In a world where fast food chains and common dining experiences seem to dominate the culinary scene, it can be challenging to find a restaurant that stands out. However, for those who crave delicious, and truly unique Mexican cuisine, Taco Medic is a beacon of hope. This taqueria, founded by two cousins, Ant and Robbie, has quickly become a local favourite.

The story of Taco Medic began with Ant's travels to Mexico, where he fell in love with the coastal atmosphere and simple, fun culture of tacos. When he returned to New Zealand, he reached out to Robbie about the possibility of opening a taco shop after being inspired in Mexico – Robbie was intrigued. And so, Taco Medic was born.

As a ‘Craft Taqueria’ they specialize in one product and do it justice. But what about the name? Why Taco Medic? According to Ant and Robbie, they wanted a name that reflected their commitment to their customers, with their staff becoming "medics" who bring tacos back to life. Their first Taco Truck (or van, since it is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter), was sign written to slightly resemble an ambulance, helping further position this unique approach.

Their Sprinter has been with them from the beginning and is the foundation of the business they have today. They purchased it in Wellington in 2014, and commenced a fit-out on the front lawn at their flat in Arrowtown, working on it after their day jobs over a few beers with mates who came to help. "We designed the kitchen in our garage with a chalk outline of the cargo space and built the benches and cooking units with cardboard boxes to see what the best configuration was."

Of course, no taqueria is complete without signature dishes, and Taco Medic has some real winners. Their fish tacos, are the stuff of legends, and their "Kentuckyman" taco, with crispy deep-fried chicken is another favourite.

As a New Zealand taqueria, Taco Medic has had to find a way to balance the authenticity of Mexican cuisine with local taste preferences. Ant and Robbie say it's all about finding the right balance. They import specialty products like chillies and tomatillos to give their dishes an authentic Mexican flavour, but dial back the spice on the menu items to cater to the Kiwi spice profile. There is always a house-made hot sauce on hand to spice things up should it be needed.

Despite the challenges of the past few years, Taco Medic has continued to thrive and expand. In fact, their biggest achievement so far has been expanding through Covid, going from a small operation with just a few staff to a thriving business with 75 employees. They have definitely come a long way from the days of hand-pressing 300 tortillas a day in the back of the Mercedes-Benz taco truck.

Taco Medic is a breath of fresh air. Their commitment to quality, authenticity, and community is what sets them apart, and it's why they continue to be a local favourite. So if you're in the Queenstown or Auckland area, be sure to check out Taco Medic - your taste buds will thank you.

Words: Isaac Sherburn

Images: Mickey Ross

Content commissioned by Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd.