Awesome place, the soft taco is the best... The home made hot sauce is the bomb
Even - now - nearly 4 years I last visited Auckland (January 2014), NZ - I'm still thinking back once and a while to my dear friends and hosts José Carlos & Maria, and there mouth watering food!!! yes their mouth watering beef taco and shrimp taco are simply unforgettable, so is their "green juice" as well as their range of delicious home made sauces!!!! Love you guys - hopefully we meet again soon.
Alisa Marie LA Higgins
+5
Finally got to try this hidden treasure today and yum! We were recommended the Nogada (stuffed chilli) & Beef taco with the refreshing lime juices & wowsers. Also bought the vanilla extract which will blow your mind. You will wonder what they actually put in the other stuff! Service, atmosphere is fab. Will definitely be back :)
This place is a hidden gem. So good! Food is real Mexican. The special drinks are amazing.
I had never heard of this place before a friend took me for dinner. Absolutely delicious burrito and fresh lime juice. Love this hidden gem!
Best authentic Mexican in Auckland. Supremely good beef tacos
The best Mexican in town. You have to come and try this this real treat. Been eating at least once a week for 10 years and it just doesn't get old.
Beautiful authentic fresh food and drinks! A must try for Mexican lovers!
Best enchiladas I have tried in New Zealand!
Wonderful food. Lovely staff.
simply put: THE BEST !
Felipa, our dear cook at home for years seems to have done an excelent job passing all that information to José, it is a little funny to know at the end he got his fine cooking from Felipa´s expertise and not really from his schooling oversaeas...dad would have saved a lot of money!!!! Hopefully he names one of his special dishes at the resturant after Felipa!!!!!
Brilliant service, cool atmosphere, and amazing (authentic) food! Highly recommended.
A humble restaurant in the middle of no where. Run by a super friendly grandmother who cooks and serves.
For a casual authentic homemade mexican experience, Mexican Specialties is your go-to place.
Amazing food and even more amazing host. She caters each dish based on the diner and you get such a home cooked meal experience. Will definitely recommend this place and will visit it many more times.
Hungry Teddy (20% Zomato Gold, Use : HUNG2716)
+5
Delicious homemade Mexican food. Tasted great. Grandma was really friendly. They only open on lunch, except on Friday. Unlike other Mexican restaurants which is mostly for ordering some foods for sharing, you can be satisfied with ordering one food.
This place is a gem !!
A 77 year old beautiful Grandma runs this place, she cooks and serves and loves to talk and she does it all with so much passion !!
All for the eternal love of food 💛
I have had Enchilada so far but I can tell everything is also delicious 😋
I will definitely go there again very soon and highly recommend it !!
Had lunch here today
Ordered pork taco with crackling
Service was a bit slow just one lady working until help arrived 20mins later
Food came out nice & hot
Taco was delicious a little bit spicy but good
We definitely be back to try something else on the menu
Thanks
This place is heaven. Originally from Southern California, I’ve desperately missed authentic Mexican food but this place is just as good as anywhere I’ve been. Thank you!!
I highly recommend the Beef Taco it is extremely delicious! Has a great barbecue flavour, that won’t disappoint. The filling is a very generous amount of beef along with avocado, tomato and sauces and seasonings... delicious!
Really lovely place with great indoor and outdoor seating. The food is prepped by a very kind and caring grandmother who really loves her food and takes pride in it. I highly recommend!!
Friendly service lovely lady, we ordered chicken enchilada and beef taco and they were so good, I want the recipe for the enchilada sauce, the beef taco was tender and delicious.
You know when you find those delightful hidden restaurants and the food was just nothing short of exceptional and all you want to do is tell all your friends and family about it???
Well... please go ahead and add this to your list of hidden treasures... the food here is magical. Fresh and full of so much flavour. Real traditional mexican food!!! We ordered a beef and chicken soft taco, along with the quesadilla with cheese and chorizo (however theirs is named differently). The fresh lime drink which is homemade is delightfully fresh and light. The chili sauces to accompany your dishes are amazing and you're able to purchase these if you so wish too.
The deco and location may mislead you slightly but honestly, in my opinion the BEST mexican food I've ever had!!! The service was great, friendly guy who cooked and served by himself. Seriously... I cant fault this place.
Thank you again, I will most certainly be back with more people to share this hidden gem with!
Seriously, I don't know a better place for authentic Mexican food like this, you would probably have to travel to Mexico.
Best thing on the menu? Everything.
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Hearty delicious authentic rustic Mexican food. This place takes you right back to the streets of Mexio where friendly locals desperately trying to show you their best family recipes.
This cute little place located on a suprisingly quite street off Marua Rd. The deco, the furtnitures , the cute old lady who is the cashier, the chef and the waitress. It's not like those fency trendy so called Mexican places where the drink menu is triple the size of the actual menu.
This little place sticks to the basic and does what they so Best!! Highly recommend the beef or prawn soft tacos. The smoky flavour the juicy meat and the beautiful guacamole on the side with fresh salads. Perfect hot summer day lunch. The enchiladas are the best I had in Auckland. Rich creamy coriander based sauxe poured all over the delicious chicken enchilada..mouth watering.
If you are lucky, they happened to have the pulled pork tacos then you Must order! You won't be disappointed.
