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Ten Toronto Taquerias to Try This Summer

by Eater Staff
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by Eater Staff

Tacos have gone from trendy to a staple in the Toronto restaurant scene. Paired with your favorite beer, bourbon, tequila, or margarita, they also make for the perfect summer treat. With so many different places to try in the city, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the selection. So, in no particular order, here are the taquerias worth visiting this summer.
—Alexander Lipnik


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Grand Electric

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1330 Queen St W, Toronto
ON M6K 1L4, Canada
(416) 627-3459
(416) 627-3459
Visit Website
Start with tacos that combine a unique blend of flavors. Add an impressive list of beers and bourbons. And top it off with a playlist of booming hip-hop beats. What more do you need? [Photo]

2. Frida Restaurant and Bar

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999 Eglinton Avenue W, Toronto
ON M6C 2C7, Canada
(416) 787-2221
(416) 787-2221
Visit Website
The people at Frida offer traditional Mexican fare with a contemporary twist. And while the menu offers an array of dishes, tacos are clearly the focal point. For a more upscale option still at a reasonable price, this is your place. [Photo]

3. Playa Cabana

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111 Dupont St., Toronto
ON M5R 1V4, Canada
(416) 929-3911
(416) 929-3911
Visit Website
Looking for an electric atmosphere? Look no further. Playa Cabana combines a lively ambience with a stellar selection of tacos stuffed into corn tortillas made fresh daily. With a trio of locations, there is simply no excuse for missing this spot. [Photo]

4. Tacos El Asador

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690 Bloor St. W, Toronto
ON M6G 1L2, Canada
(416) 538-9747
(416) 538-9747
These guys have been serving up authentic Central American food since 1993 and haven’t missed a beat. Seating is at a premium here, but as an institution in Toronto’s Koreatown, this little taqueria is definitely a can’t-miss. [Photo]

5. La Carnita

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501 College St., Toronto
ON M6G 1A5, Canada
(416) 964-1555
(416) 964-1555
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Originally a pop-up, this establishment specializing in Mexican street food has become a mainstay in Little Italy, thanks to the tacos. The lineup that can frequently be found outside at dinnertime should speak for itself. [Photo]

6. Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos

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69 Kensington Ave, Toronto
ON M5T 2L6, Canada
(416) 393-4636
(416) 393-4636
Visit Website
Don’t let the tiny venue fool you: these tacos pack a big punch. The menu— a product of the chef’s San Diego roots— offers up a wide variety of Tijuana-inspired tacos with an emphasis on seafood. [Photo]

7. Milagro Cantina Mexicana

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5 Mercer St, Toronto
ON m5v1h2, Canada
(416) 850-2855
(416) 850-2855
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This place may not have the same hype as some of the other players on this list, but their tacos can compete with the best of them. With bold flavors and an extravagant assortment of fillings, this spot offers some serious bang for your buck. [Photo]

8. El Catrin

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18 Tank House Lane, Toronto
ON M5A 3C4, Canada
(416) 203-2121
(416) 203-2121
Visit Website
While the quirky décor and energetic vibe inside this joint offer a distinctive dining experience, it’s the patio that truly sets the restaurant apart. With ample seating outside, this is the perfect spot for a hot summer day. Not to mention, the tacos are pretty good, too. [Photo]

9. Asada Mexican Grill

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809 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto
ON M6C 1B9, Canada
(416) 654-9488
(416) 654-9488
What sets Asada apart is the menu that lets you create tacos precisely the way you like them. Pick from an assortment of shells, meats, and toppings to create tacos to your exact specifications. This customization process allows for endless possibilities, so there is always something new to try. [Photo]

10. Estrella Taqueria

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4899 Yonge Street, Toronto
ON M2N 5N4, Canada
(416) 222-1500
(416) 222-1500
Visit Website
The newest of the bunch, Estrella takes the Toronto taco trend to the north end. The taqueria's tacos take inspiration from conventional Mexican cuisine and also from French influences. And the bar boasts an impressive list of bourbons and tequila. Bonus: There's a ping-pong and billiards room if you’re up for the challenge. [Photo]
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1. Grand Electric

