http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca <b>Wahaca</b><br />London, 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1w0n28
Review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.00
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Let me set the scene. A friend of mine, a new Mum, had arranged a night off, one where she could leave her house for a few hours and indulge, priorities were nice food and cocktails and some company.

I had heard about Wahaca and was keen to try it, I love good Mexican food and it's not something that you can come across without some effort in London. I had heard that this was the real deal, a friend who had lived in Mexico was very impressed and highly recommended it. It's also in Covent Garden, a convenient point for both of us.

Another point of interest was that it was owned by winner of Masterchef, Thomasina Miers, someone I didn't have much affection for on the TV (at the time, she has since won me over with her Cooks Tour of Spain) but her knowledge of the cuisine and quest for authenticity appealed.

So, off we went, knowing the situation, our expectations were wagamama's canteen style eating and a cheap and authentic eat. We expected a queue and weren't surprised to find one. And so we queued.

While queueing we noticed alot of people were passing us out and it wasn't really very controlled. It seemed the guy manning it was more interested in theatrics and having everyone finding him funny than in being professional and efficient. At first I could ignore it, but, half an hour in I was beyond frustrated. Eventually we approached him and arranged to come back an hour later. This apparantly was the system and even though he was only 6 feet away from us, he didn't approach us at any point in that half an hour to tell us so. We trundled off an had a cocktail in nearby La Perla and returned promptly for our table only to be faced with the same scenario of lack of control or knowledge about who in the queue was next or when anyone would get a table.

About to leave, I expressed my frustration politely and it was handled very badly. The customer is always right, no? Not at Wahaca. Someone else took control and seated us, profusely apologising and provided drinks on the house. We had some nice mojitos and started to settle, things were getting better. We ordered some items from the street food menu and the mole. Both were very good, quite light and full of flavour, exactly what I would have expected.

The ambience? The decor is bright and modern, very nice. It's full on of a weekend evening, large groups, birthday parties, lots of noise, so great for groups but not so great if you just want to catch up with a friend. Happy Birthday was sang raucously more than once in our 2 hours here (there was even a tambourine) and while it was great for the birthday boy/girl, I could have done without it.

To sum up: the food is good and it's a vibrant place, nice decor, central location, but, the start of the evening left a sour taste in my mouth and did taint the experience for us. I wouldn't discount it and will try it again but for a nicer mexican street food experience I prefer the more intimate Taqueria in Westbourne Grove.]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:51:04 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1w0n28625827743 Niamheen 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1u5nx8
Review by bingbong_uk

Rating: 4.00
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Great if you can get past the stage of waiting on the stairs. Like one of the other reviewers it was third time lucky for me.

I think the best plan is to be organised; pop in at 6.30 p.m. before meeting friends and get on the list for a table at 8.]]> Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:45:42 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1u5nx81672035471 bingbong_uk 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/172ki8
Review by misstravelbug

Rating: 4.00
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This is a great informal restaurant, with yummy small portions of food perfect for sharing. Make sure you come before the huge dinner crowd during the weeknights as you can't be seated until all your party is there. So a bit of a bother with big groups, but worth the wait. The service is spot-on.]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:26:44 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/172ki81921888037 misstravelbug 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/106hw8
Review by foodbymark

Rating: 3.00
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I have given this place 3 chances. 2 hits 1 miss. The most frustrating thing about this restaurant is the queue... not least, having to queue for ages just to get your name on a waiting list and then having to come back in an hour and a half. Twice we ended up having enough time to walk to Shaftesbury Avenue to see a film and come back in time to eat!

So, the food... we found the street food to be generally too greasy/oily but the mains better than average. I always order Fish a la mojo and it is always good. Have it in mind that I normally have no problems with grease. I love the pork scratchings. Strangely they weren't covered in oil and are very light. Service is always super speedy... this place is about turnover and has the feel of early Wagamama's or Cha Cha Moon perhaps.

It's a cheap eat... just not as convenient as other cheap eats perhaps. But it is Covent Garden.]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:40:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/106hw8624444847 foodbymark 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1y7fw7
Review by t0m

Rating: 4.00
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I finally made it to Wahaca with a few friends on a Sunday night. It wasn't too packed, but pretty busy.

The food was excellent - a diverse range of flavours on offer, and the prices were good. Their 'tapas' style means you get to try a whole bunch of dishes, which is great. Service is speedy and good (possibly because they want to get the next punters in..). Just don't go here if you don't think you'll like the grease.. It's not really the superfood salads of Leon.]]> Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:37:17 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1y7fw72076974065 t0m 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1b0bb8
Review by Oriana

Rating: 4.00
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For real Mexican food (not greasy TexMex) Wahaca is fabulous. You can't make a reservation and the queue is often quite long, but it's worth it. Everything is made fresh daily and with a tapas style approach you can try loads of different flavours. The margaritas are great too!]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:48:26 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1b0bb8719358046 Oriana 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1r0ak8
Review by hollowlegs

Rating: 3.00
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We came here early on a Friday night around 6:30 and the place was almost full. Tellingly, there was a queue going out of the door by 7pm. Be warned, you may need to share a table - this is not for romantic dates, but perhaps a group of friends.

I agree when another reviewer said the staff are somewhat over-bearing. They did that irritating kneel-by-your-tableside so that you have to talk down to them which embarresses me.

I have never been to Mexico, but found the food great and not at all like the ubiquitous branches of Chiquitos et al. We ordered the sharing platter from the street food for £19.95, with the lighter pork scratchings and guacamole. The pork scratchings were great - light, puffy, porky and the guacamole was delicious too. We were also given free refills.

The platter was ample for the two of us. The chorizo quesadilla was fantastic, and something I'll be giving a go at home. The chicken taquitoes were tasty too. the spicy slaw, however was not spicy whatsoever.

