibrant hub of colour, both in decor and food choices.
The menu features all the favourite street snacks, tacos, ensaladas with larger tasting boards for sharing, plus ‘arepas’ — pronounced ‘a-rapper’ — a taco burger with a side of chips.
Gluten intolerant? Comuna has you covered, with all of its options completely wheat free.
Pair that with a fully-stocked bar offering happy hour every day from 4-6pm, and Comuna becomes the perfect Pacific Fair pit stop.
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California Tacos
1718 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
This is the place to go for authentic southern Californian beach Mexican, created by authentic southern Californian beach Mexicans.
Co-owner Ty Yturralde has been serving up his taco plates and margaritas for four years now, the cuisine honed by many years of research, that is, taco eating and margarita drinking in southern California.
“Every time I go home, I get that Aussie-Mex taste out of my mouth — it straightens me up again,” Ty says.
“It’s just simple, fresh food and lots of it.”
Certainly, no-one could complain about the American-style portions.
Ty is also pretty happy the Coast’s contingent of American students choose to hang out at his beach bar.
He’s now looking at franchising his baby.
“I’ve made every mistake there is to make,” he says. “This is what works — it’s time to get it out there.”
Stingray Lounge, QT
7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
This funky lounge bar mixes industrial design, pop art and Mexicana menu choices to create a unique GC night out.
Choose from nachos, quesadillas or designer tacos accompanied by a candied jalapeño margarita or, perhaps, the breakfast margarita featuring orange marmalade syrup.
Canny locals know Stingray’s Taco Tuesday is one of the finest cheap eats deals on the Coast when all tacos are $3, featuring the likes of spicy pork, chilli con carne, grilled chicken or prawn, vegetarian or the weekly secret taco.
It’s worth a Tuesday visit just to see what they come up with.
Beach Burrito Company
72/80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
The Californian-Mex cuisine at Beach Burrito is all prepared fresh on-site.
Manager Luke Edwards has spent a lot of time in kitchens and says the Coolangatta store is where all the company’s menu innovations are test-run.
The hottest menu item by far is the jalapeño poppers, oven-roasted jalapeños filled with cream cheese, lightly crumbed and flash fried, served with chipotle aioli.
“They just walk out the door,” Luke says.
“Our chicken burritos are also very popular — they’re classic.”
They’re in the process of tweaking all their vegetarian menu offerings to make them vegan and experimenting with non-Mexican ingredients to add a twist.
“We’re trying to keep things moving and on trend,” Luke says.
“We’re hoping to create more interest in what Mexican can be.”
Casa Mexicana
38 Frank St, Labrador
Tucked away on a busy Labrador street is Casa Mexicana, boasting authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual diner setting.
Offering more than the standard tacos and nachos, the choices are many, with the elements of each dish detailed on the menu.
Top picks include the arroz con pollo — boneless chicken strips sauteed in a light tomato sauce and vegetables with Mexican rice; the avocado del mar — two avocados filled with seafood, topped with melted cheese and baked or the flautas — two rolled flour tortillas filled with meat or mushroom, served crispy with garnish.
Wash it down with drink specials on tequila shots and frozen margaritas and you’ve got yourself a fiesta.
The Aztec
19 Albert Avenue, Broadbeach
After 20 years, this Mexican stalwart has refreshed and revitalised with its recent move.
The son of the original owners Jared Day has taken over the reins, updating the food and drinks menu in a bid to offer more modern Mexican without alienating faithful regulars.
“The good thing is they seem to be enjoying it too,” Jared says.
CHECK OUT THE AZTEC’S NEW LOOK
Of note is the new Tequila Bar with more than 40 different tequilas and updated craft beer, wine and cocktail selections.
The food menu retains the same Aussie-Mexican style with fajitas now made to order and a kingsize nachos with the lot — the grande — well worth the challenge.
The Jungle Mexican Cantina
52/50-58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Jungle Mexican Cantina takes dining back to the good old days, with more than 30 years of experience behind the BYO restaurant.
“Our concentration is on our quality of food and customer service,” owner Craig Scadden says.
“That’s why we’ve stayed BYO all this time. You bring your own drinks; we focus on making your meals.”
Craig says the restaurant draws on San Diego-style cuisine, preferring to oven bake rather than fry.
