Restaurants
El Trompo
El Trompo in Kensington Market, with its west-facing patio, is one of my favourite places to be on a sunny afternoon in Toronto. This spot, serving up delicious and simple Mexican food, is usually always busy, but tables turn quick as service is prompt and food comes out fast and hot.
We start with the guacamole ($6.75), creamy avocado packed with plenty of diced tomatoes, onions, and coriander. The portion, served in a deep bowl, is plenty for two to share and served with a basket of greasy fresh corn chips. We also order the Pico de Gallo ($3.99), fresh chopped tomato swimming in its juices with coriander, chili, onion and lime juice, also served with corn chips but best reserved to top of the tacos that are on their way.
I order a glass of horchata ($1.50), a delicious, milky drink made from rice water, spiced with vanilla and cinnamon. For my main I go with my favourite plate of tacos, the Al Pastor (the El Trompo specialty) made with pork meat, topped with pineapple, coriander and onions ($9.75). Five small tacos on a plate don't look like they'll go far, but they are flavour-packed. I especially like the saltiness of the meat against the sweet morsels of pineapple accented by the spicy hot sauce found on each table.
The Spicy Tinga Chicken Tacos ($9.75) are filled with shredded chicken in a tomato-based, smoked-chipotle pepper sauce. Topped with coriander once again, they could use a bit of an extra kick. We pack on the Pico de Gallo and salsa and plenty of extra squeezes of lime.
And because we are two hungry hippos feeling like something more, we order the Al Pastor fajitas. At $12.99, this hot plate is served with strips of pork, grilled peppers, onion and bacon, and topped with cheese. A side of warm corn tortillas are served alongside, and the portion is just a bit much for us to finish off after our previous two entrees. The dish is full of delicious grilled peppers, soft caramelized onions and plenty of black pepper.
Each time I head to El Trompo I always seem to stand by my favourites, but they have a pretty extensive menu of classic Mexico City dishes that I still have yet to try including the Quesos Fundidos, Molten Cheese dishes served in clay pots with various toppings like mushrooms or chorizo sausage. While we usually order meat dishes, also notable is that there are plenty of vegetarian options on their menu that are heavy on the mushroom, cheese and grilled vegetables.
El Trompo also has a short brunch menu with various egg dishes served with beans, corn tortillas, pico de gallo and Mexican style cinnamon-scented coffee. Last but not least, you can buy El Trompo's house-made Chorizo sausage at $18.00/kilogram to take home. Oh! Don't forget to check out their churros ($2.00), a delicious traditional Mexican pastry that is deep-fried and dusted with sugar and cinnamon. It's only available on weekends. Get 'em while they're hot.
El Trompo is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 am - 8 pm, Thursday and Friday from 11 am - 9 pm, Saturday from 11 am - 6 pm, and is closed on Sundays.
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The bean soup was great as well.
go to mexico and see if you can find so cheese.
que cono.
a descent review of such a fine establishment!! if you're looking for a great spot with a chill atmosphere and incredible mexicana, there really is no other spot.
in case you couldn't tell, i love this restaurant and everything about it.
for smh horchata is made of rice not almonds.
For burritos and chili beans lovers what I can tell, that is not a mexican dish. probably a Tex-Mex plate.
Mexican cousine has a great variety from fish, beef, chicken even goat. from breakfast to dinner. bakery and deserts.
Better place to live? Toronto, 905 code, Vancouver, Niagara, Montreal? Safe for familly? best University? wheather?
Will apreciate any comments
GTFO
So, are you saying you need 2 orders or 10 tacos to fill your belly? HOLY MOLY!?!
One order of tacos (5) was more than enough for me.
- The waitress seemed very uninterested in us
- The beef tacos were very bland and lacked flavour
- Each table had two bowls of sauces for use, which were left open and exposed
I will not be returning because I felt that this place lacked overall greatness.
Buyer beware.
they'd just laugh
save yourself the embarrassment don't ask
I recommend the Guacamole, the Chicken Tinga tacos (most tender tinge I've ever had in my life), and the Queso Fundidos. Definitely coming back to El Trompo.
BTW I´m Mexican.
There's some uncovered green and red sauces waiting for you on the table, who knows how long they're left sitting there. We ordered 5 tacos that we couldn't eat because of a raw chicken smell. Tried to explain our concerns to the owner, who seemed OK and obliging, but apparently we caused a stir with all the employees as they kept glancing our way and talking sh*t in a language they presumed I wouldn't understand. Didn't eat the second meal, because I was weirded out and uncomfortable by their bitchfest.
The food looks like saturated trash. A better Mexican restaurant is Rancho Relaxo, and Tim...they offer soy options.