When it came to fitting out Cartel Del Taco’s new venue, every detail was considered. Owners Marco Ramirez and Erick Martinez were so committed to authenticity that they flew back to their home country to source materials for the restaurant.

“We found families in Mexico that make a lot of these things, like the plates,” Ramirez tells Broadsheet. “If you go to a real street taqueria in Mexico City, they have the same chairs and tables. And whenever you see these salt shakers, you know the tacos are going to be good.”

The process wasn’t easy, nor cheap. Rather than waiting more than three months for a shipping container to arrive by boat, Ramirez and Martinez air-freighted the goods to Brisbane. Then came a lengthy delay with customs.

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Finally, Cartel Del Taco opens in New Farm tonight. The duo expect more than 400 guests for opening night, with the weekend already close to being booked out – a testament to the reputation of the Hawthorne original, which has been enormously popular since opening in early 2022.

For their second location, Ramirez and Martinez didn’t want a carbon copy of their first joint. While their red-white colour scheme and fan-favourite dishes – like al pastor tacos, octopus tostadas and beef birria – remain, a seafood bar and parrilla grill have given chef Martinez more creative freedom.

“We want people to have a reason to go to New Farm and a reason to go to Hawthorne,” Ramirez says. “So, there [are] some differences. People can have a nice steak at New Farm or go to Hawthorne and have a nice taco.”

Some of the new dishes on Martinez’s menu include a carne asado taco (grilled marinated rib fillet, melted cheese, salsa molcajeteada, onion and coriander on a corn taco); a seafood tower with kingfish, scallops, and prawns; and a 1.2-kilogram tomahawk steak served with smoked chimichurri.

While many dishes originate from Mexico City, where Ramirez and Martinez are from, the menu also highlights specialties from other regions with carnitas (slow-cooked pulled pork) from Michoacan and ceviche from Sinaloa.

“Originally we were concentrating on Mexico City, but after some time we thought, ‘Why not introduce some dishes from other states?’” Ramirez says. “Then people can experience what they could get in Oaxaca, or the Gulf of Mexico.”

For drinks, there are ten house margaritas – including the Blue Demon with lychee, blue curacao, tamarind vodka, lime and bitters – and five classic margaritas. There’s also a small selection of wines, two beers on-tap, and a host of imported Mexican beers, including Pacifico, Indio, Modelo, Tecate and Victoria.

Looking ahead, Ramirez and Martinez plan to introduce a breakfast offering, complemented by Ona coffee. Expect traditional Mexican morning staples like chilaquiles (fried corn tortilla topped with salsa, cheese and a fried egg) and huevos a la Mexicana (Mexican scrambled eggs).

Cartel Del Taco New Farm
2/79 Merthyr Road, New Farm
3544 6739

Hours
Mon & Tue 5pm–9pm
Wed & Thu midday–3pm, 5pm–9pm
Fri & Sat midday–3pm, 5pm–9.30pm
Sun midday–3pm, 5pm–9pm

carteldeltaco.com.au
@carteldeltacobrisbane