Lucky Lupitas

I had heard many good things of this place, particularly when it was originally located in Bedford Park. I finally made a girl date at the O’Connell st location to see what all the fuss was about.
Unfortunately the service was far below expectations. It took way too long to be initially served and acknowledged. When our food eventually surfaced, our mains came out before entrees, and our drinks came out after our food had been served and finished despite asking several times by way of having to get up and hunt down a waiter.
The cocktails were awful and misleading. Thinking that the fruit margarita was going to be an elaborate cocktail with fresh fruit or juice was in fact purely reconstituted juice which tasted like the once popular pop top drinks we once loved as kids — way too sugary and if there was any alcohol in this, you wouldnt know! One sip and we left both.
I love tacos and this was the driving force behind why we opted for Mexican this night. Unfortunately the soft tacos were chewy and tough, and the fillings not fresh, over cooked and lacking in flavour.
The dessert was redeeming. We tried the crème caramel and a Chocolate flan which were both delicious. Unfortunately this was not enough to overturn the experience.
Overall the food was very underwhelming and I expected far more. Teamed with the very disappointing service, I won’t be returning.

The chipotle chilli corn is the real deal. Food well priced, tasty, fresh and reasonably good service. Price of sangria and margaritas is over the top ($ 15 for a glass of tap margarita). No coffee or tea.

Awesome new location! The interior is super funky warehouse style. Where else can you recline on a mountain of tequila???
Super yummy food. Mexican on a new level. Thanks. Will be back soon!!!

Lucky lupitas opened in north Adelaide, closed due to some issue with a landlord and then has reopened as «transit». Unfortunately although the service and atmosphere was buzzing on a Friday night the food was uneven in quality. The caipirinha cocktail was excellent, the taco good, and a custom children’s chicken burger ok. Service was very attentive and flexible although it might be advantageous to speak Spanish! Downsides were the pulled steak dish which was a little chewy, and the tuna special which I think was cured but was really chunky and a part was so tough it was inedible. The nachos had good ingredients but was unbalanced and difficult to eat as it was piled into a small bowl. Overall I think the flavours were a little unusual, perhaps authentic Mexican is so different to what Aussies (and Koreans) are used to. My impression was the right ingredients were used but without much care. Oh and another lettuce washing issue with my partner complaint of sand. The price is on the low side so a meal here won’t break the budget! Hopefully given the rave reviews before they relocated bright things are on the horizon.

Delicious sangria, divine chicken nachos.
Great service and atmosphere. Get in at opening time if you don’t want to line up.

I have an American who has been living in Australia since 2009 in Sydney, Perth and now Adelaide. This may be the best Mexican food that I have had since I came here. I was there last night with my wife and two friends and we ordered over half of the menu. We were not disappointed! Highly recommend.

Instead of writing a classic «I went here and… Bla bla bla» review, I’m just going to write things from the menu and how much I love them. Here goes…
Elote! Omfg. This is the best. Corn on the cob with chipotle mayo and grated cheese with lime juice. Nomnomnom.
Quesadillas!!! This is good! Get this. So tasty, you’ll cry and accuse your dinner companions of eating your share when they’re all gone.
Carne de Cerdo tostada! Pulled pork tortilla with all the things. Melts in your mouth like a melty pork rainbow.
Spicy Sangria! Sangria with spices. Shut up and take my money!
Antojitos! Little tacos. Different fillings, so lots to choose from. Put it in my face now!
Red Pig beer! Awesome Mexican beer. Get on the flavour freight train.
Ribs! Do they still do these? I hope so, because they’re awesome.

A mixed bag.
Bad.
The music was at a suitable level for a nightclub.
The waitress was more interested in turning over the tables than explaining the menu.
The nachos was cold and had obviously been pre-​made a long time before.
Don’t go expecting to get a burrito.
Good.
Apart from the nachos, the food was fresh and tasty. The ingredients were fresh and the flavours worked well together.
Prices are reasonable.
They don’t take reservations and I usually avoid these places. I should have stuck to my principles.
I won’t be returning.

Be prepared for a wait, but it’s worth it. Cute little place, with awesome Latin American food.

