[Bruckner]

Found good reviews of this place on the site posted by Ivy (DineOut, New Zealand). They even have fish tacos!

http://www.mexicalifresh.co.nz/

If you try it, post back about your experience.

Also, this site was recommended for buying Mexican food products: http://www.mexifoods.co.nz/1.htm


Emily

[Michelle and Richard]

I work in the office directly above it and its fine, atmosphere could do with a bit of work though its too much like a fast food place. Great spot though looking out at the harbour and ferries coming and going.

Michelle

[Oregonkiwi]

The subject of where to get Mexican food keeps coming up so I'm reviving this old thread to remind people about Mexicali Fresh. (link above)

We went to the Newmarket location with people from work last week. It reminds me of several Mexican places we went to in Oregon, which might not be entirely a coincidence as the owners are from Oregon and ran Mexican restaurants there for a long time.

You order at the counter then carry the food to your table, so it's not "fine dining", but the atmosphere is pleasant, a nice place to hang out after work (I think they're open for lunch too). The food was good; the menu is standard American-Mexican food: burritos, soft or hard tacos, quesadillas, nachos, sides of beans/rice. They have a happy hour with $3 Sol beers. Seems kid-friendly, we took toddler Peter with no problems and I did see a high chair available. We enjoyed it, and the American woman I work with goes there a couple of times a week. (She says the chicken quesadillas are really good.)

[Ana&Steve]

Good job bumping this thread! :nice1
Ana

[KerryS]

The most authentic place for Mexican food in Auckland is Mexican Specialities, which is in Ellerslie. It's very simple, with a family atmosphere, but the food is incredible.
However, it only opens for meals on Saturdays - the rest of the time it is a deli selling food stuffs.

There is also a place on Ponsonby Road, which is a fast food taco and burrito place. Choose your filling and you get it in a basket to either eat at one of the little tables, or to take home and devour. I 'think' it's called Taquiera...

I'd avoid the Mexican Cafe on Victoria St. The margheritas are great, but the food is very disappointing.

[neilw71]

I'd avoid the Mexican Cafe on Victoria St. The margheritas are great, but the food is very disappointing.

LOL....I was just about to recommend it :) We looked at the Mexicali place in Newmarket and walked out because the menu looked lame to us .... just shows it takes all sorts :) We regularly go the the Mexican Cafe though and love it - it has a more natural/cafe feel which we like - just personal preference!

Neil

[Sean-n-Judy]

Thanks for the bump! I'm going to go have a fish taco tomorrow for lunch!

Sean

[jubjub]

I have to say the verrry best mexican I had was in California... shame its a bit far to nip back... it was the smallest diner in the corner of a mall..., i think it was Monterey...

But we find the Mexican Cafe nice, and also a place in Howick called Giggles, does pretty passable mexican/cajun dishes.

There is also a place on (I think) Elliot St in town called Margueritas, can't tell you whats its like though...

I need to try that place in Ponsonby Rd, thanks Kerry....

and will give Mexicali a go one of these days too...

I just cant create tex mex that well at home, I manage tasty & perfectly eatable, but its just not quite right when you are used to a good restuarant!!

[KerryS]

LOL....I was just about to recommend it :) We looked at the Mexicali place in Newmarket and walked out because the menu looked lame to us .... just shows it takes all sorts :) We regularly go the the Mexican Cafe though and love it - it has a more natural/cafe feel which we like - just personal preference!

Neil

Wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same! I like my Mexican food to be spicy and hot. Maybe I was unlucky as when I visited, as what they served up was bland and flavourless. The cheese dip was good though.
The location is great, and I love the salsa dancing on a Friday night after a few drinks at the bar. I'm just not a fan of the food.

[kanatakiwi]

the food at the newmarket place is not too bad, except that my chicken burrito was flavoured with soy sauce!! Yuck. that kinda ruined it for me. give me good chili powder and cumin for flavouring please! Reminded me of the guy trying to put chili and mustard sauce on my kebob! Seems like they get the basics right here and then go a little crazy on the toppings!

[Juniper]

soy sauce burrito...yikes!! talk about asian invasion, what a weird fusion!

although, i can almost see it happening in santa cruz, we got the weirdos :-P

keep those reviews coming, i'm very picky about my mexican! gringo additions like cajun steak and brown rice can work some of the time, but "autenticidad" wins every time...