As good as the street food was, halfway through the meal I did start to have an overload of the corn tacos, tacquitos, and totopos. I wasn't a fan of the steak taco - the filling was lovely, but the taco itself was flacid and greasy. My arteries were protesting somewhat by the end of the meal; there was a lot of cheese and sour cream.

Sharing platter for two, pork scratchings and 2 x beers with service came to £33 which I consider to be very good value. We were fed to the brim and out in roughly an hour later - the food is very quick but it also means it's not somewhere to linger.
]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:29:10 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1r0ak81133016547 hollowlegs 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/187am8
Review by Sprotch

Rating: 4.00
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I have become a regular at this place. Not because it is the best food in London, but because it consistently delivers good, satisfying, Tex-Mex food at a reasonable price and in a nice atmosphere.

Wahaca offers a selection of tacos, enchiladas, tortillas and other typical Tex-Mex dishes. They are all good (but not exceptional) and get delivered quickly by a generally friendly waiter (American service style: he's your phony friend).

The atmosphere is also very nice. The crowd always seems to be cheerful, nice and having a good time before going out. It's very pleasant (if you don't mind crowds, this restaurant is very successful). I've compared this restaurant to Wagamama, but that's where Wahaca comes on top: people are having a good time.

Price-wise, it always comes down to £15-20 per person. Very reasonable if you consider that you just had good food in Covent Garden.]]> Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:59:29 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/187am81991564223 Sprotch 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1o28r8
Review by sue

Rating: 4.00
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Wahaca, a trendy new Mexican restaurant near Covent Garden, is a busy place. Arriving at 6pm (pre-theatre) there was already a queue. Thankfully it was a short wait and we were soon seated in a good position with a view of the kitchen.

This is not the place for a lingering romantic meal - it is large, noisy, and service is fast. Perfect for a quick meal before heading elsewhere. Staff are everywhere and several different people attended to our needs throughout the meal.

Wahaca specialises in "Mexican Market Eating", serving up small portions perfect for sharing - Mexican tapas if you like. You can order a "Wahaca Selection" - a set platter with an assortment of small dishes, or make up your own selection. They also have larger meals, such as Burritos, Enchiladas or even a steak, and the various salads served in a crispy tortilla bowl looked great.

We ordered a selection of dishes along with the Wahaca Selection, between four of us. The food was plentiful, cheap and delicious. Particularly loved the steak tacos and the side dishes of frijoles and esquites.

For dessert we shared some Mango sorbet (icy delicious), and some Churros y chocolate - Mexican donuts which you dip in a rich chocolate sauce. Unfortunately the churros were very oily, though the chocolate sauce was mmmm good.]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:46:33 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1o28r81819977602 sue 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1u57o8
Review by Sami

Rating: 4.00
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4 of us were here today for lunch and we all really enjoyed it. I don't have much to add beyond what was said - the food was lovely, really fresh, presented very nicely, and very easy on the wallet.

]]> Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:19:13 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1u57o8186269784 Sami 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1y56x8
Review by chernandezg

Rating: 4.00
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While I consider Mestizo the best Mexican in London (see my review) and yes I am Mexican myself, I must admit I have had many a dinner at Wahaca... primarily because after 2.5 hrs of Ballet in Covent Garden I am really craving their spicy Tortilla soup, some tacos and a cold mexican beer. Great price, great location... I just wish it would stay open one hour longer for those plays that seem to drag on forever... As someone else said, it is "the Wagamama of Mexicans" (I asked... they're not related)]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:31:04 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1y56x81673606791 chernandezg 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1g8647
Review by DavidMuir

Rating: 5.00
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This place is, outstanding.

The one thing in my mind that holds London back from being the worlds finest city is the very poor Mexican food. Any Texan will tell you that.

Well Houston, you now have a problem

Wahaca serves fantastic Mexican food and has really superb staff. My son wanted to go wandering about and he was treated really by the staff (thanks Frenchie).

If you have one new year resolution, make a visit to Wahaca.]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:22:37 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1g8647171487500 DavidMuir 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1d86d7
Review by qwghlm

Rating: 4.00
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You can't book and the decor & style is over-trendy for my liking. And I can't comment on the authenticity of the food. But what we had was really tasty - top-class beef burrito for my friend, while I had the puerca pibil, which was simply delicious - just the right combination of citrus, spices and chilli. Guacamole was a little underwhelming but overall the food was great and the service efficient and friendly.]]> Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:51:51 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1d86d7759876840 qwghlm 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1196l7
Review by Mez

Rating: 3.00
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Seeing that there is already a significant number of positive reviews on this place (except for the one from a Mexican himself which I guess counts for a few..), I won't be too long on this one since it's clearly not the way I'm going to be getting my Xmas San Lorenzo goodie bag this year!

I loved the place and everything about it: the vast space, the colourful decor, the varied seating arrangement, the music. The food was varied and tasty, although not being a Mexican food expert, not much of an idea if it was close to the real deal or not.

The service in general looked good and attentive (although we were less blessed with our somewhat over enthusiastic waiter. Singing loud opera whilst waiting for me to enter my pin number was a highlight I could have happily done without).

Great place to organise a birthday/family/big friends' meal at. It's fun and cheerful and I'd definitely go back there again.

]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:51:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1196l732220667 Mez 51.510302 -0.124256 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca/1e35g9
Review by mexicana

Rating: 1.00
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I went to Wahaca to have dinner and in my opinion it has nothing to do with the real mexican food or taste, not just because someone has tasted mexican food it means that can cook real tasty mexican food!, the service was ok, the food was not worth for the money spent, and it was a disillusion cause I was really hoping to taste a little bit of mexican food. I am mexican so I hope you take my words for it but as I said before this is my opinion.
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