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La Choza

Hola! Bringing Mexico to Brighton

La Choza was born in 2012, a small but perfectly formed vibrant pink Mexican street food eatery on a tucked-away corner of Gloucester Road in Brighton’s North Laine. The lively creation of lifelong foodies and friends Aoife Sweeney and Annie Gelpey who shared a passion for all things Mexican from Frieda Kahlo to tequila. On a mission to bring the authentic taste of Mexico to their seaside hometown, they made frequent inspiring tasting tours to Mexico where the duo roamed markets, ate at street stalls, and shared meals with locals. They brought the best recipes home with them and created a menu of outstanding and, most importantly, authentic Mexican delights.

La Choza soon became an integral part of the outstanding Brighton food scene attracting locals of all ages and streams of tourists who formed an almost constant queue around the block. Banging reviews, top awards, and grateful testimonials soon followed. The venue is decorated with funky folk art, neon lights, graffiti, sugar skulls, and vivid flowers and is staffed by a friendly, dedicated team who keep the place buzzing but it’s the food and drink that makes La Choza Brighton’s tastiest restaurant.

VIVA LA VIDA!

Food & Drink

Fast Food, Slow Cooked

La Choza presents a gloriously delicious and affordable menu of authentic Mexican street food dishes all made with time and love.
We research, experiment and continually taste our dishes putting so much energy and skills into their creation that every mouthful is a delicious journey through flavour.

Mexican cuisine starts with the chillis and we love them – no surprises there as they are proven to kick everyone’s endorphins into touch. We import them from Mexico and use a huge variety throughout our menu including the earthy ancho, liquoricey pasilla, aubergine-coloured guajillo, classic Arbol, crinkly moritas, the triple-X hot habanero and many more.

Our house salsas, all homemade, range from mild to super fiery and include classics like Pico de Gallo and the more unusual Mexicana made with roasted tomatoes, two types of chilli and herbs, the almond-based Pipian from southern Mexico and the off-the-hook Naga for those who want a proper kick.

Our meats are slow-cooked, the Mexican way – that means marinating in chilli and spices and then cooking for up to 12 hours to bring out all the deep, delicious flavours.
Situated by the sea, we are lucky enough to have the freshest of fish – we marinate it in lime juice for the cerviche and fry it up to make it crispy for tacos and burritos.

There’s a cornucopia of other Mexican ingredients – blue corn, queso fresco, cactus, anchiote, tomatillos, escabeche – giving our menu the authenticity we strive for. We want dining at La Choza to transport you and your taste buds to the streets of Mexico.

Diners choose their base from crisp tostada to soft burrito, pick a traditionally prepared filling from homemade chorizo to roasted sweet potato and finally take their pick of the fresh salsas. The board of outstanding specials uses local and seasonal ingredients for more temptation.

Featured on Squaremeal
Vegetarian, vegan, dairy intolerant or any other dietary requirements are expertly satisfied too and there’s a kids menu for the little ones.

La Choza’s variety of drinks is infamous from the sublime hibiscus Margheritas, top-shelf tequilas and Mezcals to cold Mexican beers or smooth hot chocolates with a chilli twist. Our wine list sports wines from Mexico (they took some finding) and Spain, all chosen to complement Mexican food. Plus there’s a unique cocktail menu where old favourites are given an inventive La Choza twist – Chilli Vanilli or Mocha Margarita anyone?

La Choza looks forward to feeding you soon.
‘Barriga llena, corazón content’ – full stomach, happy heart.

Live on BBC2!

Britain’s Top Takeaways

La Choza was on tv! We were part of the live show of BBC2’s “Britains Top Takeaways”, which aired on the 17th of May 2022. It was an exciting and fun-packed day!

BBC2 Britains Top Takeaways
BBC2 Britains Top Takeaways
BBC2 Britains Top Takeaways
BBC2 Britains Top Takeaways

Reviews

Whats the Media writing?

La Choza serves up some of the best Mexican food in Brighton. The food is high quality and owners Aoife and Annie often visit Mexico to try the latest and the best Mexican food.

The Culture Trip

La Choza is Brighton’s go-to venue for first-rate burritos, quesadillas and tacos.

The Guardian

The emphasis at La Choza is on simple dishes, brilliantly cooked.

The Argus

Great food, incredible value, big portions, jolly atmosphere, plus margaritas – what’s not to like?

Brighton Source

…a wonderful fusion of Mexican street cuisine with a side of British character, and people have come in droves to experience it. The support La Choza has received has propelled it to “fan favourite” status, and this exceeds far past the queues of customers or the surrounding bevy of bars, brasseries, and restaurants…

Hot Rum Cow


The clientele in La Choza were equal to the decor: ‘colourful, young, happy and noisy.

Read full review here.

restaurantsbrighton.com


Here, in this tiny Brighton backstreet, there’s true Mexican magic. No fuss or hoo-ha or expensive PR. Just the taste of a food I worship and adore. Viva La Choza. Viva Brighton.

Read full review here.

Tom Parker Bowles

I can’t recommend this place enough, its great quality authentic Mexican street food which is amazing value for money. Service is great and fast, and you can take-away too, perfect if your office is around the corner! Oh, I do love Brighton.

Hana Terri

customer reviews

LA CHOZA
4.3
Based on 1503 reviews
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GJX WGJX W
07:14 20 Jan 24
Casual, fast food venue that is very small and you are expected to share tables. No actual restaurant service, even though you are served, as staff are disinterested, do not smile and have no knowledge of the menu.Food was nice, cocktails were in a children’s size cup and overpriced-£10 for a standard margarita. Very angry at the 10% service charge for no service.Internal of the restaurant is beautiful and has a really nice atmosphere
James BurtonJames Burton
13:29 15 Jan 24
Always delicious food and great atmosphere, love this place
MM
19:21 11 Jan 24
Best Mexican food & Great service!Keep it up, Cheers! 😊
annette banksannette banks
17:49 31 Dec 23
Scout A. LoudScout A. Loud
23:13 24 Dec 23
Luke JPLuke JP
14:35 22 Dec 23
Heard lots of La Choza and was expecting big things! Table was a bit sticky when we arrived, but given it’s a quick service place it wasn’t an issue.The burrito bowl was great, really tasty and good size for lunch. It did have some jalapeños on it, which was surprising considering we asked for it mild.Partner got a burrito and asked for it hot and with guacamole. Seemingly no guac in it, looking as he ate through it. We mentioned it were told it did, but evidently didn’t have it in… nor was the burrito hot.Service and vibe generally lovely. Potentially come back, but better places in Brighton I’d say.
achol Marioachol Mario
10:12 17 Dec 23
Cristina RuizCristina Ruiz
21:51 13 Dec 23
What a fantastic place. Probably the best Mexican I ever had. If this was authentic, I might have to go there on holidays!Specially in love with their homemade sauces.
Tim DWTim DW
17:49 08 Dec 23
I love La Choza. Have been many times and always been good. Went for lunch today and as good as ever. The fish burrito is fabulous. (The photo is of the kids portion, which is just a little bit smaller than the adults size.)
Giota ΚGiota Κ
20:55 14 Oct 23
Marina DavidsonMarina Davidson
20:34 13 Oct 23
Yasmina AydemirYasmina Aydemir
14:43 09 Oct 23
I got a burrito and tortillas. It was a really tasteless burrito, not seasoned or saucy enough, 80% rice.The sauce that came with the tortillas was so little and again, not that flavorful. Nice area and fast service at least.
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Awards

Recognition for our amazing food