Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina, the Junction’s kitschy new taco bar
Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina, the Junction’s kitschy new taco bar
By Karolyne Ellacott | January 10, 2013
By Karolyne Ellacott | 01/10/2013
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Dave Sidhu’ s Playa Cabana Cantina, which opened late last month in the Junction, is Toronto’s latest taco-and-tequila spot. The menu doesn’t deviate much from sister restaurant Playa Cabana in the Annex, but the room is more boisterous, with a steady stream of reggaeton, bachata and salsa beats pumping loudly overhead. Like Cabana, Cantina focuses on tacos, burritos and bocaditos (appetizers) with tortillas made to order. Taco options include tacos al pastor and the popular ancho-braised shortrib trio ($14), and there’s a six-seat oyster bar with a rotating selection of bivalves. Signature cocktails like the C on the E with a Side of B are available, alongside Mexican beers and plenty of tequila, in the cavernous room filled with vintage Mexican kitsch—movie posters, hat-shaped lights from Guadalajara and bright neon signs pushing all manner of booze.
185590 C on the R with a Side of B ($12): Los Arango reposado tequila, Campari, sweet vermouth<br />
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-13/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-13 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185595 Tacos al pastor with roasted adobo-marinated organic Berkshire pork and pineapple ($14) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-18/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-18 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185594 Rib-eye carne asada ($19): 12-ounce steak marinated in guajillo and chipotle chiles and seared on a metal plate with rice, beans, jalapeño pico de gallo and guacomole (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-17/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-17 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185593 Tacos with short rib braised in ancho chilies topped with pico de gallo, guacomole and house crema ($14) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-16/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-16 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185592 Burrito with house dry-cured chorizo topped with a fried egg, salsa roja, Piccadillo sauce, crema, guacamole, cabbage, fresh corn and a little bit of guajillo ($16) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-15/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-15 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185591 Elotes a la parrilla ($10): grilled corn on the cob rubbed in pequin chilis with lime and queso fresco (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-14/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-14 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185586 Playa Cabana Cantina’s oyster bar (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-09/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-09 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185582 The “LIQUOR” sign came from the side of building in New York (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-05/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-05 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185589 The hat-shaped lights come from Guadalajara (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-12/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-12 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185583 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-06/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-06 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185584 The walls are covered with vintage Mexican movie posters (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-07/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-07 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185588 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-11/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-11 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185581 The giant lightbulb “E” came from the Yellow Pages building in Detroit (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-04/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-04 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185587 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-10/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-10 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185596 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-intro/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-intro 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
185578 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina Introducing: Playa Cabana Cantina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan13-Playa-Cantina-West-Junction-Toronto-01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/playa-cabana-cantina/slide/jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-01/ jan13-playa-cantina-west-junction-toronto-01 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Playa Cabana Cantina, 2883 Dundas St. W., 647-352-7767, www.playacabana.ca/ @PlayaCabana
Well Hopefully its not as terrible as their location on Dupont. My wife and I had a reservation and they put us on their “covered patio” Which is a little more then a sheet, with some space heaters on it., We left after 15mins because my wife is pregnant and I was infuriated WOULD NEVER GO AGAIN!