San Pancho
A Marrickville taqueria that represents Mexico instead of reinventing it.
Overview
Sydney, like most of Australia, is multicultural by design, and that includes our hospitality scene. One cuisine that you won't find to be up to the same bar as others, though, is Mexican. Truly excellent Mexican restaurants are rare, but one of the few true greats is Marrickville's favourite taqueria — San Pancho.
This isn't a cutting-edge reinvention or reinterpretation. San Pacho means to represent Mexico, not reinvent it. Founders Umesh Datwani and Chef Roberto Garcia wanted to capture a simple idea in the restaurant: deliver the taste of real Mexico, one filled with noise, laughter, community and bold, honest flavours.
"We're not here to reinvent Mexican food," García reaffirms. "We're here to represent it, to show people the beauty of the original. These are the flavours of our childhood, the dishes from our Abuela's table, and the spirit of the taquerías that bring people together every day."
The dishes include plenty of street-style classics — there's al pastor, carne asada, baja fish, birria, and nopales tacos; each of which represents a different regional flavour of Mexico. Everyday classics like ceviche, chilaquiles, enchiladas, papas fritas and tres leches star as well, prepared exactly as they would be back in Mexico. Plus, mezcal lovers will be delighted when diving into the drinks list, with spins on margaritas and a house concoction that sells itself as a "spicy, weird but delicious mix of sauces, lime and beer."
It all has a casual, authentic feel. The restaurant's name is taken from a beach town in western Mexico, and from its namesake it borrows a warm, sun-soaked spirit — encouraging diners to abandon fancy plates and to get their hands covered in flavour in a communal setting that feels far more alive than a heavily manicured fine dining restaurant.
Information
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