Introducing: Estrella Taqueria, North York’s answer to the downtown taco trend
Name: Estrella Taqueria
Contact Info: 4899 Yonge St., 416-222-1500, estrellataqueria.ca, @estrellataco
Neighbourhood: Yonge and Sheppard
Owners: Rick Padulo, Charles Z. Markowitz and Otta Zapotocky, the former sommelier at Nota Bene and current owner of L’Avenue Bistro,
Executive Chef: Jeremy Dyer, also the executive chef at L’Avenue
The Place: A sprawling, honky-tonk–themed restaurant and bar modeled after the famous Big Star taqueria in Chicago (“estrella” is Spanish for “star”). The 4,200-square-foot clubhouse is really three spaces in one: a massive freestanding bar and lounge; a casual dining area; and a bright purple rec room with ping-pong tables and a DJ spinning old-timey Bakersfield tunes. A fourth space, opening next spring, is a 130-seat rooftop patio with a full-service bar, a fire pit and a jumbo-screen television for movie nights.
The Food: Tacos and other Mexican standards, plus some unconventional options, like tortillas stuffed with duck confit and ratatouille (the restaurant bills itself as “French-Mex”). Guacamole is mashed tableside and served with house-made chips.
The Drinks: Tequila and bourbon–based cocktails, like the citrusy Along Came Paloma with Cazadores Anejo tequila, Cointreau and grapefruit. The wine list sticks to bottles from Spain, Portugal and South America.
The Numbers:
• 4,200 square feet
• 280 seats
• 130-seat rooftop patio, opening April 2014
• 35 kinds of tequila
• $16 per ounce for the most expensive bourbon, a 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Select
244067 Estrella is located at Yonge and Sheppherd (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A001-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A001.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A001.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a001/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a001 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244068 The name Estrella (Spanish for “star”) is a nod to Chicago taqueria Big Star, which was the inspiration for the restaurant (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A002-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A002.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A002.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a002/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a002 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244069 Graffiti artist Elicser created the Day of the Dead–themed murals in the dining room (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A003-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A003.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A003.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a003/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a003 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244070 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A004-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A004.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A004.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a004/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a004 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244071 The restaurant’s rec room is outfitted with a pair of ping-pong tables (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A005-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A005.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A005.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a005/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a005 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244072 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A006-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A006.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A006.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a006/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a006 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244073 Estrella Taqueria’s wraparound bar (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A007-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A007.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A007.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a007/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a007 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244074 The lounge area below the bar (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A008-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A008.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-A008.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a008/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-a008 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244075 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B001-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B001.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B001.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b001/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b001 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244076 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B002-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B002.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B002.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b002/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b002 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244077 Tortilla soup with chicken and cilantro ($7) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B003-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B003.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B003.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b003/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b003 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244078 Duck confit tacos with ancho chili sauce, fried shallots, queso fresco and slaw ($5.50 each) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B004-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B004.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B004.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b004/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b004 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244079 Baja fish tacos with fried snapper, pickled chilis, slaw and salsa verde ($5 each) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B005-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B005.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B005.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b005/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b005 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244080 Roasted pork shoulder tacos with grilled pineapple, cilantro and lime ($5.50 each) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B006-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B006.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B006.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b006/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b006 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244081 Along Came Paloma: tequila, Cointreau, grapefruit juice, lime juice and mint ($9) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B007-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B007.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B007.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b007/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b007 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244082 Papaya-marinated grilled bavette with guajillo sauce, jicama salad and tortillas ($16) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B008-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B008.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-B008.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b008/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-b008 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244083 Papaya-marinated grilled bavette with guajillo sauce, jicama salad and tortillas ($16) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C001-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C001.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C001.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c001/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c001 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244084 French ratatouille-style taco with cojita, guajillo sauce, pickled onions and cilantro ($5) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C002-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C002.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C002.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c002/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c002 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244085 Guacamole is mashed tableside and served with house-made tortilla chips ($8) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C003-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C003.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C003.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c003/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c003 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244086 Guacamole is mashed tableside and served with house-made tortilla chips ($8) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C004-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C004.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C004.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c004/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c004 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244087 Guacamole is mashed tableside and served with house-made tortilla chips ($8) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C005-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C005.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C005.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c005/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c005 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
244088 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Estrella Taqueria https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C006-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C006.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-C006.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/estrella-taqueria-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c006/ toronto-restaurants-estrella-taqueria-c006 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
Can’t wait to try this place. Finally, a restaurant with taco’s in my neighbourhood!
awesome this is right at the bottom of my street! i love mexican food and i look forward to the new patio in the summer…
Just went the other night… I enjoyed the food except for the pork shoulder taco with pineapple. The flavors were there but the meat was super dry.
Over all it’s a good alternative to driving downtown to get tacos.
I’d go back.
Good luck to Otta. Can’t wait to try it.
It’s great that someone finally filled the gap for a cool bar/restaurant in this neighbourhood. It was really lacking in fun options until now. From what I hear, it’s delicious.. And there are two ping pong tables that convert into pool tables. Smart.
i am so excited! hope it’s bumpin on the weekends.. definitely something north york needed.
when will these taco places learn.
You need TWO tortillas per taco! not ONE! Tortillas are inherently weak and prone to splitting when picked up. If you can’t even get that right I don’t think anyone who’s had a taco in a taco-centric city would bother visiting your establishment.
It’s bad enough you’re not even making the tortillas in house! How hard is it to buy maize and a tortilla press and put the resulting thing on a flattop for 30 seconds? Look at how your tortillas curl up round the edges, this is what happens when they are dry, no bueno. We don’t mind you jumping on the trend late and attempting to do it big. Three businesses succeed the first, the best, and the best funded. We see where you’re trying to fit in, but do it right please the city doesn’t need another mediocre new establishment we are cleaning up the city thanks to a handful of amazing chefs and the old crap is slowly disappearing.