Beloved breakfast hotspot, Cactus Kangaroo Island, has launched a summer pop up Mexican restaurant, called ‘The Prickly Pear Summer Cantina’. To cater to the huge demand for evening eateries on the island, The Prickly Pear is serving authentic Mexican eats every Friday and Saturday until the end of summer.
The Prickly Pear is the brainchild of Cactus co-owners Louis Lark & Yen Aun Leow, alongside good friend, chef, and expat Rachel Hannaford.
Inspired by recent travels, living in Mexico, and the history of the Cactus KI venue, a pop-up Mexican joint seemed like the perfect way to share experiences and activate the space at night.
“I recently spent a month in Mexico where I met up with Rachel who has been living as an expat in Mexico with her partner,” says co-owner & Cactus chef, Louis Lark.
“I pitched the idea to her because there’s a huge demand for evening eateries on the island. Rachel and her partner cook beautiful, authentic meals for themselves on KI and now they have a great opportunity to share that.”
It’s also worth noting that prior to Cactus, a much-loved, home-style Mexican restaurant once operated in the building called Yellow Ash & Chilli. When Cactus KI first moved in, there were bold Mexican colours and Cacti prints adorning the worlds, so while Cactus itself has never been a Mexican restaurant per se, The Prickly Pear will be an ode to the building’s Mexican history.
The Prickly Pear is serving an A la carte menu and a concise Mexican cocktail menu to start and will explore feed-me options down the line. Louis says they’ll be a few authentic dishes you simply won’t be able to try anywhere else in SA and possibly the country.
One such dish is the Tacos Derados con Birria, which is authentic to the Jalisco region near the Tequila providence. Traditionally made with goat, The Prickly Pear team will be cooking up this dish with lamb instead, paired with goats cheese, mozzarella, house-made spicy salsa.
Another one to look out for is the CHILL -A- KILLEZ – Rachel’s version of traditional Mexican breakfast nachos! Now that’s something the Glam team would be into!
The Prickly Pear cocktail menu will feature classics including Margaritas, Palomas, and Mexico Mules, alongside locally made craft beer and wines provided by KI winery, The Stoke.
The pop-up is running every Friday & Saturday until the end of summer.
Bookings can be made via text to +61 475 739 910 and 2 seatings are available, 5.30pm/6pm or 7.30pm/8pm.
Find the pop-up at 54 Dauncey St, Kingscote SA 5223.
Follow Cactus Kangaroo Island on Facebook and Instagram, or check out the website.