Los Amigos Mexikói Étterem

Los Amigos is at Fő tér 2, on Keszthely’s main square, in front of the Balaton Theatre. Walking down the pedestrian street from Festetics Palace, you hear it before you see it: Latin music plays on the terrace, and that tells you you are in the right place. Inside, according to the owners, the décor is a collection of Mexican pieces chosen with great love, and the aim is simple: that anyone who sits down feels a little as if they were on another continent.

Transdanubia’s first Mexican restaurant

Los Amigos opened in Keszthely in 2003, and according to the town’s gastronomy site it was the first Mexican restaurant in Transdanubia. The founder and first owner, Ferenc Lőrincz, met young Mexicans in Vienna and through them the older generation, from whom he learned traditional recipes and seasoning techniques. The kitchen still builds on them: according to the restaurant, dishes are made from fresh ingredients following recipes handed down through generations.

The iron and the iron pan

Two dishes make it worth coming at least once. One is the Mexican ironed chicken breast: grilled chicken breast with papas potatoes and corn on the cob, which the waiter presses at the table with a hot antique iron through fresh rosemary to intensify its flavour. The other is the fajita, which arrives at the table in a sizzling hot iron pan, with grilled tortillas, avocado, tomato, sour cream, cheese, refried beans and Mexican rice. The town’s website has good advice: leave room for it on the table.

The menu

The long menu is built on Mexican classics. Burritos, enchiladas and tacos with four fillings: spiced chicken (Suarez), minced beef (El Paso), extra-hot beef tenderloin strips (Whoop-ass) or grilled vegetables, most also as smaller portions. There are eight fajitas from chicken to king prawns, and quesadillas including one with house-made chorizo. If you want to try everything, order the combo plate: burrito, enchilada and taco on one plate. Starters include nachos, guacamole, chili con queso and fried jalapeños; soups include the thick Los Amigos bean soup with minced beef and a cheddar-jalapeño cream soup.

Alongside the Mexican line there are steaks (Tortuga Steak in a tequila marinade, Chipotle Steak with smoked chilli), BBQ ribs and chicken wings, even pikeperch fillet, and a children’s menu. For dessert: sopapillas with apple cream, banana wrapped in tortilla, or a chocolate lava cake. The menu comes with a photo book; one guest wrote it made choosing easier. There are separate drinks and wine lists, with tequila and cocktails.

Hospitality in several languages

Guests most often praise the friendly, fast service; staff speak Hungarian, English and German. Several write that children and dogs get special attention, and one guest received a tequila coffee liqueur on the house at the end of dinner. Birthdays, anniversaries, hen and stag parties and small company dinners for up to 15 people are also hosted. Since 2024 you can also order through Wolt.

Who it’s for

Groups of friends for a lively evening, families looking for something different after Hungarian fare, and anyone who wants to sit on a terrace on the main square with Latin music. For coffee before or after, Pelso Café is a few steps away. If you want strictly authentic Mexican street food, note that this is the classic Tex-Mex line.

How much does it cost?

Upper mid-range: Mexican mains are mid-priced, steaks cost more. Many dishes come in smaller portions too, which is cheaper.