Muy Bueno ! I've always wanted to eat here and have tried to in the past when their hours were let's say less than convenient. But it seems there are new owners who want you to enjoy the awesomeness Mexican food has to offer . This is no Tex-Mex joint where they make it in front of you a lá Mexicali fresh , this is the real deal ! Esse . I went for a prawn taco ( $15 spicy but nice ) and a chicken tostada . The prawn taco had capers and tiny small olives in it which was very surprising and the owner brought over some chilli lime dressing to try . This chilli lime dressing should be a pantry staple , it just gave everything a extra zing ! The tostada ( $10 )is a cold flat salad / crunchy almost taco like item it was good , but not as good as the prawn taco . There was a constant flow of people grabbing sauces and pickles that they sell and I loved the Mariachi music in the background . There's a blackboard menu on the wall and the photos that go with it are deceiving, so decide how hungry you are before you order . Arriba !! Taco ! Taco ! Vatos Locos Homes ! read more

Mexican Specialities - Prawn taco - Mexican Near Me - Auckland, AUK

The first time I visited this little 'out of the way' café, I looked at it and wondered 'what was my friend thinking!?'(she suggested this eatery). It sits politely between a few shops in Ellerslie-ish, Auckland. It's not a handsome place, but it will surprise you. It sure did surprise me! After greeting my friend who sat alfresco awaiting my arrival, we joined what in a few minutes became a longer and impatient line of local professionals, each wanting to wolf down some of the fine food from this establishment. I have to say, this was a little strange. I observed the people joining the queue that eventually ended at the friendly female face at the counter. Nicely dressed professionals and such, entering a place that remained less than handsome on the inside as well. Hmm? My friend ordered and I swiftly followed, impressed by the calm demeanour of the woman that served us. She wasn't daunted by the growing queue. We returned to our table just outside the café. In roughly 15 mins, my friend received her order. Maybe another 5-10 mins, and my order arrived... Now, I won't go into details at this stage about the type of food we ordered and ate, but I will say, "Do not deprive yourselves of enjoying a meal at this little gem of a café". The food was fabulous! So good! So tasty! To say the café lacked any real style is no put down. You wouldn't want it here. You want good, honest, tasty food. This is what I got, and I have since returned for more. I'm surprised to read about the poor service had by others. That was NOT my experience. The service was and has since been attentive, and cheerful. read more

The hours may be a bit fiddly but don't let that stop you from going to try the best Mexican in Auckland. I prefer to sit outside as the interior is quite cramped but only because the shop itself isn't large and they are trying to accommodate for their hungry clientele. It's great that you can buy Mexican food products (salsa verde is a great option to take home) and you can also buy cool little Mexican Day of the Dead figurines which make great gifts. I recommend the tacos which are really the size of burritos - definitely worth $14! read more

Perhaps I have been spoiled by the number of times I've travelled to the Americas, or maybe I haven't sampled Mexican food from different regions in the area. All I can say is that I was positively whelmed by this place. Talked up time and time again by a number of friends who took me there (again a number of times) while lines out the door stymied our efforts to taste their food, I finally ate at Mexican Specialities about three months ago. Wet, soggy food served slowly and unenthusiastically by staff who clearly don't care about their clientele was not my idea of a nice lunch. read more

Mexican Specialities - Mexican Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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The food is authentic and tasty, even if the location is a little out of the way for those of us who don't live in Ellerslie. Although I went during a busy weekday lunchtime, I was a little miffed to be asked to leave, as my friend and I finished our meals, because other customers were apparently waiting for tables. Thumbs up for food, slightly disappointed with the service. read more

Mexican Specialities - Mexican Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Mexican Specialities is a food store and 'sometimes' cafe/restaurant dedicated to Mexico. If you're needing authentic ingredients to whip up your latin masterpieces at home the shop is open Monday to Friday from 10am until 3pm. The kitchen is a bit more sporadic - Thursday from 11am to 2pm, Fridays from 11am to 3pm & Saturdays from 10am to 3 pm. It seems every week a new Mexican restaurant is opening in Auckland these days, but it's rare to find the real deal. Mexican Specialities is just that. It's run by a Mexican family so the food is more authentic than most - that often means greasier, but definitely tastier. The staff are a bit dismissive, but in a good way. Kinda like a New Yorker - they don't take any crap, but if you're not an idiot you'll be fine. Definitely worth checking out if you want real home-style Mexican. read more

