Touche Hombre, CBD

Touche Hombre
http://www.touchehombre.com.au/
Cnr Tattersalls Ln & Lonsdale St Melbourne
9663 0811

The Mexican food storm flew over Melbourne in a frenzy. Restaurants, fast food and food trucks exploded everywhere and the words burrito, taco, quesadilla, margarita and jarrito became a part of everyday vernacular. I was getting prepared for sombreros and ponchos to appear in fashion week, that was the level of obsession. Like everything else in Melbourne, however, it was over before we could even blink leaving a trail of destruction in its wake: Mexican food overload. Only the greats can survive.

Loud music, neon lights and a wall of tequila; no wonder the staff describe Touché Hombre as “a massive party but with food”. The atmosphere is fast-paced and buzzing; you’ll be waiting for a table if you arrive after 6:30 especially on a Friday night when the central location and alcohol-sopping food makes it a great place to start work knock-offs.

I was not exaggerating when I spoke of a wall of tequila and there is also an entire menu exclusively dedicated to it. The tasting platter is recommended for those that can hold their liquor but for the other who may need to soften the blow; tequila based (and even beer) cocktails and Mexican soft drinks are also plentiful.


The menu is taco focused with more than ten delicious filling options. Simple (like citrus grilled chicken) or extravagant (like salty crumbed haloumi sweetened by caramelised pear) and everything in between keep things interesting. I’d highly recommend taking the plunge with the secret taco. We were lucky enough to gobble up the last one of the evening and you find out what was in it after you’re done (except we completely forgot to ask and never found out. What you don’t know can’t hurt you).


With so many amazing taco options, we leaned away from the mains yet entrees were appreciated to whet the appetite. The grilled corn was juicy, soft, herbed, spiced and cheesed to perfection. A great way to measure a good bar snack is how well you can imagine yourself eating a hundred without even blinking, and this was the case with the crab claw. With incredible fresh ingredients and great flavours, we were well fed and happy campers.


Touché Hombre has done incredibly well in this Mexican Meltdown. Consistently busy, consistently serving delicious food and consistently providing great vibes, I hope that the Touché Hombre in the CBD has a better fate than its recently closed down cousin in South Yarra. I can guarantee lots of fun and lots of tequila with every visit.