MEXUS Serves Up Mexican-American Comfort Food

Mexico definitely outshines the US in these dishes

District: Central, Hong Kong
Cuisine: Mexican
How Much: Dishes range from $108 to $300, steaks from $260 to $780;
Best for: lunch, dinner with friends
Must order: Guacamole and chips, Fish Tacos

The newly renovated and reinvented MEXUS (formerly Mamasita’s Cantina) has a fresh, new look and menu. Its interior is welcoming, despite the tongue-in-cheek painting of the newly elected U.S. President on one wall wearing a sombrero and eating a large hot dog. Beautiful Mexican tiles decorate the walls, murals are made as a nod to both Mexico and the United States (get it? MexUs!), and the vibe is lively and fun.

I’m going to say this about MEXUS – go there for the Mexican food. Executive Chef Edgar Navarro has created a menu that is supposed to mesh American comfort food with traditional Mexican fare, but the Mexican dishes far outshine the American ones.

We started with what has to be the best Guacamole, Pico de Gallo and homemade Tortilla Chips ($108) I’ve had in Hong Kong. Fresh, delicious and without any added ingredients to ruin them, these were devoured in an instant.

We then moved on to the Slow-cooked Cantabrico Octopus ($158), served with baby potatoes, paprika and black garlic aioli. The grilled flavour paired well with the aioli, and the baby potatoes had a sweet, roasted taste that was really nice.

The highlight of the meal, in my opinion, was Chef Edgar’s Taco ($48-$55). We were given a choice of fish, vegetarian, cheese steak, pork or beef, and I opted for the Sol Beer Fish ($48). The beer battered fish was cooked perfectly and had that delicious crunchy texture when you bit into it (with the flaky fish inside – yum!), and it was paired with fresh pico de gallo, cabbage, and chipotle mayonnaise. I could have easily had 10 of these.

One American highlight was the Sirloin Steak, which was served with classic gravy and Yorkshire Pudding (not sure how Yorkshire Pudding fits in with the theme, but it was really good). The steak was wet-aged, and was juicy, tender and super flavourful. I would definitely order this again.

Sassy perk: readers who use the code, “Sassy Girl,” will enjoy a free guacamole (tasting portion) at MEXUS during dinner. Offer valid until 31 August, Mondays through Sundays. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other special promotions or discounts.

MEXUS, 5F/6F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, 2896 6118, mexus.hk