Secret Diner Review: Mexico, Derby

Published on July 25, 2014

By Ria Amber Tesia

You know that moment when you discover a cool eating place and you just know you’ll be back beating the door down come hail, wind or shine? That was me last week when I dined at Mexico on Derby’s Sadler Gate. It’s quite unassuming, but don’t be fooled by its inconspicuous exterior and modest seating. We were seated near the entrance, surrounded by the usual Mexican paraphernalia (dangerously sharp cacti and hanging Mexican hats that looked ready to blow away).

Now, this isn’t a massive restaurant. The folks at Mexico like to keep it simple, which suits me perfectly, because sometimes it’s nice not to be spoilt for choice, you know? Many menus with trillions of computations have a tendency to leave their diners befuddled with choice and it was refreshing to finally encounter a menu that didn’t need studying like War and Peace.

The cocktail list can fit onto the side of matchbox, and drinks were reasonably priced at £5 a pop. The Passion Fruit Acapulco was zingy, moreish, and a great precursor to the goodness that was to follow. I dived right into my main of chicken enchilada, baked to perfection, followed by scrummy, yummy pecan pie with pastry so short, you could nearly hear the pastry crack when I dug my fork in. The cost for a two-course meal with beers for two was a pocket-friendly £38.95.

But what really did it for me is Mexico’s ‘Chilli List’, which you can choose to flavour your food. You can go Scotch Bonnet hot, or plump for a more chilled out Thai Pepper. To find out how hot you can go and for a Mexican with a twist, get yourself down to Mexico Derby. I promise you won’t be disappointed.