Their yummy refreshing juice are great accompany for the meal. The famous Lime or the Pineapple and mint..out of this world!!
This was to be our favourite Mexican place in town.
The only sit-down Mexican in Auckland worth a damn.
We were very worried a couple years ago when the restaurant changed hands because we loved the previous owners (and I'm sure vice versa given the number of times we brought our friends and colleagues). BUT, as it turned out we worried in vain as the new owners ain't fixed what weren't broke, so to speak.
I like the enchiladas and enfrijoladas and my wife likes the tacos, but it's all great. Special mention for the SUPERB lime/cucumber drink. If you've only ever had TexMex, you are in for a treat. Lots of Mexican grocery items you can't find anywhere else and a cute little used bookstore right next door.
Amazing! So glad we found this little gem! So authentic.
Good selection of meals. Good service and pretty cool joint.
Will def come back. 10/10!
Stopped by for lunch and was impressed with the range and selection of Mexican items (mostly Chilli peppers) they had on sale including (presumably) house made tortilla.
The menu is plastered along the wall above the door and glass window. You order at the counter and they give you a number to put on the table. The decor around the restaurant was quite interesting but we sat right behind the door and it was quite echoey.
The food was quite nice but possibly a bit spicy for some, including the chilli hot chocolate. The Renello came with a tortilla to mop up the sauce and the Aztec pot had shredded pork at the bottom of the cheesy goodness. Portions are decent and the taco they have is the size of a burrito without the sauce. Most items are under $20. Nice place for a fairly tasty lunch.
Amazing food and super friendly service, by far the best Mexican food I have ever tasted in New Zealand, I can't wait to go back! I had the Soft Beef Taco and it was delicious and very filling, the beef was so soft and had an incredible smokey taste. The fresh lime juice is a must try!
As a Mexican I can confirm this is hands down the best Mexican restaurant in NZ. All the staff really knows the menu and that is very important. I went with three friends and all our dishes where authentic and amazing. I have been to most "Mexican" restaurants in Auckland and this is the only one that can call their food, authentic Mexican food. I recomend the enchiladas and enfrijoladas.
First time for dinner, chilled, superbly seasoned and just right portions. Chef & host warm, welcoming attentive - good with kids. All round a delightful family dining experience. The prawn taco & chicken enchilada were superb.
A very authentic mexican experience! We got the Gucamole and had this with the cheese / chorizo quesdila, chunky guc and super soft tortillas. We also had the beef taco and the chicken enchiladas which were both so delish we devoured it in minutes. Friendly service! Ate early so had no trouble getting a table. Will definitely go back there!
This little hidden gem has the best service and food! Its packed with people during lunch on a weekday, so that means the food is well worth! I ordered the beef soft taco to takehome, it was so worth it! Packed with lots of meat and the charred flavour on the meat was on point. The meat was juicy and was cooked medium rare! I will defitnately come back again
Mexican Specialties is one of a kind, the place has a homely feel and the lovely people there made me feel very welcomed. I am so glad we tried this place out! Do try the chicken enchilada and beef tacos both are delicious, if you are after something sweet try the chili hot chocolate - chili adds a nice kick! Words can not describe how great of an experience it was to dine here. We will definitely be returning to this hidden gem!
This place lives up to its reputation. The food tasted absolutely delicious. I have not been to Mexico so cannot compare it's authenticity but I feel this is the closest I have felt to authentic mexican (2nd is mexican cafe). We got chicken enchiladas and beef soft tacos, even though one of the orders were taken wrong and no attempt to correct, it didn't matter as the staff and food was so good and inviting. Cute little restaurant has extremely odd opening hours. Even though I live right next door in Remuera it's so hard to get a meal here because they are always closed. I wish they were open more often.
Deeeelicious! I had the beef soft taco for lunch and it could honestly not have been any yummier. I was tempted to order another but I think I might’ve fallen asleep at work in the afternoon if I had. Really quick, super friendly service was the icing on the cake. Or maybe that should be the guacamole on the taco.
This place was awesome. Loved going to a relaxed restaurant with awesome food. The authentic food was unbelievable and tasty and a great addition to our evening.
P.s. The seasoning on the corn chips was fantastic
We LOVE the food here. The tostadas are delicious and the soft beef wrap is amazing. They use really great quality beef which is cooked perfectly. Definitely recommend this place for really fresh and delicious Mexican food!
I am a regular visitor to Mexican Specialities. - It is the finest Mexican food in Auckland.
The service is 5 star, the staff are always welcoming and have a smile.
I recommend Mexican Specialities to anyone looking for the finest Mexican food in Auckland.
Also, try the special coffee, its a must!
This place was great!! Delicious food and lovely service! Nice to have a place that has great vegetarian options as well! Definitely have a go at the Mexcian coffee and the chips with a wicked lime and chilli seasoning! Will be going back!
Great Mexican meals for families! I tried many dishes and they were seriously gooddddd! I recommended this place to all my friends ever since. Beef taco is a MUST try!!! Absolutely loved it!
There are plenty of Mexican culinary options in Auckland now. However nothing comes close to Mexican Specialities in Ellerslie. I discovered the place quite by chance one day. Now it has become my weekly ritual. I love the authentic flavours, generous portions and quirky interiors. When ever we have overseas guests I always bring them here.
