PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIASydney is in need of good Mexican restaurants. So when Mad Mex plonked itself opposite the Columbian Hotel, (just a stone’s throw from the corner of Oxford Street and Crown Street) in throbbing Darlinghurst, locals breathed a collective sigh of relief. Cheap margaritas ($8), a healthy approach to Mexican food and the super upbeat venue are now set to make the patrons of Mad Mex even happier. Long we have lived with Cafe Pacifico as the only source of Mexican fajitas on the block. Now tacos, burritos and fabulous nachos are challenging the old institution by serving Baja Mexican cuisine in a fast and fresh fashion.
Baja refers to the long pointy peninsula that runs from southern California down to Mexico and is short hand for a blend of hippy healthy Californian cuisine and Mexican spices. Fresh aromas flowing from the open plan kitchen gave me an instant feeling of confidence when I first visited Mad Mex. As I sat at the bench and pondered the Corona bottle chandelier hanging overhead it was almost impossible not to reminisce about nights out on the tequila and foiled plans to quit my job for the simple life of surfing breaks in on the beaches of Mexico. The margaritas here are very tempting even at four in the afternoon. The food is what you would expect with an emphasis in the wrapping style of burrito, the soft slightly sweet tortillas. It’s not all cheese and chilli and grease; and I’m left feeling somewhat elated after the chicken fajitas with spicy salsa, guacamole, rice and salad. Open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy Mad Mex’s take on Baja Mexican cuisine – its guilt-free, tasty, healthy and unusually fresh.
Belinda Aucott, February 2008
