Taco Bill Mexican Restaurants

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  7     

I reckon that the experience was a much better one than Mamasita. Even though the place is small and does not have many seatings, it felt like home and the food was prepared from the heart and soul of the chefs busy at work in the 'open' kitchen!

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May 18, 2011 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  2     

My friend and I where both disappointed with our meals, ( although I did bring my left overs home and they tasted better the next day ) The taco's tasted very oily and over fried. We waited at least 45 minutes for our meals to be served. The 'welcome' chips we were given tasted stale but the salsa was very nice. The restaurant itself was very hot and uncomfortable. I had to share a bench with the table next to me which kept tipping forward when either of us moved. I over heard the waitress bought our table neighbours the wrong meal twice. Very expensive meals, one small glass bottled of coke was $3.75 with a $15 food minimum. Toilets looked like they had not had a cleaning in a while.

Jan 13, 2011 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  3     

Pricing? Comparable to Nandos, I'd say. It's still fast food, even if they give you a china plate and a metal fork and knife.

The food was really bad though. I'm writing this the morning after and I feel like I've just eaten the meal, like all that meat and cheese and rice and beans is still undigested. Not a good feeling. The food was so obviously re-heated. Now, yes, restaurants pre-prepare food. It's a necessity. But they tend to reheat it in ways where it doesn't lose too much, if any, quality. Indeed, pre-preparing slow-cooked meat dishes tends to make them *better*. Not in this case. And yes, the food, which looked most unappetising, arrived on a screaming hot plate.

The food was bland, even when jacked with a sprinkling of chilli flakes. The place was very cramped. The service was poor. When they took orders for drinks, they didn't bother going around to everyone. Before we even got to that stage they'd messed up our booking, a booking that was going to bring them a few hundred dollars and told us we'd have to finish quickly.

I wasn't looking forward to this meal and obviously I won't be going back. At this price point there is so much good (or, at least, better) stuff of great variety available both inside and just out of the CBD. I believe there's a Mexican place in the food court at Crown. If you're really craving Mexican food, you'd probably do better there for ten dollars less.

Sep 04, 2010 

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  5     

Took family to lunch, contrary to last comment we found the ambience very cosy and comfortable. Staff was very friendly and service was quick and efficient.
I agree with the plated being scalding hot, and I don't think it is a good idea especially dining with children.

The meals seemed pre prepared and stuck under a flaming hot grill. Meat was dry and rice was inedible. Partner got chilli con carne (didn't like it) I had the potato skins, don't understand where the title came from as the only potato was a soggy potato underneath. Kids had the sizzling plate Fajita, this was the best pick. Other child had a soft shell taco and didn't really rave about, but couldn't care less as he was only interested in the Death by chocolate dessert. The dessert was value for money as the chocolate taco (2 brownies with vanilla ice cream) and the death by chocolate (chocolate ice cream, choc mousse layers) dessert was $7.50 each.

Prices were ok 4 main meals, drinks and dessert $140.00 not cheap but not over the top. Don't think this is anywhere authentic Mexican but they are having a good try.

Jul 18, 2010 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  1     

First impressions of the restaurant - small, cramped/crowded.

Important - if you eat here, be very weary of your plate when they serve it to you. I am having trouble typing this review due to the blisters on my fingers. The plates are placed in front of you scaldingly hot, I grabbed my plate to turn it around when I received it, and I nearly threw it across the room because it was so hot. How a restaurant can survive with practices like this is beyond me.

I had high hopes for this place, and the Nachos we had for an entree were very good, some of the best I have had. I wish I had more good things to say, but I'm afraid the rest is bad. The main course took an age to come out, and from the quality, I cannot understand why.

I am convinced they merely arranged the meal on a plate, then stuck the whole thing in an oven. This dried out the beans, and turned the guacamole into greasy film baked into the side of the tortilla. The chicken in my Encillada had a disturbing resemblance to cat food, only cat food would have more taste. It was bland and dry, with (literally) nothing on it for flavour, no salsa, nothing.

I was about to leave the restaurant without eating more than a mouthful of my meal before I got the idea to rescue this dish by asking for a bowl of the salsa they supplied with the Nachos. This made the food bearable, and enjoyable enough to finish, (despite the chicken being so dry!). The dish was also served with under-cooked and tasteless rice.

Overall, I would not go here again, and would not recommend it to anybody. The quality of the food and service is a world apart from the price tag. In short: Check your plate before you touch it, to make sure it is not hot enough to burn your fingerprints off. If you order chicken, get salsa to give it back some moisture lost in the oven. Either that, or just order Nacho's.

Feb 06, 2010 

5.8 Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  4     

Food was cold and to be honest, not very nice at all. Would have done better to get food from a food court! Service was excellent, it is a shame, food let it down. Don't bother going here, it's easy to find some place that's better!

Feb 05, 2008 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  4     

Have had better Mexican and better Taco Bill meals. Would say this place tries to have an authentic feel but overall dingy, food has huge room for improvement. Sangria was probably the best part of the meal. Melbourne has heaps better dining options in the long run.

Dec 18, 2007 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Staff were friendly and helpful. Restaurant is a little on the small side, but very cosy. Food was absolutely brilliant.

Dec 15, 2006