What’s on the menu at Campechano, the Toronto taqueria’s new Little Italy location
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Name: Campechano
Contact: 460 College St., campechano.ca, @campechano_to
Neighbourhood: Little Italy
Owners: Raena Fisher, Daniel Roe (Campechano, Good Hombres)
Chef: Daniel Roe
Seating: 50 indoors, 35 outdoors
Covid-19 safety measures: Frequent sanitization, indoor mask policy, physically distanced tables, dividers between booths, contact tracing
Accessibility: Not accessible
The food
The popular taqueria’s second location is bigger than the original Adelaide St. spot, but the culinary through line remains the same: for Roe, everything rests on the quality of the tortillas. The restaurant imports heirloom corn from Mexico—which is less sweet than most North American varieties—and nixtamalizes it (a process that enhances its flavour and nutritional value) on site.
Tortillas are made fresh throughout the day, and never reheated; if you order three tacos, you’ll get them one at a time to ensure they’re hot when they hit your palate. Toppings are thoughtful and restrained—typically just a few good ingredients treated with care, like house chorizo made from local pork, tender beer-battered haddock, or a simple, balanced avocado salsa. The menu always features ceviche, too. Right now, it’s made of super-fresh sea bass.
The drinks
Tequila and mezcal get top billing on the cocktail menu. The drinks are unfussy and approachable—think margaritas and mojitos—but with fun flourishes, like a piña mojito made with pineapple and coconut rum. There’s a tight beer selection, including rotating local and Mexican varieties. Soft drinks include Topo Chico (if you know you know), Squirt and Mexican Coke.
The space
Soft light warms the dining room, which is lined by booth seating. The vibes are chill and homey, with a few fun industrial elements mixed in, like green enamel-coated lights that (fun fact) are made from the same material as the plates. There’s a wooden plank depicting the Virgin Mary, and knick-knacks—a model VW Beetle car, bottles of Mexican Coke—lining the windows. Outside, a street-facing patio and some CafeTO tables make summer nights count.
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Name: Campechano
Contact: 460 College St., campechano.ca, @campechano_to
Neighbourhood: Little Italy
Owners: Raena Fisher, Daniel Roe (Campechano, Good Hombres)
Chef: Daniel Roe
Seating: 50 indoors, 35 outdoors
Covid-19 safety measures: Frequent sanitization, indoor mask policy, physically distanced tables, dividers between booths, contact tracing
Accessibility: Not accessible
The food
The popular taqueria's second location is bigger than the original Adelaide St. spot, but the culinary through line remains the same: for Roe, everything rests on the quality of the tortillas. The restaurant imports heirloom corn from Mexico—which is less sweet than most North American varieties—and nixtamalizes it (a process that enhances its flavour and nutritional value) on site.
Tortillas are made fresh throughout the day, and never reheated; if you order three tacos, you’ll get them one at a time to ensure they’re hot when they hit your palate. Toppings are thoughtful and restrained—typically just a few good ingredients treated with care, like house chorizo made from local pork, tender beer-battered haddock, or a simple, balanced avocado salsa. The menu always features ceviche, too. Right now, it’s made of super-fresh sea bass.
[caption id="attachment_564308" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] Sea bass is steeped in lime and dressed with a pico de gallo of tomatoes, onions and cilantro. It’s served with chips made from the restaurant's house-made tortillas. Bright and briny, this deceptively simple combination brings out the best in the fish. $19.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564320" align="aligncenter" width="1833"] More ceviche and house-made chips, comin' up[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564309" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] Poblano peppers are roasted, skinned and stewed with fresh corn kernels and a bit of cream. These verdant beauties are destined for the rajas taco.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564334" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] And here it is. The rajas taco pairs cotija cheese with roasted poblano peppers stewed with corn and cream. Poblanos—low on the Scoville scale but bright with bold, earthy flavours—make a worthy main event for a veggie taco. $8.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564313" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] Here we have the vegan hongos taco. Mushrooms are sautéed to meaty perfection with guajillo chiles and garlic, and topped with avocado and morita salsa. $8.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564314" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] For the coliflor, gorgeously browned cauliflower is tossed with a cascabel chili salsa mache and topped with avocado salsa, jalapeño salsa, cilantro and onions. $8.[/caption]
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[caption id="attachment_564321" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] For the sweet and spicy pollo al pastor, chicken thighs are marinated in red adobo made with guajillo peppers, grilled on the flat top, and topped with pineapple, avocado salsa and macha (basically a Mexican chili oil).[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564322" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] The costilla is a triumph of smoky, juicy grilled ribeye, guacamole, onion, cilantro, avocado salsa and macha. This is one of Campechano’s most popular tacos. $10.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564316" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] A summery spread[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564319" align="aligncenter" width="2750"] Fisher and Roe, snacking on the sunny patio.[/caption]
The drinks
Tequila and mezcal get top billing on the cocktail menu. The drinks are unfussy and approachable—think margaritas and mojitos—but with fun flourishes, like a piña mojito made with pineapple and coconut rum. There’s a tight beer selection, including rotating local and Mexican varieties. Soft drinks include Topo Chico (if you know you know), Squirt and Mexican Coke.
[caption id="attachment_564315" align="aligncenter" width="1833"] The spicy margarita is a bold but approachable knockout. It’s made with jalapeño-infused tequila, cucumber, lime, Triple Sec, and a zingy salt and chili rim. $12, or $55 for a pitcher.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_564311" align="aligncenter" width="1833"] The piña mojito features a punchy duo of dark and coconut rum alongside mint and pineapple juice. If a mojito was already beachy and festive, this cocktail sends those qualities into overdrive. $12.[/caption]
The space
Soft light warms the dining room, which is lined by booth seating. The vibes are chill and homey, with a few fun industrial elements mixed in, like green enamel-coated lights that (fun fact) are made from the same material as the plates. There’s a wooden plank depicting the Virgin Mary, and knick-knacks—a model VW Beetle car, bottles of Mexican Coke—lining the windows. Outside, a street-facing patio and some CafeTO tables make summer nights count.
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