Who doesn’t love a dose of Mexican food and tequila? Well, maybe tequila isn’t for everyone but you probably secretly enjoy it or haven’t realised it yet.
Hello José brings classic Mexican street food with market-fresh ingredients and quality tequila to the North Melbourne area in the form a quaint hole-in-the-wall-style taqueria bar.
Combining a crazy playlist that jumps around various genres of the music of the 90s and early 2000s and creative, comical Mexican and beach themed wall artwork, the whole place just screams fun and reminiscent of beach bars in Mexico itself.
Built around the bar and kitchen area, seating is a handful of small tables, benches and bar seating inside, a small courtyard out the back and some more tables out on the front footpath. The small size of the venue adds a touch of intimacy to the experience.
The food menu is simple but well executed. Tacos, tostaditas, chargrilled corn, quinoa and black bean salad and churros are the options. The tacos are star of the show with the choice of pork belly, chicken, beef, fish and black bean. Tortillas are hand-pressed fresh each day and ingredients are sourced from the Queen Victoria markets across the road. The pork belly tacos with its crushed crackling is an easy favourite. And at $5 each it’s hard to say no to more.
The churros come with the choice of chocolate or chilli chocolate for some added heat.
No Mexican food adventure would be complete without some tequila, good thing you have the choice of twelve different tequilas with a selection of blanco, reposado and añejos on offer. There is also a range of Mexican beers, wine, sangria, horchata and margaritas. A standout is the spicy margarita which has an added spice hit of jalapeño juice. Also of note is the house-made horchata (rice water, cinnamon and vanilla) with some added tequila.
Service is great with the staff providing friendly banter to everyone.
Hello José brings some quality, honest Mexican street food in a fun and laid back environment to the North Melbourne area and is sure to please all who venture in.
Hello José
85 Peel Street, West Melbourne
03 9326 3934