Trejo's Tacos

Danny Trejo is best known as a long-standing Hollywood star, with a career that spans from Spy Kids to Con Air - one more recognisable than the other depending on which generation you hail from. Nowadays, it’s his tacos that are gaining him a brand new merry band of followers.

Notting Hill is where Trejo has chosen to dip his first toe into international waters. This West London neighbourhood is notoriously not the cheapest place to eat in the capital, and Trejo's Tacos does seem to fit the bill there; at six or seven pound a pop these aren't the cheapest tacos you'll find in London. That said they're no more expensive than similar sites in the area. 

Thankfully, the overall atmosphere of the place quickly gets you into taco mode. Packed with locals who are there just as much for the spicy margaritas as they are the corn tortillas, there’s an infectious buzz rippling through the venue, and it’s easy for a quick bite to become a late night session.

Overall we'd say the Trejo's Tacos is decent, though perhaps not worth the cost. We’d recommend testing out the carnitas with pulled pork and pineapple (a classic for a reason), and the steak asada with verde slaw, with both bringing a proper hit of flavour. The housemade tortilla chips are also particularly moreish, and can come with as many as seven dips to keep your palate on it’s toes - these range from spicy chipotle to pineapple salsa, although our hearts will always lie with the zesty guac.

The dessert menu is kept short and sweet with just flan, ice cream or churros up for grabs, and naturally we opt for the latter. Piping hot and crispy texture, these hit the mark when paired with the fiery Mexican chocolate.

There’s no denying Trejo's Tacos makes a great spot for mid week catch ups with friends, or a low key date night with the other half - it just won't be making it onto our cheap eats list any time soon.

Housed in the heart of Notting Hill, Trejo’s Tacos is the taco brand from film and television star Danny Trejo. His first London location, Trejo’s Tacos has settled on a 3,000sq ft site on Portobello Road, that boasts around 70 covers inside as well as a 30-seater al fresco terrace. The restaurant itself is quite classic, with neutral tones of burnt orange and beige, with an abundance of foliage from vibrant cacti. Elsewhere, the basement doubles as a speakeasy mezcal bar, which will serve cocktails whilst DJs spin music late into the night.

Trejo has become a cult figure in Hollywood thanks to a long career that has included appearances in iconic movies like Desperado, Heat and Machete, as well as appearances on TV shows like Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy. Alongside his acting career, Trejo has always had a passion for food. After teaming up with film producer Ash Shah, the pair opened their first taqueria in Los Angeles in 2016, and now boast seven locations in the US. Trejo’s Tacos London will be his first outside of his home country.

As well as serving classic Mexican tacos, there’s also a focus on healthier taco fillings, as well as options for those with dietary requirements. Trejo’s Tacos London will feature alternatives for gluten-free, celiac, vegetarian, paleo, pescatarian and vegan diets, for example.

The menu is packed full of classic Mexican cuisine, with chips and salsa, nachos, tostadas, quesadillas, and, of course, tacos. Trejo’s signature dishes include slow-roasted pork carnitas taco with pineapple and fermented hot sauce, steak asada taco with pepita pesto, and Baja-style beer-battered fish. Diners will also find a variety of rice bowls such as spicy shrimp with avocado cream and pickled red onions, and burritos, including options such as ‘surf and turf’ with steak asada, spicy shrimp and pepita pesto.

On the drinks front, expect a vast array of cocktails, as well as a rather hefty selection of margaritas, with varieties for every taste, from jalapeno infused to a frozen mango option with a chilli rim and tamarind.