It’s not very often that you can get authentic Mexican food outside of Mexico, let’s be honest, so what a breath of fresh Mexican flavour authenticity it is to have Chupacabra arrive in the Bay!
You can find Chupacabra tucked away behind the shops at Suffolk Park, with a relaxed comfy fitout offering seating inside or alfresco that is perfect for eating out with friends or family, or on date nights.
So what makes Chupacabra feel and taste so authentic? Well for starters let’s talk about co-owner and head chef Evan White! Evan first visited Mexico 15 year ago to live and work, giving him a unique insider’s knowledge of how to build and balance traditional flavours, with the confidence and passion for humble ‘eating with your hands’ flavours that stay true to local flavours, throughout the entire menu.
With a bunch of flavour-driven tacos (and plenty of other goodness) on the menu it is hard to decide what to choose, but lucky for us we had the super lovely and helpful co-owner Amelia Stokes on hand to help us navigate the menu. After much deliberation, we took our tastebuds and senses for a mini Mexican holiday with the Tacos Pollo Valladolio $7 (succulent char-grilled chicken shredded with picode gallo) and Bisteck $8 (juicy Cape Byron steak, frijoles, cotija, spicy burnt onion salsa) and the most insanely tasty Esquittes, which, just FYI, is what I want as a part of my last supper! Yes, yes it is really that good! What is Esquittes, you ask. It is the most insanely delicious locally grown corn flame-grilled off the cob, with lime, queso, and coriander $8 (my top tip would be to order one per person because trust me you really, really don’t want to share this one!).
And if you’re looking for a fun and healthy mid-week dinner, these guys do $12 chook on Wednesday nights, offering charcoal chicken, grilled to perfection, with a weekly salad, house-made tortilla strips, and frijoles. Available until sold out!
If you’re up bright and early for a New Years surf, swing by and enjoy a Mexican-blend coffee, or simply laze in the sun out the front of Chupacabra with a fresh coconut in hand. Or if you’re feeling in need or nourishment, you can grab some oysters with homemade Cholula-style hot sauce with a jar or two of over-the-top micheladas and bloody Marias (that’s tequila instead of vodka). Or if fresh local prawns, buckets of beers and ice-cold margaritas are more your thang, Chupacabra with be offering this and all the summer vibes along with a DJ from 10am onwards. No bookings necessary, just turn up and get amongst the fiesta!
Opening Times
Breakfast and Lunch: Mon–Sat 7–11.30am / 11.30am–3pm (coffee from 6.30am)
Dinner: Tues–Sat 5–9pm
Sunday: 10am–5pm Website: chupacabra.com.au
Follow the Mexican good times in the Bay @chupabyron.
By Terase Davidson: Terase is the founder of Taste Byron Bay, a local business that showcases local produce across all their menus for catering, events, private dining, food tours and cooking classes. For more info www.tastebyronbay.com.au or follow the fun on INSTAGRAM @tastebyronbay.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
