Wanted: Real Mexican Food
While many ethnic cuisines from around the world are well represented in Vancouver, Mexican isn’t one of them. For anyone who’s spent time in Mexico – or who knows what a really good taco tastes like – the city can sometimes feel like a no man’s land. Which is why I’m asking for your help:
Do you know a place that serves authentic Mexican cuisine in Vancouver? A nice little taqueria? A restaurant that actually makes decent salsa? If so, please share your secrets with hungry readers and leave a comment below.
Now there are, of course, a few Mexican places out there in Vancouver. You’ve got your burrito joints – Steamrollers and Red Burrito come to mind – which are great for a big fat tortilla loaded up with beans, rice and marinated steak or chicken. But this is more of a Californian take on Mexican cuisine, rather than the real deal. Then, you’ve got your sit-down restaurants, with the requisite sombreros on the wall and oversized margarita glasses, like Las Margaritas and Primos. Nothing wrong with these places either, if you’re in the mood for a slightly Canadian take on enchiladas or fajitas.
But when I think of the essence of real Mexican food – correct me if I’m wrong on this – I think of tacos. Not the crunchy, Taco Bell kind but soft corn tortillas – handmade and petite enough to fit in the palm of your hand. And inside: not just the standard stuff, but a whole range of savory meats, from pastor (marinated pork) to the delicacy which is lengua (beef tongue).
It’s not exactly rocket science, but – for whatever reason – it’s not easy to find real Mexican tacos around town. So, if you know of a good little taco joint, please spread the word and leave a comment below.
I’ll start the ball rolling with a little discovery I made recently: Salsa & Agave, a taqueria in Yaletown (of all places), with two locations right near the intersection of Davie Street and Pacific Boulevard. Salsa & Agave, in fine taqueria form, isn’t much to look at – just a bare bones setup with a counter, tables and small patio outside. But it’s the food that sets the place apart.
They’ve got a whole range of tostadas, burritos, tortas and sopes on the menu, but tacos are their specialty. They use soft corn tortillas, offer a range of fillings sure to satisfy even hardcore Mexi-philes and they even give you fresh cilantro and a lime wedge to squeeze on your tacos.
And, of course, the most important element of all: The food is really cheap. One taco will set you back $2, while an order of four is $8. Some tips to get you salivating: Try the carnitas, made with slow-roasted, marinated pork that falls off the bone and the pastor, sweet, spicy pork paired with pineapple.
Any other good taquerias out there in Vancouver? Please let us know.
10:39 am
You’ve missed two of my favourites!
La Casita in Gastown is great. Amazing tortilla soup: http://www.lacasita.ca. Also, have you been to La Taqueria in Gastown? http://www.lataqueria.ca
11:30 am
Thanks for the suggestions, Emily. Gastown is definitely on my list for my next Mexican food crawl.
3:45 pm
x2 for La Taqueria! Totally tasty and cheap.
4:31 pm
La Taqueria for sure!!!
9:55 pm
Don Guacamoles on Robson St. is my go-to spot. When I 1st moved to Vancouver I asked all the native Mexicanos I ever came across where THEY went for tacos and Don Guacamoles was the hands-down winner.
11:32 am
Thanks, Rachel. I was always discouraged by the name Don Guacamole – sounds like it could be a tourist trap. But I’ll be sure to check it out because of your suggestion.
9:36 am
If you want absolutely authentic Mexican tacos, come to Victoria. At Hernande’z Cocina, inside the shopping arcade at 735 Yates Street, Tamara and Jerson Hernandez create wholesome food in the traditional way Jerson’s grandmother did: from scratch, with handmade corn tortillas made fresh to order.
The pork and beef are locally sourced, grain- and grassland fed. There is no lard in the delicious black beans (made with canola oil) and no chicken broth in the rice, so vegetarian options are truly vegetarian!
Most amazing, besides the taste, is the price! Five fresh corn tortillas with slow cooked black beans (or beef, or porok) with salsa, sour cream, cilantro, and lime for $5!!!
This is true cocina style: no front-of-house service, food comes in a basket-dish, no plate, no extras. And as you might guess, it’s a HUGELY popular lunch spot with locals.
http://www.hernandezcocina.com/
11:33 am
I think you’ve got me sold on Hernandez Cocina. I’ll be in Victoria soon, and I’ll be sure to check them out.
10:07 am
Best Burritos ! on West Broadway @ Columbia
Halal meats, 5 different hot sauces, worth the $.
love
7:20 pm
surprised no one has mentioned Dona Cata in east van yet, totally authentic, you will get your fix there.
http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/dona-cata-mexican-foods
10:11 am
Mona – Thanks for the link. That’s another one I’m gonna have to check out.
10:01 pm
I personally love Red Burrito on Commercial and 1st….it’s more of a fast-food mexican place but the burritos are really big and juicy and you can choose what goes into them.
10:58 pm
Im always working in Yaletown with the guys and we always go there here on our lunch break. My guys say it is hard to find authentic Mexican flavors in Vancouver. I’m not a expert but I did like the food.
2:49 pm
I am Mexican and I have found that Dona Cata has “los mas ricos ” tacos in town..
2:52 pm
Thanks, Nancy – You’re the second person to mention Dona Cata – I can’t wait to try her tacos.
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4:23 pm
GO TO DON GUACAMOLES THEY ARE THE NUMBER ONE IN MEXICAN FOOD.
TRUST ME I GO EACT TIME I CAN
MARK