Mexicali Fresh Ponsonby — Restaurant in Waitematā

Mexicali Fresh seems to get quite a few middling reviews but it proved a fairly tasty treat for our family visiting Ponsonby and looking for a food option that wasn't eye-wateringly expensive. Set up pretty much like a Subway or a lunch place with its rows of ingredients the food is quickly prepped and I walked out with a takeaway for my family in less than 5 minutes after ordering. The veg burritos were tasty enough (especially with jalapenos to give them a hit) and the kids nachos was perfectly serviceable... they loved it. We also got churros because that's something we can't get up north where we live, and our 6-year-old was in seventh heaven with his first churros experience. Obviously not a topnotch restaurant type experience, Mexicali Fresh provided a reasonably priced hint of Mexican food and filled our tummies with food that was "nice enough". I'm giving it four stars because for what it is, we felt that Mexicali did a good job and didn't cost a bomb, unlike just about everywhere...

Me and my workmate went to this place last to last week and guy was working inside setting up , place was closed. On website it says opening time 11am. Guy said we going to open at 12pm. Then yesterday me and Friend went again for lunch and as as per website it says opening time 12pm , we were around 11:50am waited for 10 mints but he was working inside , noticed us but did not open the door at 12pm and in sign language saying us to wait wait , we waited until 12:10pm and then he opened the door and started setting up furniture didn’t bother to apologize for wait or greeting at all. After 5 minutes he asked me what you want ? It was ridiculous that how someone can be that kinda unprofessional and my friend was so angry with this behaviour and we decided to not to go back . Food was okay, chips portion is very small and he did not bother to serve on table. Service is awful 😞 won’t recommend to anyone to go there if you have limited time...

Sadly not a nice experience at all. The lady at the cashier had no idea how to take an order and we had to repeat our order many times. Even when we sat down she was confirming what we wanted. We should have left once we entered but sadly we didn't.

Once seated we saw birds fly in and eat from the good prep not once but 3 times while we were sitting. This was not the worst - when we were sitting watching the ladies make the food there were flies (3 to be exact) on my daughter nachos we had to ask her to close the lid !!!!!!!

Food was dry and bland - the "charcoal chicken" had no flavour and was so dry the rice was hard and yuck. The quesadilla was average at best condiments were added/missed as requested. Kids nachos were okay but spicy for a child. We also order some Hot Tots and they were WELL overcooked

Do not attend this store at all costs !!!! Head to the Henderson one which...