Prickles by Tacos and Grounds — Restaurant in Northern Territory

Prickles used to be the best Mexican spot in Darwin by a long shot. As a born and bred Territorian, I’ve cherished memories of dining there since childhood, often choosing it for birthday celebrations. My partner and I, residing in Acacia Hills, have always been willing to make the drive because the food was consistently phenomenal, and the owner was exceptionally welcoming.

Recently, we’ve heard unfavorable reviews since the change in ownership. However, as Prickles has always been our go-to date night spot, we wanted to give it a chance to justify itself. Regrettably, we should have heeded the reviews.

Our anniversary dinner last night was profoundly disappointing. We both ordered enchiladas—one chicken and one pulled pork with guacamole. Notably, filling options like chili con carne, always my partner’s favorite, have been removed from the menu. The guacamole was unpalatable, and we couldn’t finish our meals. The enchiladas resembled three tacos rather than traditional enchiladas.

Additionally, I requested my chicken enchilada to be super mild, yet it was spicier than my partner’s “hot” enchilada. The side of rice appeared to be from a packet and was overwhelmingly spiced, making it unenjoyable.

It’s disheartening to see that under new ownership, the restaurant’s reputation is deteriorating. Regrettably, we won’t be returning. Photo of my “enchilada”...

Prickles was my favorite restaurant in Darwin and Palmo. I would make the drive from Palmo about once a fortnight for the last 4 years consistently because it was so good. The chicken Nachos and the Great Balls of fire were genuinely the best things I had ever had to eat and my partner agrees. Now that the ownership has changed the menu has changed and so have the prices. Prices are far more now, this was not a small increase with most things costing around $7 - $10 more. When we had our first bites back home I was really upset that my favorite place to get food from just does not make good food anymore. The chicken was just small diced pieces of chicken, all of the old seasoning and the nacho sauce they would use are gone. It ended up being $90 for the two of us and the food is genuinely lower quality than GYG now, who are an actual fast food joint. If you remember Zambreros in the city, this is the food quality to expect now. Prickles you were the best place to eat in Darwin, please bring back the old menu and recipes. I can stomach a price increase, but increasing the price substantially whilst decreasing the food quality to unrecognizable, is not on and really such a shame. Goodbye the old Prickles, you will always hold a special place...

praying you bring back the old burritos!! My family and I were shocked when we ordered takeaway and tasted the new burrito! The new ones are absolutely terrible, unmarinated plain whole chicken pieces, no open burrito bowl, so bland and had random ingredients thrown into it like peas? Honestly the worst burrito I've ever had, even left a gross after taste! We couldn't even finish them. Why change what's not broken!! Prickles has always been my family's favourite restaurant that we go to and sadly you have lost our family as customers now that you no longer provide what the customers want (the much-loved burrito!!!) Please bring it back as an option!!! :''( Instead of taking on constructive cristism you post fake 5-star reviews from your family! how disgusting. Will definitely never be coming back and will make sure to spread the word!

What a surprise your selling now cause Prickles has gone to shit cause you didn’t listen to a single one off your complaints about how disgusting and bland your food is! Good job for ruining prickles and then leaving, maybe listen to your customers cause we are ALWAYS RIGHT. In no way would that prickles ever survive with the new bland menu you have...