Trippy Taco

234 Gertrude St
Fitzroy, VIC 3065

trippytaco.com.au

First dates are scary. But a first ever double date with one of your best friends is much less so. And because we now have a vegetarian amongst us (hola Jaz!), I finally had a good enough reason to hit up Trippy Taco for some hearty, 100% vegetarian Mexican food, instead of skulking around the city like I normally do. 

Because of the no-bookings policy (though they do take phone orders), there were no tables available when we first entered the small 25-seater restaurant. Luckily a spot freed up within the minute, and we were happily seated after grabbing our own water and cutlery.

The menu is completely vegetarian, sometimes gluten free, and optionally vegan, but that doesn’t mean it’s no fun. There are imported beers and tequila to be had from as early as 9am on weekends, and a whole jug of ruby-coloured sangria that we regretfully gave a miss on. 

I ♥ awful puns

TIPPY TACO. SEE WHAT THEY DID THERE?

Trippy Fries ($6)

Trippy Fries ($6)

We started off with a couple of baskets of the famous Trippy Fries ($6), topped off with ‘Trippy’s yummy seasoning’ in an alarming shade of orange. If you love BBQ flavoured chips, then you will love these because they have got that delicious, smoky flavour down to a tee.

Tofu Asada Burrito ($11)

Tofu Asada Burrito ($11)

Jaz ordered a dangerously large Tofu Asada Burrito ($11) that had to be supported with both hands, lest it fell apart and spilt its delicious innards all over the table. The chewy chunks of tofu, subtly bitter and smoky from the grill, could’ve fooled all but the most die-hard of carnivores. The tortilla was soft and unusually thin, but then again the burrito was unreasonably huge, so maybe it was a relative thing. I had so much trouble with the size of it that I ended up with salsa and two types of cheese on my cheek, and possibly my forehead too.

Small Nachos ($10)

Ethan’s order of Small Nachos ($10) was determinedly not small. Served on a sheet of baking paper straight from the oven, the pile of home-made tortilla chips is a world away from Doritos, salsa, and supermarket cheese. Topped with black beans, salsa, melted cheese, a scoop of guacamole and a scoop of sour cream, this could almost pass off as wholesome. The waitress had originally recommended the large if we were feeling peckish but I would be impressed if anyone managed to polish off the entirety without help.

Special Quesadilla ($10.5)

Chris’ eyes alighted on the basic quesadilla, described to be ‘a bit like a cheese toastie’, and refused to budge. It took a lot of shoving for me to convince him to try the Special Quesadilla ($10.5) instead. Another humble meal, the lightly toasted tortilla sandwiched layers of all things Mexican.

Tamales (meal size, $12)

I’ve never seen Tamales ($12, meal size) on a menu before and I was eager to try. Tamales are a sort of steamed dumpling in a corn husk, and if you’ve ever had zong zi, traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Except instead of being made of glutinous rice, tamales are made of a mixture of cornmeal and sugary corn kernels that popped between the teeth. The meal-sized tamale came topped with salsa and guacamole, served with a surprisingly elegant side salad containing unusual ingredients such as dried beetroot and raisins.

Just like most Mexican restaurants, this ain’t fine dining – it’s messy and feel-good food for the soul. Everything was fresh and so colourful, right down to our trippy seasoning stained fingertips, that I really started feeling like I was going on a trip by the end.

Rating: 13.5/20 – a trippy sort of trip.