We recently discovered Antojitos Newcastle, a Mexican street food restaurant that is hands down the best Mexican food in the Hunter Valley.
Antojitos started in 2014 as a small market stall at local markets, and today their huge restaurant serves up to 45,000 burritos and 35,000 tacos per year. This fact alone drew my sister Sarah and I in for a Thursday lunch.
The restaurant is in a huge warehouse style setting with themed styling throughout, a large bar to order your food and drinks, and an old baby blue VW van to really set the scene. On their website, they’re candid about their location: ‘whether you dine-in or takeaway, come visit us at our converted Chinese fruit shop…weird, we know’.
Interestingly, this really works for the restaurant making it a unique stop for diners with its fascinating backstory. As we walked in Antojitos was already living up to the hype, and we were hoping the food was equally as impressive.
And let me tell you, the food was AMAZING.
We let loose, ordering enough food for a small feast including a large serve of Corn Tortilla Chips with a Tomatillo Side Salsa to start.
On to our mains we went for Two Carnitas (Pork) Tacos with with tomatillo salsa, salsa de aguacate, pico de gallo, cilantro, cheese, beans and sour cream; and Carnitas Nachos with braised pork, jack cheese, pinto beans, pico de gallo, salsa de aguacate, crema, tomatillo salsa and cilantro.
Topping it all off we ordered the Bunuelos – 4 deep-fried donut discs, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and served with a side of cajeta (caramel) sauce – from the dessert menu.
It’s hard to put into words just how marvellous this food was. Phenomenal, delicious, awesome, incredible, I could go on and on.
I might be still in a bit of a food coma as I write this, but you need to get to Antojitos for a feed as soon as you possibly can.
Okay, I’m sounding a bit dramatic, but the food was second to none for Mexican cuisine. Even the side salsa looked to be thoughtfully created to burst with flavour with each mouthful. The pork melted in our mouths, the corn chips were warm and crispy, and the spices were just enough to give you a bit of a kick.
Sarah and I tucked into the Bunuelos which she fittingly described as, “the crispy outside of a cinnamon donut without the soft filling”, and they were delicious to say the least.
After finishing every little bit of food on our plates, it was time to head home, but not before a quick prosecco and guava soft drink. Antojitos has it all from mouth-watering food and a range of beverages to a great dining environment and friendly service. It’s the perfect stop for any Mexican cuisine lover.
