Guest blog by Chris Weaver
My first step in any restaurant review is invariably a Google of the restaurant’s name. Whilst I would normally hope for a few reviews, a picture or two and maybe some blurb about the restaurant; in the case of Pinche Pinche, a new mexican restaurant in the heart of Chapel Allerton, much hilarity ensued as I shall let the definition of the word ‘pinche’ explain.
Pinche – damned, goddamned or f*****g.
So there it is, ‘pinche’ is a delightfully crass swearword exclusive to Mexican natives. I could only imagine a restaurateur heading over to Mexico and opening an English styled restaurant with the equivalent name. With some further reading I found a second meaning however, that of a kitchen skivvy; the person tasked with washing persons, taking orders and doing the jobs no-one else wants. Whilst I have no idea what the wonderfully dry-humoured owner Simon was trying to suggest, it’s a fun and quirky name that rolls off your tongue again and again.
Regardless of the meaning of the name, Pinche Pinche is by no means a lowly or vulgar restaurant. The candy skull branding and brightly coloured signage catches the eye in a way that the previous business Salsa Mexicana never could and when you head inside, this vibrant and authentic mexican theme is completed by walls full of mexican art, dark wood and an unfairly tempting shelf of sipping tequila above the bar. The tables are close enough together to give it a communal and bustling vibe and a careful selection of scatter cushions, normally something to fill a regular man with fear, complete the look with a touch of warmth.
The menu is full of authentic mexican street food alongside tex-mex classics you ought to recognise. For me the tacos were a real stand-out. Prepared in the traditional mexican style with soft folded tortillas and fresh fillings. The Prawn Taco (£5.95) especially is a great counterpoint to the typical fast food taco offering a fragrant mix of succulent prawns and sweet mango salsa cut with fresh herbs. The Chicken Tinga (£4.25) was also a refreshingly different option filled with juicy shredded chicken and a choice of salsa from a mild Salsa Verde up to a fiery but delicious Habanero Salsa to really test your cojones. If you really want to leave Pinche Pinche feeling fully satisfied however, the only option is the Mission-style Burrito (£8). A super-sized San Franciscan interpretation of a flour tortilla wrapped packed full of meat, refried beans, rice and a plethora of other Latin ingredients.
Alongside this well realised food menu sits an equally well considered drinks menu. I was extremely pleased to see the refreshing Modelo on the menu (a much better mexican option than Corona if you ask me) and was also curious about the Negra Modelo, a german style Dunkel beer brewed in Mexico which offered up a lovely richness and nutty flavour to sit perfectly alongside the fragrant herbs and spice of the food. If beer is not your thing, Pinche Pinche also showcase a heavily latin-centric wine menu, small selection of carefully chosen cocktails and the aforementioned shelf of tequila that I look forward to sampling my way through one day.
All in all, Pinche Pinche is a refreshing and original take on authentic street mexican food in the UK. Alongside the refreshing and well realised food, carefully curated drinks menu and stylish decor, the service was also fantastic; attentive without being stuffy. It’d fill me with pleasure to see their strong branding and curiously chosen name becoming prevalent across the UK. Until then head on down to Chapel Allerton and give it a go. Bookings aren’t necessary though it does get busy most nights between seven and eight.