Into the Fold: Toronto’s eight best tacos, from the traditional to the tricked-out
Into the Fold: Toronto’s eight best tacos, from the traditional to the tricked-out
Here, the best of the spicy, messy bunch
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- Toronto’s best taco gets a lot of love before it arrives on the plate: the pork is cured in annatto seeds, slow braised, shredded, simmered in pork fat and then finished with a dash of bitter orange. On top, there’s a dollop of lime-kissed guac and airy-light chicharrones (i.e., glorified pork rinds). $11. <em>928 Dundas St. W., 416-551-8854.</em>
- The Black Hoof’s Berkshire pork–shoulder tacos
- The Black Hoof’s Berkshire pork–shoulder tacos
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- One of the city’s new gastropubs makes killer California-style tacos with freshly fried, cornmeal-crusted cat fish. Lime crema, pico de gallo, tangy slaw and cilantro top it off. $15. <em>162 Danforth Ave., 416-792-8088.</em>
- The Combine’s basa tacos
- The Combine’s basa tacos
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- Chunks of fish get soaked in buttermilk and dipped in cornmeal to create a fried chicken–like crust. Chunky guacamole, shaved cabbage, crème fraîche and cilantro perfect the crackling bundle. $13. 1150 Queen St. <em>W., 416-531-5042.</em>
- The Drake Café’s cod tacos
- The Drake Café’s cod tacos
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- The secret to really good chorizo tacos is house-made sausage. El Jacal’s is ground with guajillo, morita and chipotle peppers for extra kick. Oozing mozzarella adds a blanket of richness. $9.75. <em>1056 Bloor St. W., 416-244-4447.</em>
- El Jacal’s chorizo tacos
- El Jacal’s chorizo tacos
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- Biting into this one, you get the snap of sautéed shrimp followed by the silkiness of refried beans, crema and a slice of avocado. A side of hot tomatillo-chili salsa shoots through it all like a Taser. $11.25. <em>783 Queen St. W., 416-366-2855.</em>
- Milagro’s taquito rosaritos
- Milagro’s taquito rosaritos
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- The meat, boiled and then sautéed, is garlicky and ridiculously supple. It doesn’t need any fancy dressing—just onion, cilantro and a dash of jalapeño—j tomatillo sauce. $8.50. <em>126 Rogers Rd., 416-658-5001.</em>
- Rebozo’s beef tongue tacos
- Rebozo’s beef tongue tacos
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- Cured in Japanese seven-spice powder, cooked sous-vide, glazed with soy-mirin sauce and tossed with pickled mushrooms, radishes, coriander seeds, fried nori, shiso cream, avocado and ginger, this taco has more accessories than Nicki Minaj. $14. <em>89 Harbord St., 416-962-8989.</em>
- The Harbord Room’s Japanese tacos
- The Harbord Room’s Japanese tacos
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- Pork is marinated with annatto seeds, chipotles, cumin and cinnamon, then roasted on a vertical spit, like Mexican shawarma. The meat is tender and sweet, served with canned pineapple, raw onion and cilantro. $9.75. <em>277 Augusta Ave., 416-260-0097.</em>
- El Trompo’s tacos al pastor
- El Trompo’s tacos al pastor
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By Eric Vellend | Photography by Christopher Stevenson. Food styling by Linsey Bell/judy inc.
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No Tacos el Asador?
For SHAME.
Agree with Oatbag. El Asador is the real deal.
Also, it’s pico DE gallo, not di.
most of those look really gross. its criminal el asador isnt listed. legit, and you dont have to go to some fancy spot to pay out of the ass for them. tacos in canada = for shame.
I think that the Voltron fish taco from La Carnita (http://lacarnita.com/) should have made this list.
No El Asador, and no Playa Cabana (on Dupont) that makes incredible tacos. And both are cheap and cheerful and amazingly great. Shame!
Really, how can you overlook Tacos El Asador?
None of these are even real tacos…El Rincon…
The fish taco’s at Liberty Village Rotisserie are a hidden gem. They are as inexpensive at $3 as they are delicious. Gourmet without the pomposity.
El Asador is great if you love wringing out your tacos before eating them. People need to get over El Asador.
El Asador is very cheap and very tasteless. It may be authentic, but it is not good food.
I have been looking from a real athentic Mexican Rest. Is this is ” El Asador” Where is it? Lynda
The BEST tacos EVER are at Playa Cabana at 111 Dupont St. Had the braised short rib taco last night … to die for. Their food is incredible, and the tequila is awesome too. :-) It is packed every single night, that’s how amazing the food is.
YES -El Asador is the real deal….including the picnic tables. Who needs fancy napkins. These are golden tacos…
Harbord Room is over-priced crap, enough said
Not a single veggie taco!? What about Hot Beans? HOT BEANS!
What about Grand Electric? The pork belly and baha tacos are delish.
Taco’s!!!!!!!!!
Wow. Black Hoof picked is the best taco..can’t say I’m surprised. The media blows their load on anything they serve.