After watching Machete (2010) as a ween, there are few acting cameos make me punch the air with joy like an appearance from Mr. Danny Trejo. Get you someone who can jump from Heat (1995) to Spy Kids (2001) to Anchorman (2004) to The Devil’s Rejects (2005)… you can’t, I’m afraid.
And, to add to that quadruple threat, the man also serves up a mean taco; tacos that have seen his restaurant become an institution in LA. Now, he’s making the leap from the city of angels to the big smoke, as ‘Trejo’s Tacos’ is set to open up in London later this year.
When can I get my hands on the Danny Trejo tacos, dammit?
Trejo’s Tacos is due to arrive in London like the slash of a blade at the end of this year. There’s no confirmed date, but we can expect an arrival in late November or December, which is as good as a Christmas present as we can hope for (sorry festive markets, but your mulled wine isn’t going to compare to the Anthony Bourdain-approved tacos around Trejo’s parts).
It will arrive on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, meaning the tourists who flock over to get a feel of a certain movie starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts will have another Hollywood actor to bow down to, while filling their stomachs with delicious grub.
What can we expect from Trejo’s Tacos (aside from tacos, duh)?
Trejos Tacos is opening as a two-storey, 3,000-square-foot space with space for 70 diners inside and another 30 on their covered outdoor terrace. On top of the delightful food, it also doubles as a suitably snazzy cocktail bar to showcase its mean mezcals and margaritas to give visitors the full Mexican dining experience. Stairs will also make way for an underground speakeasy where, instead of wielding machetes, guests can show off their moves along to the live DJs.
Once you’ve looked around and had a sip of your frozen OG Margarita or Lavender Paloma, you’ll be hankering for some tacos. That’s when the Heat gets turned right up; with a treasure chest of tortillas and sustainably sourced ingredients to combine. As we’ve alluded to, you’ll be able to try out the late, great Anthony Bourdain’s favourite – the streak asada taco with pepicta pesto – as well as Baja-style beer battered fish, beef brisket, jackfruit, the LA Times “recipe of the year” acclaimed roasted cauliflower, and many more.
Speaking about the opening, Danny Trejo said: “When we launched Trejo’s Tacos in LA, our aim was to serve a better version of Mexican food that won’t clog your arteries. In Mexican cooking, recipes are handed down through generations, and that’s what inspired this whole concept: generations of my family’s recipes. We’ve taken out the stuff that isn’t healthy, without losing the great taste and flavour.
“When it comes to restaurants, everyone asks me: what’s my secret? Restaurants usually die within their first year. We’ve opened seven in four years. People come for the food, good service, and a feeling of community. People come back for the good food…and because they feel at home when they step back inside a Trejo’s Tacos. That’s all.”
There are plans to make Trejo’s Tacos a staple across the continent, with more sites planned in Europe, but for now, their attention is on the brand-new Portobello site.
“I’m so ready to bring Trejo’s Tacos to London,” continues Trejo. “I love the creativity that the city inspires, and I can’t think of a better place to launch internationally than with our friends in London. I’m excited that we found the perfect time and team to bring Trejo’s to its second home.”
After opening their first LA restaurant in 2016, Trejo’s Tacos now boasts seven restaurants (including Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts), so who knows? We could be seeing more of the Machete star’s creations around London before long.
Expect to see Trejo’s Tacos at their new site on Portobello Road by the end of 2023.