Bodega has made a name for itself for serving up authentic, homemade, tasty South American dishes. The cantina has proved extremely popular since opening its doors in 2010, as a result of this success they have now have eateries in Derby, Leicester and soon to be Sutton.
Known for their classic yet legendary nachos, Bodega pride themselves on their ever evolving menu, with a view to enticing new customers and to stimulate the taste buds of existing customers, which ensures the loyal diners are always returning back for more.
This time, Bodega have branched out to cater for their vegan diners with a brand new dedicated vegan menu.
On the menu, you will find nibbles, street food such as their tacos, quesadillas and burritos as well as light bites and larger plates, making it perfect for lunch and dinner.
We started off with three bowls of their famous nachos served with salsa fresca (£2.50), guacamole (£2.95) and refried beans (£2.75). Their nachos are crispy, light and full of flavour and a popular finger food for sharing. This is probably why they are a big hit with the Birmingham crowd.
As non-vegans, refried beans were a totally new food for us to explore, on tasting we were pleasantly surprised by the taste and texture. It could be likened to the taste of beef chilli but with a smooth pureed texture. This texture could be a downfall, possibly not appealing to diners who enjoy the sensation of a meaty textured dip, but never the less perfect in taste and presentation.
The three bowls of nachos would be perfect to choose as a starter or to share with friends whilst having a cocktail or two over a catch up.
Onto mains, we tried three of Bodega’s favourite dishes, Quinoa Chifa (£8.50), Corn Tortilla Tacos (£4.75) and Xim Xim (£11.95 non vegan).
We were informed beforehand that the Corn Tortilla Tacos were infact blue. This type of corn is one of the main types used in traditional Mexican cooking. Although on first sight this dish isn’t particularly pleasing on the eye, it didn’t disappoint in taste. Our tacos were filled with mushrooms in mole sauce, pickled red onions and vegan cheese. The mushrooms gave a delicious meaty taste, combined with the sweet flavour of the red onions, making this the perfect dish with a superb combination of ingredients. Never judge a book by its cover, this is definitely one to order.
Xim Xim is one of Bodega’s most popular dishes and the dish has evolved with new ingredients to improve what was already a tasty delight. Bodega have listened to their diners and added even more peanut flavouring to the peanut butter and coconut milk sauce. This delicious Brazilian classic could almost be compared to a paella with its chunks of chicken, prawns and diced vegetables all mixed together with dirty rice, a perfect and filling main course dish.
If you’re looking for delicious food to share with family and friends, with a laid-back atmosphere, Bodega is definitely the place to go!