We only called in as we were passing but I’m so pleased we
did.
Wow! This was hands down the most delicious Beef Taco I’ve
ever eaten.
The service was extremely friendly and quite fast even
though they were very busy.
The atmosphere was low key and very welcoming and our meal
was exceptional value.
I’ll definitely be going back.
dropped in with a friend today. i hadnt been here since maria owned the shop with her husband.
while the menu looks basic and great, i chose the bean soup. i was expecting my tastebuds to come alive but sadly that didn't happen.
presentation was lovely and for the price its very good value but i would have liked more flavour. i didnt find any beans. the soup was more like a broth and only after adding some Chipotle sauce did the flavour improve.
my friend chose a vegetarian tostada. I'd still come back but please up the spice.
Excellent Mexican food in a laid back corner of Ellerslie. Always super busy at the weekend but the food is worth the wait and reasonable value for money.
I have brought so many of my friends here with me to eat, and they absolutely adore the soft tacos and the sincronizada with the chorizo and chicken ! Especially the magic powder on top of both dishes, gives it spice but just enough to punch as it is not overly spicy.
The corn chips and creamy guacamole is definitely a nice entree to have before your meal.
Love the fact that they always have different options of fresh juice with flavours to kick!
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Our flat finally sauntered down the road to try out the local Mexican place that we'd heard so much about and we're very happy that we did. Tucked away on a side road off Marua this little eatery has a lot of charm; the decor feels authentic and homey and the shelves packed with delicious looking imported sauces, cactus and spices really got our imaginations running wild and the catchy Mexican music had our toes tapping.
Ordering off the chalk-board menu was fun and the chef was very helpful filling in details and making recommendations. It wasn't long before our entree arrived. The cheese and chorizo sincronizada was delicious, had they cut it into 6 there would have been a real fight over the spare slices. My order had a problem and chef came out, apologized and recommended the beef taco as a replacement (His most popular item), this personal level of service was consistent throughout and the authenticity and honesty were appreciated.
We had one chicken enchilada, one chicken enfrijolada (A dish we'd never heard of) and two soft beef tacos. Both chicken dishes had beautiful and unique sauces and the tortilla strips on the enfrijolada were crunchy and tasty when dipped in the bean-based sauce. As for the highlight of my meal, the soft beef taco was the tastiest taco I've ever eaten by a long-shot; the beef was char-grilled (I think) to tender, smoky perfection and the generous fresh avocado and vegetables wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla made for a perfectly balanced meal which I wolfed down far too quickly. We were very happy with our meals and full enough that we only had room for chilli hot chocolates and coffee for dessert. The wait staff were proactive, friendly and helpful and the bathroom was clean.
My only suggestions for improvement are a few small cosmetic changes. The presentation for the tacos could use improvement, lose the paper underneath them, add a drizzle of sauce and a garnish of avocado (or something similar) and the dish would look almost as appetizing as it tasted. Finally having the menu on the chalk-board was pretty interesting, but having a bit of a blurb may have sped up our decision making.
Overall an awesome experience, will definitely be going back!
My friend eats here on a regular basis and swears by the beef soft taco. When we turned up it was quite busy so we decided to sit outside (despite the wind). The tacos didn't take long to arrive and when they did they were delicious. There was a nice mix of avocado, tomato and coriander and the beef was perfectly cooked. My friend also ordered me a mexican hot chocolate - bit toooo spicy for me.
Great little spot, with a warm, welcoming service you just don't get anywhere else! Loved the decor - on a warm summer night it really felt like we were in another part of the world.
I ordered the Nogada, while my partner ordered the prawn taco and the fish tostada, all brilliantly delicious (or 'super yum yum'). We also picked up some of the owner's homemade chili sauce (along with some other goodies) to take home - SO GOOD!!
Can't wait to visit again :)
I have come here many times and have never been disappointed.
Just LOVE the beef taco!!
All the goodness is in the soft chewy shell:)
Good service, yummy food. Wish I could come every weekend:)
The owner have changed, but the quality is no different, it might be better in some ways.
Recommend 100%.
This special bbq sauce prompted us to visit Mexican Specialities. Seriously, how could I have only just heard of this place, now?. The service is super friendly by the owner who takes time to explain all his restaurant offers, without giving away the secret recipes. This place has been open for over ten years. I loved the colourful Mexican decor and my expectation for its foods did not disappoint.
I've wanted to eat here for ages but found it difficult as in the past the Cafe was rarely open. It looks like the opening hours have significantly increased and today I got my chance. We had the nogada, a pepper stuffed with flavoursome meat nuts and dried fruit with a walnut sauce topped with pomegranate seeds which was delicious, and a beef taco packed with succulent smoky well cooked steak. I washed it down with a cool homemade lime drink. The food is tasty and fresh, I need to go back for another taste!
Beef tacos are delicious
Price a bit steep at $15 but worth it for good food
If your looking for great Mexican food in a rustic setting which is very clean than this is the place. What I love about this place is the passion the owners have for serving freshly made food.
We had fresh corn chips with bean dip, the Nogada and Enchildada all were superb. If you need a little more heat with your meal then Aaron the owner makes his own special hot and flavoursome sauces which are just divine, just ask for them and they get provided with the meal. Even my friend from the USA who knows his Mexican food was impressed.
