Why you need to try the new menu at Motel Mexicana Newcastle

By Ania Askwith

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Motel Mexicana, 32-34 Mosley Street, NE1 1DF

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Best For: Authentic Latin food, Mexican food, happy hour drink deals, bottomless brunch, Newcastle city centre location, venue hire, cocktails in Newcastle

Motel Mexicana Newcastle – our go to Mexican restaurant

Motel Mexicana has been one of our go tos in town pretty much since it opened, and we have been so many times that I lost count – you can read my full review here.

We always enjoy our visits here – whether it’s for bottomless brunch, a light snack, few drinks with friends, Motel Mex is always a good shout.

So when they announced the launch of their new menu, we had to be there to try it.

Authentic Latin food at Motel Mexicana

We have always enjoyed the food here at Motel, usually opting for their loaded nachos – and I mean they’re LOADED with all the delicious stuff on top, and between all the layers, so you don’t end up with dry tortilla chips at the end.

And if you’re a taco fan (who isn’t?!) theirs are some of the best in town! The beef, chicken, pulled jackfruit, mushroom, or the chili ones – they are all amazing.

We also adore their churros; super moreish and just melt in your mouth.

So since we’ve had food here so many times, we had quite high expectation of their new menu. And I was actually very surprised – and super impressed!

New menu at Motel Mexicana – our highlights

Burritos:

• Barbacoa Beef – with tomato rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, lettuce, avocado salsa & coriander.
• Mushroom – with tomato rice, pico de gallo, lettuce, avocado salsa & coriander. Full of flavour and super fresh.

We loved them – the fillings were amazing, but what made them stand out from other place sin town is the tortilla they use; its super authentic, not too thick like the shop bought stuff is, and you can literally taste the difference. If you’ve had burritos in a Latin country, you know exactly what I am talking about.

The best burritos we have had in this country. Yes I said it!

Small Plates:

• Homemade Guacamole & Totopos – creamy guac with crunchy corn chips. The chips were super thin and the guacamole was soooo fresh. It was just gorgeous. Again, not your typical Mexican you get in most places. It was super authentic and so delicious.  
• Mini Patacones – fried plantain rounds topped with smoky lentils. I LOVED this dish. I love plantain and those little discs were crispy but you could still taste the plantains; and the topping was gorgeous.
• Chicken Tenders – crispy, golden and served with a sweet honey mustard sauce.

All of the food was super impressive; I can’t explain enough how authentic it feels. And you get loads of choice for fillings (for the burritos, I think there were about 3 meat and 3 veggie options, maybe even more), and the same for the small plates toppings.

The guys have gone all out on the menu and I am absolutely here for it! Just when I thought this place couldn’t get any better!

Drinks at Motel Mexicana – out top picks

Food was UNREAL, but what’s a Mexican cantina without good drinks. I don’t think you can go to a Latin restaurant and not get margaritas, so naturally, this is one of the staple drinks we order here. And yes – they are delish. Of course we had another one of those.

They also do great espresso martinis, but if you’re after a little show stopper – you need to get the Mexican Bulldog – a frozen margarita with the addition of an upturned ‘Coronita’. Mexican Summer in a glass!

We also tried one of their new additions – the pornstar that arrives at your table with a bubble dome (I am not sure how the bartender managed to bring it to our table in tact – but she’s done an amazing job!). Yes I did order it for the aesthetics – you gotta do what you gotta do- but I was surprised how delicious it actually was. I’ll be getting it again!

What makes Motel Mexicana our go to

• Unreal food and drinks
• The authenticity of the dishes that’s like nothing else in town
• Gorge decor – love the recent update with new plants everywhere, paint refresh, loads of new Latin inspired knick knacks, and stunning bathroom refresh gets a 10/10 from me

Location

Motel Mexicana is right in Newcastle city centre at 32-34 Mosley Street, NE1 1DF. It’s super accessible by public transport with nearby metro stations, bus stops, and ample city centre parking.

Tips for Visiting

• La Reception: If you’re looking to host your own party, they have a space upstairs that can be hired for events. Decor wise, it’s consistent with the bar downstairs, so a really fun vibe.

• Happy Hour deals: Visit Tuesday – Friday from 4–9 pm to take advantage of their 2-for-1 cocktail deal, and some other top quality cocktails at a great price. The perfect start to a night out.

• Bottomless Brunch: It includes 90 minutes of drinks and games that make it one of the liveliest brunches in town. Read more about their bottomless here.

• Bring your amigos: Motel Mexicana is the perfect spot to share with friends, and we have introduced some of ours to this place.

• Great cocktails: If you’re a margarita fan, their frozen margs are as refreshing as it gets. The Mexican Bulldog, is also a must try, as is the new pornstar.

• Book ahead: Walk-ins are welcome, but as one of Newcastle’s hottest spots, booking in advance is recommended for groups or weekend visits. The brunch especially often gets fully booked so if you’re thinking about that – make a reservation in advance. We went on a Thursday evening and within half an hour the place filled up.

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If you love discovering the best places to eat and drink, things to do, wellness experiences, places to go, hotels and staycation spots in Newcastle, the North East, and beyond, be sure to follow my Newcastle blog for more reviews and recommendations. As a Newcastle blogger, I share everything from foodie finds, self care experiences, to weekend escapes.

For behind the scenes content and a closer look at my day to day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith

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