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1
El Rincon Mexicano
It almost seems novel these days: a Mexican restaurant that doesn’t come with a de facto side of Wild Turkey and the Wu-Tang. This family-friendly spot on St. Clair West predates the Toronto taco craze, and neither the menu nor the serape-and-sombrero-swathed decor has changed a lick in years. Out on the back patio, a screaming-orange paint job casts a sunny glow over hefty platters of tacos, enchiladas, burritos and fajitas stuffed with beef flank or chorizo. Frosty margaritas and daiquiris are – it goes without saying – obligatory.
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2
Grand Electric
Three years on from the restaurant opening that launched a thousand taco trend pieces, the three-hour-plus wait times seem to have finally, finally eased at Grand Electric – now it’s more like two hours. The demand still runs as strong as the bourbon cocktails for the staple scrapple, pork belly and fried fish tacos – and justly so, since they’re still some of the city’s best, even in the face of all the imitators they’ve spawned. The partially covered backyard space doubles the tiny resto’s capacity, a boon for both patrons waiting for a spot and those downing citrusy-creamy ceviche and $4 bourbon specials out back.
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3
El Catrin
There are patios and then there are patios: The outdoor seating area at this Mexican bistro in the Distillery is a jaw-dropper. Punchy yellow and green patio furniture pops against the brick-and-iron backdrop of the neighbourhood, while filigree metal chandeliers loom like UFOs overhead. It’s a vibrant setting for sampling ceviches (the menu features five) or splitting shrimp buckets or taco plates. But if you really want to show summer who’s boss, grab a Pineapple Smash: 4 ounces of Milagro Blanco and triple sec with coconut and pineapple juice, served in a hollowed-out pineapple husk.
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4
Cocina Economica
Dave Sidhu’s latest spot brings the party vibe of his Playa Cabana eateries to an otherwise sleepy stretch of Corktown. The relatively modest front patio, which seats about 20, extends the fiesta atmosphere to the curb with bold turquoise and yellow fixtures. As of press time, the restaurant was still working on licensing the patio – so if you can’t get a pitcher of boozy sangria yet, the horchata and jamaica are worthy substitutes. Portions are shareable, and vary in terms of value (a $32 half-pound platter of carnitas yields just six tacos), but the scallop-and-shrimp ceviche is ultra-fresh, the guac is buttery, and the tunes are cranked way, way up.
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5
Fonda Lola
942 Queen W, Toronto, OntarioYou wouldn’t know it from the exuberantly rustic, cantina-like interior, but the yard behind this West Queen West taqueria (opened by two Mexico City émigrés) is peaceful, modern, even elegant. Ivy and a spreading Japanese maple tree shade clean-lined wooden tables where you can indulge in a menu of traditional dishes done straight-up, like build-your-own tacos al pastor or spicy Trout Aguachile. Aside from the “Caesar salad,” candied bacon and parm served in little Boston lettuce scoops, you’ll find comparatively few fancy fusion twists here – just clean, well-executed cooking.
