Mexican Independence Day in Helsinki: four places and what to order

Mexico celebrates its independence on 16 September, and the party starts the night before with El Grito. Helsinki does not mark the day on the street, but four kitchens mark it on the plate. This year the 16th falls on a Wednesday, and all four are open.

We spent one evening at El Rey, Lopez Tacos, Pueblo Bar and TacoYa, asking the same question at each: what should we order here? Every dish and drink name below was confirmed by the restaurant itself, so you can order straight from this list.

El Rey

Annankatu 20, city centre

Order: House Margarita and Pescado Capeado

The House Margarita is tequila, Cointreau, lime and a hibiscus syrup they make in house, which is where the deep red comes from. Pescado Capeado is four crispy fish tacos, Baja style, with spicy mayo, red cabbage and carrot. Ask for the cochinita pibil and the guacamole as well. The guacamole is the best we have had in a long time.

We also asked the same four bars what makes a good margarita. The answers went in four different directions.

Lopez Tacos

Työpajankatu 2, Teurastamo, the old abattoir complex a short tram ride east of the centre. Also in Kamppi shopping centre, 5th floor.

Order: Beef Quesabirria Tacos and a Spicy Lime Margarita

Lopez has already done the pairing for you. Quesabirria goes with the Spicy Lime Margarita, Baja Fish Tacos with the Spicy Mango. Order both and share, because they pull in different directions. The tortilla holds from the first bite to the last, which is rarer than it should be.

Pueblo Bar

Eerikinkatu 27, city centre

Order: Pink Paloma and the nopales tacos

The Pink Paloma swaps grapefruit soda for guava and adds a dash of strawberry. Pueblo serves it with the nopales tacos, cactus and cheese. The tinga tacos go with the Original Margarita instead. Three house salsas come to the table, and the tortillas are pressed by hand every day.

TacoYa

Lapinlahdenkatu 25, city centre

Order: Street Tacos with Beef and a margarita

A small street-food room by the window: metal trays, checked paper and a bottle of Tajín on the table. Order the Street Tacos with Beef, with the nachos next to them.

One evening, four places

Three of the four sit within a few blocks of each other in the city centre, so a single evening covers all three. Lopez is out at Teurastamo, so give it its own visit, or go to the Kamppi branch instead.

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