CapeTownMagazine.com

Mexicola Locale, Cheyne Morrisby’s Mexican joint in Hout ...

For Moments of Joy. Follow our social channels
for useful news, daily local champions
 
072 350 2062
Ideas Cartel, The Old Foundry, 1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point
www.capetownmagazine.com/subscribe
now@capetownmagazine.com
CapeTownMag
CapeTownMagazine.com
capetownmag

Mexicola Locale, Cheyne Morrisby’s Mexican joint in Hout Bay

Compact menu of tacos, nachos and bochas, all cooked over flames and coals

There’s Tex-Mex, there’s Mexican food, and then there’s Mexicola Locale. This is Cheyne Morrisby’s new Mexican eatery in Hout Bay and it offers the best nachos, tacos and bachos (bowls) in town – all cooked fresh over flames or coals.

MEXICOLA LOCALE IS THE UPGRADE FOR HOUT BAY’S ICONIC DEEZ

Two blocks off the main road in Hout Bay, you’ll see a blue semi-detached building that’s hard to miss. For decades, locals came to what was then known as Deez for late night munchies and too much tequila. The food at Deez – apparently all cooked in big batches once a week and heated up for service – was not the attraction. Nobody minded, because Deez had a great vibe. 

When Cheyne Morrisby took the venue over, the kitchen equipment comprised three microwave ovens and a deep fryer. Cheyne invested in a fireplace instead, and now it’s called Mexicola Locale. The atmosphere in this tiny converted house is still intimate and lively, but the food has been elevated to a main attraction.

THIS MEXICAN FOOD TASTES DELICIOUSLY SMOKEY

Mexicola Locale’s tiny kitchen is where all the food is prepared – fresh – over coals or flames, and the meals are infused with a smokiness you just don’t get with any other method of cooking. Tackling the dishes from Mexico is new territory for the chef patron, and he’s approached it with his usual flair. 

Morrisby’s first restaurant, Cheyne’s, which is also in Hout Bay, has set the tone for all the others that have followed: Asian/Pacific Rim-fusion food that’s always exciting, creative and unique. In Mexicola Locale’s case, it made sense to stick with Mexican cuisine because everyone had come to know Deez’s food so well. A separate dining room has been preserved as a nod to Deez, with its peeling paint and kitsch decor.

YOU’LL HAVE AN EATING ADVENTURE AT MEXICOLA LOCALE

The menu at Mexicola Locale is as compact as the dining space: three snacks, four taco dishes, two nachos and five bochas (or bowls) precede two desserts, all distinctive dishes. 

The drinks list is longer with a tight selection of wines in all the colours, bubbly, and a brilliant range of local and imported tequilas. These are quality and meant to be sipped and savoured in the manner of whisky, rather than shooting them like a reckless teenager.

TRY THE BREAKING BAD MARGARITAS

There’s a good reason why margaritas go so well with Mexican food; the sweetness and saltiness are perfect foils for hot and spicy. Cleverly named, the Walter White is the classic with a double shot of Cabrito tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice, shaken or frozen. Its companion is Jesse Pinkman, the same but with raspberry. 

Another excellent drink to complement your meal is beer (on tap) and if you’re wary of the chargrilled Jalapeño peppers with cream cheese emulsion and smoked buttered bread crumbs, served with actual smoke curling up from it, you can request a glass of milk to soothe the burn.

 

ORDER THE SOFT TACOS AND NACHOS 

Soft tacos come with coal-roasted pork shoulder, fire-cooked beef belly, crispy local fish, or fire-roasted vegetables. The nachos are brilliant – meat or beans – and served in a piping-hot deep dish filled to the brim with melted cheese. None of this stingy platter nonsense where only the top layer of chips is worth eating.

 

BE BOWLED OVER BY THE BOCHAS

In the bochas section, you’ll find corn on the cob with chipotle butter, burnt iceberg lettuce with chilli-and-lime dressing, the jalapeños, grilled chicken in mole sauce, and tuna céviche (the only thing NOT made over the fire).

Save space for dessert, because there’s churro waffles with chocolate sauce and horchata ice cream, and charcoal-grilled corn cake with burnt orange and mescal syrup and sugared lime cream cheese.

Mexicola Locale, at  4 The Promenade Road, Hout Bay, is open Tuesdays to Sundays 12pm till 10pm (bar closes at 11pm). Find them on Facebook, call on 066 412 3289 or email cheynesrestaurant@gmail.com. The dishes cost between R60-R85.

