Mexico 70. Sunderland. 3rd July 2018.
I’ve lived in the North East of England for the better part of 7 years and I think it’s fair to say I don’t get out much. No, I haven’t been to The Raby Hunt yet. Yes, I know it’s 20 minutes from my front door. Yes, I’m an idiot.
I spend majority of my time and work and the rest of it corralling cat snakes or visiting my family back in the Home Counties. (Stevenage girl for lyfe!) I’m also a little anti social but that’s my own cross to bear.
The opportunity arose to actually go out with friends, not in London, was rather exciting.
Jumping in the car after work and heading towards white walkers and wargs I found myself in Sunderland on the day of England’s World Cup match against Belgium(?) but found refuge from the football in a tiny black doorway.
Red neon signs adorned the walls with rustic bench tables and stools against a bar stocked with some pretty decent tequila. The margarita was particularly well executed, just one though it was a school night after all. My friend advised the mojito was of an equal quality. The other 2 drove but I’m sure the cola was lovely...
The menu was compact 6 different types of taco (there was a vegan menu but its not for me so I didn’t entertain it), a few sides and salads and dirty fries, each topped with different combinations from the afforementioned tacos. I liked it. The less you offer the more focus you can put into your dishes.
You order from the bar and dishes come as and when ready.
We opted for crispy chorizo dirty Fries. Beautifully cooked fries topped with house made chorizo, jack cheese, chipotle mayo and heaps of aerated pork scratchings.
The chorizo was just over my comfort level for spiciness but I powered through as it was that good. Tequila is good for pain relief.
For the tacos I chose Pork Carnitas, Soft Shell Crab and Tequila Steak. Carnitas, to me at least, is what tacos are all about. Mexico 70s offering comes in the form of soft juicy pork, slowly cooked in orange juice and beer, served on homemade corn tortillas with guacamole, pink onions and coriander. Now I know coriander and I do not mix, and yes in hindsight I should have just asked for them to remove it, but hey I was excited. Once I removed the offending vegetation it was good. The meat was soft and juicy, the guac was creamy and light and the pink onions were sharp and crunchy. It all worked.
Beer Battered Soft Shell Crab was next, served with more guacamole and chipotle salsa. Delicate crab, crispy batter, sharp spicy salsa. What's not to like? The serving was generous and slightly cumbersome(yes I almost typed Cumberbatch) to eat but totally worth it.
The Tequila Steak was definitely my favourite. Seared rare beef, marinated in lime and tequila, queso fresco, horseradish crema and more pink onions. I was daring with this one and decided to add habanero and lime hot sauce. I added a drop no larger than a 5 pence piece. I couldn't feel my lip. It was so worth it. The creamy cheese helped temper the heat on my tongue and it rounded everything out perfectly.
My friends chose the korean pork belly taco, pulled chicken taco, and chorizo taco with pulled chicken loaded nachos topped with guacamole, cheese and charred pineapple salsa. That salsa is amazing. I would go again just for that.
They also chose the Tequila Steak loaded fries. I didn't regret my choice of fries until the tequila steak fries arrived.
Mexican food and cocktails is a winning combination and Mexico 70 was a welcome find in Sunderland. It's given me faith so come on North East, bring it!