Cali-Mex

Ah, the omnipresent Cali-​Mex, also the closest thing Hong Kong has to a taco bell, or Chipotle’s. The food is uninspired but at average, you won’t leave saying «wow, let’s take Tommy and Gina to Cali-​Mex next time». Tommy and Gina might actually back down.
The choices are standard, pick from Burrito, Salad, Quesadilla or Taco; pick a meat/​vegetable, black beans or refried beans and then any other add-​ons. The cheapest combo will cost HKD 78 for original chicken/​beef, beans or spinach. Then it’s HKD 88 for grilled chicken, pulled pork or Barbacoa beef; HKD 98 for Angus steak, fish or shrimp and so on.
I have no qualms about the food actually, I come once a week for lunch because it is convenient, and in Hong Kong you are hard pressed to find a more lean and protein-​rich lunch. Cali-​Mex food isn’t amazing, but you know exactly what you are getting at least. What’s annoying is the add-​ons. You have to pay extra for guac (+HKD 18), what the ef man. And coke/​water is 28 bucks, meaning I am paying the full price of a happy meal to get a bottle of water? At a fast food chain? Does Hong Kong have a water and avocado shortage?
**Following is a rant. You may choose to ignore**
Here is where man fails at logic. In a club I will happily pay 3k for a bottle of champagne, and keep that change you’re welcome. But that’s in a club, where I am getting table service, in a much nicer environment where I am trying to impress friends, and more likely, I don’t care because I am drunk. But zoom back to the sober world of Cali-​Mex, where I refuse to pay 30 bucks, or 1% of the price of that champagne, for that bottle of water, which is actually good for me. Why? Because the experience! You are a fast food chain Cali Mex, not a fancy little Italian restaurant — people don’t expect to pay a premium for water here! People don’t expect to pay extra for guacamole in a (non-​hipster) Mexican fast food chain either! Actually, I would be less infuriated if the base price was higher and guacamole was ‘included’. It’s all in the perception really…
When you see a restaurant open several stores in a short span of time (11 stores in 1.5 years?), it feels like this is more a way to earn a quick buck than to serve quality food. And when you actually go in and see all these margin-​boosting add-​ons, you realise it is not a mere feeling, but the truth.
But that being said, I’ll still be coming back to Cali Mex, because there isn’t much alternatives here. Sigh.
God of Cuisine, deliver us from the barren land of Hong Kong that is devoid of Mexican food options…

I’ve come here many times as you can see by my check-​ins and though I may have been resistant at first (San Francisco Mission District Mexican for life!), I’ve fallen somewhat hard for Cali-​Mex.
Out of everything Cali-​Mex does, I think they do quesadillas best. Filled with chunks of white meat chicken breast, plenty of gooey cheese, a salsa of my choice (medium, please!) and then topped with sour cream and guacamole, Cali-Mex’s quesadilla provides a comforting slice of the west when I need it the most. And their half-​sized portion is perfect for one person, trust me.
If you’re like me and prefer to conclude your meal with a sweet, try the churros with caramel or chocolate sauce. By no means is this low-​cal, but if you’re going to indulge do it right. Right?
Cali-Mex’s website and new app make it easy to get your Mexican graving satisfied no matter where you live on HK island. And better to order directly through them instead of FoodPanda as Cali-​Mex doesn’t charge a service fee… who doesn’t like saving a bit dough?

Try as I might, I can’t bring myself to like Cali-​Mex. Three meals at two locations and I always end up feeling a bit off afterwards. Having tried the chicken and pork in both taco and salad form, neither left me overly impressed. And while I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, there seems to be something about the flavour of the lettuce that doesn’t work for me.
I know others who like the place, but for me its not my cup of tea — plenty of other taco and burrito places that are superior in my opinion.