Until now I didnt like Mexican food so that says a lot and Im looking forward to trying the next thing on the menu.
Had lunch here today. Love this place! I came here probably 4 years ago and remembered it being good. It's still good. I really love the homecook type of feel from the meals. My dad had never been here before but was really in love with the soft taco with beef. I ordered Enfrijolada - not having a clue as to what it is. It was a tortilla with cheese and a chicken and red creamy sauce around it with crunchy strips of corn chips. I enjoyed it but I have to say the taste of the beef taco is much more intense and to my liking. I will be back again for sure.
Amazing Burrito. The steak pieces in it were some of the best steak I have ever tasted. Great to see the open days have increased. Maybe bring back the hot sauce on the tables, but was there when asked.
Absolutely delicious, the best Mexican food I've had - Beef/Chicken Tacos and Enchiladas were both amazing. Tequila side sauce and freshly made lime juice were the perfect compliments to our meal. The service was also really great as was the music!
The sincronizada, with cheese and spinach, had the perfect balance of tortilla to filling, and was fried just the right amount to give it an on point crisp texture. This was my first sincronizada and it reminded me of Gözleme. There is only the smallest amount of what was a tasty bean dip on the sincronizada, and I think getting extra on the side would have been worthwhile
I'm don't eat a lot of meat, and am not a steak fan, so I found the beef taco a little overwhelming. The smokey BBQ flavours are quite good, but it was a large amount of meat, with a chewy steak like texture. It probably would have been better for me to have gone with the chicken.
The guacamole to wasn't too bad, the big tomato chunks were nice as was the small amount of heat, but I probably would have liked a little more lime.
Like others have said Beef Taco is absolutely amaze-balls. The flavors, the seasoning, the beef are all perfectly balanced. Chicken Tostada is flavoursome and fresh. Prices are slightly on the higher side but absolutely worth it. The place fills up fast but the service is friendly and efficient. Definitely worth a visit
Beef Taco! That should be all i need to say about this place. The food is delicious. My personal fave is the beef Taco! I would suggest getting there pretty early as the place fills up fast.
The staff are very helpful and service is timely considering the volume of people in the cafe every time I visit.
The only thing that I don't like is the funny open hours cause I always decide I feel like their food just as they close:( I will just have to get more on to it!
Used to go here almost fortnightly and it was my favourite place for a long time, best and most authentic mexican in auckland. It has since changed owners but is still just as good and only came with a slight rise in the prices. Must try the beef soft taco and any of the quesadillas.
Great food and friendly service and great relaxed atmosphere.
Authentic Mexican delight.
"If its not too busy" - try the Beef and Chicken Soft Taco mix (AMAZING).
Really good authentic tasting Mexican food. Also great Mexican ingredients for sale. Definitely worth a visit, especially if you have only experienced california Mexican before.
Jyothi Madanlal Chhabria
+4.5
Ironically made it here after 2.5yrs of living in the area. Don't know why it took us so long. Absolutely loved the food. The food was fresh and absolutely yummm. The ambience is homely and personal. Aaron n his team are doing a fantastic job of keeping the food authentic. We had the nogada, prawn taco n aztec pot.
Brilliant.
The service was personal and professional.
The food was delicious.
Thee shop has some real treats.
If you an ambience snob, you might be underwhelmed, it's not super fancy decor.
All up a great place to eat. Go here.
My partner introduced me to this lovely little eatery which we are fortunate to live a 5 minute walk down the road from.
If you want great authentic food prepared with care and passion this is the place to go.
We've probably tried everything on their menu now and my vote would be the prawn tostada or the soft tacos. Also have a chat with the staff as they usually have amazing fresh juices and specials on offer which might not be on the menu.
Also it's almost impossible to leave a tip!
Dined here for the first time ever a few weekends ago. In the past it was usually in-and-out with the ingredients I needed.
One great addition to the menu would be half-sized main items as (1) sometimes people would like to try more variety and (2) it may tempt passer-bys into popping in for a small snack.
I have been looking for a new place that is close to work to find a good lunch and a customer recommended this as the most authentic Mexican in Auckland.
He was not wrong! I went there today and there he was, devouring a taco.
I had a chicken soft taco and it was DIVINE! Perfect size and full of flavor! I will be back again, and soon!!
Great food, Great service & Great people!
Beef Soft Taco - a must try!
New owners have extended their business hours and made the place look more fresh.
Probably one of the best Mex restos here in Auckland!
What a wonderful and cute little placed tucked away in Ellerslie. Fresh food and fast service. Prices may seem to be slightly on the higher side but I would rather pay these prices here than go to one of those Mexican chains and pay 20 bucks for 4 peices of wings. For me personally the food was so rephrasing. Fresh guacamole and the prawn toastado was amazing. We also had a enfrijaloda?? Hope I got that right. That's was really nice n cheesy but not at all OTT. The best was the chicken in both enfrijaloda and the Aztec pot. Juicy and tender so soft. Loved it. We shall be Back
Any time I go through Ellerslie I make a bee line for this place, luckily they have extended their hours so there's more opportunity to eat delicious Mexican food.
I love the soft beef taco, stuffed full of beef with a great charcoal bbq flavour, but the Relleno (stuffed pepper chile) is also delicious. You can't really go wrong, it's all great.
