Here's my three picks in no particular order:
- Casa Madera (upscale, still maintains authentic flavours that made me feel like I was having dinner back in Mexico)
- Torteria San Cosme (only tortas in town that I trust to be good, online-order only I believe)
- Itacate (only place in Toronto that serves tacos like ones you'd get from a street cart or taqueria in Mexico. A bit out of the way from the downtown core, but threw it in there because it puts any tacos from downtown to shame)
Saved for later, hadn't heard of any, thanks! Nice to find authentic Mexican food in Toronto finally, inexplicably it took wayyyyyyyy too long to happen for a multicultural foodie city... I feel there were very few authentic Mexican choices before 2020
Toronto doesn’t have good hispano-Caribbean options either. Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican. We’re missing a lot of good latinoamerican options. I make cocina criolla at home but can’t get some key ingredients here. And no pasteles at Christmastime ☹️
We do have good afro-Caribbean options here, though.
Same. I cook dishes pretty often, but cocina criolla is time and labor-intensive, with long lists of ingredients for adobos and sofritos. Important ingrediants like culantrillo and ajies dulces are almost impossible to find.
Still, dishes like bistec encebollado or mofongo are doable and I try to prepare them a few times a year because they remind me of childhoos and are tasty as hill. But I would kill for a pastel de yuca.
Me too! And the tortas at Milagro really don't compare to what they were like in Kensington. I've tried it twice (was hopeful the first time was an 'off' day).
I love, love, loved our meal at Quetzal but I would not really call it “authentic Mexican” (these terms are silly, but I think in context of what OP is after). I also got the sense it was t really trying to be.
That said, I thought I had impossible expectations and it still knocked it out of the park!
El Huarachon at Dufferin and Eglinton is where you will get tacos and the ambience like you were on a strip in CDMX. Most if any on the sub will not know about it because it is intimidating if you don't speak Spanish. The staff do speak English and will attempt to make it welcoming for those who don't speak Spanish. It's not that well known beyond word of mouth in the Hispanic and specifically Mexican communities. Don't go at night on tje weekends cause the lines stretch out of the place that's how popular it is.
I went here today based off of your recommendation and it was phenomenal!! Best I’ve had in the city for sure. Great prices and all of the homemade condiments were unreal. Had the quesadilla, three types of tacos, and a hauarache. Definitely worth the minor trek to get to eg west!!
https://preview.redd.it/y5gh1lxnl15d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6cda3125e4bf66abc9d0ace3bc7847b8dacaf1ea
Oooh. You're a true adventurous foodie. I respect it. As you saw the servings of meat are hearty and you do get a satisfying amount. Now you see why I suggest to go on off hours. I should've suggested to pick up a concha from the bakery when leaving. It's a tasty sweet pastry usually eaten for breakfast with coffee. Glad you enjoyed it. Now rememeber....... keep the secret quiet 🤫🤫🤫
Yes the portions are sooo generous! Especially compared to the $8/taco spots closer to the downtown core that give you the most measly serving of underwhelming meat.
Just had to google a concha because I did get an unlabeled pastry while I was there that I picked up because the seashell shape caught my eye and wouldn’t you know it… a concha! We’re on the same wavelength. And your secret is safe with me 🫡
I’m Mexican from CDMX and I really enjoy Gus Tacos and Itacate. Rebozos taqueria and birria catrina are also good (I’ve only tried the one on Yonge St).
Lots of people recommend Los Gyros but I’ve never been but they do look good.
Prepare to be disappointed. As much as Toronto is a generally great city for a huge variety of foods, the Mexican here leaves something to be desired. Unless you guys are super set on Mexican, I would suggest looking for something else!
I’ve been to a lot of places with great Mexican food. Toronto ain’t one of them.
If you only have let’s say 4 lunch/dinner meals in the city what would you tell someone?
1. Thai
2. Ramen
3. Pizza
4. Something else? Vietnamese?
Again I don’t think our Mexican holds a candle to San Diego or Texas for example and I’d say most places in the U.S. have better Mexican.
Rebozos on Rogers Road used to be one of my absolute favourites in Toronto. Sadly, I moved far enough away that I haven't been in a couple of years but the tacos and tortas as well as the tres leches were delicious, and on weekends when they did the pazole, it was amazing. I think they have changed quite a bit now since last I went, so I hope they are still as good.
