Cinco de Mayo in Hawthorn

I have been to the Hawthorn Guzman Y gomez a couple of times and really enjoyed it. I have bought one full priced mini burrito and this time I came back for the $5 Cinco de Mayo special and free chips.

The mini burrito was not good. It was lukewarm and soggy. I thought that since I have not written about this store I thought that I would give them another chance. That is on a busy day like today. The city stores were packed to the brim with workers.

Here you order and pay and then they give you a number. Whilst waiting you can help yourself to condiments and cutlery by their station. And then you find your seat. You can site outside or inside.  Because the shop is small many people like to get take away.

For the spiciness you can choose mild or hot spices. My burrito was not too spicy but I did add some jalepinos to give it that spice. It was a fish burrito since it was meat free May and I had to stick by the rules. The barramundi was fresh and the beans were plentiful.

The free chips were the best ones at Guzman Y gomez so far! And so was the guac. The guacamole was freshly made.

Do come by to the Hawthorn one as it is the better one out of all of them.

Taco Bill turns 50

Taco Bill has been around for a long time and they have been serving some great Mexican food for generations. Here they are famous for their soft shell and hard shell tacos.

There are many Taco Bills all over Melbourne. Here they are featured in the Entertainment book for a 25% discount and have so for many years. Here they do some great vegetarian things and the Taco Bill that we went to was in Kensington. This place is across the road from the train station.

For their free taco day they were not too busy. It was a Thursday night and we wanted to see how they coped with a lot of customers and free tacos to give out. Well it is two per person and people ordered other things.

For a start their Fishbowl margaritas seemed popular. Everyone wanted to buy the big bowls to share. That and their burritos.

But I had their Mexican rice which was so spicy. That and their quesadillas. Their vegetarian ones were quite good but filling. I just got an entree size and it was enough to fill me up.  Their tacos were quite messy and the chicken one was really bad. The chicken was plasticky in taste. But the Yucatan was good.

The salsa was mind boggling as always. I loved it in the rice and in the Quesadilla.

Happy Birthday Taco Bill from RMIT Newintstudents and here is to another 50 years in the making.

Salsa's in Southbank

Salsa is a chain store and after running I really wanted to go to the Salsa in Southgate. I had never been and have always wanted to try it ever since their $2 taco days. Well they are gone now but in place is a taco meal.

Here this Salsa's was clean and this time all the staff were wearing gloves. There was one at the till and the rest were at the back making the order.

The guy at the counter was friendly.

This time I had their burrito in a bowl which is vegetarian. And then I added inn their habenaro sauce for an extra $1. It was the stock standard shit that you can find in good Mexican places for free such as Taco bill. For the price of $1 I was expecting something extra ordinary.

And the mexicrinkle chips were lukewarm. The ones at Melbourne central were much better. At least these were spicy.

The burrito in a bowl had so much lime juice in there and the zucchini had not been cooked properly. Now look I don't mind raw zucchini but some people hate it. I loved all the beans in there.

Rating: 9/20- would not return. I prefer Guzman Y Gomez any day where all the condiments are free and the burritos are bigger in size.

Guzman y gomez

Guzman Y Gomez is a chain store and we love them for all things Mexican. So when they popped up at South Yarra outside the station, we'd thought we'd try in two visits. One was during their opening day and the other one was during dinner after a run at the Tan.

They have been open for about a month now.

On their opening day they were busy because everyone wanted their free burrito. But at dinnertime during the mid week at 7pm they were really quiet. I wonder why.

The store was clean no doubt and they are always featured on the Mystery shopper lists. I was served by one not so pleasant, but attentive lady. It was probably a student.

For both times I had the fish burrito. On their opening day I had it naked which was quite nice and healthy. But for dinner I had it in a whole wheat wrap (extra $0.50 per burrito). Here can go crazy with the jalepinos and the habenaro sauce as it was free. But they were really stingy on the water. I would have thought that they would have a glass bottle of water for the table. But no they only had a cup.


The fish in my burrito was dry and it was lukewarm. The rice was not too bad and the beans were good in there. Pity there was not a lot of salad like there was in the burrito bowl.

On opening day they had the salsa and the chips which I really enjoy. I would have ordered some but I thought that it was too much for me. And its not worth the extra $5 where the people are most likely being underpaid.

For an extra $3 you can buy a churro or two but I think its not worth it. The burrito already filled me up and I didn't need any more food after. Luckily I went for a run before. On Myfitnesspal a burrito is about 800-900 cal so you can only have this every so often.

Tequila

Tequila is a Mexican restaurant in South Yarra right past Chapel st and about a five minute walk from the station. I would have caught the tram but they were doing tramworks that week and it would have meant buses for some of the way.