Easy parking right outside.
Tip: check out the Mexican products for sale, especially the pure vanilla essence, quite different to other vanilla, almost caramel in flavour and divine.
Came here with a friend who loves this place, and had a beef taco which she recommended. OMG! The large chunks of beef in the taco were amazing - so succulent and tender and perfectly marinated. I never knew that the meat in a taco could taste so good!!
You need to use a knife and fork though as it gets messy - so didn't really feel like I was eating a taco. Quite different!
I guess the only downside is that for $15 it doesn't really fill you up for lunch - will need to order more next time!
Can't wait to try the prawn taco and other items on the menu.
Get in early!
You just can't beat Mexican Specialities! This place is an Ellerslie institution and you need to get in early as it fills up quick! You can't go wrong with the beer or chicken tacos and the guacamole is second to none! @
Most engaging friendly family that runs this place. Awesome food and handmade juices. Great ambience and a causal relaxed local feel. You can see why it's a local fave
Had lunch here today as was in the area.
Blown away by the beef taco. Beef was smoky and tasty and tender. Such an unpretentious place. Will be back with friends
Best Mexican Food ever! This was recommended to me from friends, thoroughly worth the wait and trip, we went at lunchtime but found out they will be doing dinners too! awesome bonus
Staff recommendations spot on! soft beef taco, amazing mexican coffee/chocolate, a must try for all, had 2 cups, goes smoothly with an aftermath of soft tingles at the end of each sip, also try the their green juice its very refreshing like cucumber juice with hints of chilled ice I forgot name but you wont be disappointed, cleanse the pallet
I know what the fuss is about!
Great Food (fresh quality)
Great price
Great Staff
Friends and I will be visiting regularly for sure!
With all the commercial Mexican food about this is a diamond in the rough. The food is amazing absolutely authentic. Owner and chef are just lovely every time I'm there it's like being in a friends kitchen.
A busy little place just off Marua Road that serves the best Mexican tacos I have tasted to date! Kitschy Mexican decor hangs off the walls and the ceilings.
My friend recommended the Beef Taco as the 'must try' dish and I was not disappointed. The beef was flavourful, char-grilled to perfection and melt-in-your-mouth tender. This was complimented by the generous serving of guacamole to accompany it. Each bite was delicious.
We wanted to try something new so we ordered a chicken enchilada to share. This is a dish for cheese lovers and packed a good hit of lime. It was quite rich. If you're not a cheese lover, one may be a bit much to finish by yourself.
Prices are reasonable - $15 on average. You're likely to need a bit more than one dish to be full so order some more to share with friends.
Food is served quickly and the staff are friendly and attentive. It's not a place to hang around and eat a leisurely lunch but I would definitely come back for a quick bite.
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Seriously, been back here many times as they are the BEST BEEF TACOS.
On my very first visit, my impression of this place was the decor and the friendly guy serving us! He asked if it was our first time and gave us his recommendation based on our preferences. I ordered a prawn taco, whilst my friends ordered the beef taco.
And boy.... was it the best taco we've ever had. The seasoning and the generous serving of guacamole in the taco was amazing.
It was so good!! I came back a few weeks later (i.e. today) and had a whole beef taco to myself and we shared an enchilada. *nom nom nom*.
We've been lucky to get a table whenever we came, but it does get busy! Trick is to get there before 12pm. The price is approx $10-$15 for mains, but definitely super worth it!!
Service: Friendly!
Ambience: Mexican and relaxed
Food: Amazing! Highly recommend the beef and the prawn taco. I kinda needed both.
Coffee: I tried their special mexican coffee and it was interesting! If you like cinnamon and spice, try it. :)
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Holy guacamoly! BEST BEEF TACO EVER!
Mucho gracias to that owner guy who recommended it to us.
So anyway, we wanted to try this place out due to its high zomato ratings and we were not disappointed.
We were gonna get the relleno and the enfrigolada initially but we changed relleno to beef tacos when he said the beef tacos were a must try and after trying it, we couldn't agree more.
The beef taco has melt-in-the-mouth beef pieces with the most amazing chargrilled flavour and served with guacamole. Each little cube of meat is perfectly cooked and just the best meat cut ever all wrapped up snugly in a soft shell taco. Yum.
The enfrigolada was also nice but after trying the beef taco first, nothing we tasted after would be as good. It had a nice cheesy bean sauce and the chicken was still tender. Definitely nice comfort food to have on winter days.
Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this little place. Good service and yummy food. What more can u ask for?
Already planning my next visit :)
P.S. We also got the prawn taco for takeaway after, which was also full of flavour and yum. But unfortunately my bf demolished it all before I had a good mouthful.
What is it with this place? Food is just too good I eat too much every time. I usually have the beef taco but today had the chicken enchillada and it's just sooo good!
Lunch here, today - was the PERFECT day for a Chilli Hot Chocolate - this is my 'all time' favourite thing, that they do here and an absolute - 'must have'. If you haven't tried it - do!!!
This is a place that is consistently busy, because the food is very authentic, very fresh, crisp and very tasty.
You may even be treated (as we were) to 'tasters' of one of their bottled, ready to purchase, hot sauces.
