Mexicali Fresh Mount Maunganui www.mexicalifresh.co.nz

A new California-style Mexican restaurant aims to bring the freshest food and flavour to Mount Maunganui.

Mount franchise owners Dion Dragicevich and Jo McGreevy say Mexicali Fresh serves fresh, real food at a fast pace.

Dion Dragicevich and Jo McGreevy.

'Every day we chop salsas and fresh herbs, grill and roast our meats and fry the chips to ensure we provide the freshest, most flavourful meal, every time,” says Jo.

'Mexicali Fresh has something for everyone – our menu can be customised to your tastes and health needs, so there are options for people who are gluten-free, vegetarian, low-carb or paleo. It can be as mild or spicy as you like.”

Mexicali Fresh is a family-owned business, which features family recipes originated from the owners' friends and family in California and Mexico.

The couple say its style is fast, but casual – providing a higher quality of food and atmosphere than fast-food restaurants, but without table service.

The menu includes big American-style fresh burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, naked burritos (no wrap), taco salads, green salads.

Dion and Jo enjoyed dining at one of Mexicali Fresh's 12 restaurants in Auckland so much that they decided to invest in the business – moving their family to Tauranga to bring a restaurant to Mount Maunganui.

'We're thrilled to be here and to bring a new and fresh dining option to the Mount,” says Dion.

'We're passionate about fresh food, and can't wait to share our flavours and our fast and friendly service with the Bay.”

The licensed and family-friendly restaurant on Maunganui Rd offers a relaxed dining environment with a fun atmosphere, with surf videos and great music – and also has takeaway and catering options.