Mesa Fresca offers a fresh take on Mexican cuisine in Kingston

Mesa Fresca is Mexican restaurant with a twist to offer modern flavours that are mind blowing, while keeping the food authentic.

Using local food producers, breweries, and wineries, those at Mesa Fresca strive to serve the finest and freshest food to their customers.

Most of their food is made in house with amazing fresh local ingredients. Their guacamole had a bit of twist with some cumin. Might be surprising and unauthentic to the Mexican cuisine, but it was the perfect kick with some fresh and warm tortilla chips. The cheese empanadas tasted very authentic and it were some of the best I have had in a while. I would say, it is my favourite item on the menu. The order offered two types of cheese and was perfect mix of ingredients that complimented one another in every bite.

The queso fundido with three melted cheeses was a good starter as it gives you that perfect crunchy warm feeling that you want while starting to dine on a beautiful day.

Their carne (beef) tacos had the perfect amount of ingredients on it that it was easy to hold and not too saucy that it would be messy. The flavours and spices were the perfect amount in every bite, as it was perfectly spread on the warm tortilla.

And, as if the idea of a yummy fresh twist on Mexican dining wasn’t enough to tempt you in, Mesa Fresca also has a unique charitable feature. Tacos for Change and KIVA is Mesa Fresca’s partnership with KIVA, an international organization that specializes in small loans for businesses and individuals around the world who might not otherwise be capable of starting and sustaining meaningful businesses for themselves, and Loving Spoonful, a local charitable organization aimed at increasing access to fresh foods.

“At Mesa Fresca, we are committing 10 cents from every taco sold to help fund some of these loans.  Once those loans are paid back, the full repayment value will then be reassigned as a donation to Loving Spoonful here in Kingston, Ontario,” the Mesa Fresca website states. “Your generosity will actually be used twice to change lives both globally and locally.”

You can give Mesa Fresca a try for yourself at their west end location at 1347 Gardiners Road, or check out their website first here.

Nour is a recent Queen’s University graduate who majored in philosophy and minored in political studies. She is also a former graphics editor for the student-run newspaper, the Queen’s Journal. In her free time, Nour enjoys reading about politics, going to the gym, and running. Connect with Nour via email at [email protected].