Travelogue: Mexican Restaurant in Seminyak Serves Up Scrumptious Street Snacks

Balinese Adventure Part 12

Michael Taylor asks the front desk staff at One Eleven Seminyak in Bali about a Mexican restaurant he sees on his way to the hotel. They arrange for a driver to take him there. Will it live up to his expectations?

You can take a Californian out of California, but you can’t take the love of Mexican food out of the Californian.

As a Californian myself, I am thrilled to see a Mexican restaurant not far from the hotel I am about to check into as I travel from Ametis Villa Bali in Cangcu, Bali, to One Eleven Seminyak in Seminyak, Bali.

I decide to have lunch there. I mention it to the staff at the front desk of the hotel, and they arrange for a driver to take me there.

But the restaurant he takes me to isn’t the same one I saw earlier. (There’s more than one Mexican restaurant in these parts??? You mean, I have a choice???)

Not to worry. This restaurant looks even better than the one I spotted on the way to the hotel!

I walk inside. Does this place rock? I’ve never been to Mexico, but I have a feeling that this is the way restaurants would look like at seaside communities in Mexico. But what about the food?

Guacamole  + Mojito

I start with a perfect mojito and some very yummy guacamole. It’s lumpy with chunks of avocado and tomato – just the way I like it. Just the right amount of lime gives just the right amount of kick. The tortilla chips are made in house.

The menu runs from primeiros – or Mexican tapas – to street nibbles to to 6 kinds of taco. There are also huevos rancheiros, ensaladas, and dessert.

Shortly after my order is taken, two kinds of hot sauce – which appear to be home made – arrive at my table. No salsa, just hot sauce – there IS a difference, you know. (And if you don’t, I won’t bother explaining.)

Two al pastor tacos – grilled pork that has been marinated – arrive a few minutes later. They are topped with pineapple salsa, onions, and coriander.

In California, we’d call these tostadas – which are, essentially, the same thing as tacos except they are opened faced rather than folded over. These are open faced – same, same (but different)! 

They are a bit messy (which is usually a good sign with Mexican food), falling apart the first time you try to pick them up.

I tend to judge Mexican restaurants by whether there are napkin dispensers on the table (because with Mexican food the way I like it, you need lots of napkins). There are. So far, so good!

I’m still hungry. The waitress is not suprised. She left the menu on the table for a reason.

I follow up with a taco de pollo – a grilled chicken breast taco topped with pico de galo and shredded red cabbage. An interesating combination. I’ve never had anything like this before.

To Each His Own

I’ve read a few complaints in Trip Advisor about the size of the servings at Motel Mexicola, and this is what I have to say:

If you’re expecting massive servings along with rice and beans on the side, you might be disappointed. But this food is positioned as ‘Mexican street food’, and I think it lives up to its billing.

It’s the type of fare I would expect to be served at a taco truck on East 14th Street in East Oakland.

My only complaint would be the price. Street food doesn’t usually cost this much. My bill comes to about 260,000 rupiah – roughly US$25. 

Would I go back to Motel Mexicola? Yes. In fact, I’m thinking of having dinner there tonight!

Where

Jalan Kayu Jati No 9, Petingenget Beach, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia. Telephone: +0361 736-688.