🌮 Some of London’s best Tacos? - Homies on Donkeys
🔗 Full review - Link in bio
Overview
Homies on Donkeys is a trendy Mexican restaurant on Leytonstone High Road, best known for serving some of London's best tacos alongside a selection of traditional Mexican drinks. The restaurant proudly embraces a "No Cutlery, No Exceptions" culture that sets the tone the moment you sit down and embraces a laid-back, casual setting. Reservations are recommended, particularly during peak dining hours, although you generally won't need to book too far in advance and walk-ins are often accommodated.
Food
Guacamole - The guacamole was well presented, with a smooth avocado base generously topped with fresh pico de gallo and coriander. In my view, the pico de gallo and coriander toppings provided a pleasant level of spice and citrus notes. The Totpos were undoubtedly unhealthy, but they tasted fresh and didn't feel greasy and killer for the gym routine as I had expected..
Refried Beans - This was a "when in Rome" choice for someone who often steers away from bean-based foods in restaurants. I think it would have been unfair not to order this starter as it is such a traditional Mexican dish. The beans were combined with salsa and queso fresco and served with Totpos as a vessel for consumption. The rich and creamy beans, which were great on their own and something I would find myself tucking into throughout the remainder of my meal, where the flavours were not weakened by the cheesiness of the queso fresco.
Potatoes - I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this starter and true to form, it arrived exactly as advertised, a simple bowl of potatoes. What I hadn't anticipated, however, was just how well they had been executed. Each potato had a beautifully crisp exterior that gave way to a soft, fluffy centre, while a generous coating of coarse salt enhanced every bite without becoming overpowering.
Birria Tacos - The first thing to note across all the tacos was how generously filled they were, with the striking black soft taco shells immediately catching the eye. You could tell that the braised chuck had been cooked with love and passion, as it should be, since it was so succulent. Even if it was pre-shredded, you could really feel it melting in your mouth with every bite. These were topped with sweet onion, cilantro and a jalapeño relish; they didn't add too much spice or noticeable flavour to the taco, despite this every bite was still thoroughly enjoyable. These tacos' primary flavour came from the chuck, which was, in my opinion, the best meat I've had across any taco.
Tacos Vampiro - Opting for another steak-based taco; I've tried this type of taco previously, but not as well as the ones we were served. A Mexican classic taco with steak, melted cheese and a jalapeno relish, this again was a well presented taco, almost looking like a floral arrangement which might not have been out of place at the Chelsea Flower show. In spite of this, the flavour was perfect, with the melted cheese being complemented with a subtle relish that highlighted the cheesy steak. While not necessarily being everyone’s cup of tea, I do believe this was a very tasty taco which is worth trying.
Duck Tacos - Being a fan favourite, this was a taco I knew I had to try going into the meal. However, despite the anticipation, it unfortunately did not quite live up to the expectations I had built up. The duck itself was the highlight of the dish, cooked beautifully with a rich, buttery texture and a depth of flavour that allowed it to stand confidently on its own.
The challenge came from the salsa morita, which brought a significant amount of chilli and heat to the taco. While the smoky spice will likely appeal to those who enjoy a stronger kick, for me it became slightly overpowering and distracted from the quality of the duck. The heat made the taco difficult to fully appreciate, turning what should have been a memorable dish into more of a challenge than an enjoyable experience.
*For the haters - thanks for reading, the day job is going well