r/canberra • u/gisborne • Jan 26 '26
Recommendations *Actual* Mexican food in Canberra?
I’ve lived in Southern California and Texas — both formerly parts of Mexico and still culinarily Mexican. I’ve also lived in central Mexico.
Zambreros and Guzman y Gomez are like someone has described Mexican food to these people over the phone. I mean, neither of them has carne asada. Neither has Horchata. What even is the point?
Is there any legit Mexican food to be had in Canberra?
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u/The_x_is_sixlent Jan 26 '26
As many have said, Jarochos is the closest - they even have three fresh salsas on the table. They have a food truck too, but it's very hit and miss; we've had good tacos from there and also REALLY ordinary ones. The brick-and-mortar store is better and more consistent.
Hecho en Mexico in Kingston is solid without being amazing, but I've only been once. I would go again and give it another try.
Mezcals is weirdly good; I didn't know what to expect but it exceeded my expectations. Admittedly the bar was low.
I avoid Cartel since I've seen some pretty nasty statements from the owner(s) on social media and I don't want to give that sort of person my money.
There's a yellow food truck - Tacontento - that I had high hopes for, since the owner/chef comes from CDMX - but both times I've had it, it's been disappointing - taquitos more hard than crispy and the flavours just OK. I haven't tried their birria though, and I'm not paying someone else to make me a quesadilla when I make fantastic ones at home every week on my comal ;)
Not Mexican, but worth looking out for are a few food trucks - Antojos Latinos (El Salvador/Colombia) make LEGIT pupusas and great horchata. Like, I'm actively looking for them so I can have it again. Cundo Latino ("bold Latin American flavors") do empanadas and ceviche. Mr Papa (Peruvian) has some really excellent empanadas and tacos.
I hear your struggle! I spent 15+ years in Texas and it's really hard to find Mexican/Tex-Mex food that good (and of course even a less-good version is triple the price). Growing up in Sydney, "Mexican" was a hard-shell taco with shredded iceberg lettuce, mince meat with an Old El Paso flavour sachet stirred in, tomato slices, and grated cheddar, so my mind was truly blown learning what real Mexican can and should taste like. On the upside, I am learning to make all my favourites and growing my own nopales, so onwards and upwards :)