LDNReview
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Homies On Donkeys
Included In
Stepping off Leytonstone High Road and into Homies On Donkeys is like slipping into a warm serotonin bath of excellent tacos, friendly service, and mood-boosting artwork. The taqueria is equal parts joyful and relaxing, and mainlining tacos here is our idea of self-care.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The cheeriness starts when you step from the grey, main road into a space that's straight out of Mattel-land. Walls are Barbie-pink and Lego-yellow, and there’s a wraparound mural that makes us smile openly in a way that previously only petting puppies has. The good-time energy is kept alive by upbeat staff, who provide icy glasses of horchata when you arrive in a pool of sweat, and encourage you to kick things off with the salsa platter. Buggies are bumped into and a plate of tacos takes a while to arrive. But like a parent trying to tell off their favourite child, Homies is too likeable to get mad at—even when it’s a little chaotic. Instead you laugh and tut and order another round of drinks.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Every night feels like a Friday night, with a loud hip hop soundtrack and groups lingering in the booths towards the back, finding any excuse to order another round of lime Jarritos. No one is immune to the feel-good power of chicken thigh barbacoa dripping down your wrist—there’s a no cutlery policy—or the slightly earthy, bitter enmoladas de huitlacoche. But even flying solo you can have a great time: perched on a stool, elbows resting on the thick countertop as you contemplate the standout dish—a roasted broccoli taco with nutty salsa macha and a sprinkling of sweet, crispy onions.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Potatoes
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Salsa Tasting Platter
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Chicken Barbacoa Tacos
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Roasted Broccoli Tacos
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Enmoladas De Huitlacoche
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Horchata