The news that Danny Trejo owns a restaurant chain may come as a surprise to some. The star’a brutal appearance alongside his filmography and a tendency to play violent rugged villains of Latino origin does not immediately suggest his interest in something as peaceful as traditional Mexican food. But an actor whose work ranges from Heat (1995) and From Dusk till Dawn(1996) to Spy Kids (2001) and Anchorman (2004) has built his image on these unexpected career turns, so it is only natural that Trejo’s Tacos is a real thing. In fact, Danny Trejo’s many business ventures include a recording label, Trejo’s Music, a breakfast joint, Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts, and his own non-alcoholic beverage company, Trejo’s Spirits. The products of the latter are actually available at the new London venue in the form of impeccable non-alcoholic margaritas.

The fact that an impressive list of non-alcoholic drinks is available at Trejo’s Tacos is not coincidental: Danny Trejo is all about healthy living. The initial idea for Trejo’s Tacos came to the actor with his interest in healthy food, which he wanted to spread further into the Los Angeles community. Of course, it would be fair to say that there is no such community in the world that is as obsessed with a healthy diet as the inhabitants of LA. However, as eating healthy becomes more and more expensive, Trejo’s Tacos show up right the right moment, as one of Trejo’s goals was to make healthy food accessible to anyone.

Although the menu at the London venue differs from the American version, some of the signature dishes, such as steak asada tacos with pepita pesto (apparently an Anthony Bourdain favourite) alongside shrimp tostados, Baja-style beer-battered fish, blackened salmon, and beef-brisket will be available in Notting Hill. Besides this, the venue also does Mexican-style brunch. Drink-wise, aside from the already mentioned non-alcoholic beverages, Trejo’s Taco holds an impressive selection of mezcal and tequila, which adds to the authenticity of its Mexican direction.

The venue’s decor also deserves special attention — filled with live cacti of different sizes and large paintings of wrestlers on the walls, Trejo’s Tacos create an atmosphere of a real Mexican dining experience with a hint of Hollywood escapade. Additionally, there is a downstairs, which forms an underground speakeasy, where guests can wind down and shows off their dance moves to live DJs.