Anyone expecting a "restaurant" experience might be sorely disappointed - Mexican Specialities is noisy, invariably busy and always very chaotic. Your meals may not all arrive at the same time. However, the food is INCREDIBLE - authentic Mexican (ie. not American-style Tex-Mex) made with high quality ingredients. Owner operators Jose and Maria (from Mexico City) are delightfully friendly people who love to share their love of Mexican cuisine with their customers. On of the best, and certainly most interesting, places to eat in Auckland.
It's a pity this place isn't open longer because it's always very busy - it pays to turn up for an early lunch if you don't want a long wait. But the food is worth it - the soft tacos are the best I've had.
The best way to sum this place up is busy, very busy. Do be prepared to wait for a table. However the wait is worth it as all the food is prepared fresh and presented authenticity. There is also a wide selection of specialities available for sale. Not a place to take your girlfriend on your first date as it is run out of an old rundown shop.
Went there for lunch last week. I had the beef taco and it was amazing! Definitely need to go back there to try other things. Was really busy though.
One of my favourite places to eat Maria & Jose are very warm and welcoming. We have been going there for a number of years now.The food is amazing I have never had a horrible meal there. Its a bonus to be also able to buy Mexican food and groceries.
For lunch you need to get there early as the place fills up very quickly, people spill out onto the foot path waiting for a table.
Just been for lunch today with my work mate. She had the beef soft taco and I had the chicken soft taco. Small boutique place, the lady behind the counter was lovely and we eventually got a table in time for our meal.
They soft tacos were beautifully fresh. just the right balance of salsa and meat, and the spices were so amazing i bought their magic mix! Price was very fair for the meal we had, definitely will be returning!
My sister is a regular & she took me there for some guacamole & the best beef taco I've ever eaten, I used to work 5mins away & never even knew the place was there. A little pricey but so good! Go & eat there, your mouth will love you for the rest of your life.
Best Mexican food in Auckland. Tasty fresh guacamole, curiously good soft drink selection, exciting sparkly chilli salt, and best of all, NO DINGLEBERRIES.
Also, you can buy the decor, and bags of masa flour.
Best Mexican food in Auckland... 1 of the only true authentic Mexican restaurants in NZ.
I am from California & let me tell you there is a huge difference between Cali-Mex & real Mexican food. Nothing wrong with Cali-Mex at all but they are totally different things.
*They don't eat burritos in Mexico*
My one & only complaint is that they are not open 7 days a week!!
Great Chips & Guacamole, amazing tacos no matter which one you order, chicken, prawn, beef. 1 taco is plenty, they are very filling.
If there is a special it is a good idea to try it because it will be amazing, you can't go wrong.
It's good to get there at opening time or right before closing to assure you get a seat, it is always always busy with people getting their weekly taco fix.
If it is delicious authentic Mexican food you are after then this is your place.
Best prawn soft taco EVER. Huge prawns, olives, capers, avocado, sauce, soft soft soft taco; just a fantastic experience. Wish it was open all day every day! Also had an Almond Bread Roll which was delicious. Happy customer!
Outside of Mexico I had never encountered such a traditional real mexican restaurant. That is how it should taste. The beef tacos are to die for! The service is just like in latin america, very charming but not over the top.
The only problem is the opening times, I'd love to be able to have lunch at 3pm on a saturday or sunday as we do in Mexico!
Really enjoyed my lunch here. We had the chicken enchilada and beef taco, which were both delicious. Service was very good too. Wish it was closer! But I do look forward to returning.
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I can not believe it has taken me so long to come and eat at this amazing place.
It was my first time eating here, and I'd heard so much 'word of mouth' about Mexican Specialities, that I asked the staff if my pick of Fish Tostada was a good first choice. She helpfully recommended that I might prefer the prawn soft taco - as it was warm. So I switched my order... and my love affair for the food at Mexican Specialties was born.
The Prawn soft taco was out of this world. Flavours like you wouldn't believe.
The only thing that I would critique was that I had to get up and go get my own cutlery (leaving my hot taco sitting on it's own outside while I went indoors to hunt out the cutlery) - it would've been a nice touch for the waitress to observe that and help out. But I'll know for next time - get cutlery first.
Oh, and one more critique... plastic disposable cups for drinks?! That's a sad waste. Would you consider changing to washable cups?!
That said, the food is authentic, flavoursome and just mind-blowingly good.
Will be back for the food for sure ... but wouldn't buy a drink in a plastic cup!
Mexican specialities I love you! And your delicious soft tacos. If only you were open on other days! I want to tell people to come here..... but I also don't want to jeapordise my own ability to get a table on Thursday and Friday lunchtimes....so so good.
Always wonderful service and amazing food.
I was so happy to find this little cozy cafe, and made several stops there for lunch when I lived in the area but since I've moved to the shore, I haven't been back sadly. I wish they were open full time, but I can't complain too much, because we are VERY lucky that they are open at all, and sharing their love of authentic mexican food with us. You can tell that this is their passion, they really enjoy cooking up delicious mexican dishes and their customer base is loyal and appreciative! It was like being at a friend's house, so many people exchanging friendly conversation with the owners and making such compliments on the food. Definitely worth a stop anytime you're in the area, but just check their hours, they are only open for lunch like 3 days a week, so don't be disappointed and miss out!
