This Halal Mexican bar in Bangi is so speakeasy, you’ll think that Waze is capping you

When I heard about Quatro Gusto in Bangi, I was instantly intrigued. A halal Mexican bar hidden in an industrial zone?

It’s not every day you get to hear the words “halal” and “Mexican Bar” in one sentence, and if that confuses you, same here.

But, what most people don’t realise is that, well, the term bar isn’t solely for only alcoholic drinks and sexy bartenders. It is a synonym of countertops, like salad bars, ice cream bars, and so forth.

Trying to locate this speakeasy bar

Image Credit: Ratu Idzam on Google Review (left), Mujahid Fakhrul Anuar (right)

The team and I drove to Bangi, with growling stomachs and a gas tank reaching its last two bars.

As Waze signaled that we were reaching our destination, confusion took over. We were in the middle of an industrial zone.

Huh…?

Darn, you Waze. I swiftly toggled my phone and switched on Google Maps to compare locations. You’re here.

Wait…have I been capped by two navigation apps at once? Or, maybe the restaurant moved location?

Before my Karen alter ego took over, my colleague tapped my shoulder, “Look, it’s there.”

There it was, Quatro Gusto, tucked into a corner of a factory building. It was not the dingy back alley restobar I had pictured.

To my surprise, the restaurant gave off a family-friendly atmosphere, with a couple of families enjoying their evening fare. Quirky Mexican decor brightened up the place, with Mexican tunes playing in the background, don’t be too surprised if you start grooving to the beat.

How Quatro Gusto came about

Behind the unique Halal bar-like concept of Quatro Gusto is a warm Malay couple, Fad and his wife Nurul, whose synergy is as seamless as two peas in a pod.

Fad shared why they chose to open their restobar in an unexpected, non-commercial location.

“We always intended to set up the restaurant in a non-commercial area, much like Mexican bars [that are] often hidden in construction sites. In Mexico, you’ll find pubs within factory or construction zones, offering workers a close spot to relax with a drink, a part of their lepak culture.”

Ah, that explains its hidden location. Hearing this, I couldn’t help but admire their commitment to the concept—a bold and risky move since word-of-mouth and social media marketing is crucial to attract new customers.

Then, I asked the question many are curious about: why a ‘halal bar’ concept?

At this point, Fad nudged his wife, and Nurul confidently took the reins. “In Malaysia, most Mexican restaurants serve alcohol, so it’s rare to find one with all halal drinks. We wanted to create a bar vibe but serve only halal mocktails, ensuring that everything here, from food to drinks, is halal.”

Muslim customers often hesitate to dine in pork-free restaurants that serve alcohol, as everyone has their level of conservatism. At Quatro Gusto, there’s no such concern. The owners and staff are all Muslims, giving customers peace of mind while enjoying the bar-like ambiance. Sometimes, that’s just the change you need from the usual mamak stall.

Bottoms up! Um, the halal way

Fad and Nurul shared how deeply they want their restaurant to mirror a classic Mexican restobar, and this extends to their mocktails, which are inspired by traditional pub drinks. We sampled three of their bestsellers: the Donna Maracuya, El Misteriosa, and Bloody Azul. All priced at RM12 each.

Out of all the bestsellers, I loved Donna Maracuya the most. It’s a blend of grapefruit and passion fruit with fizz soda and herbs, topped with mascarpone. It’s punchy and fruity, with a touch of creaminess from the mascarpone!

If you like something sweet, you might be down for the El Misteriosa, which is honeydew mixed with a a yummy sour cream.

I was also pleasantly surprised with their Bloody Azul, with a unique flavour profile that’s between an ice cream soda, and asam boi.

An unexpected triumph of Mexican fares

Though the mocktails here are pretty good, I have to give more credit to Mexican food here, which took me by surprise.

Their Enchiladas Beef tasted amazing, with chunks from the beef having a perfectly crusty but juicy texture at the same time, bursting with flavours.

For pasta lovers, you will fall head over heels for their truffle creamy mushroom pasta with bacon. The truffle notes are super intense. Personally, I found it overpowering after a few bites, but my colleague loved it and appreciates an over-seasoned pasta over a bland one, any day.

We’re Asians after all, it’s all about the spices!

Speaking of Asian spices, their Spicy Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos also caught my attention. Its tangy sauce, paired with juicy, fresh shrimps and a dash of herbs were a triple kill. The Asian in you will surely want to reach out for this one.

Other must-tries here include the Chicken De Tinga Tacos, Quesadillas Chicken, Mexican Loaded Nachos, and Fries with Crispy Chipotle Chicken.

By the end of my meal, I could confidently say that I enjoyed the Mexican cuisine and overall experience here at Quatro Gusto. Being pork-free and alcohol-free, this restobar thoughtfully caters to Muslim customers and is a refreshing change from the usual Malay stalls and mamaks scattered around Bangi.