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“Best freshest mexican food in Joburg”
Review of Mama Mexicana

Mama Mexicana
Ranked #132 of 1,597 Restaurants in Johannesburg
Cuisines: Mexican
Restaurant details
Reviewed January 3, 2018

Great tasty Mexican food in a great little cozy restaurant. I could never understand the fashion for Mexican food before I tasted this. Great service too.

Date of visit: October 2017
1  Thank Kerry W
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (53)
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7 - 11 of 53 reviews

Reviewed December 2, 2017

Chilli poppers just weren't chilli poppers - more like fried cheese spring rolls with very little diced jalapeno inside. Not authentic. Ingredients definitely could have been fresher.
Tasted like drained tinnes tomato sauce on the nachos. Drinks were okay. Fish tacos were okay.

I think the only reason this restaurant is still open is because of the tourist foot traffic. Just don't see how they could have repeat visitors. Went to El Gringo and Baha Taco - worlds apart and just as affordable.

Date of visit: September 2017
    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
1  Thank halh917
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kevinlY2694MW, Owner at Mama Mexicana, responded to this reviewResponded December 4, 2017

Hi, this the chef and co-owner of Mama Mexicana Kevin Liu. I'm so sorry to see that our food didn't please you. Thank you for spending time to post this review.

When we designed our menu, we tried to include those people who don't enjoy spicy food at all. We tried to stay true to the foundation of Mexican cuisine, but we're also very proud to put our own spin and signature stamp on our food. Our fusion recipes are what differentiate us from the other Mexican restaurants in South Africa. I stand by our recipes and food, but I also completely understand that our food might not be what some people expect of us. Our chilli poppers are indeed deep fried spring roll pastry filled with three different types of cheese and jalapeño slices. That's our own version of chilli poppers, which allows customers who don't enjoy very spicy food to also enjoy chilli poppers.

I sincerely regret you didn't enjoy our food, but I also must let you know that your comment at the end of your review is very unfair and extremely hurtful. We put our heart and soul into our business. We are also very honoured and proud to be part of the Maboneng Precinct community for more than four years. We have many regular customers who visit us frequently from all over Johannesburg and even other parts of South Africa. We appreciate their support so much. Many of them have also become our good friends over the years. Maboneng is not just a "tourist spot", it's a beautiful community where people love and understand each other, and are courageous to put in their own efforts to make Johannesburg a better place. You said we're only still open because of tourists and we can not have repeat customers, that statement is definitely incorrect and not objective.

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Reviewed September 3, 2017

Funky little restaurant. I had the fish taco that was really tasty.Good food and a great vibe. Good service and prices. Will definitely visit them again.

Date of visit: September 2017
1  Thank TiaanB16
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed July 17, 2017 via mobile

Great & tasty Mexican food & drinks. Cozey venue and good friendly service. Nachos my favourite. Situated in Maboneng district. Very vibey at weekends especially Sunday

Date of visit: June 2017
1  Thank Be R
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed June 22, 2017 via mobile

I have a very conservative, narrow minded bigot of a friend with a good heart and generous nature who has been begging me to come to this restaurant. Which is ironic since I spend a lot of time in Maboneng and I have also been begging him to join me. Now he is like the official tour guide for the area. And it's all because of this restaurant.

Last night a small group of us found our way there. While being guided by our "tour leader" around the area whom was the least likely to ever go to Maboneng. Anyway - I can absolutely recommend this restaurant. The prices are matched perfectly to the food - which is so tasty you can't stop eating. It's like a drug. Just don't overdose like we did.

Date of visit: June 2017
1  Thank Produsa
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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