Mexico

Loved the flavours of the different foods. Left feeling like I ate quite a bit but happy and not too bloated. The service was great, friendly and quick. The food was delicious and fresh! The décor was cool, and I would recommend this place to anyone wanting a tasty variety of food in a relaxed informal atmosphere. I give it 5 stars as Mexican is my new favourite food because of this place.

Can’t recommend anything, since they didn’t bother to serve me.
Walked in around 5:00pm on a weeknight, and there were no customers inside or out, Host said I could grab a table outside if I wanted and someone would be right out. After ten minutes, I left. I understand if you’re busy, but when someone is literally the only customer in the restaurant, there’s no reason they should sit there for ten minutes without someone even acknowledging you’re there.

I love an ever-​changing menu that adapts to the ingredients in season, so we came back to Mexico recently for dinner to try their new spring menu.
We were both enamoured by the hot, crispy and über cheesy cinnamon braised lamb quesadilla ($ 15). The cinnamon flavour isn’t too predominant or strong, but it balances well with the slight spice and tangy tomato salsa. I didn’t get to try the beef taco ($ 6) but my dining companion was happy with it. The most memorable and creative dish was the Mexico carrot cake ($ 10) which was unlike any carrot cake I’d seen or had (I thought they served us the wrong dish!). It’s like a deconstructed version of the traditional cake — a handful of raisins and blobs of carrot purée served on top of a fried cinnamon sugar crisp. Mixed opinions over the taste… it was interesting, to say the least. Props for the delicious lemon peel ice cream and pretty plating, though!
Despite the menu makeover, two things seem to have stayed the same: the fried chicken remains as good as ever, and the eatery is as packed as ever. I found the servers to be nice and ever-​smiling. My only gripes are that the carrot cake took a long time to arrive (though they did apologise for this) and we had to ask several times for water. However, being Sunday night and all, it was VERY busy and they were pretty much rushed off their feet so no biggie.
Looking forward to their next menu!

Okay so why would Ohio transplanted Arizonans visiting Takapuna Beach go to a restaurant called Mexico? Well, because we can!
I have to say I was suspect, but they had Me at hello! The décor and the whole cozy little beach bar vibe is Spot on! Just loved the rustic tables and the family style place settings. Really kitschy in a great way.
I had to get Sangria. It was a hot day and well what else can I say? I got the carafe for me, but ended up sharing with friends. Its a tall bit of really tasty goodness.
We started off with homemade crisps and salsa. The salsa was nice and spicy with a smokey backtone I really liked. I got skirt steak taco and it was superb. The pico was a mango citrus cilantro taste that really worked well with the steak and the quite lite and deelish tortilla. Very nice combo.
Got the Mexican fried chicken and man was
It good. Deeply seasoned tenders lightly fried and served with two sauces that both worked magic with the chicken. I added some of the smokey salsa to the mix and oh that was great! Spicy too. I like my meat hot and spicy. No disappointments here!
The only minor thing is portions are small and a tad pricey. But if you are here to eat, do yourself a tasty favor and sample. You can and you’ll love it aaaaaannnnddd you won’t feel guilty doin’ it. ;)
The service start to finish was excellent. I don’t think any of us weren’t taken care of expertly! Great food, and service. Try Mexico. Que Bueno!

Casual, affordable dining in Takapuna, order as much or as little as you like. The menu changes often, but not so dramatically you want to race back. We ordered bbq pork and fish tacos and a quesadilla. You know what you’re getting, there are no surprises. The hot, punchy, vibrant flavours just seem to be missing these days.

Went last nite for drinks and dinner with a friend and was really surprised to see the place crowded on a Monday nite with constant turnover of customers. Went for the Mexico and coconut margaritas and their fried chicken for starters. We order d specials for the day which included a pork taco which was average. I never even got to taste the other mains as we went out for a smoke and when we returned the plate was taken away the waitress was sweet enough to give me another one but at that Time with two pitchers each of margaritas r had had enough. Really noisy place but prefer the branches at ponsonby and britomart for sure.

Love the décor and energetic vibe. It’s a bit loud so if you want to chat not the best place. I love the ceviche!!! Sangria is pretty good, but not awesome and is expensive by the glass as the glass is very small. Buy it by the carafe instead and you will get a little more than 4 glasses filled.