By Bianca Coleman

---

Love Mexican food? Check out El Burro Taqueria

Check out these awesome things to do this weekend

You know it’s summer in Cape Town when you’re cosying up at the Galileo Open Air Cinema.

---

ABOUT #CapeTownMagNew:
#CapeTownMagNew discovers exciting new places in and around Cape Town and the Western Cape. We celebrate entrepreneurship and we tell their unique stories.

Follow #CapeTownMagNew on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates or read more here about new places in Cape Town.

PLUS: NOMINATE A FRIEND'S NEW BUSINESS
You never forget the people who supported you when you first started out. That's why we're giving you the chance to nominate your family member or friend's new business to win R60 000's worth of activations. Just click to fill out a form (less than a minute) to nominate a new business.

Cape Town Events Calendar
June 2023
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30

Cederkloof Botanical outdoor jacuzziWe just found our next place for a ...

Cederkloof: Cottages with jacuzzi + house with pizza oven

Bombay BrasserieSumptuous Indian set menu for two

10 unique dishes (and MCC) at Bombay Brasserie

mischu breakfast specialWeekends are for mischu

Where else do you get brunch for under R100 in Sea Point?

Cape Town Meadery mead tastingHave you ever tasted mead?

Taste beer, gin and more made from mead (until June)

Rose's Table pop up dining experienceIntimate fine dining in an art gallery

A long-table experience with food, music, wine and art

Excentric Hair camera diagnosisHow healthy is your hair, really?

How to get a free diagnosis + R100 off your first visit

Cannibisters weed barCape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...

It's like your friend’s living room, just with 85 strains of weed

Woodstock Brewery beer tastingLocal craft beer tasting even ...

Nine craft beers, small-batch Thursdays + a guide for beginners

PPC Riebeek Bergmarathon8 reasons to run these races in a lush ...

Do a marathon, fun run with the fam and explore small towns

Taj Whiskey LoungeIntroducing the Whiskey Lounge

Tastings from around the world, guided by an ambassador

Char'd Grill meat appreciation platterMeat appreciation platter at a ...

3 cuts of meat, sizzling side dishes + epic mad-scientist experience

Mountain MarketAffordable healthy food at this city ...

Organic fruit and veg, smoothie bowls + small-scale clothes

Char'd Grill tasting traysSpirit tastings and unique cuts at this ...

Bring out your inner mad scientist: experiment with unique spirits + meat cuts

Pear Tree cocktailsHolistic food + drink at this healthy ...

Sit under the trees and enjoy kombucha cocktails, vegan dishes + a sea view

Pear Tree HermanusUnconventional vegan dishes at this ...

From tofu tostadas and kombucha cocktails to MasterChef-level desserts

Milk on the Beach5 reasons to visit this beach-side ...

Never-ending summer of waffles, hotdogs, cocktails...

Waffle Shack by Milk on the BeachOur team’s top picks at the Waffle ...

Beach-side eatery is perfect for kids, adults and dogs alike

Picnic in the parkPicnic in the Parks, fun workshops for ...

Book a picnic basket, get it delivered to the park + do interactive workshops

Distiller's UnionMake your unique brand of gin

At Distiller’s Union you get to also pick the flavour, colour + drink craft beer

Bar KeeperBar Keeper is open on Sundays till ...

Order 1 bottle to many cases online or in store, get it delivered same day, cold

Sweet River Brewery ingredientsBook out this distillery for your next ...

Make your own at Distillers Union + get craft beer and pizza

The Purple WindmillWeekend market that has it all

Craft beer, kids playpark, aqua golf, target shooting, donkeys and more

Black Elephant Vintners music and wine pairingEver imagined a rock ‘n roll ...

Silent disco, wine barrel tables + rock star murals at Black Elephant Vintners

Blue Train ParkKids Party Idea: Take a ride on the ...

BOOK Now and let the outdoor adventure begin!

Breathwork Africa foundation3+ ways to get your breath back and ...

Classes, courses, retreats on conscious breathing run by the trainers leading the global ...

StrollaGet Irie On The Sunset Deck At Strolla ...

Weekend sunsets at Strolla mean live DJs and reggae (Rivertones)

Honeybee Heroes Be a beekeeper for a day at Honeybee ...

Adopt a hive, learn about bees, take a beekeeping course, buy honey

Klein Roosboom tasting caveTaste wine in a cave

Boutique winery with 6 six cosy tasting nooks. Plus platters, picnics + trails

GiveawaysTravel Tips