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Dig In: Papi’s Tacos

Here on Dig In, we give you the lowdown on great restaurants and cafes in the city worth checking out.

Papi's Tacos - Interiors 10

The Rundown

From the people behind Employees Only, Papi’s Tacos is helmed by New York-trained Mexican chef Mauricio Espinoza. This back-alley taqueria aims to bring the streets of Central Mexico to Singapore with its authentic, no-frills food and down-to-earth hospitality.

The Vibe

Decked out in bold colours, ornate tiles and retro posters, Papi’s Tacos gives off vibrant Mexican flair with a warm and welcoming ambience. The cosy 16-seater is designed to liken a food truck, with a bar counter overlooking the chef (whom they call Papi) preparing your food — grab a seat here to chat him up! The taqueria is currently taking walk-ins only, so pop by early if you’re planning a casual night out with a few friends.

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Photo by Burppler Casey Tan

What’s Good

The menu is short and straightforward; we recommend snagging the tacos and a tipple for a fun, filling Mexican meal.

From the six tacos on offer, the two seafood options outshone their meat counterparts by a mile. The Tacos De Pescado (from $13 for two) do away with the usual battered fish, and instead features tender chunks of grilled white dory, finished with punchy chipotle aioli and crunchy purple cabbage. If you prefer a firmer bite, get the Tacos De Camarón (from $13 for two) — the tacos are packed with pan-seared baby shrimps redolent of toasty Mexican spices. These two-bite-sized tacos probably won’t fill you up, so go big with the set of three or top it up with the lip-smacking Chicken Quesadilla ($14). It’s simple, but the combination of tender chicken and melty cheese sandwiched in a warm tortilla is just so comforting.

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Photo by Burppler Dex Neo

Make sure to look out for Papi’s housemade bottled sauces; the Chipotle, Salsa Verde and Habanero Salsa, which fare well to give your mains a flavour boost. The latter sees exceptionally serious heat, so drizzle sparingly. For drinks, get a robust Mezcal shot ($12) or sip on the classic Papi’s Frozen Margarita ($18), which also comes funkier, fruity flavours of the day (for additional $3). There is only one dessert on the menu; the Tres Leches Cake ($8) is a chunky, milky sponge cake slice. We tasted a hint of rum too — a nice zing to cap off the sweet treat.

Papi’s Tacos currently operates from 5pm to 11:30pm only, but will soon be open all day to cater to the lunch and mid-day crowd. Keep an eye out on their Facebook page for the announcement!


Read more reviews about Papi’s Tacos here.