Hecho en Mexico to open kitchen and bar at Cairns Esplanade
A hugely successful Victorian brand offering lipsmacking Mexican street food is set to launch its first Queensland outlet in Cairns. Check out the plans for the new Hecho en Mexico outlet.
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A hugely successful Victorian brand offering lipsmacking Mexican street food is set to launch its first Queensland outlet in Cairns.
Starting up in 2013 from the first Fitzroy restaurant Hecho En Mexico kitchen and bar rapidly expanded to 10 other Melbourne locations and seven regional Victoria outlets.
As the brand further expands into the Sunshine State, Cairns has been chosen as a flagship Queensland store while the company eyes future locations on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Port Douglas.
Franchise holder of the Moonee Ponds and Cheltenham outlets Chandan Kumer is leading the push north starting with the Cairns Esplanade location within the divided old Barnacle Bill’s tenancy.
Barnacle Bill’s shut its doors in 2019 after nearly four decades before the property was divided into two tenancies by new owners George and Helen Papagelou.
“Hecho En Mexico has been welcomed by all parts around Victoria and we thought this is the chance to take it to the next level,” Mr Kumer said.
“It’s a back-to-base start, a brand new kitchen and bar and new plumbing, you name it and it’s new.
“The challenge was to get all the engineers to sign off on it.”
Translating as made in Mexico, cuisine includes authentic tacos, burritos served with in-house made salsa, guacamole and marinades.
A wide range of cocktails and mocktails will include classic Mexican beverages such as Patrón tequila based margaritas and palomas, sangria and mescal-based cocktails.
And new dishes appealing to Queensland tastes will be included in the menu at the first Cairns outlet.
“We are adding some new dishes that we think would suit the Queensland pallet and seafood will be on the menu in Cairns,” he said.
“Our menu is designed to attract a younger crowd and seasoned Aussies, there’s a conception that Mexican food is spicy but we have four spice levels so that way they can choose the one they like.
“Core staff, the restaurant manager and chef were all recruited from Melbourne and will be moving here but the other staff will be locals.”
Spanish-speaking accountant Accountant Joanna Labrada will relocate from Melbourne to run the new restaurant which is expected to open early July.
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Originally published as Hecho en Mexico to open kitchen and bar at Cairns Esplanade
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