I have eaten at Mexico on three occasions now, mainly because I am obsessed with the fried chicken! I first ate at the original Britomart branch, and more recently twice at the Takapuna branch.
Atmosphere is excellent, I love the mexican decorations on the walls, it adds a nice flavour to the place. It can definitely be noisy, unless you eat really really early (I went at 5pm once prior to a rugby match). Service tends to be average, nothing really standout but no complaints either. The first time I dined at the Takapuna location with my sister they apparently had an all new staff on so there were some teething problems but we got our margarita’s comped for simply being asked to move tables. The staff had left two items off the final bill but the poor manager looked like he was having such a hard time I did inform him so he could add them on!
Food is amazing, you definitely can’t go past the fried chicken! If only it was healthier I would probably like to eat it for every meal. The menu seems designed for sharing, kind of tapas style. At first glance the prices look very reasonable, but be warned — dishes are small and you need a good number of them so this won’t be a cheap night out.
*Snacks — I love the esquites, and others in my party loved the eggplant dip.
*Soft shell tacos — between us we have tried the beef, pork belly, chicken, salmon and the special fish taco. Consensus is that the special fish taco was the best by far so if they are doing it the night you are there then try and check it out!
*Specialties — ceviche is very nice, chorizo is delicious and you get a heap of it, and the fried chicken of course is not to be missed.
*Quesadillas — my sister is a big fan of these. Probably the biggest item on the menu. She has tried the papas/​wild mushroom one and the prawn one and liked them both. She did think the prawn one has a bit to much heat which overwhelmed the prawn flavours. I tried some of each and thought these dished lacked some of the punch of other dishes.
Gluten free: on the face of it it seems like there is a good selection but unfortunately its really just the snacks and tacos that have a wide selection. Of the «larger» dishes only the ceviche and albondigas are GF (plus the salads). Our gluten free member liked the food, but did leave the restaurant hungry which is a shame — she picked up some hot chips later!
Drinks are skewed towards cocktails and beer. My mum ordered off the extremely limited wine menu and her Sav blanc arrived in a water tumbler — no fancy glass wear here! I love the black plum margarita and order it every time. There is something addictive about the sugar/​cinnamon mix around the rim. For the non-​drinkers out there they have a full range of Jarrito’s soft drinks which my sister recommends highly. Have a read of the tequila menu while you are there, its cutely done and an interesting read, especially if you want to get stuck into their large range of tequila!
Overall the food is tasty, but portions are small. Atmosphere is excellent, but be warned this is a busy, noisy place. Go very early if you want an immediate seat and good service.
As for me, I think after three visits my obsession with Mexico is thankfully over and I can explore some other excellent places!

Average… I thought the food was expensive for what you received and really average service. I felt like they were doing you a favor by being there. I will not be returning.

It was my first time to this Takapuna one where we sat outside with just the right amount of a breeze. Great start.
We ordered «Do it yourself guacamole» ($ 8), fried chicken ($ 12 my fav!), beef taco ($ 6), pork quesadillas ($ 12) and a carafe of frozen black plum Margarita ($ 25). I love their generous amount of servings especially the quesadillas — 8 pieces! Beef taco was crunchy and refreshing with pork cracklings and pineapple. I’ve tried the chicken and prawn but this is the best one by far. Guacamole was just a bit boring, but when we had it with the chicken, it became fabulous! Chicken by itself has always been wonderful… We saw another table ordering one but it was sold out. Wow, gotta be quick around here!
I’m not a big fan of Magarita but the fact that it comes in frozen, was pretty attractive after a hardcore sport battle. So I’ve asked for a sweet and fruity one and this was what the waiter recommended. Hmmm… Not much plum flavor though. Maybe I’ll stick with the beer next time. Had a great time and will return again to try other things on the menu :)

I was looking forward to visiting Mexico as I had heard awesome things about it.
Fantastic concept! Thought the atmosphere and general vibe of the restaurant and bar was great.
The fried chicken and dipping sauce is epic. Like catnip for humans, I could definitely have eaten my weight in it! The quesadillas on the other hand I probably wont rush to reorder. They lacked the punch you usually associate with Mexican food, and the sauce that went with them didn’t really take away from the fact that they were pretty dry and bland.
The portion sizes however are generous for the price, we ordered 3 items for $ 40 between two people and struggled to finish them off!
The service was pretty average for us which along with the quesadillas is why I would only give it four stars. My partner asked to take home what he couldn’t eat and the waiter cleared it away instead. We also had a waiter drop another table’s meals off, and yet another waiter try and take our order only to tell us they couldn’t take our order. I’m willing to put it all down to the fact they were pretty slammed, denoted by the 45 minute wait for a table and one of the waiters was trailing and seemed pretty nervous.
Totally worth another shot though. There’s way more on the menu to try, but next time I’ll for sure make a reservation and try one of their margaritas!

