United Latino Cocina (ULC) has the smartest dining room and the tastiest menu in the Rundle Mall precinct, but a few people still don’t know about it.

Lucky for the rest of us – because it’s always packed.

Tucked away in Francis Street, next to the new city library, ULC has been at the forefront of the new wave of Latin food in Adelaide – and lunch is its main game.

The menu is extensive and ranges from snacks to hearty meals.

You can pop in for grilled corn on the cob with chipotle mayonnaise, or roasted corn and tortilla soup, and work up to empanadas, tacos, tostadas, sandwiches, quesadillas and more substantial items. It’s all packed with flavour – salty, sour, spicy, fresh and bright.

And even though it’s usually jumping with customers, they turn out the food quick-smart.

Drinks including Latin American beers, Mexican soda, and wine by the glass.

Favourite menu item: The fish taco makes a perfect little lunch (although you’ll probably want two) and is terrifically priced at under $7. The taco’s star is succulent, golden-fried chunks of snapper, served with pickled jalapeno, salad, and a wonderfully bright pineapple salsa, all wrapped in a soft corn tortilla.

For variety, you might like to team it with the taco de pollo y tocino – slow-cooked chicken, speck, black beans, jalapeno, coriander, lettuce, avocado and salsa.

Both are just spicy enough and popping with flavour.

Other options: Go crazy. There’s a huge range to choose from, including empanadas (corn masa turnovers stuffed with baked chicken, tomatillo, hominy, jalapeno and cheese, and a boggling array of other goodies) or even a “Sloppy Jose” – spiced beef and pork mince served with papas fritos. Or you can choose from a range of sandwiches (but why would you?). There’s also a daily specials list.

Something sweet: I haven’t made it this far into the menu for lunch, but in theory the flan (a traditional central American creme caramel) and the Mexican chocolate and apricot bread pudding both should be sensational.

United Latino Cocina
Francis Street, Adelaide (off Rundle Mall)
Phone: 08 8232 0674