When my partner said we were getting Mexican for lunch I cringed at the thought of getting some average California Burrito or some boring nachos. I was pleasantly surprised when he took me to this cute little shop, hidden away in Ellerslie. The staff had a lively, friendly attitude and the food was Amazing! We got a selection of things and it was all perfect. I'll be back!
I love you guys Maria and Jose. Food is fabulous and your smile Maria is worth the drive. I do wish you were open every day and id probably be there too. I feel like I'm in Mexico whenever I come and buying my tortillas from there gives me a fresh lot at home. Well deserved "personality" winner Maria. Highly recommend but also wish we could keep it a secret!!!! Keep up the great work guys and the beef and prawn tacos..OMG the best ever.
I am seriously addicted to the Beef taco's here. They are chargrilled magic.
Only downside is that it is out of the way, and not open enough. But even that is not enough to knock off a star.
Yum!
My absolute favourite place to eat out !! Food is to die for , fresh, light & amazing flavours ! This is the real deal - legit Mexican food , nothing like the americanised mexican food that we see all around us today. I can't wait to go back :)
Been here twice and loved it! Wished I could stay longer and tried more food (both times were lunch breaks in btwn work). Shame they only open for lunch. The food is authentic and reasonably priced. feels like I'm eating at a witch doctor's (brujas/brujos) kitchen, with all types of mexican paraphernalia on display. I just wish they do something about all the disposable plates and cups used tho, feels like such a waste.
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I've been meaning to come here for some time, but work commitments and the limited hours it is open never allowed for it. I am SO GLAD I finally found the time!
We loved the look of the place! Quirky and interesting, the mis-matched seating arrangements and bustling atmosphere just added to the whole experience. This is definitely not the place to go if you are looking for a quiet and refined restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed checking out some of the knick-knacks available for purchase.
The food - loved it! I spent some time in New Mexico five or six years ago, and ever since then I've been craving authentic chili rellenos. Imagine my delight when I saw it on the menu!! Naturally, that is what I ordered. My son was dining with me, and he ordered the chicken enchilada.
Both of our meals were delicious, and they came out amazingly fast! The service was quick, friendly and helpful(once I told them this was my first visit).
My chili relleno was fabulous, the flavours so rich and delicious, I wished I had ordered two! My son pronounced his enchilada delicious, though when I gave him a taste of my relleno he wished he had ordered that.
From the little experience I have had with authentic mexican flavours, I would say this the real deal. If you haven't been already, put it on your must-do list - you won't be disappointed.
I am going back again this week and I can't wait!!
Excellent & authentic. It's hard in NZ to find good Mexican food - this is one of the best. It's difficult to get a seat now - become too popular. Prices have certainly risen over the last year or so - not a cheap lunch anymore. Range of ingredients that you can buy is good.
Only truly authentic Mexican place in Auckland. Delicious cheap food with a real flair.
A very nice little laid-back place with the only authentic Mexican food that I have found in Auckland. Very good prices, nice people and tasty food. The genuine Mexican products are well-priced. Go and try it before these guys become well-known and commercial!
Not only is the food fantastic it is the friendliness of the owners who are passionate about both the food and their customers. Their sauces which they make and you can purchase to take home are fantastic and are a staple in my kitchen. Its worth a trip for lunch or just for the cakes....
If you want real Mexican food this is the one and only in Auckland, authentic tasty food made by real Mexicans, open for lunch Thurs to Sat only, its small but well worth a visit. Everything is fresh and tasty. Great atmosphere even when busy. They also sell little gifts and canned food from Mexico.
Amy @ My Dining Journey
+4.5
One of the perks with working in Ellerslie is that my workplace is 5 minutes from Mexican Specialities, which as you can tell from the opening hours, is only open for three days for lunch between 11AM-2/3PM. A couple of months ago, I was in a taco frenzy and seemed to crave tacos every other day. So, I was a regular at this little shop that is tucked away in Marua Road.
This popular Mexican eatery/store is always buzzing with people and tables are limited. My favourite dish is their prawn taco where chargrilled juicy prawns is combined with pitted olives, avocado, capers and other vegetables, tucked inside a soft taco wrap. The flavours are out-of-this-world and the portion size makes this an ideal lunch! I often buy their chips and guacamole for take away, something to snack on for afternoon tea.
Delicious and authentic Mexican food! A must try if you love tacos!
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We visited Mexican Specialities on a busy Friday lunchtime. I'd been dying to try this little gem out for a while, and recommendations were to get there early as it packs out, so we arrived on the stroke of noon and managed to find a table.
The place is very sweet, a cramped wee space filled with all manner of Mexican bric-a-brac - most of it for sale if you're in the market for colourful skulls, cupids or sombreros.
Our orders arrived super-fast & were super-fresh: a delicious beef soft taco and a ceviche tostada. The beef taco came highly recommended, not just by friends, but virtually every mention of Mexican Specialities you can find online includes at least 1 person professing their undying love for this beef taco! I now know why. Tender, char-grilled beef steak with that delicious smoky BBQ flavour, fresh & tangy tomato salsa and creamy avocado encased in a soft fluffy tortilla.
The tostada looked amazing too - raw fish mixed with avocado, red onion & delicious tangy spices, served on a large crunchy flat taco with lettuce & mayo.
