Mumbai has an impressive selection of restaurants, representing cuisines from across the world - however authentic Mexican food is one thing we haven't really been able to crack quite yet. Imagine my excitement when I heard about the launch of a new, premium delivery kitchen offering Mexican food - The Mexican Box. It's the brainchild of passionate foodies Shaan and Meghna Mehta and offers a playful yet sophisticated menu of traditional Mexican dishes, as well as unique takes on some of the classics.
I started my meal with The Nacho Man, a DIY nacho kit which can be a meal in itself. It includes house-coloured tortilla chips and all the fixings, such as queso sauce, refried beans, sour cream, jalapenos, tomato salsa, guacamole, spicy salsa verde, red radish and spring onion garnish, and house-made Mexican match chilli oil. Non-vegetarian add-ons include chicken and crispy bacon. I found the nachos to be satisfyingly crispy and the abundant toppings were really flavourful.
One of my favourites from the menu was the Mexican Pizza, a crispy, heart-shaped flour tortilla topped with refried beans, tangy Mexican pizza sauce, cheese, red jalapenos, spring onions and sour cream. One can opt for additional toppings such as mushrooms or chicken.
Next, I tried Chicken Enchiladas from the brand's House Specials section. The dish featured soft flour tortilla stuffed with onions, peppers and a mix of three beans, covered with house-made enchilada sauce, topped with cheese and baked to perfection. The Enchiladas came with a side of Mexican rice, tomato salsa and sour cream. The portion size is very generous and this can also be a meal in itself.
Quesadillas are another widely popular Mexican dish we're all familiar with. The Mexican Box's versions offer a range of staffing options that include Classic beans, Shiitake & Oyster mushrooms, Grilled Chicken and my personal favourite, Grilled Prawns. You can't go wrong with a tortilla stuffed with cheese and delectable toppings, slowed grilled to perfection! The Quesadillas come accompanied with tomato salsa and sour cream.
That wasn't all. Of course, I ordered tacos. I tried the Chicken Tinga Taco with black beans, grilled onions, jalapenos and shredded cheese served with guacamole and sour cream. The dish was bursting with flavours and textures. Tacos are served in gluten-free, soft-shell, blue corn masa tortillas. Options for fillings include fried plantains; sweet potato; crispy avocado; chicken tinga; pulled pork; and spicy lobster. Each taco is dressed with a variety of delicious condiments depending on the order, which includes pickled onions, charred pineapple salsa, Mexican slaw, black beans, Bhut Jolokia mayonnaise, and much more. The diet-conscious can opt for lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
While Mexican food can become very heavy, health-conscious and vegan diners will also find a number of options to choose from, on The Mexican Box's menu.
I was really satiated, but I still found room to try their dessert - the decadent Heartthrob, a heart-shaped, decadent dark chocolate mousse cake is topped with tres leches cream and pineapple and exotic berries compote.
To wash it all down, the brand offers pre-mixed Mexican drinks, premium beverages that come ready to pour. All the mixes are made without any added syrups or preservatives. Each drink comes with its own suggestions for which alcohol it pairs best with if guests wish to create their own at-home cocktails.
I highly recommend this new entrant to the Mumbai food scene, especially for those looking for authentic Mexican food with some playful touches.
