I’ve eaten lots of Mexican food in my time. From the famous Fajitas I make at home to the delight of my family and friends to a favorite Cantina we visit every time we go to Oahu, the appeal is strong. How can you resist the promise of hot and spicy dishes that you eat with your hands without being frowned on? The Prickly Cactus Launceston is in a central location and puts it own unique twist on a raft of Mexican classics. Read on for all the details …
The Prickly Cactus Launceston
We arrived in Launceston on the last leg of our Tasmanian road trip at around 6pm . We spent the morning cruising the stunning Wineglass Bay then jumped in our bargain hire car from Airport Rentals to explore the Bay of Fires before heading west to Lonnie. It had been a long day of travel and immediately after checking in to the Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston we hit the streets. It was good to stretch our legs and before we knew it was nearly 9pm when our thoughts turned to dinner. We arrived at The Prickly Cactus Launceston just as they were preparing to close but the friendly server very kindly seated us anyway. We promised to order quickly! The extensive menu takes a bit of perusing so order a drink and a starter while you settle in. We decided on the signature Cactus Bread to start as it sounded intriguing. The delicate flaky base was topped with salsa, cheese and garlic but was a little oily for my liking and lacked the heat I would expect from Mexican.
As promised we placed our order quickly and we settled on a shared plate of sizzling chicken fajitas for main. Fajitas are my favourte Mexican dish and we have eaten plenty from around the globe so we know our stuff. In all my travels, I have never been served fajitas quite like those from The Prickly Cactus Launceston. I’m all for changing things up, however the danger in messing with a classic recipe is that comparisons will be made. The Prickly Cactus Launceston serves their fajitas with broccoli and carrot which I found slightly odd, but the biggest disappointment was that the chicken was over cooked and there was no hint of traditional Mexican spices rendering the dish too bland for my liking. The accompanying Mexican rice was pleasant enough but again there was absolutely no heat in the dish as is the norm. The separate tortillas and condiments were the highlight of the dish.
While we were slightly disappointed with our meal, the service was friendly and attentive and the space was casual and welcoming. The Prickly Cactus Launceston is rated #28 of #229 restaurants in Launceston on Trip Advisor and the majority of reviews are positive, so it’s possible we caught them on a bad night. If I returned to The Prickly Cactus Launceston I would be sure to tell them we like it hot and encourage them to really spice it up! If a good steak is more to your liking be sure to check out the Black Cow Bistro where I had one of the best meals of my life.
Have you been to Tasmania? If not check out my post on scoring a bargain airfare. We paid just $55pp for our return Jetstar flight to Launceston using these techniques. While you are in Lonnie be sure to check out Cataract Gorge, a natural wonder only minutes from the CBD. I would love to hear your thoughts on The Prickly Cactus Launceston in the comments below.
Until Next Time …
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. We paid for our meal at The Prickly Cactus Launceston in full and as always, all opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links which will earn me a few cents to contribute to the running of this blog if you make a qualifying purchase at no extra cost to you.
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neha says
The food looks delicious as well as the platter is very well presented. All the ingredients seem healthy too. I love mexican food (as long as vegetarian 🙂 )
Reebex | Recovering Hippie says
I have just ordered myself some Mexican food while reading your post. Not sure it will be half as delicious the food you have described here, but my mouth was watering all the way through reading it and I couldn’t help myself. Haven’t been able to order cactus bread, but the fajitas are on there way!
Allison Smith says
Love Fajitas but these were a bit bland for my taste. You can’t win them all!
Stacey says
I could live on Mexican food. But, it’s a bummer when it’s not as good as you were hoping. I live in the center of the U.S., and its hit and miss here. I just keep trying places. Someone has to!
Allison Smith says
Exactly right Stacey! The TA reviews were good so someone is enjoying it. Maybe it’s just me!
Samantha Sparrow says
I adore authentic Mexican food, and it looks like the Prickly Cactus Launceston didn’t quite hot the mark, which is a real shame. Thanks for posting such an honest review though!
Allison Smith says
It was a shame Samantha. A little more spice would have gone a long way to improving the food.
Pia says
Oh no, so sad that you had such a disappointment if you expect more, especially, when you already know, that it could taste better. Hope the rest of your trip was better than your experience with the Mexican food.
Allison Smith says
You win some you lose some Pia. It wasn’t awful but just didn’t hit the mark!
Pia says
Oh no, it´s a shame to have such a disappointment if you expect more, especially, when you already know, that it could taste better. Hope the rest of your trip was better than your experience with the Mexican food.
Chiara says
I love mexican food and if I ever visit Oahu I’ll pay a visit to the place, from your photo and descriprion it looks so awesome
Allison Smith says
Hi Chiara! The Prickly Cactus is actually in Launceston Australia. I do know a good Mexican place in Waikiki tho ?
Adrenaline Romance says
Pretty quaint bar. The food looks marvelous. The hot plate with the rice, veggies, and meat look interesting; it vaguely looks like the sizzling sisig we have here at home.
Allison Smith says
I’ve never heard of that dish! I’ll have to google it!
Marcie in Mommyland says
I can’t handle too much heat, so it sounds about my pace! Usually you can add on extra spice though. That’s what my husband does when we have Mexican food. Looks tasty!
Allison Smith says
See thee you go! The Hubs and I both love spicy food!
Yaswanth Tanushree says
You know what they say about food, it is like hair, sometimes you have a bad day despite having gorgeous hair. 🙂
Allison Smith says
That is so true Yaswanth. Unfortunately I wasn’t in Lonnie long enough to give them another chance.