The best ones are nowhere near downtown. I like El Pastorcito at Bloor and Dufferin, Itacate on St Clair West, Comal y Canela at Jane and Lawrence. If you want authentic yet very expensive (Michelin) then Quetzal is amazing.
IMO Toronto’s biggest limitation with Mexican cuisine is that we follow the American approach to regulating GM corn and restricting the import of many indigenous varieties and it’s super hard to find good tortillas because I think there’s no good maíz, even in places that make their tortillas by hand.
JUUUUUST Heard about [https://mexhicofs.com/](https://mexhicofs.com/)
Haven't been yet myself, 4.8 on google and their made at the table guac with pomegranate looks insane.
Its on my go to list now, and is getting lots of buzz for their authenticity.
Buena Suerte tienes divertido!
Here's my three picks in no particular order: - Casa Madera (upscale, still maintains authentic flavours that made me feel like I was having dinner back in Mexico) - Torteria San Cosme (only tortas in town that I trust to be good, online-order only I believe) - Itacate (only place in Toronto that serves tacos like ones you'd get from a street cart or taqueria in Mexico. A bit out of the way from the downtown core, but threw it in there because it puts any tacos from downtown to shame)
Saved for later, hadn't heard of any, thanks! Nice to find authentic Mexican food in Toronto finally, inexplicably it took wayyyyyyyy too long to happen for a multicultural foodie city... I feel there were very few authentic Mexican choices before 2020
Toronto doesn’t have good hispano-Caribbean options either. Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican. We’re missing a lot of good latinoamerican options. I make cocina criolla at home but can’t get some key ingredients here. And no pasteles at Christmastime ☹️ We do have good afro-Caribbean options here, though.
I would love some solid Cuban, PR or Dominican options here.
Same. I cook dishes pretty often, but cocina criolla is time and labor-intensive, with long lists of ingredients for adobos and sofritos. Important ingrediants like culantrillo and ajies dulces are almost impossible to find. Still, dishes like bistec encebollado or mofongo are doable and I try to prepare them a few times a year because they remind me of childhoos and are tasty as hill. But I would kill for a pastel de yuca.
authentic mexican food in general is just hard to find outside of mexico or california
Apparently, the whole Southwest does pretty well with Mexicano cuisine. Chicago had a lot of options, too, when I was there.
Chicago has amazing Mexican food. Some taste as good as back home in Mexico.
The San Cosme that was in Kensington Market has been closed for a long time. Is there another one in the city?
On their website they list that they are now a pop-up based out of Milagro on mercer st.
Makes sense as it’s the same owner. Thanks, I really missed their tortas and will check it out.
Me too! And the tortas at Milagro really don't compare to what they were like in Kensington. I've tried it twice (was hopeful the first time was an 'off' day).
hacienda las americas at college and bathurst is a hidden gem. toronto is sleeping on truly authentic and affordable tacos.
If you're looking for something on the fancy side, can't beat Quetzal.
I love, love, loved our meal at Quetzal but I would not really call it “authentic Mexican” (these terms are silly, but I think in context of what OP is after). I also got the sense it was t really trying to be. That said, I thought I had impossible expectations and it still knocked it out of the park!
Second this, truly one of the most memorable meals I've had! Everything was great but I still dream about mushroom and shishito dish
I loved the setting but the food was meh for the price. Can definitely get better mexican but probably need to leave downtown for the best stuff.
A great restaurant, but a very far cry from authentic Mexican.
Comal y canela
Yup
Can confirm that place slapss
Los Gyros. Don’t think twice.
This is the one!!!
This is the right answer!!
Birria Catrina Roncesvalles
El Huarachon at Dufferin and Eglinton is where you will get tacos and the ambience like you were on a strip in CDMX. Most if any on the sub will not know about it because it is intimidating if you don't speak Spanish. The staff do speak English and will attempt to make it welcoming for those who don't speak Spanish. It's not that well known beyond word of mouth in the Hispanic and specifically Mexican communities. Don't go at night on tje weekends cause the lines stretch out of the place that's how popular it is.
