From the Stands of Mexico to the Streets of Bendigo, Take the Taco Trail This Winter

The taco seems simple enough. Take a hand-sized tortilla, add some topping and fold it so you can eat it. But what separates a good taco from the best taco in town?

To celebrate Bendigo Art Gallery’s latest exhibition Frida Kahlo: In her own image , this street food favourite is the focus of Fiesta Bendigo’s Taco Trail. Twenty-two venues offer their takes on the Mexican snack – from classic flavours and fusion experiments to dessert versions. Here are six tacos to try.

Mexican Kitchen’s Mexicano Pollo Frito

Claiming the title of Victoria’s first Mexican restaurant, Mexican Kitchen has been serving Bendigo for more than 50 years, so you can expect an experienced offering from this institution. Its Mexicano Pollo Frito is a crunchy spiced chicken fried in buttermilk with creamy avocado, pickled red onions, Oaxaca cheese and a bold salsa roja in a soft tortilla. The interplay of crispy chicken and the soft outside is a textural delight. 28 High Street, Bendigo

Hoo-gah’s Bangin’ Birria Taco

Named for the pronunciation of the Danish concept hygge (“cosy comfort”), Hoo-gah may seem like an unlikely place to carry the energy of a fiesta, but its candidate is a classic take on the kind you might find in western Mexico: a birria taco. It features slow-braised beef, queso, onion, salsa verde and a side of beef consommé for dipping. Hoo-gah also has vegan and gluten-free versions. 4 Mitchell Street, Bendigo

Alium Take on the Taco

Off the streets and onto the tables of fine-dining establishment Alium , the humble taco transforms into a fusion of local ingredients and Mexican ideas. Instead of a tortilla, Alium uses bao buns as the base and tops them with crispy duck leg, plum chamoy (a savoury pickled fruit sauce), salsa macha, enchilada sauce and Mexican-style salted cucumber. Is it still a taco if you swap the tortilla for bao? We’re happy to be deliciously wrong. 17 View Point, Bendigo

Terrae’s Seasonal Pork Tacos

Although Terrae touts modern European cuisine on its main menu, its farm-to-table ethos has a Mexican flavour this winter. These tacos use traditional Mexican ingredients sourced locally: Western Plains pork shoulder from Mount Mercer, Harcourt apples from Barkers Creek, and tomatillos, onions, shallots and chillies from Terrae’s own garden in a pair of soft tortillas. It’s a beautiful balance of sweet, smoky and tangy, with just a little heat to whet your appetite. 10-12 View Street, Bendigo

Great Stupa’s Taco ’Bout Enlightenment

While many venues have a vegan version of their taco candidate, at The Stupaview Cafe – located just outside a large stupa (sacred Buddhist monument or pagoda) in Myers Flat – the hero taco is 100 per cent vegan. Choose from a hard shell or soft tortilla and then enjoy spiced slow-cooked jackfruit joined by guacamole, pico de gallo and vegan Mexican crema. You can also get a side order of crunchy tortilla chips to accompany house-made vegan queso and roasted capsicum dip. 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat

Omari’s S’more Than a Taco

If you’re visiting the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, don’t miss the chance to try one of the sweet stops on the trail. With its toasted marshmallow and chocolate ganache filling, Omari ’s dessert taco is a homage to s’mores but also nods to churros with its cinnamon-sugar-encrusted tortilla wrap. It’s finished with a sprinkle of crushed Arnott’s Nice biscuits and chocolate dirt for a crunchy but creamy bite. 27-32 Hamelin Street, White Hills

This article has been produced in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo. Explore the Taco Trail and catch Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image at Bendigo Art Gallery until July 13.