Good sangria but the food is average and overpriced. Service is average at best… Quite noisy, too. Is always packed, not sure why? Oh but the décor is well done. But apart from that… Seems largely overrated to me.

Seriously, A Mexican restaurant without Guacamole? Boo! And average food tonight. Bummer. Fried Chicken was the highlight.

Since it opened, Mexico Britomart was the place to be, so it’s no surprise they decided to extend the business. And no one was happier than me when they chose my hometown. Takapuna has had a facelift lately with the addition of super chic area — The Commons, and with Mexico as part of that, it has really taken off.
This restaurant is bigger than the Britomart one, which makes it easier to get in on a busy night, and also a bit better for larger groups. The menu is the same though, and why wouldn’t it be. Delicious Mexican morsels that are cheap enough that you can get a whole range to try.
They have carried on the theme of the décor with walls jam packed with cool Mexican art, traditional Mexican café tables and chairs, and wait staff with big floral head pieces. The Takapuna Mexico has a proper bar, which is great for chilling at while waiting for a table. There is also great outdoor seating overlooking the road down to Takapuna beach, and if it’s chilly, they give you Mexican blankets to keep warm. Cute.
I recommend the fried chicken, and the best taco is the braised beef. Oh man it’s so good. The menu does change though, so if it isn’t there order whatever you feel — everything is good.

Mexico Takapuna is similar but different to its namesake in Britomart. The food and drink menus are identical to the original — relatively cheap and cheerful Mexican dishes that you’d expect like tacos and quesadillas; as well as a full range of Mexican beers, cocktails, sangria and tequila. The décor is similar too, with the walls covered in Mexican-​themed artwork that gives the Britomart one a rustic vibe. What sets the Taka branch apart though is the much greater size and the emphasis on the outdoor space and the seaside setting. Where the original is a little cramped and intensely social, this one is more chilled out which for some is more appealing. Still a lovely social spot too, just not as intensely so as the one in town.

This is easily one of my favourite spots to go in Auckland and I am absolutely addicted to the soft shell fish taco. With such a cultural vibe and friendly, casual atmosphere here it is impossible not to have a great time on every visit. The Mexico in Takapuna is much larger than the one in Britomart, it has an upstairs that is available to be completely booked out and a large bar where you can sit at and wait if required. My blatant flirt with the manager also enhanced my experience, what a great place!

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this is quite a different dining experience from Mexico at Britomart. The menu is ostensibly the same, the mexicali décor very similar, the waitresses wear the same floral headresses and the seating layout is similar too. Perhaps it’s the addition of the terraced area and the proximity to The Commons and Takapuna Beach that give this place a different vibe.
The food is delish just like in the city. I think this place has a more relaxed mid-​week vibe, followed with a walk on the beach or a drink at The Commons, and I’d go to the slightly grungier Britomart for a Friday dinner before exploring the local nightlife.

This is a much loved spot of mine, I often come here with my boyfriend, but it is great for big groups also! For groups of 10 or more you can make reservations, otherwise it’s a walk in kind of place. As a personal preference, I favour this location over their one in town, not too sure why I think it’s just because it is larger and there is quite good parking around. One evening we went for dinner, and it was absolutely packed, an hour wait they said! However it was quite chilly outside so some of their outdoor seating was free, we said we would take that and they gave us these huge Mexican blankets which I thought was such a nice thing for them to offer! Their food is so so good and really reasonably priced! You can get a small taco for around $ 6 so I usually just get a few of those, at first it seems like not much food but it definitely fills me up! One time we placed the order and literally 3 minutes later some food arrived, it was so quick we said it couldn’t be ours, but it was! I just couldn’t believe it and was throughly impressed, they hadn’t compromised on quality or taste either… big thumbs up Mexico!