Louise R.
Yelp
Prickly pear. Smoked chilli. Lime juice. Salted white cheese. These are a few of my favourite things. And lucky for you & me, they are the favourite things of the founders of Lucky Lupitas.
Just outside of Flinders Uni, on the way out of Adelaide to the south, the compact cantina is in a bit of an awkward spot for parking. If you are extra lucky and nab a spot in the teeny carpark out the front, you did better than me! If you need to park down the street, let your passengers out to wait for a table & save some time - there are no bookings here.
Bright, cheery, eclectic fit out gives you plenty to look at while you leave your name on the waiting list for a table. I particularly love the copper pipes with light fittings along it. Also handy is the blackboard covering one whole side wall has translations of many Mexican ingredients - my fave - "nopales" pickled cactus paddles.
Back out the front, there are a few cute bench seats to wait on while you wait for your table.
When your name is called as your table is ready it feels like winning the lottery! Service is friendly & our waitress quickly brings water and a dish of complimentary tasty peanuts with spicy, sweet-savoury seasoning (is that chocolate I taste?).
The drinks menu includes margheritas and an few interesting beers alongside the Dos Equis. I opt for a Negra Modelo ($8), a malty mid dark beer with enough sweetness and chocolatey notes to really complement the fresh spicy flavours.
Food is served quickly on a variety of beautiful earthenware crockery. The table is set with a selection of hot sauces, including my two favourites, green chile sauce and smokey chipotle sauce.
My first ever "Elote" Mexican grilled sweet corn ($6.90) a long time coming! This one comes with a bbq's kiss of sweet-smoky char, a slather of chipotle mayo, a sprinkle of white Mexican cheese and a coriander garnish. Smokey, sweet, crunchy, creamy, salty. Absolutely, finger licking good!
Mexican slaw comes out next in a bright bowl, and it tastes a bit like a chile hot sauerkraut.
The main event, a veggie tostada ($10.90), is a colourful, flavoursome, textural delight. Pickled cactus "nopales" is new and reminiscent of pickled beans. Shredded radish is a pretty, crunchy garnish. Black beans on the bottom aren't too spicy but you can turn up the heat as much as you like with the sauces on the table.
Lucky Lupita's is a tasty, fresh, healthy take on Mexican with unique and moreish dishes to come back for again and again. It feels authentic, the decor is great, service quick & friendly and the place has a great buzz.