On a typical Thursday evening, I was steadily typing away. That monotony was swiftly ended when a good mate of mine began raving about his latest Mexican hotspot in the heart of Shoreditch. Having been a former resident of Mexico City myself; I’m a ravenous fiend to find the best taste of Mexican in London Town. Since the dilapidation of La Catina Loreda, and the incandescent rise of Wahaca; I’ve been somewhat resolute with the Americanised Mexicana the big city offers.
From the moment you step inside, you’re transported to a world of vibrant colours and infectious energy.
That was until an invite to the fruitfully named ‘Club Mexicana’ came along. All sorts of excitement filled my waning heart. Perhaps this was the kick it needed to feel like I was in Mexico again to fill my arteries with so much Carnitas grease that I’d be kicking the bucket. We booked a table immediately for the next Taco Tuesday: an all-you-can-eat hour of the finest ingredients Club Mexicana has on offer. My hope grew and grew until my compadre for the evening mentioned: all the food is 100% Vegan.
The History of Club Mexicana
Club Mexicana began as a humble supper club in Hackney, London, in 2013. Founded by Meriel Armitage, the concept was born out of frustration with the city’s lack of quality vegan dining options.
What started as a small-scale, Saturday night affair quickly gained a dedicated following. With its delicious vegan Mexican cuisine and vibrant atmosphere, Club Mexicana promptly became a local favourite. The success of the supper club led to the expansion into London’s bustling street food scene. Club Mexicana’s presence at food markets and festivals was a game-changer. Word grew of their tacos, burritos, and other Mexican specialities became a staple for foodies across the city. The brand’s popularity soared, and it was clear that there was a growing demand for high-quality, plant-based Mexican cuisine.
Today, Club Mexicana stands out as a shining star in the vegan food scene, winning hearts with its mouthwatering cuisine
In 2020, Club Mexicana made a giant leap by launching its first permanent restaurant in the vibrant Soho neighbourhood. This move ushered in an exciting new chapter for the business. It allowed them to showcase their signature dishes in a traditional restaurant setting. The Soho location quickly rose to fame, and since then, Club Mexicana has spread its wings to other hotspots in London, such as Shoreditch and Brixton. Today, Club Mexicana stands out as a shining star in the vegan food scene, winning hearts with its mouthwatering cuisine, lively ambience, and unwavering dedication to ethical and sustainable practices. The brand’s extraordinary evolution from a humble supper club to a thriving restaurant chain serves as a testament to the ever-growing appeal of vegan food and the enterprising vision of its founder.
The Foodie Fiesta
There’s no hiding from the revolution of Vegan alternatives in recent years, and with good reason: it’s ethical, innovative and offers delicious perks to your health. Whilst some have had the superior willpower to overcome their carnivorous desires, there maintains a consistent struggle for those wishing to go meatless. One of the biggest hurdles for those transitioning to a vegan diet is finding satisfying replacements for meat-based dishes. As a fiend for the Mexican munchies, Club Mexicana satisfies the umami urge with a delectable plethora of dishes.
From the moment you step inside, you’re transported to a world of vibrant colours and infectious energy. The decor is a feast for the eyes, with colourful murals and neon signs that create a fun and inviting atmosphere. The menu is a smorgasbord of Mexican delights, from classic tacos and burritos to more adventurous dishes like seitan chorizo and jackfruit ribs. Each bite is a flavour explosion, packed with bold spices and fresh ingredients. Their modus operandi is the ever-tenacious taco. With a variety of fillings to choose from, including crispy tofu, slow-cooked jackfruit, and spicy seitan. They’re served on warm tortillas with a variety of toppings, including guacamole, salsa, and pickled onions. The routinely booked-out Taco Tuesdays opens the door to trying these in all their magnificence, or just stuffing your face to set a record in tacos consumed… Mine is 15 so far.
Where’s the Showcase of Mexicana?
There’s undoubtedly a drawback in focussing your menu on replacing meat dishes. While this can be a comforting choice when appealing to those transitioning from a meat-based diet, it misses out on the opportunity to showcase the incredible versatility and deliciousness of vegetables. The best vegan food often shines by showcasing the natural flavours and textures of plant-based ingredients. However, this is where Club Mexicana often misses the mark. If your appeal to a city-famous vegan Mexican restaurant was to learn about the dishes to one day perhaps replicate in your own home, you will be sorely disappointed.
Why not introduce any one of the nopalitos, huitlacohes or tomatillos which elevate Mexican cuisine?
Also, where are the Mexican ingredients?! I empathise and support the admirable plight of only offering British-grown ingredients to the masses. However, surely the very act of having jackfruit ribs discounts any form of sympathy? Why not introduce any one of the nopalitos, huitlacohes or tomatillos which elevate Mexican cuisine? In the best opportunity to create a herbivore haven in London surely a showcase of traditional Mexican vegetables would not go amiss? It seems, therefore, inevitable that the best tacos on offer were a rendition of deep-fried mushrooms rather than the plethora of replacements available.
Verdict
Is Club Mexicana the best vegan Mexican restaurant in Shoreditch? Almost certainly. Although there’s not an abundance of competition, and the cuisine as a whole is saturated with vegetarian alternatives rather than full vegan imitations such as that which Club Mexicana offers. They bring the fiesta, the cocktails and the creativity no matter their dietary preferences. It’s the perfect place for a work dinner, catch-up with mates or a family outing… although maybe hold it off for the third or fourth date.