Here, in no particular order, are my picks for the top Mexican brunch in Toronto.
Fonda Lola
West Queen West still reigns for brunch, this time with Fonda Lola's spirited Mexican fest. The kombucha margarita is the perfect hangover cure, and helps wash down the huevos rancheros and chilaquiles as you max and relax on the gorgeous patio. (They don't just do brunch on weekends, either.)
El Catrin
El Catrin took the Distillery District by storm when it opened in 2013. The design is topnotch, the expansive mural beautiful and amusing to look at, and the food - a mix of traditional and modern Mexican cuisine - makes for a pretty decent brunch, even if it feels a bit touristy. With prices hovering around $12- $16 a plate, it's also one of the more expensive options.
Xola
The brunch menu at Xola in the Beaches is outstanding. Try the house specialty, the Burrito Xola, made with homemade refried beans, rice, slow braised beef, lettuce and sour cream. If that doesn't float your boat, there are several egg-related dishes like huevos con chorizo, huevos a la Mexicana or trio de gorditas.
El Trompo
Sweet staff, a sunny patio and swirling slush machines ready for margaritas make for one nice brunch. Kensington market's El Trompo keeps is basic with huevos a la Mexicana, huevos con chorizo, huevos rancheros and a few of the regular items like the always great tacos al pastor.
Milagro
With three locations (uptown, downtown and west) Milagro has cornered the market on Mexican brunch feasts and you'll be delighted to know there is something for everyone- botanas, tortas, tacos and burritos, churros, huevos, brunch enchiladas, and a long list of drinks. Milagro means miracle in Spanish, which is very apropos for the brunch!
Tenoch
Like some other of the Mexican brunch spots, Tenoch on St. Clair has special dishes that you can only get on the weekends, like Caldo de Birria, as well as the many huevos and chilaquiles available. Prices are reasonable at $8-12 dollars for most dishes, and the portions large, while the service minimal but affective, a great old school joint that gets hopping on the weekends.
Frida
Refined Mexican food is Frida's calling card, and that extends right to their brunch. Their brunch menu features a Frida y Diego omelet, featuring red and green peppers with salsa roja and salsa verde, in honour of the restaurant's namesake, Frida Kahlo. You'll also find a selection of tacos, papadzules Yucatecos (poached eggs wrapped in corn tortillas and smothered in sauces), huevos rancheros and ahogados, and that famous guacamole. Brunch dishes run between $9 and $14.
V Restaurant
The corner spot in Kensington market that currently houses V Restaurant hasn't been the best for keeping tenants around very long, so let's hope the lure of V's Latin American inspired brunch on their lovely patio keeps this place on lock. They mix it up, with arepas, ceviche, tacos, huevos-related dishes - and then some surprises, like baba ganoush.
El Cafetal
El Cafetal on St. Clair may not be much to look at, but inside this restaurant cum in-house bakery you'll find plenty of great treats for brunch. They incorporate Mexican, Colombian and Peruvian delicacies like tamales, arepas, empanadas, as well as breakfast plates like Bandeja Paisa. Some of the breakfast items are even gluten-free, in case the notion of a bakery scares some of your friends off.
Mexican Amigos
Head to York Mills for Mexican Amigos all-you-can-eat Mexican lunch and brunch buffet. That's right - "all-you-can-eat" tacos, burritos, chimichangas and more. It may not be particularly authentic, having more of a food chain or bar-food vibe than some of the real home-style places mentioned above, but for bang for buck you can't go wrong.
Did I miss any? Leave your favourite spot for Mexican brunch in the comments.
Photo of huevos rancheros via El Catrin on Facebook.
by Erinn Beth Langille via blogTO
No comments:
Post a Comment