Frankie's Tortas and Tacos

Overview

While it might have four walls, proper tables, and a more substantive food and drink offering, Frankie's Tortas and Tacos on Johnston Street has the same vibrant energy and bold flavour offering as its initial hole-in-the-wall set up on Smith Street. 

When it opened in 2019, the unassuming Mexican venue took up the space of a former kebab joint in a tiny car park kiosk. With its chain-link fencing, charming, low-key vibe, and undeniably tasty food, it attracted a loyal following, despite seating only about 15 diners. So, it was only about time that Frankie's Tortas and Tacos set up a proper brick-and-mortar location. 

In 2021, Frankie's found a new home on Johnston Street. With more space, the owners were able to push their food and drinks offerings even further. With a selection of imported Mexican beers, refreshing cocktails and a dedicated backbar of mezcal and tequila, if you're into agave, this is the place to drink.

With some of the rarest and highest-quality tequilas and mezcals on offer, Frankie's has even launched an agave club to help educate and showcase premium agave spirits. And while snacking on chicharron and fries, you can all too easily make your way through plenty of new additions and old favourites. 

Tortas (or Mexican sandwiches), on soft white Vietnamese-style rolls, are a drawcard. The fish torta, with fried blue grenadier, lettuce, pickled onion and carrot, jalapeño mayo and salsa verde, is a hard-to-beat lunch option on a warm day. The classic al pastor version, with marinated, grilled pork, is bursting with Oaxacan cheese, refried beans and Frankie's Red Hot Sauce. Eggplant and mushroom options make this a great spot for vegos, too. 

Simple tacos, topped with minimal fill-ins like onion, coriander and a dollop of salsa, are loved from far and wide. Grilled chicken tacos are topped with mango-habanero salsa, and the pork variety is adorned with a slice of pineapple. Add a squeeze of lime and a dash of hot sauce for a flavour explosion.

In case you couldn't get your fix at lunch or dinner, Frankie's is now serving up a bold breakfast menu, including a breakfast torta with fried eggs, hash browns, avocado verde, white onion, and coriander, with the option to add chorizo or mushrooms. Order a cold brew with a little horchata, and you'll be set for the day. 

Images: Supplied.