The place is very Mexican inside and there was this sign which say "we don't supply the women". I found it was a little bit offensive for some, but a joke for others. I did however like the homely touch. The service was really slow for a less than packed restaurant and the food was not that great. Luckily though I bought a Groupon for it which is $19 for $40 worth of food and drink.

The cute sign on the door

The smoked salmon taco for $5.40 was really soggy and a let down. The salad was good and the salmon but not together on a soft taco shell. I can get better at Taco Bill in South Melbourne.














The burrito for $17.50 was not too bad, but I would have liked the rice to be on the plate. The guacamole was good though. The burrito was small and there wasn't a whole lot of cheese which is good for those that dislike cheese. The salad was just ok.



















We were meant to get some corn chips and salsa to start off with, but it appears that they forgot all about it. That is until I gently reminded them. Even then chips tasted like they were store bought but the salsa was just alright. But then again who could stuff up salsa.

The extra mango chilli salsa was good though. It was so addictive though that I just could not stop.

Rating: 11/20- Tequila and I are not friends. I can get much better food and much quicker service at Taco Bill anyday. You guys have to try the South Melbourne branch.

I had a feeling that all the positive reviews online were either paid or written by the restaurant staff themselves.

I waited 26 minutes to be exact for sub par food. Sorry but never again.

Old El Paso's new restorante tacos

Old El Paso is a Mexican food company which has been around for many years. It is a favourite household brand in Australia. Old El Paso has just released a new product that is supposed to taste good as well as saving time in the kitchen.

It is their new taco kits which you buy and make yourself at home.  Like the original ones these are always easy to make. You just need to buy the meat and the veg and they will take care of the rest.

I liked the steak taco better than the chicken tinga as it was sweet and the steak was very tender. It is easy to make.

Do yourself a favour and buy the Old El Paso's new taco kits available in your supermarket in the Mexican food aisle

Taco Bill at Collins st

Taco Bill is on Collins st in city between Queen and William st. They have been really popular with the after work crowd and students for some time. They have a great happy hour, lunch and dinner specials here and they are always changing from time to time.

RNIS bought a Groupon for $20 for $40 to spend and they decided to come for a mid week dinner. We knew we had to book ahead as it is only a small restaurant and it gets busy quickly.

Here we had their special of fish taco ($6) and their Seafood Queasidilla ($23.95). We also had a lemon slushee something which I have never tried. We also had their complimentary chips and salsa and the chips were not as good as the ones in South Melbourne. The ones in South Melbourne are the bomb and these were tasteless and wet.

Their fish taco was a little on the dry side. The salsa was fresh and the fish was cooked well but the tortilla was on the dry side.

The Seafood Queasidilla was good but I think there was a little bit too much sauce in mine and I don't like sour cream that much. But I do like the Habenaro which they were a little bit slow in getting this for me.

Sorry about the picture it was very dark and blurry and I was using an old camera

The lemon slushee was good though.

Rating: 15/20- the South Melbourne store was much better with their chips and salsa.

Taco Bill and Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a USA/Mexican holiday and it is celebrated every year and in Melbourne Mexican restaurants celebrate this with many specials and stuff. The day is on the 5th of May each year.

Luckily the 5th of May this year is a Tuesday and a school night, hence it was quiet when I came around 7:15pmish after a fitness class in the city. I picked South Melbourne as it was a lot quieter than the city stores. I also have tried the South Melbourne store's munchies and punch when they were at Sacred Heart Mission for their tropical night.

The South Melbourne store is about 5 mins away by the 112 tram from the city.

As it was a cold night everyone was inside having fun. But most of us did not enjoy having to wait long for food. We waited for about half an hour after ordering for one Yucatan burrito. But luckily there was free salsa and corn chips to keep everyone going. These were really nice and the salsa is made in house.And there were $3 Tequila shots for those that love Mexican alcohol.

At least we had the Entertainment book voucher at 25% off the total bill. The service though was a little bit disorganised as one of the girls couldn't remember which table ordered the chicken freoles. Luckily I listened to that tables orders and told the waitress.

Then finally our food came. The Yucatan burrito was small but it was enough for dinner. I don't like sour cream so I left it aside. I loved the salad except it was drenched in a really sweet, lemony dressing. I loved everything else about it and I didn't mind that they forgot the avocado as it was rather late and I was almost full.

Unlike what others said about plates being dropped on them mine was being put down politely at the table and I enjoyed Taco Bill's own Habenero sauce ($5.50). In fact you can buy some for that price to take home and enjoy.