Ok… I have to admit it. I have a love affair with Lucky Lupitas.
Going to Lucky Lupitas is like going on a first date. You have to be patient wait for your turn. I sit out the front of the shop just hoping that my name will be called next. When you hear your name called, you jump up with excitement. «Ahhh Yes! My turn!!»
This restaurant is eclectic, small and cosy. One thing I love in restaurants is when you can see the Chefs working hard in the kitchen. This gives you more appreciation for the food that is produced.
Now onto the menu; the mastermind behind the menu has turned corn on the cob into God. Most people think corn is boring filler in a meal. This is definitely not the case at Lucky Lupitas, I dream of Elote.
There is a remarkable flavour in the meat dishes, smokey hints amongst the most amazing spices and sauces. Everything is super fresh and colourful. And don’t worry vego’s, there is food for you too! Get into the mushroomy awesomeness that is Quesadilla de Hongo y Frijoles!
And then there is the Sangria… ohhhh the Sangria. Well priced for one of Adelaide’s best Spiced Sangria’s. It’s magic…
So by the time I am done, I am feeling like the guy in the restaurant in Monty Python’s «The Meaning of Life». I roll out of the restaurant and await our next encounter.
Lucky Lupitas, I love you!

As a Texas ex-​pat, I’ve had my share of MEXICAN food … Lupitas is AMAZING. Yes, there’s spice — but it accentuates the flavors of the meal. The quality of the food is superb. Queso, frijoles, Tacos con Pollo y Tacos con Carne, did I mention Queso? Top of superb food with a staff that just makes you smile — this place is a MUST DINE AT for anyone in the Land Downunder.
It’s not Tex-​Mex, it’s not Franchise-​Chain, it’s not Guadalajara or Yucatan or Fusion. This is REAL. OUTSTANDING. MEXICAN. FOOD. If you think you’ve had good MEXICAN before, come in here for GREAT Mexican. You deserve superb Mexican Food — Lucky Lupita’s delivers

I was introduced to this place last night and I defiantly recommend it to all. This is a cool place, seeing it from the front tucked away between a few shops I had no idea it was even there but to my surprise it was off the Hook. Great food atmosphere and a wide selection o Mexican brews To wash it all down.

After my earlier review of 4 stars tonight was almost a compete turn around on the experience we last had. Our nachos was luke warm and small. The pulled pork dish was again just luke warm. And the $ 30 «500gm Ribs» was 1 singular rib with three bites of meat on it. The food itself tasted nice and service was fine but this was such a let down and left hungry. Very disapointed unfortunately.

I love me some Mexican flavours and Lucky Lupitas has those to spare.
Although there’s only a small menu, I’m sure you’ll find something to satisfy, from a light snack on a single Taco to a big chunk of slow cooked Beef Rib they have it.
If I lived down that way this would be a regular hangout for damn sure

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 décor is great, service quick & friendly and the place has a great buzz.

Have been there several times and the food is nice. It is very popular so if you want to get a table and not wait — camp outside before it opens. Decided to do this tonight and introduce Mr 5 and Miss 3 to real mexican food.
It was a mixed success for all of us. Mr 5 enjoyed it but Miss 3 was a bit full from childcare afternoon tea and so was quite picky (at least both behaved well). Unfortunately due to eating a mostly raw vegan and gluten free diet since we last came here, despite enjoying the food at the time hb and I am still feeling pretty bleh… don’t get me wrong, the food here is really awesome… it is just the old digestive system can’t cope with it anymore (such a shame)…ie don’t let this put you off as the place rocks and the food is delicious.

Lucky we got there just a few minutes after opening time, very limited parking spaces and restaurant filled up very fast. almost full by 5:45pm. I like the dinning atmosphere and the decoration — especially the light.
We had Lucky ribs with Chipotle bbq sauce: very tender meat which just falls off the bone, but the first bite –omg, it was so salty. Lots of sauce over the top, very salty bbq sauce. without the sauce, the beef didn’t have much flavour.
Next: grilled corn on the cob with chipotle mayonesa, cheese & lime. When it first arrived, the cheese smell was so strong, i was a bit scared to eat it, but the taste was very good, sweet and juicy.
Chipotle Mayonesa hamburger: once again, very salty sauce. but the beef was lack of seasoning.
side chips were nice and crispy.
overall, I don’t mind the food, bit salty for me, but it would be a good place for group of friends hanging out, young family.

