Chucho's, Byker, Newcastle Mexican restaurant review

Byker _____

If you’re of a particular age then it’s highly likely there's only one word you'd use to fill in the blank.

After nearly 20 years since it’s been on TV, Byker Grove and its motley crew of Spuggy, PJ, Duncan and Geoff, are still what this area of Newcastle is most famous for.

However, I'd argue that nowadays Byker should be just as well known for its tacos as its grove.

The reason being, it’s home to the excellent Chucho’s.

Jesus Tavizon Sosa (nickname Chucho) hails from Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico but has lived in Newcastle for 15 years. In 2017, he opened Chucho’s on Shields Road in Byker, and ever since it’s earned a steady stream of glowing reviews. Even comedian James Acaster singled it out on Off Menu, naming it his favourite taqueria in the UK. 

On a grey and icy day, Chucho’s is a sunny spot with its colourful vinyl tablecloths, primary-coloured walls and sultrily posed Dia de los Muertos doll.

Chucho's menu is dominated by a selection of 15 types of taco, all of which are served on homemade corn tortillas. If you want something else, there are quesadillas, enfrijoladas and burritos.

On the booze front, a good margherita had plenty of citrus and a good whack of tequila. I've always been intrigued the Michaelada, a beer-based cocktail, and intriguing might be the best way to describe it too. Malty modelo lager, spiced tomato juice and a Tajin rim combined to make an unfamiliar yet enjoyable combination. 

A pair of salsas lurking on the table were a herald of things to come. Smoky scotch bonnet salsa roja had a nuclear chilli build whilst a more vibrant yet still hot green salsa was a soothing balm in comparison.

A plate of nachos (£8) had been constructed with the same care as a bouquet of flowers. Gorgeously crisp homemade tortillas were embedded in a pile of comforting refried black beans, thick guacamole, fresh pico de gallo, tangy feta and coriander.

A trio of tacos, made with impeccably fresh soft corn tortillas, were absolute monsters that were well worth their £13.50 for three price tag. 

Crisp battered white fish was paired with shredded red cabbage and a sweet and fruity mango salsa. Earthy spiced nuggets of homemade Mexican chorizo worked exceptionally well alongside a pile of pink pickled onions. Finally, crisp-edged shreds of pork carnitas with thick guacamole were very good too.

We saw a neighbouring diner nodding with approval after every mouthful of his enfrijoladas (£7). So, we decided it was probably a good idea to order a portion. A quartet of soft corn tortillas were stuffed with hearty refried beans and topped with tangy feta, onion and coriander. The clincher was the nuggets of crisp and smoky chorizo (£2 extra) that were scattered over the top.

Impressed so far, it would have been rude to turn down a portion of churros (£6.50) for dessert. Crisp and well-coated in cinnamon sugar, they were naughtily served on a generous pool of Nutella. 

We had an excellent lunch at Chucho’s and I’d concur with James Acaster that they’re some of the best tacos I’ve eaten in the UK. Despite the wealth of excellent restaurants in Newcastle, I’d be itching for a return to Byker for some tacos next time we’re in the area.

The Details:

Address - Chucho's, 279 Shields Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1DQ
Web - https://www.chuchosmexican.co.uk/
Telephone - 0191 265 7458

Konak, Roath, Cardiff Turkish restaurant review

There’s a good reason why many people’s favourite curry house, Chinese restaurant or fish and chip shop is just a short walk from where they live.

It’s not necessarily because they serve the best food, have the friendliest service, or the best vibes.

Of course, they’re all very important. But, it’s convenience which is the factor that many people neglect to mention when naming their favourite places. 

I can certainly relate. At the end of a busy week, I’d rather go somewhere just a small shuffle from home instead of schlepping across town for a shashlik or shish.

Which brings me to Konak, a new Turkish-ish restaurant that’s opened a short walk from where we live and that also happens to be en route to two of my favourite watering holes, Pop n Hops and State of Love and Trust.

Located on the former site of the Juboraj by Roath Park, a konak is the Turkish word for a large stately home. Whilst the building that Cardiff’s Konak occupies isn’t exactly a stylish mansion, it’s great to see the venue back in action after its inauspicious end under previous owners. They’ve done a nice job on the refurb of the interior too, with its dark wood and moody lantern lighting.

Konak’s menu is dominated by a Turkish influenced selection of mezze, grills and casseroles as well as a few European sounding dishes, like creamy garlic mushrooms and seabass with turmeric beurre blanc. 

I always enjoy a beer with a kebab, and Konak serves the highly gluggable Efes (£6.50) on draught.

A basket of complimentary bread was warm and squishy with a good glossy crust. Sweet red pepper and garlic and mint yoghurt dips were lovely accompaniments.

Our sizeable hot starter platter for four delivered a bevy of treats and was well-priced at £25. Despite arriving in what seemed like a matter of minutes, it all tasted freshly cooked to order. 

There were crisp crumbed calamari and whitebait, golden crusted halloumi that was very good dipped in sweet chilli sauce, loose textured falafel flecked with whole chickpeas, slices of addictively savoury and spicy fried sucuk, and little filo pastry cigars filled with feta and mozzarella.

Four of us ordered the mixed grill and were all impressed. It’s worth noting though that at £23, it’s a good few quid more expensive than the mixed grill at Saray and Troy.

Loose-textured lamb adana kebab had a lovely waft of smoke and was flecked with plenty of herbs. Golden chicken shish and lamb shish were both commendably tender. However, I preferred the chicken over the lamb. Zesty red cabbage, grated carrot, perky leaves and charred peppers and onions were a cut above the usual kebab house salad whilst a mound of carbs combined a buttery mix of rice and orzo with a layer of nutty bulgur wheat.

We ordered a couple of bowls of fries (£4) because you can never have enough carbs. Whilst they were most likely bought in, they hit the mark when it came to crispness and seasoning.

Mrs G was the only person to order something other than a mixed grill and her chicken shish with yoghurt (£20) was every bit as impressive. Hunks of tender chicken were bathed in thick and creamy garlic-twanged greek yoghurt, a fruity tomato sauce, and capped off with a good drizzle of rich and caramel-twanged brown butter.

On the side was more of that excellent salad, rice and bulgur.

We had a lovely dinner at Konak and the witty waiter who delivered a steady stream of puns made the experience all the more enjoyable. I hope Konak is embraced by the local community on its doorstep who will be crucial to its success. The signs are promising as it was packed on the weekday evening we visited.

The details:

Address - Konak, 2 Lake Road West , Cardiff CF23 5PG
Web - https://konakwales.co.uk/
Telephone -  02920 488999