We finished with a divine deep-fried tortilla sprinkled with cinnamon sugar - the Mexican version of a doughnut!
There are plenty more delicious options on the menu - authentic Mexican rather then the Tex-Mex Kiwis can be used to. You'll find enchiladas, but lots of other exotic sounding combinations of those classic Mexican ingredients we all love. There are also imported Mexican goods to purchase such as chillis, salsa and tomatillos, as well as house-produced salsas & sauces.
By the time we left, the place was packed. I would imagine that's a regular occurence at this wonderful little spot.
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The REAL thing in NZ...who'd-a-thought it!
We are originally from California and grew up with Mexican cuisine. We lived in NZ for many years and made regular visits to Mexican Specialties. Jose and Maria, have the best food! Jose's menu is authentic, not anglicized, Always COOKED FRESH, TO ORDER. Even now that we are back in the US, I crave their food as the Americanized Mexican where I live in Florida is no where near Jose & Maria's!
Please go for a meal, or shopping, you won't be disappointed!
Say Hi to Gordo (Jose) and Mica (Maria) for us!
Mexican Specialties is in a bit of an odd location, in a row of shops in the back streets of Ellerslie. However, what it lacks in location, it makes up for in its food. This is the most authentic Mexican food I have tried in Auckland.
The restaurant itself is very small, and it is also very popular. On a Saturday lunchtime, you will often have to wait for a table to become free. There are a couple of tables indoors, but your best bet will be outside.
My pick for the food is the grilled beef soft taco. The beef tastes char-grilled, and it comes with a very fresh tomato salsa and guacamole inside. The homemade tortilla chips are also fantastic - very light and crisp, a far cry from stodgy Doritos. For those who prefer a little less spice, the chicken enchiladas are a great pick.
The downside is that the opening hours are limited, so be sure to check them before you decided to make the trip there.
I did really enjoy my flautas. The toppings on them are perfect and you don’t really need the additional sauces they offer because those don’t add to the flavor at all. Very pricy though which I will attribute to the neighborhood? As someone who has grown up with affordable, authentic Mexican food, I know you can have it at a more reasonable price. Also, for the prices, I think at least a side of rice or beans or something should be included.
The coffee was okay. Probably would be better with some milk and sugar.
The owner was very nice though!
Definitely a place to try at least once but only often if you can afford the prices.
Absolute GEM 💎💞 Lovingly made authentic Mexican cuisine 🇲🇽🌮🫠 Absolutely excellent hand-made flatbreads with zingy, fresh, delectable toppings and succulent meats. Perfected, rich, flavourful mole 💯 I was completely blown away by the flavours and textures and the charm of the place. Grandma knows her stuff. They sell food products and serve a menu of incredible dishes. The tequila chutney is heavenly. The guacamole- oh my GHOD - thick chunks of perfectly ripe avocado, expertly seasoned and the home made corn chips are utterly divine. It’s in my top 5 NZ eateries and they don’t serve booze so that is a huge compliment.
I stayed with a friend around the corner and we were going to get fish & chips until I saw Mexican Specialties. I decided to order a Prawn Tortilla and a very refreshing icy pineapple juice and we sat outside in the late afternoon sun. I was only going to eat half but it was so yummy I ate it all. I'm not from Auckland but if I ever go near there again it will be a must do for a meal. Thanks for the lovely food, service and atmosphere.
Absolutely delicious food and the lime drink!! YUM!! I ordered the vegetarian soft shell tacos (of which you can pick your taco type), the homemade corn chips and guacamole + the lime drink. Absolutely divine. Even got some magic spice to take away. A must try. 🌮
This place is seriously amazing.
The owners are absolutely lovely and friendly. And the food comes out tasting of home made deliciousness. There are many homemade condiments you can add to your meals (not included in the picture) - the chilli jam was my favourite!
Definitely made a repeat customer out of me.
One of my most favourite places to eat.
First of all customer service - Grandma is the loveliest woman ever she's very friendly and makes ever visit extremely pleasant .
secondly the food- she doesn't always have all the items on the menu as she makes everything fresh and all by herself. Every bite is made with love. From the taco shells, nachos and juice. All handmade and fresh daily. Nothing beats taste and quality with Grandma. Every dish every time is always on point.
Thirdly authenticity- I have no idea how grandma knows how to cook like a local Mexican but she makes it the way it is made in Mexico. If you want proper Mexican food come here instead of those chain Mexican Californian style chains. She makes the real deal which is alot better.
Only way to know what I'm talking about is to check it out 🙂
Absolutely delicious food. The beef taco had the most tender steak strips I've ever tasted. The service was warm and friendly.
Nice, quaint restaurant nestled behind Ellerslie-Panmure highway run by very courteous owners. I went with very high expectations and was a little disappointed. Menu is limited and the food is a little plain (personal opinion). All in all, a nice Mexican restaurant that you should try at least once.
Deliciously unusual and delightfully friendly. I loved the two vegetarian dishes we had. I loved the conversation with the lady running the place. I loved the unusual decor. I loved that it wasn't the same flavours or even the same experience that you get in every Auckland restaurant. Yum.
We have been repeat customers for this hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. The place is very unassuming yet you will be blown away by how good the food is. The wonderful old Thai lady is very nice and warm. Would definitely keep on coming back.
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