Mexicali Fresh Ponsonby

It's not a bad place to grab a meal while on the go.
There were no issues, and the food was tasty.

Honestly this was the worst burrito I’ve ever had and I’ve eaten hundreds. The chicken looked and tasted like it was boiled and had no flavor, it was just texture. They put cabbage in the burritos instead of lettuce, which just tastes odd. Overall the burrito was very bland, overpriced, and disappointing.

This place tastes nothing like California-style Mexican food, or Mexican food. Do yourself a favor and go eat at Mexico up the street.

I feel like it would've been okay if the burrito wasn't literally spherical. How is dumping all the fillings into a tall pile in the middle of the tortilla than wrapping it up like a ball seem like something anyone would enjoy eating? I had to eat through all the salad at once. Then all the chicken at once. Then all the rice. I don't even think I got to the part of the burrito that had any sauce in it before I got sick of it. Made by the duty manager that was on at lunch today 2/10/23.

Turn the hard rock music down, not sure who you think it’s eating here at 4.55pm but I’ve had a long day and just want to chill and feed my kids,
apparently it can’t be turned or changed as its head office’s control.
We are the only ones dining, it’s loud and annoying I feel like im at a rock concert

Meat wasn’t fresh. Couldn’t really enjoy the food. Found it pricy compared to what was served. Had chicken tacos, pork quesadillas and loaded chicken rolls and was disappointing.

Went there this weekend (May 2023) and found things reasonably bland. The things that could be watered down were (eg Sour cream and refried beans). Might be a symptom of trying to make the current environment work with pressures from rising costs and not wanting to pass those costs on. Everything else was okay (just okay) though. Good selection of different menu options, price is consistent with other places. Nice enough place to sit and watch the world go by from the front tables.

Staff clearly didn’t want to be there and be warned they dont listen to topping requests just charge on ahead. Poor serving size of meat too but still perfectly edible. There are far better options in Ponsonby for similar price.

The street nachos are amazing and super yummy! I love that it comes with Queso cheese instead of regular cheddar sprinkled at the top.

Myself and a friend were here tonight for a super light dinner. The food was actually okay but the service was bizarre. The guy serving us was vaping in between taking our order as well as while he was preparing the order right in front of us and the food took a really long time despite no other customers in store and only order sides. We both also work in fast food hospitality so understand it sucks sometimes but this was like nothing we’d experienced before.

Me and my workmate went to this place last to last week and guy was working inside setting up, place was closed. On website it says opening time 11am. Guy said we going to open at 12pm. Then yesterday me and Friend went again for lunch and as as per website it says opening time 12pm, we were around 11: 50am waited for 10 mints but he was working inside, noticed us but did not open the door at 12pm and in sign language saying us to wait wait, we waited until 12: 10pm and then he opened the door and started setting up furniture didn’t bother to apologize for wait or greeting at all. After 5 minutes he asked me what you want? It was ridiculous that how someone can be that kinda unprofessional and my friend was so angry with this behaviour and we decided to not to go back. Food was okay, chips portion is very small and he did not bother to serve on table. Service is awful won’t recommend to anyone to go there if you have limited time lunch break.

This Mexicali is exceptionally consistent. I get it all the time from Uber eats for lunch and it travels well. Obviously not a flavour explosion of authentic Mexican but a great option for a nice balanced and fresh lunch. This store is the best I’ve been to by far.

Fast, cheap but not very fresh. Unfortunately for us, one of the very few places open on a slow, rainy weekday evening. The lettuce was rusty, the tomatoes were nearly mush and everything was quite bland. Wouldn’t recommend or try again.

Ordered the chicken fajita bowl.if you want a bowl of coleslaw with nothing more than a sprinkling of chicken then you will enjoy this. I always order bowls and have never ever seen such a miserly portion of chicken. Really disappointed.

Cold, blamed deliver easy. Not my problem. You the restaurant is contracted to deliver easy. We are only staying 7min drive. One part was hot. Other burrito was cold. Not good enough. Called the restaurant and argued with me and made excuses. Poor poor poor. Avoid.

Anson from Mexicali Ponsonby has been applying his trade for well over a decade, is an absolute legend and home to the best cali burrito in Auckland. Big fan of the shredded chicken tacos as well. Highly recommend trying.

James Ashwin
Kakapo Business Sales

Why have that you are open until 10pm, when this not true change your advertised times or stuck to them, I won't be back.

Utterly ridiculous, they shut early despite 10 PM being there advertised time. Well thanks a lot you just wasted my time and my money driving all the way from west auckland. Won't be back!

Good little food stop, I love the salad bowls amongst other options. I'll be back for more

The food isn't too bad, but the treatment I got from the manager was horrible. He's arrogant and ironic, really poor treatment.
Maybe he was having a bad day but he needs to learn how to deal with the customers, maybe because him the store it's always empty.

Next door in Mexico the food it's better and they are treating the customers properly.

Really disappointed about Mexicali, I never more gonna back there.
By far the worst experience I had in Ponsonby.
Definitely I don't recommend.

It's very similar to USA, even the dine in baskets, the regular is massive and it's usually good. Sometimes it's better than others depending on the proportions of ingredients. Often too much beans & rice, no where near as much meat as you'd get in usa so one less star:)