Lucky Lupitas does amazing Mexican. The spices, the flavours and the atmosphere were all great. I was lucky enough to not just get a park but also go on a lunchtime where they weren’t too busy. The staff were very polite, attentive and easy to talk to. Music filled the small restaurant and gave it a good theme overall. The longest I have ever had to wait there is 45 minutes and it was definitely worth it. I do wish that they were larger though cause there food should be enjoyed by the masses.
I order the empanadas. They were three small, tasty «samosa-​like» pieces that were filled with chicken, spices, grilled corn and served with guacamole, mexican coriander and tomato. The flavours were exquisite, rich and the food was well presented in a little bowl. Some of the other people who I went with ordered burgers which also looked quite nice. I have also had the burgers before and they are absolutely fantastic. I was lucky enough to let them share a chip with me, and they tasted amazing, they were seasoned in paprika and served with an incredible sauce that reminded me somewhat of a creamy mustard.
The burgers had a nice beef patty seasoned with Columbian tomato — a nice sauce of cilantro and tomatoes. All the salad was fresh and the lettuce was shredded well. There was also seasoned onions and cilantro on the side which were nice along with some oven toasted corn chips.
The tastes were so nice. I can still taste the meal even after leaving the restaurant almost an hour ago, however they are most pleasant.
The dessert was just as good. My waitress described it as being like «crème» caramel. I am glad I ordered it and it was well priced too at just $ 7. It was custard (served in a bowl shape) with a caramel sauce poured around the edges. It was served slightly warmed which made it impeccable on the palette. Although I am not much of a sweet tooth, that was a great way to finish after the exquisite spices and guacamole from my main meal.
Overall, this restaurant has a good balance of the key things that all restaurants should have. The serving proportions were comparable to the «goldilocks theory», not too big, not too small, just right. Foods and spices used were balanced and added to the flavours of key ingredients positively. Pricing was well adjusted and the atmosphere with the music could make one feel as though they were in Mexico having a siesta if they were to just close their eyes for a minute — albeit the décor did help contribute to such a delusion, as the restaurant is well decorated with blackboards that have key mexican culinary definitions, lamps and mexican objects scattered on the shelves.
I will be going back (in fact since writing this review, I have gone back twice). A great dining experience and like few others I have ever had before. One little gripe that I have is that the mexican music was a tad loud for conversation but it was not that bad.
I thought that Kwik Stix (in the same block) was good, however Lucky Lupitas just takes dining at Bedford Park to the next level. And at $ 100 for five people with drinks and dessert, the value can not be beaten.

Lucky Lupitas is hands down the best mexican you can get south of the border (or the city.).
When you arrive, after possibly struggling to find a park, you might see people waiting outside. Don’t do what I did and just sit there, I thought everyone was queueing, but after seeing the two groups that arrived after me do it, you have to put your name down for a table.
The staff were friendly and brought us popcorn whilst we waited. Which was nice, it was cold and strangely the popcorn helped.
Once inside I got a watermelon margarita, which was amazing!
I ordered Tostades as a main, the waitress suggested sharing a few items between my partner and myself, but one was fine for me. The Tostades was a black bean mash with plantains, which is a healthy vegetable, and they fry it twice which makes it amazing.
The menu may be confusing but one of the walls explains the menu items, so bring your glasses.
I loved the décor and the mismatched cups and homely feel.
Only drawback was once I was there with some uni girls for lunch and we wanted to discuss our assignment. We asked them if they could please turn the music down, as it was SO loud and we were the only people in the restaurant. They turned it down a little bit, but we still couldn’t hear each other very well. BUT at nighttime the loud mexican music is really fun. FIESTA!

Oh my gosh goodness this place was amazing!
I dropped into Lucky Lupitas for lunch on a blustery Friday and was deliciously welcomed by the warm atmosphere and the inviting smoky smells from the kitchen. I was promptly seated by the lovely wait staff who asked if I wanted a drink as they handed my friend and I the menus (something I always love when eating out) and the waitress explained the menu to us. We decided that as we were starving from our various life exploits to share the nachos plate and then I ordered the vegetarian quesadillia and my friend the soft shell pulled beef taco. All three were delicious and incredibly filling. The nachos are definitely the best in Adelaide, the Hilton’s Brasserie and Zapata’s have nothing on this. The corn chips are very crispy, the refried beans are spot on the guacamole and Chipotle mayonnaise are generous and so fresh.
My quesadillia was crispy and (now I shall sound like a broken record) delicious, the mushrooms were spot on and the serving size was spot on. My friend’s taco was delicious, by all accounts everything was delicious, delicious, delicious.
So there must be some negatives, and these are the ones I spotted: the wine list is by no means extensive and is solely house wines, corkage is $ 10 if you BYO, but I don’t drink alcohol with meals so hardly a problem in my eyes. Another problem which has been touched on here is the parking. As someone who works at Flinders Medical Centre, I can comfortably say that parking between 8am and 10pm, particularly on a weekday, is quite difficult but don’t forge that if you get stuck you can always you the FMC carpark which isn’t too pricey (that said I neglected my staff carpark on the day I visited and got a park right out the front of the restaurant).
In summary, you must eat here. If you can, come here for lunch so that you miss the evening queues, and enjoy the delicious, deliciousness.