[astus]

Well I've tried a few places in Auckland...most suggested here, and non of them get near real GOOD mexican food (I would know...I am a mexican after all). Though I recently found this little place in Ponsonby called Mexican Maya at Ponsony Intl food Court, which is owned by mexicans and they have real mexican stuff brought over from Mexico, and is really good (they have Mole, and chipotle chili..mmm :p ). A little modified to suit the not-mexican taste...but still really good for both mexican and..well not mexican.

Enjoy!
Gaby

[Ana&Steve]

Well I've tried a few places in Auckland...most suggested here, and non of them get near real GOOD mexican food (I would know...I am a mexican after all). Though I recently found this little place in Ponsonby called Mexican Maya at Ponsony Intl food Court, which is owned by mexicans and they have real mexican stuff brought over from Mexico, and is really good (they have Mole, and chipotle chili..mmm :p ). A little modified to suit the not-mexican taste...but still really good for both mexican and..well not mexican.

Enjoy!
Gaby
Though I'm a native SoCalifornian, I think I was born with Mexican taste buds. Thanks for the recommendation, can't wait to try it out with our Auckland friends.:nice1
Ana

[Juniper]

Cool, we are in the middle of our holiday here, but we'll be back in Auckland shortly before we fly out. Hm, maybe we can try that place! There is much more awareness of Mexican food than I thought there would be...however I haven't dared to eat it yet!!! lol

[Mexican in NZ]

I agree!!!
I did recommended this family food B4 is a family from mexico City and i miss their chilaquiles...:laugh so if u go pls tell Dona Rebeca that Adriana the girl from Acapulco that had a bad back says hi:nice1
In Wellington infront of Te Papa in the markets there is a place the ladies (mother and daughter)come from mex too and their food is very yummi!
MEX CAFE YIAKS!! mexicali ...hhhmmm not really mex at all...mind u they changed their corn tortillas and is better. IN THE CACTUS IN PETONI IN WELLINGTON I GOT LITERALLY SICK SO FOR ME IS A DEFINATELY NO NO!

[jubjub]

Well I've tried a few places in Auckland...most suggested here, and non of them get near real GOOD mexican food (I would know...I am a mexican after all). Though I recently found this little place in Ponsonby called Mexican Maya at Ponsony Intl food Court, which is owned by mexicans and they have real mexican stuff brought over from Mexico, and is really good (they have Mole, and chipotle chili..mmm :p ). A little modified to suit the not-mexican taste...but still really good for both mexican and..well not mexican.

Enjoy!
Gaby

We just went here for lunch today, OMG its yummy, the food court is at 106 Ponsonby Road, above the Living Room. We ended up with two dishes each :o enchiladas, tacos, tostada and pambazo which I had never heard of in my life but its to die for, and a great vege option.

What surprised me is that even though its in a food court, its so beautifully presented, they obviously take a pride in their food. The other great thing is there is a beer kiosk in there too, again not the usual thing for a food court!

[Mexican in NZ]

I am glad you liked the food sal! as i said i do recommend that place 100% i dont miss them that much as i know the 2 mexicans that have the restaurant in the wellington markets and their food is great too! Enchiladas verdes, rojas, tacos maya, tacos pibil, enchiladas de mole, huevos rancheros y divorciados, huaraches, quesadillas(more likely to be call empanadas) Tostadas, etc... yumm yumm! oh!! and they are about to close beause the markets will dissapear as the owner now is building apartments in that building :( so Hurry!!!!:P

[astus]

Mmmhhh Pambazos!! I haven't had one of those for a long time...and they are originally from the city I'm from!!
Try the mole...I think the have enchiladas de mole...they are sooooo yummy

All right...I might just leave my computer now and get one..yummy! :p

[Juniper]

We actually did get a chance to stop by the international food court as suggested...finally, worthwhile Mexican food! Adri, I passed your greeting on to the lady at Mexican and Mayan Food, she sends a hug and kisses back ;-)

The chicken mole was -very- tasty, and I agree the presentation is top notch. Rice pyramids...adorable.

[Mexican in NZ]

Thanks Juni!!! I am glad you guys liked the food!

Miss you heaps!!!...i pm you my emails hope u got them so we can keep contact & you can send the pics if possible of the evening we spent together with avalon and our OHs :)
xoxo,
Adris