Mama Taco

Mama Taco is a cool, contemporary and authentic Mexican Taqueria & Mezcaleria nestled in the shell of West End's historic Rialto Theatre.

Serving what is arguably Brisbane's best Mexican street food, Mama Taco is also the go-to for Mezcal, agave and tequila based cocktails, a smattering of Mexican wine and beer and tequila or mexcal flights.

The cosy pink and gold space has been framed with mosaics, kitted out with long tables and stools (as well as wooden booths along one side) and walls decorated with a mix of Mexican landscape photos, paintings, posters and sombreros.

Everything at Mama Taco is made from ingredients which have been sourced locally and organically where possible and the tacos and sauces including the mole are hand made from scratch. Meanwhile their rare imported ingredients are sourced from independent Mexican farmers and importers.

The concise delicious menu offers a choice of tacos, platos and sides, with the latter (including must-try guacamole, queso fresco, frijoles, mole and tostada) available to be served in combination as starters or bar snacks).

Tacos, whilst traditionally prepared are top level gourmet, with fillings like porcini and shiitake mushroom, guacamole, cebolla morada, salsa verde and pico de gallo;  annatto pork, salsa roja, salsa verde, guacamole, chiccaron, pico de gallo and pineapple; cumin eggplant, minted yoghurt, cebolla morada, salsa verde, salsa roja and pico de gallo.

As for the choice of Platos, there's Tostada Ensalata (fried tortilla, frijoles, buffalo mozzarella, cabbage, zucchini, radish, mint, cilantro, date syrup and pedro ximenez), Mama Burrito (arroz, frijoles, mole, salsa roja, salsa verde, pico de gallo, cebolla, morada and guacamole) as well as melt-in-the-mouth Aguachile (yellowtail, habanero, merkén, avocado, coconut, lime, cebolla, coriander and raspberry).

The couple of equally delectable desserts include Helado y Sorbete (mezcal, pecan toffee, golden sapodilla, dark chocolate and lime) and Pay de Queso ( mascarpone and passionfruit mousse and yucatan florentine).

Drinks are as much of a drawcard as the food, with luscious Mexican cocktails such as Batanga (Tequila arette, house cola, lime, citrus salt and tamarind), Agave Old-Fashioned (mezcal/tequila, agave and bitters), Margarita (tequila arette, cointreau, lime and salt) or Il Stimulante (arette blanco, white chocolate, fennel, branca menta, espresso and agave).

There's also refreshing tipples such as Tepache (fermented pineapple, cinnamon and chilli) and a Mole Milkshake (chocolate, banana, mole madre, tonka and vanilla).

The menu may have changed since our visit.

Check out the guide to all of Brisbane's best Mexican cafes & restaurants

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Our guide to the best restaurants in West End

Still thirsty for more suggestions on where to eat and drink in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Happy grazing!