Mexican Cafe

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Address

67 Victoria St West
Auckland
Region: Auckland
Licence: Unknown
Cuisine: Mexican
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Contact

Phone: 09-373 2311

Overall DineOut Score based on 37 reviews

Total		5.4
Food		5.3
Dessert		5.4
Presentation		4.9
Service		5.4
Environment		6.6
Toilets		5.0
Child Friendly	Kind of

Review by: april197 (7) on 16th August 2010

Total		7.1
Food		7
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		8
Toilets		6
Child Friendly	Not at all

Regular place we love to dine – great food, great prices, great cocktails, great music!

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Review by: Sarah Matthews (2) on 14th August 2010

Total		6.5
Food		7
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		4
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

I really like this place. The food is consistent and it's always a fin night out. No complaints. If you are after fine dining, however, this is not the place for you.

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Review by: ron mcquilter [DineOut VIP] (108) on 25th July 2010

Total		5.7
Food		5
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		6
Service		6
Environment		7
Toilets		6

Went there Friday late, 9 of us. We were given a table straight away and the service was fine. The food was average and kind of bland and clearly just mass produced in big pots. It was "a feed" and that's about it. More of a pub atmosphere, but Ok when there are a bunch of you out on the town.

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Review by: Michael C (1) on 18th July 2010

Total		2.9
Food		3
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		2
Service		2
Environment		5
Toilets		N/A

If you hate yourself and hate Mexican food, then the Mexican Cafe is perfect for you!
The service is terrible - it will take you quite some time to get your order taken by one of the rude waitstaff. Also, they will bring you food that you didn't order, and even though you explain same, it will appear on your bill at the end of the meal.
The food is bland and disappointing - the main dishes (tacos, burritos, etc.) are barely seasoned at all, and the side dishes are either overcooked (rice), wilted (salad), or congealed (beans). The prices would be on the acceptable side of expensive if the food were actually good, but as it stands are terrible value for money. The portions are also extremely small - a plate of nachos ordered was basically an entree-sized plate covered with a single layer of corn chips.
The decor isn't bad, and the ambiance would probably be quite pleasant if the waitstaff weren't so dour, and the diners weren't moping about the quality of the food. The mystery of why the deck lighting is so dim was solved when our unappetising main dishes finally arrived - you'll be glad for the darkness.
If you've got money to burn, and want a moderately-fun venue to get drunk and eat mediocre food in, the Mexican Cafe will do fine. If you're interested in a good meal, look elsewhere.

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Review by: natrob (6) on 7th April 2010

Total		5.9
Food		7
Dessert		5
Presentation		4
Service		6
Environment		6
Toilets		6

I organised a hens party here in February. We decided upon a set menu, as this was much easier for 20 odd people to pay at the end of the night. I also asked if there was a way they could include dessert in the set menu, and they obliged by arranging dessert platters for $5 extra per head. The mains were good, the service was friendly and quick, and the drinks (part of the Happy Hour bargains) went down a treat. However, we then came to the dessert platters - 2 platters were served for 25 of us, each had about 5 brownies and about 4 slices of cheesecake. So, to start with not even enough for everyone to have something. It was all slopped on the platter with no care, and the cheesecake was impossible to get off the platter, so one had to eat straight from the platter if they wanted some. The brownie was average, the cheesecake was ok. I was expecting a platter with tid bits to nibble on, maybe some fruit, something suitable to eat with your fingers or that was actually transferrable to a plate. For $5 each, it was a rip! Really disappointed with that side of things, but otherwise not a bad venue for a big group.

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Review by: Melchi (16) on 24th February 2010

Total		6.9
Food		7
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		6
Toilets		7
Child Friendly	Kind of

I've been here several times; not by choice although the food has always been good-but not memorable. The outside balcony seems to always have traces of bird feces, so not enjoyable in that aspect. This place always seems to be popular with my friends, so I assume I will be coming back.

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Review by: Bing57 [DineOut VIP] (42) on 23rd January 2010

Total		7.1
Food		7
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		5
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A
Child Friendly	Very

We 3 arrived unbooked, warned of a 1/2 hour wait as the place was heaving with people. A band was setting up and contributed to the great atmosphere a little later. Drinks at the bar (Caipiranha very, very good, Ginger Pimpernel a little bland) and off to a table within 20 minutes. Very prompt service throughout. Meals quickly arrived as did more drinks. Pretty standard NZ Mexican fare, not brilliant but good. Beef quesadilla for me - good amount of beef, a little bland in spiciness but OK. Chicken quesadilla for the young one and fajitas for the other. We skipped desserts as nothing much appealed. Coffee and away for $80. Good value for money, very good service, great atmosphere.

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Review by: jakesternz (4) on 10th December 2009

Total		2.6
Food		2
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		1
Service		4
Environment		4
Toilets		N/A

What a disappoint!
We waited 2 hours to get our food and when it turned up was terrible.
Plates were scalding hot, and the bean side was all crusted over, lettuce was brown and stuck to the plate.
I can make better tasting Mexican at home with my eyes closed.
Service was ok, the girl kept asking if we wanted drinks (obviously to take our attention away from the 2 hour wait)
We used a Entertainment book voucher so didn't feel too ripped off, but if i was paying full price would have asked for money back.
Not a recommended place to eat at all!

