Did you notice it? That panicked look on Perthites’ faces the last couple of weeks? It wasn’t the shock of the bitterly cold mornings or all the recent shark sitings. It was withdrawals. Because for two dreadful weeks the Flying Taco closed its doors for a much-need facelift.

For the last 5 years and way before the current Mexican trend, the Flying Taco has been dishing up seriously good Mexican fare. The secret to their staying power? Anna, a California girl who runs her restaurant by a couple of simple rules: follow authentic Mexican recipes using fresh produce and imported spices, make the chips, tortillas and sauces in-house, and do it all for the right reasons. That is, to contribute to – and enjoy – the bustling Angove Street community.

As a result, the Flying Taco feels more like a friend’s house than a restaurant. Anna knows most everyone by name, local kids pop their heads in the doorway for a chat and the cooks trade tales from last weekend’s revelry while stuffing burritos.

The taco hiatus – though painful – has resulted in a roomier and groovier place, bringing the restaurant out of the 80′s (goodbye red walls!) and into the current decade. Inside, maps of the Yucatan, mounted sheep horns and rosaries hang above the newly installed benchtops and the tables outside have multiplied for diners to enjoy the Angove Street action.

Mercifully, the menu’s not changing a lick. You’ll find the same cheesy quesadillas, tender carne asada burritos and homemade chips and guac as before the refurb. Some things simply cannot be improved upon.

Where: 40 Angove Street, North Perth
Hours: Wed-Sun noon-late
Details: http://www.flyingtaco.com.au/