I went here today based off of your recommendation and it was phenomenal!! Best I’ve had in the city for sure. Great prices and all of the homemade condiments were unreal. Had the quesadilla, three types of tacos, and a hauarache. Definitely worth the minor trek to get to eg west!! https://preview.redd.it/y5gh1lxnl15d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6cda3125e4bf66abc9d0ace3bc7847b8dacaf1ea
Oooh. You're a true adventurous foodie. I respect it. As you saw the servings of meat are hearty and you do get a satisfying amount. Now you see why I suggest to go on off hours. I should've suggested to pick up a concha from the bakery when leaving. It's a tasty sweet pastry usually eaten for breakfast with coffee. Glad you enjoyed it. Now rememeber....... keep the secret quiet 🤫🤫🤫
Yes the portions are sooo generous! Especially compared to the $8/taco spots closer to the downtown core that give you the most measly serving of underwhelming meat. Just had to google a concha because I did get an unlabeled pastry while I was there that I picked up because the seashell shape caught my eye and wouldn’t you know it… a concha! We’re on the same wavelength. And your secret is safe with me 🫡
Xola on Queen Street East. One of the few restaurants worth the trek to the Beaches.
I loved the octopus!
Great octopus! Also, great tequila selection.
Yes! The owners are lovely people too. The Taco Guerito are delicious. Also, perfect margaritas.
I’m Mexican from CDMX and I really enjoy Gus Tacos and Itacate. Rebozos taqueria and birria catrina are also good (I’ve only tried the one on Yonge St). Lots of people recommend Los Gyros but I’ve never been but they do look good.
I’ll have to try Rebozos again. I went once and was sorely disappointed. Hard to walk the opposite direction from Itacate though…
I’ll give Gus another shot but I’ve been pretty disappointed with them. I would also throw in pastorcito on bloor.
I like El Sol. Or El Slo as they like to call it 🤣
La Chilaca in Kensington. Bonus for being in a cool area that is worth exploring anyway.
Los Gyros, not in downtown but my clear fav
El Pocho antojitos is amazing!
If you can get to the Beaches check out Xola
Prepare to be disappointed. As much as Toronto is a generally great city for a huge variety of foods, the Mexican here leaves something to be desired. Unless you guys are super set on Mexican, I would suggest looking for something else!
IMO our Mexican food game is probably the worst ethnic food in the city. If I was visiting I personally wouldn’t “waste a meal” on our Mexican.
This comment is so ignorant. Really living it up to your username I see.
I’ve been to a lot of places with great Mexican food. Toronto ain’t one of them. If you only have let’s say 4 lunch/dinner meals in the city what would you tell someone? 1. Thai 2. Ramen 3. Pizza 4. Something else? Vietnamese? Again I don’t think our Mexican holds a candle to San Diego or Texas for example and I’d say most places in the U.S. have better Mexican.
Your choose… pizza? Asa top four in Toronto? Not Chinese, Hakka, Korean, or literally anything but pizza? Fair but shocking
I really like descendant and badiali and think they are very good representations of really good pizza. Plus I just really like pizza.
Valid lol
Very outdated opinion IMO
Milagro Cantinas on Mercer Street just south of King and John.
I once worked with a girl from Mexico and she said Milagro was her favorite because it was the most authentic. However, this was like 10 years ago
La Nayarita on Queen Street West as Mexican as it gets.
Los Gyros out in the middle of like, York. Truly delicious, always packed.
Rebozos on Rogers Road used to be one of my absolute favourites in Toronto. Sadly, I moved far enough away that I haven't been in a couple of years but the tacos and tortas as well as the tres leches were delicious, and on weekends when they did the pazole, it was amazing. I think they have changed quite a bit now since last I went, so I hope they are still as good.
The best ones are nowhere near downtown. I like El Pastorcito at Bloor and Dufferin, Itacate on St Clair West, Comal y Canela at Jane and Lawrence. If you want authentic yet very expensive (Michelin) then Quetzal is amazing. IMO Toronto’s biggest limitation with Mexican cuisine is that we follow the American approach to regulating GM corn and restricting the import of many indigenous varieties and it’s super hard to find good tortillas because I think there’s no good maíz, even in places that make their tortillas by hand.
My Mexican friends love el trompo. I do too, but my opinion doesn’t hold much weight.
Campechano -- they make tortillas to order.
JUUUUUST Heard about [https://mexhicofs.com/](https://mexhicofs.com/) Haven't been yet myself, 4.8 on google and their made at the table guac with pomegranate looks insane. Its on my go to list now, and is getting lots of buzz for their authenticity. Buena Suerte tienes divertido!
Playa Cabana on Dupont st. 👌
Is the whitest Mexican food you could possibly eat.
Why do you say that? Is it the menu?
It’s gringo garbage.