Mexican Kitchen

Mexican Kitchen in Wickford serves up arguably the most authentic Mexican food in all of Essex. This cosy and casual restaurant on Runwell Road is led by Cesar Carranco, a passionate and innovative chef originally from Mexico. The menu is dedicated to street food which is seasoned and spiced to perfection. Expect to see all the delicious and traditional classics here, like burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and nachos. The drinks list is superb, with around 20 types of tequila available for sipping during your meal, or as a shot with salt or chilli powder. Refreshing wines, beers and cocktails are also on offer – ideal choices to quench your thirst after all the spicy and zesty food you’ll devour. One of Wickford’s favourite restaurants, Mexican Kitchen started out as a food truck before setting up shop in Runwell. This place is always busy with hungry locals, so make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment! This is Latin American cuisine at its best.

Open from midday until 10pm, the Mexican Kitchen is perfect for lunch, dinner or a light snack and drink. Catch up with a friend over coffee and salted caramel churros, or pop in for a light sharing board and pitcher of fruity sangria. If you’re after a more hearty meal, the menu choices are abundant, and we promise this Runwell restaurant has something for everyone. Take your pick of burrito, taco, enchilada, quesadilla or nacho dish and then choose your favourite authentic Mexican filling. There are five carne (meat) fillings – such as chicken cooked in smoked chipotle pepper sauce, or traditional Yucatan-style slow braised pork – and four fillings suitable for vegans and vegetarians like flame-cooked cactus strips with tomatoes, or fiery sweetcorn with poblano chillies and tomatillo. We recommend Mexican Kitchen’s special recipe called the mole poblano. Hailing from the Oaxaca region of Mexico, this chicken dish is cooked in a blend of six chillies, seeds and spices before being finished off with a touch of dark chocolate. The attention to detail at Mexican Kitchen is truly outstanding.

From its early days as a food truck in Wickford, Mexican Kitchen has deservedly earned a loyal following from locals and non-locals alike. Now established as a restaurant on Runwell Road, this eatery has still retained its casual and welcoming ethos. The dining room is homely and relaxing, with hand-painted Mexican murals on the walls and friendly service adding to the atmosphere. If there’s one thing we’re sure of, it’s that the people of Runwell and Wickford are lucky to have chef Cesar Carranco in their community.