Mr Gonzo — Restaurant in Melbourne

ORDERED: 🍛 Lechona: pork skin pocket, stuffed with rice, pork and green beans. Slow cooked in the oven for 10 hours ($18.00)

REVIEW: 🙋  Disclaimer: I don't have much experience eating Colombian food, so please take this review with a grain of salt.

The most notable element was that the dish was crispy. It was quite peculiar. There were some grains of rice that was baked so much, that they ended up as little crispy kernels. It's not the nice kind "scorched" rice, it made me double take as - wait - should I even be eating this plastic-like-crispiness?! 🤔 Once you got over the shock, the rice was okay but appreciated the fried fatty lechona shard because it gave the most flavour.  🐷 Mr Gonzo kindly provided two colombian arepas as well. Nice gesture but it was too dry, tasting too much like flour.

Service was friendly. Since the menu is primarily in Colombian, as part of ordering at the counter (no table service), the cashier also took us through the menu. She was able to gesture to the dishes in question, pointing to other diner's foods as well. Really friendly people in a bright atmosphere. Also appreciate how there's no card surcharge. 😍

As Melbourne is in winter, if there's a table outside I would NOT recommend. Unsurprisingly, the warm food quickly turned to cold. It's worthwhile to wait for a table...

🍽@mrgonzomelbourne – Colombian Eats in North Melbourne 🇨🇴✨

Our first time trying Colombian food, and what a find! Tucked away on 28 Melrose Street, Mr Gonzo is a cozy, buzzing little spot. You know the food is authentic when you’re the only foreigners there — the rest of the diners were Colombian, which says it all.

🌟 What we tried: Empanadas with Aji – golden fried pastries stuffed with meat, perfectly paired with a punchy Colombian hot sauce.

Signature Lechona – slow-roasted pork stuffed with rice, peas, and more pork, cooked for 10 hours until the skin turns crisp. Absolutely incredible.👍🏻

Mr Patacon – hearty, flavour-packed, and so satisfying.👍🏻

Mr Mazorcada – golden sautéed corn with chicken, sausage, crispy bacon, and lechona. Comfort food at its best.👍🏻

The staff are friendly, patient, and full of recommendations — a lifesaver if you’re new to Colombian food. They explain the menu, offer guidance, and make you feel right at home.

📌Mr Gonzo isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a slice of Colombia in the heart of North Melbourne. If you’re craving bold flavours, hearty plates, and food cooked with real soul, this is the spot. Highly...

Come and check out this Colombian gem with me! 🇨🇴✨

(Warning: you might fall in love with plantains 🍌 and pork crackling 🐷)

We popped into Mr Gonzo in North Melbourne and let’s just say our taste buds did a little salsa 💃🏻🌽

📍 Mr Gonzo 28 Melrose St, North Melbourne VIC 3051

Here’s what went down: 🧆 Empanadas — chicken, beef & lechona (our kid basically inhaled them) 🍌 Mr Patacón with juicy lechona ✨️ — HELLO plantain perfection 🫓 Mr Arepa — cheesy, crispy, loveable ☕️ Flat white ✨️ — strong like a telenovela plot twist 🥤 Lulo with water ✨️ — tropical, zesty, SO refreshing ☕️ Babycino — for the tiniest food critic 👶

Lechona = slow-roasted pork + rice + spices wrapped in crispy skin. And yes, it tastes even better than it sounds.

And if you’re into plantains like I am, don’t walk, run to that Mr Patacón.

If you haven’t had Colombian food before. This is...