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Review by: chellaby (49) on 3rd October 2009

Total		3.3
Food		3
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		3
Service		4
Environment		4
Toilets		3

Went here with a large work party, not really much to say except very average. The food had no spice to it at all, we had to add a side of jalepenos to give the dishes some heat, and the food looked like it had just been slopped onto the plate. The service was ok, not particularly friendly but they were very busy. The cocktails were a big hit with the group, probably the only redeeming factor of the evening. Can't quite work out why it has the reputation of being an Auckland institution.

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Review by: Declan (1) on 19th July 2009

Total		1.5
Food		1
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		2
Service		1
Environment		3
Toilets		2

Went along to a dinner at this restaurant. The waiting staff were very poor, the food was disgusting, and the margaritas were a joke. Having eaten at mexican restaurants in Los Angeles and San Diego, I wasn't expecting it to compare favourably - but $20+ for cheap mexican slop is ridiculous. Had to actually walk around to find the waiting staff to even order food/drinks. Near the end of the meal, the manager attempted to charge $20 a head extra ($400) on top of the $600 bill because some people didn't buy food after seeing some of the meals that already came out. The whole establishment is a disgrace and I strongly recommend anyone thinking of trying it out to spend their money at a real restaurant.

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Review by: Heather_SF (19) on 2nd June 2009

Total		7.4
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		7
Toilets		6
Child Friendly	Yes

I love Mexican food. It's one of the things that I miss most about the States. The Mexican Cafe is a small reminder of what I left at home. The dishes are nearly as large but the food is good and the atmosphere is very similar. Tacky furniture and music and it's loud. Great for large groups and they have good drink specials. The parking is not that great in the area but hey, it's the CBD. Consistent quality of food. I like this place.

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Review by: gianouts (60) on 26th May 2009

Total		7.9
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

I popped into the Mexican Cafe for lunch today with a colleague and had a good lunch. The two of us both had burritos (one chicken, one beef) and they both arrived quickly and tasted great. Good efficient relaxed service in a nice and relaxed environment. Portions sizes were also reasonable and the prices were reasonable (NB: Lunch pricing is different than Dinner).

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Review by: CPL (31) on 6th May 2009

Total		5.3
Food		5
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		6
Service		7
Environment		3
Toilets		N/A

Went here for dinner and was expecting what i had seen on dineout... about a 5/10. We were the only people wanting to eat, just the two of us, and were seated outside on a blistery cold day next to this poorly built covering on the deck while there was tons of spare seats inside. When we asked if we could eat inside they said all tables were reserved, when we were leaving after our meal those tables were all still empty.
Husband had fajitas very messy, no side plates given you have to ask for it. I had enchiladas, these were served with beans and rice, which come with every meal, it was horrible. Enchiladas were the only thing i ate which was good. We had a voucher for a free main, so we saved quite a bit. But wouldn't attend again. Service was ok, but i dont really agree with the bag of corn chips and pitcher of salsa sitting outside on servers table on the deck, not good practice, are they really too lazy to walk to the kitchen to get the corn chips and salsa?? You get this free when you first sit down... dont eat it!

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Review by: alishaw (2) on 20th April 2009

Total		7.1
Food		7
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		5
Service		7
Environment		9
Toilets		9

We were here recently for a birthday celebration. We arrived at 6:30 ish for our booking and found our table and staff ready and waiting. The bar staff were quick and generous with the drinks. The food flowed out fast and everyone got their meals at the same time (there was 15 of us).
Given the size of our group and the fact that a large number of our party were late we had nothing but professional service.
I have always been a fan of this establishment and always had fun when I have gone here. I have felt compled to write this review as we had a terrible experiance the week before for another birthday function. That venue was very unprofessional.
I would have to say that I love the rustic feel of the restaurant and food. The Sangria is fantastic and great value at $14 for a jug!
You can be guarenteed consistency at this place. I cannot say the same for other places these days. You may have to wait for the table and wait awhile for your food some nights, but at the end of the day its good vaue food and a relaxed, fun night out.

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Review by: bonsai (15) on 17th April 2009

Total		5.9
Food		5
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		6
Service		7
Environment		7
Toilets		N/A

There is nothing wrong with the Mexican Cafe, per se. It is just so resolutely average. My meal, a vegetarian chimichanga, was fine. It was, as my companion noted, the sort of meal you would have at a friend's house and think "that was okay". But to pay $22 for it in a restaurant seems a little unreasonable.
Here, you pay for the atmosphere - it always seems to be busy. The reasonably priced drinks attract a certain crowd (girls with belts for skirts, badly coiffed guys in tight t-shirts) which (according to your tastes) is either attractive or offputting. Just don't go there for the food, or you will be disappointed.

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