LA CHOZA, BRIGHTON

Brighton has been waiting for 20 years to have a decent Mexican in the town and I'm so so excited about this place. Mexican Street food at decent prices £5-6 for mains and starters and boy wasn't it great. We walked on a really busy Saturday and the place was packed, I didn't hold any hope but in I went and the lovely lady (I think she may have been the owner) said they had no room but not to despair, she took our number and called us 10 minutes later with a table. Fantastic we were in!

The atmosphere was rocking, the decor was right up my street, skulls left, right and ontop of you, with shelves filled with Mexican goodies you can buy, skulls mugs are on my must have item for next time. I've heard people complaining about the service on other reviews.. but I didn't witness it, far from it the staff were brilliant and very helpful. A chilled Mexican beer, friendly staff and a tasty menu and I was away! I'm a burrito nut and that's what I went for, slow cooked beef which was perfect with the Habenero salsa, I especially loved the little cabbage side salad that came with it, zingy and the perfect contrast against the depth of the meat. We also went with the pulled pork Quesadilla's absolute winner. The Chicharrones (Mexican pork scratchings to you and me) was the only thing I wasn't sure about, I'll go for the Calamari with lime and chipotle mayo next time. All in all, you couldn't get a meal, shared starter and a beer for less than £12 anywhere as good as this. Running back very soon..

BOHO MEXICA, SPITALFIELDS, LONDON

It was my birthday and I was craving something Mexican, so 9 of us decamped to a pre-booked table and bantered about what each of us was having and why. After agreeing we started with various cocktails, Mexican beers and shared the amazing Tacos. Wow what a selection, sautéed Scottish beef with habanero onions, pork marinated with chiles and grilled pineapple, sautéed sea bass and shredded chicken breast cooked in a roast tomato and chipotle chile sauce. Dribbling yet? You should be, they were just awesome and I would have eaten them for my main course all by myself. I was also tempted to try the 'Caldo Tlapeño' a smoky chicken broth with avocado and chipotle to you and me, it was perfect, smoky hot and spiced with lots of paprika and a rich puréed thang going on.

You'd think that would be enough, but hey it was my birthday and the portions aren't super big.. Main dishes included sautéed calamari and baby octopus with chipotle chile and onions and grilled Paillard pork marinated for 24 hours in a mix of chiles, served with a black bean puree, rice and sweet plantains. As you can see alot of words, but quite frankly there are ALOT of flavours and few words would not do it justice.