Sam's Cali Cantina — Restaurant in Melbourne

ORDERED: 🌽Corn ribs: fresh sweetcorn ribs, tajin seasoning, lime crema, cotija cheese, herb oil drizzle ($14.00)

🌮 Baja Fish: lightly coated fried fish, lime slaw, fresh avocado, chipotle mayo ($18.00 for two tacos) 🌮 Beef Quesabirria: slow braised beef birria, white onion, 3 cheeses, pickled red onion, served with a side of rich beef consommé for dipping ($20.00 for two tacos)

🍟 Mushroom birria fries: braised mushroom and jackfruit birria, three cheeses, chipotle crema, pico de gallo ($22.00) 🥗 Charred corn salad: finely sliced iceberg lettuce, charred corn, fresh jalapenos, lime crema and topped with cotija cheese ($13.00)

This was roughly ~$50pp which included a drink each.

REVIEW: ⭐ At Sam's Cantina, the stand out moments for us were: The Baja fish. The fish was stacked, crispy and the pickled red onion was a refreshing surprise. All in all, this is one of the better fish tacos I've had and one of the better dishes at Sam's Cali Cantina. Corn ribs stood out to me. It burst with flavour and came with a sweetness that I appreciated. It was a great snack and would recommend if you like corn! Being able to order 3 tacos. We came as a trio but we weren't limited and upsold to 2 servings - even though it came in sets of two. 👌

🥲 My least favourite moment was the beef quesabirria. It would've been great if the beef was more tender (seemed more stringy). Would've also appreciated if we had a lime each - because the one we had was dry and could barely be squeezed. That tanginess would've helped to alleviate the weight of the dish.

Sam Cali's Cantina is a colourful fitout with a take for approachable...

Man these guys could do no wrong before and now they have one upped themselves serving the best Mexican street food I honestly think I've had in Melbourne to date!

Look no further for great Californian Mexican because these guys have you covered!

Say Hello Sam to a bright and colourful menu and an even brighter and more colourful atmosphere. On locally made authentic corn tortillas, the Baja Fish taco was elite and full of flavour (with or without hot sauce!).

And the Beef Quesabirria with its crusty cheese exterior, flavour-packed slow-braised pulled beef and that rich and thick consumé had me in Mexican street food heaven!

The Popcorn Chicken Bites are always a winner especially when drizzled with hot honey and the Crispy Fried Prawns are a must order if not for the prawns themselves but that side of insanely good chipotle crema!

And for those that forgot their sombrero and are not into a Mexican Fiesta, Sam has kept his promise to keep a selection of his best burgers on the menu which are still top class and a great burger option in South Yarra.

And for drinks - make sure to get a margarita, using top shelf tequila at bottom shelf prices.

It gets busy these days so make sure to either book or come on off peak times but it's just a testament to all the great things...

I recently visited Sam's Cali Cantina on Chapel Street in South Yarra and had an outstanding experience. Im from Sydney and The eye-catching sign "Tacos Burgers Booze" immediately drew me in, and the menu did not disappoint. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Ross Samson, who shared insights about the recent refurbishment of the restaurant earlier this year.

The high-top tables were incredibly comfortable, and the booths were well-placed, complementing the inviting outdoor area. The restaurant’s design is fantastic, with a well-crafted bar, striking wall art, and sound-proofed walls that ensure you can enjoy the music while still having a conversation.

The food was nothing short of exceptional. I savored the corn chips, corn ribs, and tacos, all bursting with flavor and offered at very reasonable prices and will definitely try the burger menu next time I am down. Although Sandy may be new, her friendliness and attentiveness were impressive. I especially appreciated hearing the chefs’ laughter and chatter, which added a personal touch and highlighted their passion for their craft.

Don’t miss the pineapple jalapeño margarita—it's simply amazing. Overall, Sam's Cali Cantina is a must-visit spot with excellent food, great ambiance, and a warm, welcoming vibe. Highly...