The Funky Mexican Cantina
Brisbane, Australia
A new concept restaurant brings traditional Mexican flair to Brisbane. The Funky Mexican Cantina has arrived and is thriving. Funky’s, as the restaurant has fast become known, is proving popular for a canny mix of authentic flavours within a modern, vibrant approach.
With an eye for detail and a view for the long-term development of the brand, its owners have covered all the bases with their flagship restaurant creation. They certainly knew the importance of getting the details right. As the minds behind the popular Hog’s Breath Café, they wanted to expand their operation and address a growing market – diners who appreciated both the spice and taste of traditional Mexican cuisine and the lively atmosphere of a bustling restaurant.
The development of this concept store has been years in the making. Research and development trips to the USA and Mexico provided both broad inspiration and the specific information. Then with the designers of VECA Group planning the kitchen, and the installation delivered by Aussie Fitouts, a careful construction phase ensured the business could hit the ground running.
The restaurant can now seat up to 130 guests, with internal booths, group tables and an alfresco space overlooking the marina. The bar area is also popular – the friendliness of the Mexican bar staff enticing many in for a drink. Guests also enjoy a large range of dishes, and tortillas and base sauce are prepared from scratch in the kitchen.
With this specialised cuisine key technology was required for the kitchen. Moffat helped match the machinery with the methodology – ensuring high productivity and continued cost-effectiveness was optimised.
The owners aren’t resting on their laurels just yet however – they want Funky’s to be operating to the peak of its potential before the franchising model is introduced. With previous success and current popularity dictating the brand’s development, it is expected that the Funky Mexican Cantina will be soon in a number of locations across the country. A new concept restaurant brings traditional Mexican flair to Brisbane.
IN THE KITCHEN
Inside the Funky’s kitchen it’s all go. The Hog’s Breath Café chain, with over 75 restaurants and a two decade-plus history, provided the template for a Funky’s brand experience that could be developed at other locations across Australia. Here, the new kitchen has been carefully planned to set the standard by which future franchise operations can be quickly and efficiently introduced. Moffat’s previous work with the Hog’s Breath chain.
A careful analysis of every equipment option was therefore undertaken. The result is a seamless, powerful kitchen, one perfectly suited both to the diversity and output of the popular establishment. Funky’s boasts a full Waldorf cook-line, and it’s the first restaurant to cook with the latest E33D5 Turbofan Oven. Two Waldorf fryers, two salamanders, a chargrill, griddle, gas cooktop and range come from Waldorf. Additionally, a Washtech M2 dishwasher and GM glass washer keeps everything looking its best.
