Picture of Sala Piquin, SW9 8LD

Historical version 4 of Sala Piquin, SW9 8LD (view current version)

No-frills but authentic, good-quality and fun Mexican taqueria on Market Row in Brixton.

Casa Morita had only been open for a day when itsbruce and Jen visited; the decor and menu are both quite basic but the proprietors plan to expand both with time.

Free totopos and chipotle mayonnaise are provided at the tables. The totopos are satisfyingly crunchy and the creamy and piquant mayonnaise is very addictive. There are currenty three kinds of taco filling on offer; three of any combination can be had for £6. That is the only option on the food menuphoto. The gluten-free tacos are soft enough to be folded but with a hint of brittleness so that there is a faint crunch when you do so. Of the fillings, itsbruce and Jen thought the mole rojo with chicken was the best, with very tender meat and a rich, complex sauce. The chorizo and guacamole does make a very good combination, though, the creamy avocado a good complement to the dryness of the sausage. The rajas (peppers) with cream filling is the lightest of the three; the peppers are not overcooked and retain some texture and their flavour is enhanced by the cream rather than being masked. This is authentic Mexican cuisine, not at all Tex-Mex. Servings are not hugephoto, which makes the dining experience less messy but also means that most diners are likely to want more than one round of 3 tacos.

The venue is licensed and bottles of Corona are available for £3. Non-alcholic alternatives include sparkling water (£3 per bottle), soft drinks (£2) and hibiscus water (£1.50)photo.

itsbruce and Jen both had one of each taco filling and a glass of hibiscus water (which was nicely refreshing while not too sweet). Service was very quick, which was not surprising given that tacos are the only thing on the menu but which does speak well of their level of organisation. Because of the swift service, high quality of the food and small portions, they then had the same again. The final bill was £30, service not included.

There is seating for 20 people. With the current level of interest and fast service, this did not result in a noticeable queue but this may well change as their reputation spreads and their menu expands. While the decoration is basic, it is cheerfully and wittily done and gives the feel of a lively, no-nonsense street venue.

itsbruce's verdict: the combination of high quality food and fast service make this a great stopping point on a night out in Brixton.

Last visited by itsbruce and Jen, 16 Sep 2011. Prices taken from the menus chalked on the walls. Opening hours verified with the proprietors on 22 Sep 2011.
OS X co-ord: 531162 OS Y co-ord: 175353 (Latitude: 51.461446 Longitude: -0.111740)
This is version 4 (as of 2011-09-22 20:57:04). View current version. List all versions.