SWEET FOR SANCHOS
Amigos, if only there was some place we could go – by the sea with sweet views and balmy breezes – that dished out authentic Mexican tacos. Oh, wait, there is. Cue Sanchos Taco Bar!
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
TUCKED INTO THE seaside alfresco precinct of Stokes Hill Wharf sits the answer to all your Mexican taco dreams. This sweet lil’ joint is owned by couple Jayden Monopoli and Gemma Goldstraw, who raised the roller shutters on New Year’s Eve at the turn of 2024.
Monopoli, a chef of more than 15 years who has cooked all over the world, was inspired by his travels to open Sanchos.
“I’m a massive food lover, so I’ve travelled around – that’s probably the reason I travel, is to taste different cuisines. I spent a fair bit of time in Mexico surfing and eating, and living in Darwin, I just saw a good opportunity,” he says.
“No-one’s doing, sort of, authentic Mexican food, especially tacos. It’s the unknown, but I thought it was a good chance to do something good, and yeah, it’s sort of hit the ground running.”
With everything at hand to create a sweet dining experience, Monopoli reckons the Stokes Hill Wharf location was a case of right place, right time, right vibe.
“Me and me partner love coming down here for a beer, and I seen the vacant shop while I was looking around [for a restaurant space]. I worked a lot of time on boats, and I like being around the water. As soon as they opened the door, I thought ‘yep, this is a family-friendly place’. Food’s all about being social, and I thought this is the spot for that.”
In the days since, this little taco house has won over the taste buds of locals and travellers alike, becoming a staple on the Top End tucker rotation.
The menu features fist-and-belly-filling tacos, with corn tortillas made in-house daily the authentic way, perfect for any gluten-intolerants. There’s also nacho fries with shredded beef or pulled jackfruit – for the vegos out there – Mexican black rice salad, spiced squid, guacamole, and fries.
Monopoli says they wanted to offer a one-stop-shop that caters to the full spectrum of dietaries.
“[We have] a big following of gluten-intolerants, so they know they can come down here and that it’s safe to eat, and that’s a big thing … And it’s fresh and tasty, so we’re ticking all the boxes,” he says.
“It’s just nice that the whole family can come in and, if they like different things, we can cater for all of that, and we keep our tacos pretty mild for that reason. We also make and sell our hot sauces that people can add if they need more of a kick.”
There’s also a rotation of weekly specials, which have included Shark Bay crab mousse with octopus aioli and fish roe on blue corn tostadas (um, yum!), Habanero hot wings, and mocktails. Cow tongue, widely used in Mexican cuisine, has also made its way to the specials board, which is crafted on seasonal ingredients and fresh local produce.
Kids will enjoy tucking into quesadilla and chicken strips, whilst alcoholic beverages are available from the nearby bar. Keen for the full authentic Mexican foodie experience? A Corona cerveza goes down a treat.
If you’re yet to tuck into one of Sanchos’ tacos, Monopoli welcomes you to swing by for a feed.
“It’s just a small, family-run business. I’d be lying if I said it was easy, but we do pour our hearts into our tacos, and you’re gonna get a good product. We have a nice local clientele that comes back time and time again, and it’s that interaction with our customers that means a lot to us and keeps us doing what we do.”
Sanchos Taco Bar
WHEN DAILY (EXC. MON & TUE) | 12-2PM & 5-9PM
AT STOKES HILL WHARF
INFO instagram.com/sanchostacobar