A popular option is the oven-baked chimichanga, their take on a traditionally deep-fried burrito.
Fillings for dishes include the home-roasted chicken, cooked beef, a fresh seafood mix and frijole, with the ingredients prepared daily.
“It might take a little bit longer to make our dishes, but it’s all made to order,” Craig says.
“It’s putting that little bit of extra effort in.”
Jungle Mexican also hosts parties with the full menu on offer, saving guests money on drinks.
Montezuma’s
Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, 64 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
In what must surely be some sort of local record, Montezuma’s Burleigh store is celebrating its 40th birthday in September.
Very little has changed at this Burleigh institution, much loved for its generous portions and boasting the largest range of Mexican beers in Australia.
Store manager Jenny Burns has been steering the ship for the past 30 years and says the recipes are still the originals just as their customers like it.
“We have our regulars who say they’re going to choose something different but they never do,” she laughs.
“That’s why they come here — it’s good food, it’s comfort. We know them and they know us.”
Indeed, six staff members have been there for more than a quarter of a century and the Montezuma’s Delight still has customers driving from Melbourne — Jenny swears it’s true.
Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria
2223 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria believes in good food and good times. This Nobby Beach eatery prides itself on its food and drink, saying diners come seeking a fiesta and a full belly.
“The tacos are the superstar of what we do,” manager Tom Sands says.
“The atmosphere as well — it’s certainly ‘a good vibe on the weekend’ place.”
Dishing out tacos and margaritas like they’re going out of style, Mexicali sources fresh, local ingredients for an authentic and tasty experience.
“The most popular, without a doubt, are our fish tacos,” Tom says.
“They’re battered flathead, pineapple salsa, red slaw and chipotle mayo. They’re the star of the show. All of our ingredients are sourced locally; the salsas and sauce are all handmade. The margaritas — we’re knocking out three or four hundred a week — are have fresh lime, with traditional agave syrup, not sugar syrup. You’re not going to come here and get VB.”
Miss Margarita
Shop 101, The Wave, 89-91 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
How could you not be seduced by the colour and energy of this beachy Mexican haunt with its vibrant mosaics and daily specials.
As well as Margarita Mondays and Tinnies and Tacos Tuesdays, there are nightly sundowner drinks specials from 5 - 7pm featuring new cocktails of the week.
Restaurant manager Richard Buckley says the price is always right and there are all the Mexican favourites on the menu.
“We have promotions every day and we’ve added quesadillas to the dinner menu which are very popular.”
But the crowd pleader remains the famous Ultimate Nachos with crisp corn chips, choice of tasty meat or bean combos, buried under an avalanche of melted cheese, chilli salsa, fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, spring onion and coriander.
California Cantina
Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
Cantina on Capri has developed a following with its sophisticated Mexican offerings.
Fresh vegetables such as corn, cucumber and avocado feature strongly on the menu, which is divided in to starters and sharers, quesadillas, tacos and tex mex favourites.
With fillings including soft-shell crab, crumbed achiote chicken and slow-cooked beef, it’s Mexican that will revitalise you, not have you needing a siesta.
Grab a jug of classic sangria or a South American cocktail to make a night of it.
Guzman y Gomez
Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters
Gee whiz, people love Guzman y Gomez.
One of the most authentic Mexican franchise restaurants, the food is quick and simple, but full of flavour.
Choose between burrito variations, tacos, nachos, quesadillas or a salad and mix it up with your own customised ingredients, adding a personal touch to your Mexican comida.
Plus it’s no problem for our vegetarian and allergy sensitive friends.
After a long day of bargain hunting at Harbour Town, roll in to GYG for a burrito.
The company has even partnered with a business to begin delivering food via drone.
Bonita Bonita
2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
While this moody Mexican favourite was started by GC restaurateur Morgan Walsh in 2014, only a few months ago ownership changed hands to Ryan Randwick, who also helms beloved Nobby Beach cafe The Yard.
Since taking over Ryan has kept the mouth-watering authentic menu the same, with a modern twist. Crispy fish tacos with tomato pico, mango crema and queso fresca, deep fried chimmichangas, sticky agave tequila pork belly, braised leek and quesa quesadillas and much more.
Plus knock it back with top notch Mexican-inspired cocktails — margaritas, sangria and tequila, yes please!
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