Stephanie Fox says
Such a shame that it wasnt up to scratch, Mexican food is my favourite too and I’d be disappointed if it just lacked anything Mexican about it! Great to see such an honest review though
Bhusha says
Too bad that inspite of the good reviews, you got held there with not so good food! Sometimes it happens, the worst rated places turns out to be the best for us and vice versa! Btw, I haven’t eaten a lot of Mexican food, but would love to!!
Gina says
As a descendant of a Mexican mother and having been to Mexico a few times, I could tell by your descriptions and the photos that the food didn’t look all that appetizing. They get a B for presentation and an A for service though!
Only By Land says
After living in Mexico City for 3 years I became a Mexican food expert (maybe not). I don’t remember ever seeing broccoli and carrots with any dish I had there! On a positive note the tortillas were flour tortillas, my favourite (the gringo favourite!). It’s a shame about the chicken being overcooked, the rice looked delicious though!
Allison Smith says
I’m no expert but it was certainly different than anything I have ever had.
Jitaditya Narzary says
The place has a really interesting name. I would have expected more cactus items on the menu. Sad that you did not like the taste but taste differs from person to person. From the look of it, I think I will enjoy it.
Allison Smith says
I’m not sure cactus ever features in Mexican food but I’m no expert! A little more heat would have gone a long way for me ?
Natasha says
It is a shame you were disappointed but I am glad the service was good. The pictures make the food look delicious!
Allison Smith says
The service was excellent. Lovely guy who really looked after us ?
Rahul Khurana says
I haven’t heard of Fajitas before. Mexican food always looks so vibrant. I think i should try it someday, though there are very less options here in India.
Allison Smith says
Wow never heard of fajitas! You are missing out Rahul. I imagine Mexican would be hard to find in India. Maybe you could make it at home? You need to try it!
yukti says
Food is looking tempting but you didn’t got so much taste as expected. Cactus Bread is something new for me and i thought there is some cactus shaped but it looks like pizza with cheese. If there were no condiments to save you then you could not have enjoyed your meal.
Allison Smith says
Hahaha no not cactus shaped but that would have been cute! Quite similar to a pizza actually now that you mention it ?
Sandy N Vyjay says
It is always disappointing when you are hungry and the food does not meet your expectations. Have been in this situation many a times. The food does look tempting, but of course the taste of the pudding lies in the eating! But thanks for the frank review, it definitely helps others..
Allison Smith says
It sure does Sandy! It was a shame they didn’t get it quite right.
L J Legend says
What I love about this post is that you are honest and you share from your own personal experiences rather, I am sorry that your experience wasn’t great and I do hope that the rest of your adventure is better. Although you wasn’t impressed with the food you’re picture make then look so tasty and now I am hungry haha.
P.S Love the new Logo 😉
Allison Smith says
Honesty is the best policy in my book! If they amped the heat and spices I would have been much happier!
neha says
While I am going through your post, my little one is sitting besides me and looking at the pictures. And she is tempted by the dishes. And if she is tempted, that means they are so very tasty. Sorry about the fact that things didn’t meet your expectation
Allison Smith says
That’s so cute Neha. It was disappointing that they just missed the mark.
chloe says
Ahhh this food looks INCREDIBLE!!! I’m sad your experience wasn’t great. Fingers crossed it was just timing
Allison Smith says
It really could have been. All the TA reviews were glowing! It was very close to closing so maybe that had something to do with it.
Richard Howland says
What a shame you didn’t love it! Hope Tasmania is blowing your mind though. It’s on our hit list for the coming year or so. Any advice would be appreciated.
Allison Smith says
I have a few more posts coming up Richard but feel free to ask any specific questions ?
Marion Halliday (Red Nomad OZ) says
I spent 10 days in Tassie a couple of years ago – just long enough to realise 10 days wasn’t long enough!! Runnibng out of time meant we had to leave Launceston for another visit – but in the meantime I’m looking for things to do and places to eat when we go to Tassie again! Thanks for the tip!!
Allison Smith says
There is never enough time Marion! I think we fit a lot in our 6 days but I would love to go back to the Bay Of Fires.
Nicole Anderson says
I am quite similar to yourself in that I enjoy some heat in my meals, especially where it is usually the expected norm for that cuisine. Otherwise you may be right in assuming that they might have had an ‘off’ night and would be worth a second visit – especially considering the broad range you indicated on their menu.
Allison Smith says
I’m often prepared to give the benefit of the doubt, especially with such good TA reviews but there needs to be more heat! Mexican is usually packed with flavour. There is just no place for bland!
SindhuMurthy says
The food looks good indeed But it is a pity you were not very happy with the taste. Perhaps, like you said, it was a bad day for them. I m more curious about the name of the dishes here. Cactus bread? Why would they call it so? I m wondering if they added any cacti as an ingredient 🙂
Allison Smith says
Maybe it was close to closing. No cactus is the bread. I assume it’s just a take on the name of the restaurant.
Genie says
cactus bread, I’ve never heard of that before. Would love to try it. Now you have me craving mexican food!
Allison Smith says
Lol Genie. Get down to The Prickly Cactus and give it a go ?
Dawn Robinson says
The food looked really good. I’m sorry your experience was not what you had hoped for.
Allison Smith says
It did look good! When it hit the table we were intrigued. A little extra chilli and they would have been on a winner!