Despite its massive popularity, authentic Mexican food remains somewhat of a rarity in Australia. Although our access to this delicious cuisine has improved over time, and you can now find everything from serrano chillies to very good nixtamalised corn tortillas, it is not always easy to know if what you’re getting is the real deal.
One sure-fire way to know? If it comes directly from a decorated taqueria in CDMX, of course! Located in the heart of this vibrant city, El Vilsito has been serving up a myriad of tacos — including the all-important al pastor — for almost forty years. This late-night hotspot features some of the best tacos in the whole city, giving you more quality for your buck than most.
But don’t take our word for it: Michelin Guide has recommended them, saying that “everyone is here for the al pastor” and praising the restaurant’s unique yet professional setup, as it is attached to an auto repair shop and opening only at night.
If you’re already reaching for your wallet so you can book a flight to Mexico, we’re not saying you shouldn’t do that, but we might have an easier short-term solution, and it’s much closer to home: El Vilsito will be slinging its tasty tacos for two weekends in Howard Smith Wharves as part of Mexican food festival La Mexicana and Margarita Week!
To make sure Brisbanites get the full experience, two chefs from the taqueria and Sandra Blanco, daughter of El Vilsito owner Juan Carlos Blanco, will be in attendance, working with a local culinary team to make sure the tacos are as close to the ones you’d get in CDMX as possible, especially Lebanese-Mexican favourites al pastor, marinated pork cooked on a spit and accompanied — sometimes controversially — by pineapple.
Practical information
Considering the taqueria’s renown — it was also featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles — there’s bound to be a long line, so we recommend arriving early and armed with patience.
The pop-up will take place from Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8, and from Thursday, March 12 to Sunday, March 15. On both weekends, the festival starts from 4pm on Thursday and Friday, and 12pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Although attendance is free, you can RSVP for both weekends here.
