166 Ponsonby Road,
Ponsonby
Auckland,


(09) 360 0076

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2 out of 5

The newest place to dine on Ponsonby Road comes with some serious rock’n’roll credentials.

Owner, Grier Govorko, is creative director for the Red Hot Chili Peppers; and his business partners, Michael Galzer and Chris Mitchell, own a catering company used by the likes of Britney Spears and the Rolling Stones.

But although Auckland is long overdue for a decent Mexican joint, Taqueria isn’t living up to the hype.

A fresh-looking takeaway bar, with bar stools for those who wish to dine in, Taqueria serves up tacos and burritos ready in less than three minutes. Pick your wrap, your beans, your meat and your salsa, and they’ll twist up a very filling hand-held dinner in no time at all.

It’s a great concept, and is proving popular already, but the overall result is uninteresting.

We gave Tacqueria three shots, ordering something different each time. When I tasted a chicken taco followed by the barbacoa (beef), it was difficult to tell the difference. The meat is simply too bland.

Note that the tacos are small and barely worth their $3.90 price tag, but don’t be fooled by the kebab-sized $9.50 burrito—complete proteins such as rice with beans will have you stuffed to the brim.

Taqueria also deserves credit for its clean fresh feeling: lime green walls and plenty of space in the middle—it’s a nice spot to stop for a quick bite.

But although the benches may be lined with hot sauces, Taqueria needs to add some spice.