Taco Me To Heaven: Newtown Scores a Bold New Mexican in Hecho en Mexico!
Newtown’s dining scene has gained a spicy new addition with the arrival of Hecho en Mexico, the much-loved Melbourne-born Mexican restaurant brand that’s finally crossed the border into New South Wales. At the southern end of Newtown you can spot this restaurant easily with its aqua blues tables and chairs and neon lit dining floor.
The Vibe
The bar is illuminated with a Virgin Mary, a character drinking tequila and a couple of skeletons wearing fancy hats – you can tell that this is a place for good times and fun times. Located on the southern end of bustling King Street, the venue brings an explosion of colour, flavour, and fiesta energy to the Inner West.
Their Story – Melbourne Success Comes North
Launched in Fitzroy in 2013, Hecho en Mexico has grown into a national chain with more than 20 venues across Australia. Known for its mix of authentic flavours and good-time vibes, the group has built a loyal following with its handcrafted salsas, vibrant tacos, and legendary margaritas. The Newtown outpost marks its first foray into NSW and it brings all the hallmarks fans love: big flavours, bright interiors, and that signature “mi casa es su casa” warmth.
The Food: Street-Inspired, Fresh and Fun
Hecho en Mexico’s Newtown menu delivers everything I crave from a taquería. The menu is BIG! It’s likely you will need help. The friendly floor team aim to please but a few are learning. High praise to Mahim, who is the lead on the floor and does an amazing job of making sure every table is looked after whilst training the juniors.
I kick off with a street style corn which is grilled and served with chipotle aioli,ricotta salsa cheese. The corn is nicely charred all round but killed with way too much mayo. My recommendation is to ask for it on the side.
The real fun is the jalapeño poppers. You get two pieces filled with cheese rice and salsa fresca. It’s deep fried to a golden crunch and served with a chipotle mayo and tabasco chipotle sauce. I really love that they have a menu glossary if you’re not quite sure how to pronounce some items or what some of these things are. The signature dishes are in yellow.
Next is the Gringa De Pastor – it’s a Chef fav. The title translates to “white girls” . You’re right that Gringas are not really tacos, but are really a type of quesadilla (what’s called a sincronizada) flour tortillas sandwiched with melted cheese. I feel they should have a place in this Taco Manual. It’s a Mexican style soft tortilla melted oaxaca cheese El Pastor meat pork and chicken caramelised pineapple which is marinated onion coriander, salsa verde and radish. Delish.
Then we are onto the Burritos. There is a dizzying range of these bad boys from never to Mayan, Baja or even a Californian. The Enchilada is awesome. A Mexican flour tortilla is oven baked with Hencho special sauce stuffed with pico de gallo, mint cream, and chipotle aioli. It’s beautifully balanced.
My favourite of the night is a sizzling platter of chicken fajitas. Yes, we have all had this dish a million times, (mostly awful) but the marinade of the chicken is rich, complex and quite frankly delicious.
Drinks to Match the Mood
If margaritas are your love language, Hecho en Mexico had me swooning. The bar pours 12 different margarita styles, alongside cocktails like the Pink Paloma and Classic Sangria or a Mezcal flight. I start with a spicy marg. It’s darn good. The rim is a red smash of herbs and salt and the marg is spot on.
Whilst we didn’t try this – on weekends, the Bottomless Brunch could be the draw card. The offer Lite ($75, one main and unlimited drinks for 70 minutes) or the Original ($85, unlimited drinks and tacos for 90 minutes).
The Verdict
What are we Addicted to? Hecho en Mexico Newtown is a vibrant celebration of contemporary Mexican food done with flair and heart. Whether you’re dropping in for a quick taco and tequila or settling in for a bottomless fiesta, it’s a breath of fiesta-fuelled air in the heart of Newtown. High praise goes to staff like Mahim previously a chef at the venue who knows every spice, sauce and ingredient – she’s like Google Maps for a their menu.
What do we need to be more Addicted? Some of the starters are a bit mayo heavy, such as the sweetcorn. Loose the may and then we can taste the fab charry corn.
Hencho – 480 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
Open Mon–Thu 12 pm–10 pm; Fri–Sat 12 pm–12 am; Sun 12 pm–10 pm