Just Open: Chingon, Brisbane

What's the low down?

Tacos! Tequila! Fun! The first Chingon opened in Melbourne a few years ago, the brainchild of two brothers out of New Mexico who wanted to bring authentic south-of-the-border flavours to Richmond. The joint was a hit for its fresh and delicious tacos and now there's an outpost in Eagle Lane, right next door to Brooklyn Standard.

Why should I care?

Because there's finally good Mexican in the CBD, far removed from the bland and bloated fast-food served by big-name franchises. (Every time another GYG opens, a baby sloth cries.) Instead of everything mushing together into stodgy stodge, you can taste each taco ingredient and the tortillas are made fresh in-house daily. It's difficult to go back to Mad Mex and Old El Paso kits once you've had a hand-made corn tortilla.

Serious hospitality-business blokes are working hard behind the scenes too. Chingon is co-owned by Emmanuel Sakellarakis (1889 Enoteca, Brooklyn Standard), Justinn De Beer (Brooklyn Standard), and Adam Barton (Brooklyn Standard, River Quay Fish). Most importantly, however, it's open for post-pub sustenance until 2am on weekends.

What's on the menu?

Tacos to eat-in or takeaway. There's seven types, available at $6.50 each or $23 for four. Highlights include the carne asada with char-grilled steak, black beans, fire-roasted tomato and corn salsa queso; al pastor with char-grilled achiote pork, pineapple and capsicum salsa crema queso; and the dinner-menu-only de pescado with flame-grilled fish, fresh lime, red cabbage salsa and chipotle crema queso.

There's also a handful of salsa and tortilla chip choices ($10), and cups of fire-roasted corn with fresh lime and chipotle crema queso ($7) the staff refer to as "crack corn" because of its addictive qualities. This is a fair title.

The drinks menu lists a handful of tequila-based cocktails, smashable beers (Pacifico, hello) and crowd-pleasing wines while the bar is stocked with a respectable selection of tequila and mezcal that's set to grow.

Anything else I need to know?

This is a casual, knees-up affair with disposable plates and cocktails poured into paper cups. Fine if you're rocking in after a few boilermakers next door, but not so much if you prefer your after-work margarita in a stemmed glass. That margarita is only $14 though, so la plata lining and all that.

Mon-Thurs noon-midnight; Fri 12pm-2am; Sat 5pm-2am

Eagle Lane Brisbane, chingonbrisbane.com.au