If you know, you know, right? And for those in the know, Mamacita's in the East City dishes up some of the best tex-mex in town, with their tasty tacos and burritos always best washed down with their signature margaritas.
And now owner Toni Tusio – on Instagram as @thetattedmum – has taken those colourful characterful Los Angeles street vibes to Kloof Street, opening Mama’s Margaritaville at the foot of one of the coolest streets in Cape Town.
‘Mama’s Margaritaville is a sister store to Mamacita’s,’ says Tusio. ‘We serve some of Mama’s famous birria tacos and burritos, but we also have some new flavours like the chicken ranch nachos and tacos!’
The food menu is wide-ranging, channelling the ‘Cali-Mex’ approach that made the original so popular. Alongside the nachos, tacos and burritos you’d expect, there are a few gems on offer too.
Check out their ‘Texas Twinkies’ – bacon-wrapped jalapeños in BBQ sauce stuffed with pulled beef – and deep-fried pickles, but the menu also runs to some original salads and an impressive Cuban-style sandwich.
To drink? Of course, the margaritas that made Mamacita’s famous – we rate it one of the best margaritas in Cape Town – make a star turn at Mama’s Margaritaville too. There are five signature margaritas at the bar, but you’ll also find an impressive range of polomas, daquiris and mojitos on the menu too.
It’s certainly not hard to find Mama’s Margaritaville. Like moths to a flame, it draws in foodies and cocktail fans with an explosion of neon lights, iridescent palm trees and a graffitied bar complete with a removable skateboard ramp. Yup, you read that right.
‘Our vibe is All-American, Venice Beach California!’ enthuses Tusio. ‘Surfer, skater, punk vibes over the speakers, a positive space full of fun!
As if that wasn’t enough reason to visit you’ll also find live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and pocket-friendly taco specials on Tuesdays.
No relation, but keep an eye out for Mama Shelter in the Mother City!