Trippy Taco

234 Gertrude St
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
trippytaco.com.au
First dates are scary. But a first ever double date with one of your best friends is much less so. And because we now have a vegetarian amongst us (hola Jaz!), I finally had a good enough reason to hit up Trippy Taco for some hearty, 100% vegetarian Mexican food, instead of skulking around the city like I normally do.  
Because of the no-bookings policy (though they do take phone orders), there were no tables available when we first entered the small 25-seater restaurant. Luckily a spot freed up within the minute, and we were happily seated after grabbing our own water and cutlery.
The menu is completely vegetarian, sometimes gluten free, and optionally vegan, but that doesn’t mean it’s no fun. There are imported beers and tequila to be had from as early as 9am on weekends, and a whole jug of ruby-coloured sangria that we regretfully gave a miss on.
I ♥ awful puns
TIPPY TACO. SEE WHAT THEY DID THERE?
Trippy Fries ($6)
Trippy Fries ($6)

We started off with a couple of baskets of the famous Trippy Fries($6), topped off with ‘Trippy’s yummy seasoning’ in an alarming shade of orange. If you love BBQ flavoured chips, then you will love these because they have got that delicious, smoky flavour down to a tee.

Tofu Asada Burrito ($11)
Tofu Asada Burrito ($11)

Jaz ordered a dangerously large Tofu Asada Burrito ($11) that had to be supported with both hands, lest it fell apart and spilt its delicious innards all over the table. The chewy chunks of tofu, subtly bitter and smoky from the grill, could’ve fooled all but the most die-hard of carnivores. The tortilla was soft and unusually thin, but then again the burrito was unreasonably huge, so maybe it was a relative thing. I had so much trouble with the size of it that I ended up with salsa and two types of cheese on my cheek, and possibly my forehead too.

Small Nachos ($10)

Ethan’s order of Small Nachos ($10) was determinedly not small. Served on a sheet of baking paper straight from the oven, the pile of home-made tortilla chips is a world away from Doritos, salsa, and supermarket cheese. Topped with black beans, salsa, melted cheese, a scoop of guacamole and a scoop of sour cream, this could almost pass off as wholesome. The waitress had originally recommended the large if we were feeling peckish but I would be impressed if anyone managed to polish off the entirety without help.

Special Quesadilla ($10.5)
Chris’ eyes alighted on the basic quesadilla, described to be ‘a bit like a cheese toastie’, and refused to budge. It took a lot of shoving for me to convince him to try the Special Quesadilla ($10.5) instead. Another humble meal, the lightly toasted tortilla sandwiched layers of all things Mexican.
Tamales (meal size, $12)
I’ve never seen Tamales ($12, meal size) on a menu before and I was eager to try. Tamales are a sort of steamed dumpling in a corn husk, and if you’ve ever had zong zi, traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Except instead of being made of glutinous rice, tamales are made of a mixture of cornmeal and sugary corn kernels that popped between the teeth. The meal-sized tamale came topped with salsa and guacamole, served with a surprisingly elegant side salad containing unusual ingredients such as dried beetroot and raisins.
Just like most Mexican restaurants, this ain’t fine dining – it’s messy and feel-good food for the soul. Everything was fresh and so colourful, right down to our trippy seasoning stained fingertips, that I really started feeling like I was going on a trip by the end.
Rating: 13.5/20 – a trippy sort of trip.

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13 Comments

  • Reply Anonymous 17/09/2012 at 9:24 am

    Rice isn’t gluten free! Love the review btw!

    • Reply ming 18/09/2012 at 11:41 am

      Gluten free is such a tricky thing! I was so surprised when I found out that my gluten-intolerent friend couldn’t have soy sauce! Thanks for dropping by btw :)

  • Reply Anonymous 17/09/2012 at 9:25 am

    is*

  • Reply Adrian (Food Rehab) 18/09/2012 at 11:14 am

    My fav was the Trippy Fries…loved it!

    • Reply ming 18/09/2012 at 11:42 am

      Thanks for stopping by! The trippy fries are amazing, I keep craving them when I’m on the wrong side the city :(

  • Reply theragingcook 18/09/2012 at 11:49 am

    Mama Sita, Touche Hombre, Paco’s Tacos, Taco Truck and now Trippy Taco hahahaha. Any sign of the Taco trend in Melvourne ending????

    • Reply ming 18/09/2012 at 1:24 pm

      God I hope not! And let’s not forget Fonda Mexican! :D

  • Reply Sophie 18/09/2012 at 11:18 pm

    So many Mexican restaurants in Melbourne, but at least this one has a different spin to it. I’m a terrible food blogger if I say this, but I prefer the Chipotle chain in America to all these fancy restaurants in Melbourne. Oh dear.

    • Reply ming 22/09/2012 at 1:40 pm

      I’m so jealous of American and the myriad of food they hvae; I don’t think it makes you a bad food blogger for preferring the restaurant chains – after all, yummy food is yummy food! :D

  • Reply Ames 19/09/2012 at 5:07 am

    Hi Ming, we have a mutual friend, Rachel, who asked me to check out your food blog and I’m certainly glad I did! Looks great!

    Sounds like this is a fun little spot to hang out – all the dishes look delicious! I think I would definitely get a serving of trippy fries with some nachos!

    • Reply ming 22/09/2012 at 1:41 pm

      Hi, thanks for dropping by, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog! :D

      This is a great spot for a bite to eat and have a drink or two with friends – I highly recommend that you check it out :)

  • Reply Daisy@Nevertoosweet 23/09/2012 at 1:15 pm

    So happy that you did a review on Trippy Taco ;) because I walk past it everytime i go to books for cooks and have been meaning to try but wasn’t sure if it was good ~ but definitely gonna go try it out now :D thanks for sharing!

    • Reply ming 24/09/2012 at 5:16 am

      Haha glad to be of assistance! You should definitely visit trippy taco, the whole menu is just so wholesome and delicious. Well, maybe aside from the trippy fries ;)

    Leave a Reply to Adrian (Food Rehab) Cancel Reply