Santito

Overview

Smith Street has welcomed a new spicy new eatery, as Santito opens in the former Hotel Jesus site. While the smell of fresh tortillas and spit-roasted meats may be familiar, Santito brings a refreshed energy and direction to the bustling site. 

The Mexico City-Inspired taqueria is from the team behind Ripponlea's Mission District, in partnership with Tom Dalton (formerly of Mamasita and Hotel Jesus). Jenna and Tom Davies from Mission District have brought their head chef, Sandra Martinez, to the other side of town to head up the kitchen at their new venue. 

Martinez leads a team of Mexican female chefs, including Ellie Merino, Paloma Yáñez, and Amelia Serrano, who bring their passion for native cuisine to the kitchen. At the heart of the operation is a focus on producing high-quality tortillas. Martinez says, "The tortilla is everything. It's the plate, the utensil, your faithful companion to every meal. Its flavour and quality are so much more important than we realise, which is why we're making it a focus at Santito."  

Santito's menu is built around Mexico City taqueria staples, including tacos al pastor shaved from the spit, slow-braised brisket and house-made uncured sausage. Other highlights include a fresh-tuna tostada with jalapeño mayo, Baja fish tacos, squash blossom quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese, and slow-roasted lamb shoulder with salsa roja and feta. 

A cheeky selection of margaritas includes a spicy version with jalapeño blanco, a seasonal frozen variety, a Lager-ita that combines a classic margarita with a Corona beer, and a Watermelon Coco Jalapeño margarita with coconut tequila and lime. 

The venue maintains its retro-diner vibes with a distinctive colour palette and tile details, while a section of the restaurant has been reimagined as a dedicated takeaway space for grab-and-go tacos. A new private dining room, inspired by the haciendas of Mexico, is located downstairs and can accommodate up to 20 people. 

Images: Supplied.