El Sizzling Choritzo
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best lunches in Ponsonby, El Sizzling Chorizo is well worth adding to the list. Tucked inside Ponsonby Central, this Argentinian BBQ spot is all about open-fire cooking, smoky flavours and generous portions. The smell drifting from the grill does a pretty convincing job of making your lunch decision for you and watching the chefs at work is all part of the experience. It’s simple, unfussy and lets the food do the talking.
The vibe is relaxed, the servings are generous and there’s something refreshing about a place that knows exactly what it’s good at. Think juicy steaks, crispy pork belly, handmade empanadas and the sort of lunch that warms you from the inside out, especially on a classic Auckland winter’s day. Whether you’re after a casual catch-up or just need an excuse to escape the office, this is one of those spots that leaves you feeling happily full and already thinking about what you’ll order next. Safe to say, they’ve well and truly mastered the art of raising the steaks.
Total spend – 3 people – $105.00
Louise had the lunch special (3 types of meat options shared – beef, chicken, pork). She said, “On a wet, rainy and dark grey day, sizzling smokey meats were just the ticket. So yum, beautifully seasoned and the privilege of getting to watch the meal be made was super fun! The gruffness of the FOH guy when asked if they could slice all meats into 3 for sharing (he said “you can cut it yourself”) was superseded by the kindness of the chef (who offered it off his own bat). Definitely a man’s lunch – only 2 women in the house for the remaining 12 men! Not sure what that says about meat-fests.”
Mel had the lunch special (3 types of meat options shared – beef, chicken, pork). She said, “It was cold, wet and dark today, so this little place was just right. Delicious smokey flavours on all of the meat types we tried, definitely took my mind off what it was like outside! Fave of the day was the pork, crunchy and seasoned perfectly. Just the right amount of food too.”
Sam had the lunch special (3 types of meat options shared – beef, chicken, pork). He said, “I have been here once before and loved it, second time around, also loved it. The food is sooo good and the smoky flavours are amazing.”
