Toronto Mexican restaurant is opening a second location just for its tacos

A Toronto restaurant for Mexican-style fine dining is expanding with a new location, but this time, it’s all about the street food.

It hasn't even been two years since Mexhico Foods landed with a splash in Baldwin Village in the winter of 2024, but the team behind the fine dining Mexican restaurant already find themselves antsy to try something new.

That doesn't mean that they're giving up on Mexhico, though. Instead, they're gearing up to open a brand-new concept called La Taqueria by Mexhico in Chinatown, just one neighbourhood over from their auspicious flagship.

Ever since opening its doors in February of 2024, Mexhico has continued to grow its street cred the best way any of us know how: with food. At Mexhico, it's with contemporary takes on traditional Mexican flavours, always plated to the nines.

At La Taqueria, though, the team plans to take on a more relaxed — though no less delicious– approach.

"Mexhico Restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine in a fine-dining setting, where guests can enjoy the unique flavours of Mexico without leaving the country," Fernanda, a member of the Mexhico team, tells us.

"La Taqueria, on the other hand, brings that same authenticity to the streets —focusing on local, casual and traditional Mexican flavours for a more laid-back, street-food experience."

According to Fernanda, you can expect to sink your teeth into classic tacos, including pastor, suadero, and carnitas, as well as quesadillas, alambres,and a selection of Mexican beverages like aqua de Jamaica and horchata.

Fernanda tells us that the idea for the new restaurant came to owner Lorena when watching street food vendors cooking up their delicacies in Mexico.

Lorena is passionate about sharing her culture with Toronto — this much is obvious, even by visiting Mexhico's original location — but wasn't content to stop there. Taqueria is her chance to bring a taste of the country's vibrant street food scene to the city.

"I've always loved the passion that street vendors back home bring to their work," she explains. "It brings me joy to watch them skillfully handle the shawarma spit, slicing each piece high with a knife — it's both mesmerising and an art form."

While it might not be fine dining, it's going to be something to behold nonetheless, that much Fernanda promises.

The restaurant, which is taking 221 Spadina Ave., most recently occupied by Gdous Juicy Chicken House, is set to officially open to the public on Friday, Aug. 29. It's a missed opportunity for a Taco Tuesday opening date, but we'll let it slide.