Cali-Mex Bar & Grill on Sukhumvit Soi 11 takes the Californian-style Mexican dining concept to new heights.

By Christy Lau

Famed for their refreshing fusion fare and never-ending beer on tap, Cali-Mex Bar & Grill was launched in mid-2018 at the Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit to much acclaim and enthusiasm from the local community. But if you’re one of the few who haven’t yet jumped on the bandwagon, there’s no better time than now to get caught up with the restaurant’s recently launched flagship branch at Sukhumvit Soi 11.

Offering a more upscale dining experience, their new branch is sprawled over two floors of a multi-complex at the end of the popular nightlife street. Along with the classic go-to items like nachos, burritos and tacos, the restaurant offers a premium menu with additional grilled steak and seafood dishes, including a section of prime USDA steak cuts cooked to your liking.

The décor is relaxed with different types of seating areas, from high chairs near the bar area where you can watch the bartender work his craft, to diner-style booths upstairs with great views of the latest tennis and football matches on one of the five screens.

While the Sukhumvit Soi 22 outlet was finished in bright, sombrero-inspired colours, its more sophisticated sister branch is furnished with neutral brown and grey tones to suit the sizzling grilled menu. Patrons looking for something a little potent should definitely drop by from 3pm to 7pm daily for the buy one, get one free deals on draft beer, classic margaritas and other selected beverages.

Food and Drink

Starters like the Chips and salsa (B149) prepare you for the meat-heavy menu. The homemade corn chips are served with freshly made guacamole, and not one, but four salsas, all prepared in-house. Ranging from a mild salsa verde to the fiery salsa diablo, this gives diners the option to mix and match to suit their preferred palate. If chilli pepper dips aren’t your cup of tea, Cali-Mex Bar & Grill also offers corn chips with Queso fundido (B329), a baked blend of mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and parmesan topped with chorizo that will have you floating in cheese heaven.

Another great-for-sharing starter is the Snack platter for 2 (B499), featuring a stack of chicken seasoned with Cajun spices, along with camembert bites, chorizo, sliced jalapeños and a salad dressed with rich taco vinaigrette. It’s best to abandon your utensils, so you can pile your corn chips with a little bit of everything for a finger-licking experience.

As expected, the mains feature juicy cuts of meat, from the super-sized Cheese burger (B399), which uses a homemade Australian beef patty, to the Slow roast duck (B549), served with blueberry cabbage and truffle mashed potatoes. Branded with their iconic logo, the burger is portioned to perfection, as each bite comprises of moist meat and melted cheese, paired with the sweetness of the tomato and the pleasing crunch of the red onion. Meanwhile, the roast duck is also perfectly cooked with a crispy exterior. The gamey flavour of the meat is a great match for the sweet piquancy of the blueberry cabbage, while the mashed potato infused with truffle oil adds a little touch of fine dining flair.

You’ll definitely feel full after a meal at Cali-Mex Bar & Grill, but don’t miss out on Churros (B129), the classic Mexican dessert. The fried sweet sticks have an irresistible doughy texture and subtle bread flavour to contrast the rich chocolate sauce.

Simply delicioso!

Cali-Mex Bar & Grill definitely stands apart from the other pubs that dot the busy Sukhumvit road thanks to their Williamsburg Gin & Rye Bar, where you can help yourself to classic cocktails like the California Sunset (B230), a breezy tropical drink with orange and lime notes, and the Williamsburg Old Fashioned (B420), which lets you tap into your inner Don Draper.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Mexican-inspired restaurant without a classic Marguerita (B250). The Cali-Mex version is anchored with a base of Olmeca Blanco Tequila, distilled in the western Mexican state of Jalisco.

CALI-MEX BAR & GRILL

B4, 26/8 and 26/9 (Across from Aloft Bangkok Hotel)

Sukhumvit Soi 11, Klong Toey, Bangkok, 10110

Open daily from 10am to 2am

Tel: 02 015 8100

Facebook: @calimexbarngrillthailand