Mama Loco

Mama Loco is found at my local mall — Sylvia Park. Inside, it’s like a Mexican take on New Wave aesthetics and not so Mexican. We went early on a week night and so service was quick. We ordered Sangria but I was very disappointed as it tasted like juice and not much in the way of alcohol.
We ordered a couple of the Taco Specials for $ 10. The Pork one I had was accompanied by too much cinnamon with the pineapple and tasted similar to the Sangria. The chipotle we had with our courgette chips was not tasty and kicking like I expected.
All in all, a cheap meal out, the service was good, the menu didn’t deliver on the promise it showed. I wouldn’t bother going back. I think it’s good for youngsters that don’t know great food but are doing it at a budget.
The Churros I have heard are good so maybe try those.

This is probably one of the better food options at Sylvia Park, but it’s not great Mexican food by any standard, really.
And with 2×2 tacos, chips salsa & guac, and two margueritas (these were nice and strong) coming in at $ 70, it wasn’t cheap!
So yeah, if you’re eating at Sylvia Park, you can do worse, but as far as Mexican food goes? You can do way better.

Great dining addition to Sylvia Park. Awesome colourful and funky mexican décor and a simple, yet effective menu. Great if your keen to sit and enjoy a beer but also perfect for a quick lunch stop in.
2 for $ 10 tacos during the week is a great deal!

Sylvia Park isn’t known for being a gastronomic mecca. There’s a few bars and eateries here, a food hall and your usual smattering of fast food joints. Mama Loco kinda crosses the boundaries between all three, adding in a dash of tequila for good measure.
Funky Mexican-​style décor
Funky Mexican-​style décor
It’s situated right on the corner next to Burger Fuel, and the décor is colourful, industrial Day-​of-​the-​Dead style, complete with funky skulls and flowers. Seating is leaners & stools, so not a place you’ll spend a long time in, but perfectly fine for a quick lunch or after-​work drink.
The menu is extensively Mexican; you name it, they’ve got it — tacos, fajitas, guacamole, quesadillas, churros, nachos, tostaditas, chimichangas, tequila… the list goes on. The best part about this place is «Tight Ass Hour»: Two tacos for $ 10, Mon-​Fri 12−3pm. The taco fillings include chicken, prawns, fish, pork belly, beef or vegetarian, and you can choose between soft or crispy tacos.
I’ve tried the beef, prawn, fish & pork belly tacos at different times, and they are all delicious. The accompaniments include fresh flavours such as coriander, mango, avocado, lime and grilled pineapple with selections of authentic Mexican salsa. Arrieba!
The table settings include a selection of hot sauces, and my new favourite, Alderson’s Chipotle Sauce. This is a delicious smokey sauce made in West Auckland that I discovered at Mama Loco, which always adds another level of yum to my Mexican. The wait staff will bring you small plates, which makes this place ideal for sharing flavours. Just watch out for the drip of the tacos as you pass them between yourselves!
The «non-​taco» part of the menu has all the dishes mentioned earlier, as well as other delights. The «albondigas» or Mexican meatballs sound delicious, and I have heard people raving about the MFC Fried Chicken.
The first time we visited this place, we could not find a non-​alcoholic drink on their drinks menu! This is most definitely a BAR/​restaurant, and they serve a wide range of tequila, Mexican beers and cocktails. There are hidden non-​alcoholic delights though, such as mango nectar.
Mama Loco also run a Taco Loyalty card — after 5 tacos, your next one is on the house. At only $ 10 for fresh, delicious tacos, this is hard to beat. It certainly makes the food court look average!

There were 8 of us from work sampling the delights of this local. Between us we tried the Tostaditas (pork), Pollo pibil (Chicken), Camarones (Prawns), De arrachera (Beef), Pescado (Fish) dishes. Everybody enjoyed themselves, the dishes we just the right size. All the dishes could have done with more of the main ingredient though. The cocktails were flowing nicely too. My favourite was Cave Creek Chilli beer, it had a nice bite to it, and yes they do add a chilli as well. Pity I was the driver. Good excuse for another visit.
The staff were very friendly and responded quickly to clear our spillages
Beware of the cocktail glasses, they are easily knocked over. We achieved 3 knock overs. Can you beat us !!! !