Rating: 15/20- enjoyed the food but hated the long wait. Do come to Taco Bill on a quiet weekday night.

Zambrero

 As part of Bupa's best blog competition for 2015
I ordered online via Menulog and it was $10.90 for one burrito.

Zambrero is a healthy, vegetarian, vegan burrito place. They are a franchise with stores all over Melbourne.

A burrito can be quite healthy depending on which way you look at it. And depending on what is in it. It is usually about 400-600cals each depending on what is in there.

By the time I arrived which was 12:30pm there were only just about 5 or 6 people waiting for their food in the queue. Whilst I was in the queue I watched them make the burrito for other people which is just scooping out the rice and making the burrito the way that people requested it . Ie with no tomato and whatever else.

Like Subway there is a production line and you choose your sauces at the end.

It is a healthy place and the burrito that I had is light. They make it right in front of people and everything is fresh.

But my burrito was a little bit bland. It had lots of cream and not much cheese. Moreover the jalapenos were on one end making it very spicy one end.

It was full of beans, lettuce and tomato salsa and lots of guacamole at one end. And lots of white rice.

Rating: 12/20 not bad but it would be much better if everything was evenly placed.
Do come by for your healthy vegan burrito lunch.

The Book of Life

RNIS was invited to this screening by 20th Century Fox.

This screening was at the Jam Factory in South Yarra. The movie was well received by many bloggers and their children who were happily playing with balloons during the movie.

The story is about being true to yourself and being selfless. It is also about fighting the enemies within you.

The story is set in Mexico during the Day of the dead. Mary Bell (Christina Applegate) reads a story about Maria and her true love Manolo in the 19th Century. Zoe Saldana was wonderful in playing the rebellious princess and Diego Luna is Maria's true love.  Maria is a beautiful woman.

The story starts when Joaquin, Manolo and Maria were kids and Maria was being rebellious. One day she let the bull into the town and it scared most people. Manolo fought off the bull but Joaquin was praised for his actions. As a punishment for her actions Maria is sent to Spain to learn how to be a lady.

Over the years Maria learns lots and appreciates the finer things in Europe. Manolo is trained to be a bull fighter but his heart is into songs and his love for Maria. When Maria returns Joaquin proposes. She thinks about it and eventually they marry.

But she still loves Manolo and they meet over the bridge. Xibalba (from the Land of Forgotten) sends a snake and it bit Maria. She dies and Manolo is blamed for her death.

Then Manolo goes home to the Land of the remembered and he reunites with his family and learns that his relatives were good at bull fighting. The scenery for the Land of the remembered was nicely done

Mary Bell in the present day aslso tells the children about the land of the forgotten and the land where everyone remembers you. The Land of rememberance is beautiful and that's where Manolo's family lives. When Manolo visits they forgive him for not visiting sooner and in the end they help Manolo fight against the bandits.

In the end they get married and fight all the bandits together.

Thanks Nuffnang for the invite and do watch the movie when it comes out on the big screen

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde is a lovely little Mexican restaurant and bar in the heart of the city.  It is up six flights of stairs but if you come there after 6pm then the lift is much faster and you can go straight up there in a flash. It is in the same building as Cookie and Rooftop bar.

The place does get busy during the night and they have about 240 varieties of alcohol.

The service was a little bit slow to start off with but the once all the food came it was alright. To start off with I enjoyed a lovely lemon sherbet drink ($6). It was minty and very refreshing.

I also enjoyed the lovely authentic Mexican corn chips with guacamole which was fresh. It was $11. The watermelon salad ($15) which I believe will be on the menu at the International Street Food Festival is refreshing for a summer's day. I loved the saltiness of the salad as well as the crunch from the pumpkin seeds and cranberries. The watermelon was fresh and sweet.

The tacos too were good and I believe that there might be a special of 2 for $10 at the International street food festival. But the fish in the fish one was a little bit overcooked (only slightly).  I did really favour (and I know that the vegetarians too would like) the fried tomato taco which was really nice with the cheese on top.

However I didn't like the Mesa burger ($15). It's great for people that don't like the spice, but I found that the bun was really dry and the meat was a little undercooked. I did however like the vegetables that were used. If they had a vegetarian burger even better

I also sampled some of their homemade hot sauce which will be possibly selling at the festival. I loved the spiciness. It blew my mind. If only they used that in the burger.

Sorry about the blurry photo- the atmosphere was very dark

Rating: 16/20 -loved everything else except for the burger. I even loved watching the guys do their thang behind the bar and I loved watching the other group enjoy their birthday desserts. I wished that I could have had some but I was too full.

Do check them out at the International Street Food festival.