Seven essential taco spots, according to Torontoverse readers
We asked the Torontoverse community for taco recommendations. They came through as usual.
Let’s be real: If we tried to round up every place in Toronto where you can get a great, fresh, flavourful taco, we’d be here all day (and likely need more server space).
So, to create a list of not-to-be-missed spots where you can get this Mexican staple, we went to Torontoverse readers on Twitter:
:siren::siren::siren:
— TORONTOVERSE (@torontoverse) April 12, 2023
We’re creating an interactive map of the best taco spots in #Toronto. :taco::world_map: What’s one spot that absolutely NEEDS to be on the list?
Find seven of their picks below, and check out the map to see which one’s closest to you.
Puerto Bravo began its life during the pandemic when its owners started selling seafood-centric Mexican fare via Facebook. After getting a good response, they opened up a permanent location in Little India and haven’t looked back.
The menu features four different varieties of tacos, including carne asana (grilled beef), camarones bravos (sauteed shrimp), pulpo al carbon (grilled octopus), and vegan chorizo. Each is thoughtfully dressed with a unique selection of toppings and salsas.
The window reads “Home of the Gobernador” and the short bio on the website
says “Slingin’ Toronto’s best fish tacos since 2012,” so it’s not hard to see
which fish foot Seven Lives is trying to put forward.
This extremely popular Kensington spot serves up tacos of all stripes, but it’s best known for its bold fish tacos — for good reason. The aforementioned Gobernador features smoked blue marlin, shrimp, cheese, crema, and pickled onions.
In business in the Junction since February 2020, Carmelitas serves Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine.
The soft taco menu includes classics such as al pastor, barbacoa, carnitas, and lengua (beef tongue), and the latter is a local fave. Each comes garnished with cilantro and onions on a homemade tortilla.
You can also order tacos dorados, a crispy shell option that features chicken or potatoes.
A Bloordale staple, Latin World’s original location is a dual restaurant-grocery store that both served up Mexican fare and stocked Latin American products. It’s since expanded to a second restaurant-only location across the street with a large patio.
Known for weekday specials — including $1 tacos — the restaurant serves up classically dressed tacos in myriad varieties. This includes a popular Baja beer-battered fish.
At King’s Tacos — which sells itself as “Real Mexican, really tasty” — customers do the assembling. Tortillas arrive on one plate along with sauces and sides of cilantro and lime, and then your choice of filling arrives on a second.
There are no shortage of options for the latter, either — with over a dozen on offer. These range from the classic and straightforward to the “Special Tacos,” which feature unique combinations of meats and other toppings and can get relatively exotic. (Case in point: Hawaianos tacos include beef, bacon, ham, pineapple, and cheese.)
Portions are huge. Bring your appetite.
First opened in Kensington in 2019, Gus Tacos now has four locations across the city — the original, as well as satellites on Queen West, Dupont, and Gladstone north of Bloor (which, for the record, is the one recommended by our reader).
Tacos here come with onions, cilantro, and your choice of protein on a signature handmade corn tortilla. The protein options at all locations include mushrooms and braised lamb, while the original Kensington spot features a few additional ones.
Celebrating 10 years in business, Grillies has gone from one location to five across the city. As its name suggests, this takeout spot specializes in fresh food off the grill, including burgers in addition to Mexican fare.
Here, tacos come with your choice of five proteins on a soft, hard, or soft corn tortilla. Toppings and sauces are diners’ choice, too.
Grillies also has a major advantage over every other place on this list: three of its locations — including ones on the Danforth, Dundas St. E., and Lawrence Ave. E. — are open 24 hours a day. Taco craving at 2:00 a.m.? No problem.
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Code and markup by Kyle Duncan. ©Torontoverse, 2023