Bannisters Port Stephens

Yet to visit Julio’s? Wondering what it's all about?

We spoke to Head Chef Mitch Turner to find out just what Julio's was all about and it was clear straight up that when it comes to Julio's eats and drinks menu the team has gone hard on the Margaritas with a brand new menu dedicated to them. Likewise with the food with Head Chef Mitch Turner providing some insights,

“Creating this menu has been a real learning curve for me, it’s been fun. I’ve had to really deep dive into sourcing the ingredients and understanding the flavours that come with it.”

“We’ve taken a lot of care on the base, the stocks and sauces, sourcing the best produce so the fundamentals of the dish are right. I worked with a supplier from the Central Coast to source the best possible chilis which makes all the difference to the flavour."

Mitch has gone above and beyond to create a menu that merges classics with some Mexican twists,

“I wanted authenticity in the menu, and to pay respect to Mexican food, like pressing our tortillas which I believe is the difference between good Mexican and not so good Mexican. Also respecting the seasonality and working with what produce is available and not feeling as though we have to do a particular dish."

“When I was creating the menu I spent a lot of time online researching, but my deepest research was in books and the authors of those books to find more about their ethos on food. I also found watching Mexican chef Cristina Martínez on Netflix's Chef's Table helpful in allowing me to watch the techniques of Mexican cooking in motion, which is key to getting the flavours right.”

Julio’s will, of course, be offering up all your favourite Taco flavours along with a few original dishes crafted by Mitch including the Pollo a la Parilla, a fish and fragrant greens dish that's wrapped in banana leaf and topped with salsa cilantro, and the Barbecoa de Pollo, free range chicken with charred spring onions and salsa morita.

To accompany your feast a special Mexican drinks menu has been put together which not only has all your fav Margarita flavours but a collection of Mexican beers, wine and even some Jarritos sodas.