Homies On Donkeys

Food

Guacamole - The guacamole was well presented, with a smooth avocado base generously topped with fresh pico de gallo and coriander. In my view, the pico de gallo and coriander toppings provided a pleasant level of spice and citrus notes. The Totpos were undoubtedly unhealthy, but they tasted fresh and didn't feel greasy and killer for the gym routine as I had expected..

Refried Beans - This was a "when in Rome" choice for someone who often steers away from bean-based foods in restaurants. I think it would have been unfair not to order this starter as it is such a traditional Mexican dish. The beans were combined with salsa and queso fresco and served with Totpos as a vessel for consumption. The rich and creamy beans, which were great on their own and something I would find myself tucking into throughout the remainder of my meal, where the flavours were not weakened by the cheesiness of the queso fresco.

Potatoes - I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this starter and true to form, it arrived exactly as advertised, a simple bowl of potatoes. What I hadn't anticipated, however, was just how well they had been executed. Each potato had a beautifully crisp exterior that gave way to a soft, fluffy centre, while a generous coating of coarse salt enhanced every bite without becoming overpowering.

Birria Tacos - The first thing to note across all the tacos was how generously filled they were, with the striking black soft taco shells immediately catching the eye. You could tell that the braised chuck had been cooked with love and passion, as it should be, since it was so succulent. Even if it was pre-shredded, you could really feel it melting in your mouth with every bite. These were topped with sweet onion, cilantro and a jalapeño relish; they didn't add too much spice or noticeable flavour to the taco, despite this every bite was still thoroughly enjoyable. These tacos' primary flavour came from the chuck, which was, in my opinion, the best meat I've had across any taco.

Tacos Vampiro - Opting for another steak-based taco; I've tried this type of taco previously, but not as well as the ones we were served. A Mexican classic taco with steak, melted cheese and a jalapeno relish, this again was a well presented taco, almost looking like a floral arrangement which might not have been out of place at the Chelsea Flower show. In spite of this, the flavour was perfect, with the melted cheese being complemented with a subtle relish that highlighted the cheesy steak. While not necessarily being everyone’s cup of tea, I do believe this was a very tasty taco which is worth trying.

Duck Tacos - Being a fan favourite, this was a taco I knew I had to try going into the meal. However, despite the anticipation, it unfortunately did not quite live up to the expectations I had built up. The duck itself was the highlight of the dish, cooked beautifully with a rich, buttery texture and a depth of flavour that allowed it to stand confidently on its own.
The challenge came from the salsa morita, which brought a significant amount of chilli and heat to the taco. While the smoky spice will likely appeal to those who enjoy a stronger kick, for me it became slightly overpowering and distracted from the quality of the duck. The heat made the taco difficult to fully appreciate, turning what should have been a memorable dish into more of a challenge than an enjoyable experience.

Service

Our table was frequently visited by the attentive service before and during the meal. Since it was taking us some time to decide what we wanted, they offered to assist with ordering. Since we had perhaps underestimated the portion sizes, they made sure we had ordered plenty—possibly even a touch too much. Additionally, they took close attention to a member of our party's dietary requirements and made every effort to meet them. Through the meal, they would come and clear away any used plates and provide extra napkins, which were extremely useful given the messy nature of the meal. Overall, there were very few faults with the service. The only minor issue was that one taco dish appeared to have been missed initially, arriving noticeably later than the rest of the order. We did need to request an update during the meal, but once raised, the team was responsive. Aside from this small delay, the service was warm, attentive and added positively to the overall dining experience.

Ambiance

The restaurant embraces its theme wholeheartedly, with graffiti-covered walls, Hot Wheels displays and an array of taco-related memorabilia creating a setting that feels both nostalgic and playful. With a soundtrack of music from the 1990s and 2000s, entering the restaurant was almost like travelling back in time; it was a purposefully enjoyable and somewhat nostalgic experience.

The restaurant's attitude of enjoying cuisine without taking things too seriously is perfectly complemented by the design. In keeping with the "get messy and eat with your hands" philosophy at the core of the eating experience, the quirky décor promotes a more carefree, childlike sense of delight.
Even though the restaurant was packed, the ambiance stayed cosy and friendly rather than overpowering. There was plenty of seating and even in the spacious open area, the tables felt strategically placed and sufficiently apart to maintain a feeling of privacy.

Value

While our specific meal was not necessarily a cheap dining experience, I do think there are ways to enjoy Homies on Donkeys at a more reasonable price point. Rather than ordering three starters alongside multiple tacos, I would suggest that two starters shared between a group, combined with around two to three tacos per person, would likely provide the ideal balance of variety and portion size.

A pair of tacos comes in at around the £10 mark, with our overall food bill coming to approximately £30 per person including service. While there are certainly cheaper taco and Mexican options available across London, the quality of the ingredients, generous portions and the unique dining atmosphere help justify the price. Overall, Homies on Donkeys feels appropriately priced for the experience it provides, offering more than just tacos but a fun and memorable dining experience.

Amenities

The amenities are relatively basic, with unisex toilets that continue the restaurant’s nostalgic theme, almost giving off a 90s school toilet feel with stickers covering the walls and a deliberately casual design. While they were generally clean and thoughtfully stocked with essentials such as sanitary products, they did feel as though they could have benefited from a little more regular attention.