1330 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1L4, Canada
Start with tacos that combine a unique blend of flavors. Add an impressive list of beers and bourbons. And top it off with a playlist of booming hip-hop beats. What more do you need? [Photo]
1330 Queen St W, Toronto
ON M6K 1L4, Canada
(416) 627-3459
Visit Website

2. Frida Restaurant and Bar

999 Eglinton Avenue W, Toronto, ON M6C 2C7, Canada
The people at Frida offer traditional Mexican fare with a contemporary twist. And while the menu offers an array of dishes, tacos are clearly the focal point. For a more upscale option still at a reasonable price, this is your place. [Photo]
999 Eglinton Avenue W, Toronto
ON M6C 2C7, Canada
(416) 787-2221
Visit Website

3. Playa Cabana

111 Dupont St., Toronto, ON M5R 1V4, Canada
Looking for an electric atmosphere? Look no further. Playa Cabana combines a lively ambience with a stellar selection of tacos stuffed into corn tortillas made fresh daily. With a trio of locations, there is simply no excuse for missing this spot. [Photo]
111 Dupont St., Toronto
ON M5R 1V4, Canada
(416) 929-3911
Visit Website

4. Tacos El Asador

690 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON M6G 1L2, Canada
These guys have been serving up authentic Central American food since 1993 and haven’t missed a beat. Seating is at a premium here, but as an institution in Toronto’s Koreatown, this little taqueria is definitely a can’t-miss. [Photo]
690 Bloor St. W, Toronto
ON M6G 1L2, Canada
(416) 538-9747

5. La Carnita

501 College St., Toronto, ON M6G 1A5, Canada
Originally a pop-up, this establishment specializing in Mexican street food has become a mainstay in Little Italy, thanks to the tacos. The lineup that can frequently be found outside at dinnertime should speak for itself. [Photo]
501 College St., Toronto
ON M6G 1A5, Canada
(416) 964-1555
Visit Website

6. Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos

69 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L6, Canada
Don’t let the tiny venue fool you: these tacos pack a big punch. The menu— a product of the chef’s San Diego roots— offers up a wide variety of Tijuana-inspired tacos with an emphasis on seafood. [Photo]
69 Kensington Ave, Toronto
ON M5T 2L6, Canada
(416) 393-4636
Visit Website

7. Milagro Cantina Mexicana

5 Mercer St, Toronto, ON m5v1h2, Canada
This place may not have the same hype as some of the other players on this list, but their tacos can compete with the best of them. With bold flavors and an extravagant assortment of fillings, this spot offers some serious bang for your buck. [Photo]
5 Mercer St, Toronto
ON m5v1h2, Canada
(416) 850-2855
Visit Website

8. El Catrin

18 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
While the quirky décor and energetic vibe inside this joint offer a distinctive dining experience, it’s the patio that truly sets the restaurant apart. With ample seating outside, this is the perfect spot for a hot summer day. Not to mention, the tacos are pretty good, too. [Photo]
18 Tank House Lane, Toronto
ON M5A 3C4, Canada
(416) 203-2121
Visit Website

9. Asada Mexican Grill

809 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, ON M6C 1B9, Canada
What sets Asada apart is the menu that lets you create tacos precisely the way you like them. Pick from an assortment of shells, meats, and toppings to create tacos to your exact specifications. This customization process allows for endless possibilities, so there is always something new to try. [Photo]
809 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto
ON M6C 1B9, Canada
(416) 654-9488

10. Estrella Taqueria

4899 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N 5N4, Canada
The newest of the bunch, Estrella takes the Toronto taco trend to the north end. The taqueria's tacos take inspiration from conventional Mexican cuisine and also from French influences. And the bar boasts an impressive list of bourbons and tequila. Bonus: There's a ping-pong and billiards room if you’re up for the challenge. [Photo]
4899 Yonge Street, Toronto
ON M2N 5N4, Canada
(416) 222-1500
Visit Website