Based upon their reviews and the fact that it was not a 'chain' restaurant we visited Mexican Specialties on a Saturday during a recent trip to Auckland area. We liked that it does have the appearance of a 'Mom & Pop' 'Tortillaria' as they are often called in Mexico or Southern California where we live and dine on different Mexican offerings at least weekly, There is no 'menu' per se... just a number of small chalk boards lining the front wall near the ceiling; While waiting, we discussed our options. At our turn to order we were told that 'All we have is chicken, pork or beef tacos, bean dip and guacamole.' Alrighty, then... that makes things simple. 'We'll each have a taco (one beef and one chicken) with a bag of chips and some bean dip'. Add a single Mexican soda and we're out the door at $46. As it was hot and stuffy inside we opted to take a seat at one of the small sidewalk tables. Of the two 'available' both were piled high with dirty dishes (obviously place there by others clearing their own tables). OK... now the food. The chips are nothing but some over baked corn tortillas sprinkled with a dash of cayenne pepper. There is no tomato based salsa. And the 'bean dip; is nothing more than a small bowl of out-of-the-can refried beans with some melted cheese on top. We didn't try the guacamole, so I can't comment. When the 'taco' did arrive, I thought we were given someone else's order. It was not a taco, it was a large burrito like item in a flour tortilla filled with what we would call 'flautia' ingredients. Too sloppy to be hand held we grabbed a knife and fork and 'dug' in. The chicken 'taco' was filled with cayenne and chili powder seasoned, grilled chicken, onions, peppers and a bit of saucy guacamole. The chicken was over cooked and dry. The beef 'taco' was filled with chunks of grilled beef, onions, peppers and a saucy guacamole. The beef was tasty, but under cooked, so a bit 'chewy'. This whole Mexican Specialties experience left me thinking 'Wow, we should come to New Zealand and open a real Mexican restaurant, offering fresh authentic style Mexican cuisine including daily made, lightly fried, chips, salsa rojo and salsa verde. But, then... why bother, there's lots of that back home. I post this review not to disparage Mexican Specialties' offerings, just to stimulate you to 'keep on trying' `cause when you do experience real, authentic, Mexican cuisine, I think you'll love it. And to the owners of Mexican Specialties... You are understaffed! Please hire more help!! Those lads are doing their best, but really need some help. They deserve it and so do your customers!!! read more

This place was recommended to me by a customer as the most authentic Mexican you can get in Auckland and he was not wrong! I had the chicken soft taco and was over the moon with it. Fantastic taste and value for money. Perfect portion size for lunch. I will be back again for sure!! read more

This unassuming little place tucked away around the corner is an absolutely fabulous little eatery. It is very casual in the set up, but there is comfortable seating inside and seating outside too. The food is amazing and the owner/operators are wonderful and very helpful. This is 100% authentic food in every way. The chef will even come out and bring the food, and they are VERY accommodating if you cannot eat a certain ingredient, and will happily alter your order for you to suit you. Everyone that works there genuinely loves food, and they will happily explain what the different foods are and what part of Mexico the dish is from, and how the tastes may differ when cooked in different parts of Mexico. This is as good as, if not better, then most places that I have tried in the US. I have been back with my husband, and he was blown away by the food. We will both be back again, and again with family and friends. read more

Really didn't think the food was that great, friendly people. I'm not really sure what type of Mexican food people in NZ are used to but this place needs work. The guacamole was decent but the steak burritos need a makeover with cheese, tomato lettuce minimum. They use the same powder season in everything so it became redundant and monotone. Maybe I'm spoiled from the US but I think Mexicans would laugh at this place. read more

Finally found a proper Mexican joint here in NZ! One word .... AWESOME!

I love this place, I have been going since it opened, why, because I love Mexican food and this is one of the only authentic mexican eateries in Auckland. If you don't mind a bit of waiting and a bit of fun/crazy chaos and love Mexican food or want to try it then this is the place to come. Run by a lovely Mexican couple Jose and Maria they sell awesome beef tacos (make sure you try with corn tortillas), enchiladas, quesadillas, tostadas plus fresh homemade drinks and cakes. The place is also filled with Mexican arts and crafts, they also sell fresh tortillas (not that Old El Paso crap) canned and bottled food so you can make tasty mexican food at home. See you there sometime, arriba arriba viva Mexico. read more

What a lovely experience! I was cold and hungry after walking there from my Air B&B, not realizing that they didn't open till 5pm and it was still 20 minutes till... But the owner welcomed me in was very friendly. I ate a fresh and delicious chicken soft taco! I'm from Texas and have had heaps of Mexican food in my day, and I can honestly say this was some of the best! Thank you Mexican Specialities for your hospitality and good food! read more

Highly recommend. Very authentic. Being an expat from California, I've grown up on Mexican food and have enjoyed their home style meals for a decade. read more

We haven't eaten here in four years because we were out of the country. We used to love this place and it was the best Mexican food you could get in NZ. We came today for the first time in four years and were so disappointed. We think there might be new owners because all 4 items (guacamole, relleno, cheese quesadilla and chorizo quesadilla) we ordered were less than appealing. The food has completely changed and no longer tasted authentic. The Mexican coffee we ordered tasted like the Nescafé packets with some chili sprinkled on. We are really disappointed and will not be back. read more

Recently got introduced to this place by a friend. Very small, quaint place, so book (if they allow it, doubt it) or go there during off-peak periods, as I imagine tables fill up quick. Notably the best dish (I've only tried two) is the soft shell beef taco, the beef is cooked better than some of the best steak places cook their eye fillets. Guac is to die for. Prices aren't cheap, but definitely worth the spend. Also if you're looking for a drink, try the freshly juiced/squeezed mango, it's light and delicious read more

Wow, I'm so surprised about people complaining about the service here; I went only today and like usual, the service was so warm and friendly; it's obvious the people here actually care about what they are doing. Maria, one of the owners, came over and gave me a little plate of extra sauce, saying it went well with tostadas (it did, very much so). She was also worried that there wasn't enough food, even though it was the perfect lunch size. The food is good, but it is a neighbourhod cafe; it's not fine dining, but you're not paying fine dining prices. It's certainly one thousand times better than what passes for Mexican food in the rest of the city! read more