Trejo’s Tacos Comes To London

From narrowly avoiding execution and several stints in jail, to starring in multi million dollar movies and four disastrous marriages, Danny Trejo is like a cat with nine lives. And now the Hollywood hardman actor has reinvented himself yet again – this time as a London restaurant boss. 

It’s a role he was born to play.

Danny already has a string of Mexican restaurants across America, but Trejo’s Tacos, slap bang in the middle of achingly hip Portobello Market is the first one to open outside of the States. Lucky London, eh?

Once you have weaved your way through the hordes of tourists looking for Hugh Grant’s famous blue front door from Notting Hill, this cool cantina is an oasis of laid back calm and charm.

It’s a Tardis-like two storey hang out which also has an outdoor terrace, a snazzy tequila packed cocktail bar and even an underground speakeasy which is perfect for a private party.

The restaurant recently hosted its first birthday party down there recently, and when we visited on a Sunday afternoon a bunch of very giggly schoolgirls appeared to be having a rather excellent celebration too. 

Sadly for star spotters there was no sign of Danny himself but there is no escaping him.

His snarling face bears down from huge murals painted on the walls, showing the silver screen veteran at the peak of his machete wielding psychopath powers. 

Don’t let that put you off though, the food is great and the drinks are even better.

They take their beverages very – very – seriously at this place, regardless of the fact that Mr Trejo, who has now reached the grand old age of 80, has been sober for more than half a century. 

Yes that does sounds like a long time, but bear in mind that we are talking here about a man who started dealing drugs at the age of seven, was first arrested when he was ten and spent most of his teens in and out of young offenders institutions. 

You get the gist, he started young and the lad was a bit of a wrong ‘un, but when it comes to margaritas he finally got something right.

Here the tequila and mezcal based cocktails come frozen or on the rocks and infused with an extensive list of options ranging from strawberry and mango to unexpected and exotic jalapenos, cucumber, pineapple, lavender and even avocado or coriander. 

There are loads of alcohol free options too.

Lunch kicked off with a shrimp tostada, with a little mound of perfectly sauteed juicy prawns perched on top of a pile of guacamole. 

It was great, but too small to share. We tried. Don’t bother – order two.

The burritos on the other hand are definitely big enough to split.

They come stuffed with a choice of beef barbacoa, grilled chicken, spicy shrimp, mushroom or surf and turf. There was also a breakfast option which looked pretty interesting but eventually, after considerable wrangling, we went for the jackfruit option.

Neither of us is vegetarian, and in hindsight it may have been a poor choice as it was pretty bland but there are bottles of hot sauce on the table to spice up proceedings if, like me, you want your taste buds on fire.

I wanted to try the cheeseburger taco, but it was not available that day, so we went for the beer battered fish and the slow cooked pork tacos. 

The flavours packed into both really were great, nice and spicy and fantastically messy – not advisable if you’re on a first date.

Luckily I am not above wiping my chin with wads of napkins, or even the back of my hand, so will absolutely be heading back for more.