Comments on: San Julian Taco & Tequila, café run by real Mexicans

By: Chef Rodlfo

Chef Rodlfo — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:34:27 +0000

As a mexican and living outside my country for the past 5 years (Caribbean, Texas & Johannesburg) San Julian is the place where I feel most at home…the food, the people- all authentically mexican. Culture+Traditions=Real Flavor. Congrats García family, San Julian smells like México. (freshly squeezed margarita, grandfather recipe, the correct aperitive to start the delicacy)
Viva México amigos…

By: Jake

Jake — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:31:16 +0000

As a native southern californian and after having worked in Mexico for a year Casa San Julian is the real deal. For a native angeleno living in CT for the past 11 years and who’s had to learn from scratch how to make everything from tortillas to mole and civiche to pico de gallo, Casa San Julian is a dream of Mexico made real in South Africa (hell that its in Cape Town is unreal…but realistically its the first authentic mexican food in SA). Everyone wanting to taste real mexican food should visit!

By: Angelique

Angelique — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:10:41 +0000

Hola everyone!

My fiance is Mexican and I stayed with his family for 3 months, eating Mexican food everyday! I have been to Mexico and whilst there had taco’s virtually everyday, served on the streets and in restaurants!

I may not be an expert, but from what I remember, I can say without a doubt that the food from San Julian is great! I crave for it as I type this! I am going there for my BIRTHDAY! That’s how high I think of their food. I don’t think any other Mexican restaurant can compare to the authentic taste, and smell, of San Julian! I was so happy to have found this place as I use to crave that authentic Mexican food taste upon my return to SA! I honestly think it is unnecessary to analyse every little thing as they are doing their best with what they’ve got. After all, they are not in Mexico and do not have the exact same resources.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:00:11 +0000

The people are fantastic and real, although I have little experience with Mexican food their food is delicious. I would have it any day over every other “Mexican Reastaurant” I have eaten at in Cape Town.
I look forward to what more they have in store!

By: Ricardo

Ricardo — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:29:42 +0000

hi everybody,
a few days ago I met a Mexican food restaurant and was impressed when you enter the place and received the smell of corn tortilla, I couldn’t believe it because I have lived here a some months and hadn’t found any place to make corn tortillas made hand.I’m Mexican and assure you that San Julian is like a piece of Mexico in Cape Town, if you want to try the tacos with corn tortillas made by hand and know the tastes of my Mexico, San Julian is the only option you have in this beautiful City. And remember is Mexican food made by Mexicans, that is the secret.

Esmeralda Peralta

By: paco

paco — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:55:31 +0000

I was in san julian, I think Dale is a little bit wrong as a mexican I undertand the copcept of the menu also the service and for me its correct. tacos are acompainned with “frijoles de la olla” Soup beans refried beans comes in other dishes, nachos for example, that guacamole is named in mexico “guacamole taquero” is not wrong to put it in a blender we have also that hand made preparation but normaly we use that texture for other kind of dishes is not usual in tacos.

By: Dale

Dale — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:07:11 +0000

As a USA citizen living in CT it is very rare to find authentic Mexican food in South Africa like you find in the USA. This place comes close to one of those hole in the wall authentic Mexican restaurants you find in LA, but is just not there yet. Hats off to them making there own corn tortillas from scratch! But they need to seriously work on their margaritas (please use real lime whatever the cost), guacamole (this should be hand mashed and not put through a blender) and refried beans (this should be able to be eaten with a fork and not drunk with a spoon). The carne asada served in the combination platter lacked flavour and the meat could have been a better quality, although the Flautas were very tasty. Hopefully they will get it right as it’s run by a very charming authentic Mexican family!

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:55:25 +0000

I was also there last night and will definitely be going back soon! Such warm, friendly people – they make you feel like part of the family. And the food was amazing.
And the grandfathers margarita – wow!
The best Mexican food I have had in Cape Town by far.

By: Heinie Venter

Heinie Venter — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:34:42 +0000

I went to this restaurant twice already and is no doubt the best in Cape Town!!!

The owner and staff are very friendly and kind!!

Thank you guys!

Kind Regards

Heinie

By: admin

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:14:26 +0000

Thanks for your comments which appear to be extremely well informed – and very educational for South Africans, who have no tradition of “real” Mexican food. You are right that I have never been to Mexico. Because of this I am continually on the look-out for the next best thing to the authentic Mexican restaurant and San Julian is the closest I have found in Cape Town. Please let me know if you find a better alternative.
Tom Robbins

By: For Real

For Real — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:07:22 +0000

I have eaten many meals in Mexico and at many authentic restaurants in various taquerias and Mexican restaurants in various parts Cali, all run by Mexicans. I am certainly not a connoisseur, but I am a converted lover of Mexican cuisine. I was very excited to try them out amidst the the other typical Tex Mex offerings in this city.

So we ate at San Julian a few weeks back, and though i agree with the writer, that the hosts are the warmest genuine people and the food was in someways authentic,it was not very imaginative at all.
No tomales no Mole, the green tomatoes salsa was not made from proper green (tomatillo)tomatoes but rather what seemed like unripend red tomatoes, nowhere near the salsa verde you get in every mexican hangout. The writer clearly has not tasted this distictive taste. Black beans rachas chipotles,anchos radishes where?

I guess this wasnt tex mex but it was way less exiting to the pallet than any sidewalk taquria I have experienced in central mexico. Where were those amazing spices the babecoa? Most of these, besides the tomatillo green tomatoes are available here.

The menu was repetitive and the meat was just so bland. Bland, mexican in the same sentence, that is simply not easy to achieve. The filling of the chicken flautes was poor and tasteless.We tried many of the options, and they were ok but repetitive and rehashes of the same theme without changing any flavour profiles.
The prices were reasonable, so we didnt feel cheated about 330 bucks for the 2 of us, We had margaritas (not available in authentic mexican cuisine, a tex mex invention) and tried most options.

Though these lovely people make there own corn tortillas from imported cornflour and they are indeed from Mexico, I am saddened to say they are not doing one of the most richest world cuisines due justice. The decor is souless but if the food was any good It would’nt be relevant. We were both disappointed and I think 3 out of 5 is way generous as far as the taste experience goes.
I do wish them luck as they deserve it but more than that they need a trained Mexican chef, from… well wherever, otherwise it will be a wasted opportunity.

By: Dianne Russell

Dianne Russell — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 07:28:08 +0000

I went to San Julian last night. As a Canadian from Vancouver, a city full of Mexican immigrants, students and Mexican resturants, I found the food at San Julian authentic and delicious. It might even have been better than the food I’ve had at Mexican 5-star resorts. The Margarita is to die for (the grandfather’s special recipe) and the chicken flautas made me drool. The owners are the warmest people I have met in Cape Town, and they were playing a very funny vintage Mexican comedy on their big screen that had us laughing all night. I will be making this a regular hang-out for sure. I miss the latin vibe in Vancouver, and San Julian makes me feel like I’m at home.

By: David Donde

David Donde — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:47:57 +0000

hey, thanks for the small mention! dying to try my neighbor’s fares out! from David Donde of coffee shop Truth

By: Tom Robbins

Tom Robbins — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:30:50 +0000

Not all Tex-Mex themed restaurant food is dull (see my comments in the review above). The chicken and refried bean filling in the enchilada at the Mexican Kitchen in Bloem St (off Long St) was lively with just enough chilli heat. The enchilada (rolled tortilla)was made of flour. The guacamole was poor (too acidic).
Tom Robbins