Jo Mexican in Garsfontein, Pretoria, adds its own spin onto really great classics, says Eat Out critic Khanya Mzongwana.

The interior of Jo Mexican. Photo supplied.

I’ve always reserved a special place in my heart for Mexican food. There’s such an amazing balance of flavour and texture that is hard to find anywhere else. The crunchiness of a fresh, deep-fried tortilla; the tartness of homemade sour cream; and the deliciously spicy chilli, fragrant smoky cumin and the refreshing flavour of a freshly prepared tomato salsa is a combination that’s difficult to match. So it’s a real treat to finally pay the acclaimed Jo Mexican in Garsfontein a visit.

The coffee station at Jo Mexican. Photo supplied.

Welna Heyns, owner and founder of the restaurant, speaks passionately about the eatery, which was established on 1 November 2015 at the newly revamped Garsfontein shopping centre, Eastdale Pavilion. Welna’s vision for the restaurant was something slightly different from the norm. She wanted to create a sanctuary for comfort-food lovers who weren’t afraid to try something new, and more importantly, a well-established restaurant that would see many more generations come through its doors, an ideal which Welna feels is sorely lacking in Pretoria’s food sector.

Food

As a Mexican restaurant, Jo Mexican has adhered to a certain standard and offers some really great classics onto which they’ve put their own spin, like their hot, crumbed jalapeño poppers served with a creamy and mild chilli sauce. This perfectly sized appetizer is not for the faint-hearted – keep an ice-cold Corona handy just in case. Some of the more popular dishes include the shredded beef chimichanga, the cheesy nachos with olives and borlotti beans, and their larger-than-life burrito crammed with delicious spicy ground beef and served with their signature Almost Death sauce – another one for the chilli fans.

Drinks

The drinks offering includes out-of-this-world frozen margaritas amongst other cocktail classics and an array of popular tequilas.

Margaritas at Jo Mexican. Photo supplied.

Ambience

Jo Mexican has a striking vibrancy and pleasant buzz that makes it an irresistible afternoon drinks spot for nearby businesses.

Service

Friendly and inviting.

And…

Welna is excited about the future of Jo Mexican; she looks forward to introducing live Spanish performers and participating in national Mexican holidays and fun cultural activities such as salsa dancing. A night out at Jo Mexican shouldn’t set you back more than R150 per head – unless you’re enjoying the margaritas a little too much…

Have you spiced up your night at Jo Mexican? Let us know about it by writing a review. (For every review posted, we’ll pledge a meal for a hungry child through Stop Hunger Now SA.)

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.