Q Mex Opens Q Mex Taqueria in Xinyuanli
After going on to win the Beijinger 2017 Burger Cup, the team behind popular Mexican restaurant Q Mex in Sanlitun's Courtyard 4 has not taken a minute to catch their breath. Instead they've speedily opened Q Mex Taqueria, north of Sanlitun at Xinyuanli, on the same strip as the new Bottega, which opened just a few weeks ago.
The new spot differs from the original Courtyard 4 branch in that it takes focus on perfecting the sacred pairing of tacos and tequila. The space is bright and fun and although smaller than their first venue, feels substantially bigger thanks to an abundance of sunlight and a color scheme that smacks of summer.
One of the best ways to get the most out of your visit, and a great idea for group dining, is through the DIY taco set (pictured at top), which comes with a range of fillings so you can mix and match. You can even DIY your DIY set, with fillings costing between RMB 75-98 per portion, and RMB 5-35 for add-ons like sauces, pickles, and cheese.
The sour cream mushroom, barbacoa beef, and jalapeno butter shrimp tacos
The lazy among us can leave our taco fate up to the kitchen staff and pick from their extensive menu (RMB 60-72 for three of the same, or pick one of the three-set combos). Of those we tried, the jalapeño butter shrimp (RMB 72 for three) were high up on our list, the creamy and fresh filling leaving a warm tingle as a result of the accompanying chopped red onions and cilantro. The sour cream mushroom taco, a sort of taco stroganoff, makes for a great alternative for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Offerings of course do not end here, with starters like ceviche and guacamole, salads, nachos, habanero chicken, sirloin steak, salmon enchilas suizas, burritos, and fajitas to choose from, too.
The mango margarita
One thing you'll notice is that the drinks menu is bigger than the food menu. It's a purist's dream, including only tequilas that are 100 percent agave tequila, which can be ordered in carafes and enjoyed as shots. You can also of course try one of their many cocktails, which, you guessed it, also rely heavily on tequila.
The guava margarita, a smooth and not overly sweet blend (RMB 55 for a glass, or get a pitcher at RMB 175), had us weaving our way back up to the bar on several occasions, or at least we would have been had the staff not been so attentive, thankfully coming to us. Q Mex's original margaritas are also intact, including the mango (also RMB 55 per glass, RMB 175 per pitcher), a personal favorite for its rich flavor and all-around summery feel. For something different, grab a refreshing michelada, that'll knock your tastebuds awake with a healthy mix of beer, tomato juice, and chili (RMB 45-60).
The Micheladas
As with Q Mex, Q Mex Taqueria has awesome weekday deals worth putting time aside for: Mondays are half-price burritos, Tuesdays are half-price tacos, Wednesdays are half-price nachos, and Thursdays are half-price on steak and chicken dishes.
Add to those their daily happy hour that runs from 11am to 9pm, with discounts on cocktails and beers, and you're set for a fun evening no matter when you pass through.
Q Mex Taqueria
Daily 11am-1am. Room 106, Jinshang Shouceng, 20 Xinyuanli Xili, Chaoyang District (8435 3601)
朝阳区新源里西里20号楼金尚首层106
Images courtesy of Q Mex, Margaux Schreurs
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