Salud! Little Tommy’s in Currumbin has transformed into a Mexican-inspired taqueria
Get ready for a spicy shake-up! Little Tommy’s – the spirited younger sibling of Currumbin’s eternally popular Tommy’s Italian – has undergone a delicious transformation, turning into Tommy’s Taco Bar. Bringing a taste of Mexico to the creekside, here’s everything you need to know about the tasty pop-up …
When Tom Torchut and Ronnie Tarabay opened the doors to Little Tommy’s, the intention was to create a takeaway-centric outpost with a scattering of seats for people to sit while they wait. As it turned out, the spirited creekside spot quickly became just as popular for dine-in customers, with those seats in hot demand and a line of eager diners waiting to nab a spot. With two Italian venues in the same suburb, the decision was made to shake things up by launching a tequila-slinging pop-up taqueria aptly named Tommy’s Taco Bar.
The first thing you should know is that Tommy’s Taco Bar is here for a good time, not a long time, although there is no specific date for its departure. Perhaps it’s the tequila speaking, or maybe it’s the elecro-house beats giving Euro summer vibes, but there’s a sense of fun imbued in Tommy’s Taco Bar. It’s inviting and intoxicating, in the best way possible.
While Tom knows Italian fare like the back of his hand, he says that turning his attention to Mexican cuisine has been an enjoyable challenge. The entire kitchen team has immersed themselves in research, trialing and tasting over a six-month development period to create a concise yet satisfying menu. It opens with entradas like ceviche and beef tartare, alongside potatoes served with jalapeno mayo and corn dusted with paprika and a dollop of sour cream. There are also two types of nachos available: chilli con carne beef or veggie, each served on a bed of fries or corn chips.
As you might expect, the tacos are the stars of the show, featuring five different options ranging from classic slow-cooked short ribs with oxtail, chilli, coriander and spring onion, to crisp KFC chicken with rancho sauce and fish tempura. You’ll also find two kinds of birria tacos (called quesabirrias), served with a rich consomme for dipping. Best of all, Tommy’s Taco Bar aims to be budget-friendly, catering to families with options like less-spicy kids’ quesadillas, while tacos generally hover around $7. $5 on Tuesdays.
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If you’ve got a sweet tooth, finish your feast with homemade churros served with an indulgent coconut dulce de leche – just trust us on this.
While the setting is informal, Tom has found ways to subtly weave in elevated elements, such as the coconut margarita, which is made with real coconut water and the corn chips that are freshly fried to order so they arrive at your table warm, making the guac sing. Rounding out the offering is a tequila and mezcal-heavy selection of cocktails and shots. A far cry from the tequila shots you might remember that were something you endured rather than enjoyed, the tequila here is designed for sipping and comes with a freshly made chaser of verdita (a mix of pineapple, jalapeno, coriander, mint and lime) or sangrita (a bloody Mary-inspired blend of tomato juice, orange juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, Maggi’s, salt, and pepper).
The motivation for Tommy’s Taco Bar was to offer price points that could appeal to a broad range of diners. “The idea was to provide an affordable menu while also enhancing the bar area,” Tom says. “With Italian, people usually come for wine and food, but it was time to mix it up with nice, cheap food that pairs well with good alcohol. Everyone loves a good margarita!”
“So far, it’s been a good call – though it’s only been a week.”
Tommy’s Taco Bar is now open! Head to our Directory for details.