This Kensington taqueria sources every ingredient straight from Mexico
For breakfast, Juan Poot indulged in tacos nearly every day while growing up in Mérida, Mexico – a city rich with Mayan history located on the Yucatán Peninsula. But 18 years ago, when Poot came to Canada, the flavours of his hometown were hard to find.
“When I came here, I never saw any Mayan dishes,” Poot told CTV News Toronto. “I wanted to bring the food from my city to another country.”
La Chilaca Taqueria is located in Toronto's Kensington Market. (CTV News Toronto/Corey Baird) To remedy the sparsity, four years ago, Poot opened La Chilaca, a Mexican street-style taqueria in Kensington Market hailed as one of the most authentic burrito and taco spots in the city.
While Mexican restaurants are now commonplace in Toronto – alongside pitchers of margaritas paired with salt-rimmed glasses and charred corn with a heavy dousing of crema and cotija cheese – Poot’s approach strips away the mainstream noise.
His taqueria shares a roof with a handful of South American vendors, creating a food court-style atmosphere serving up empanadas and churros, alongside Poot’s tacos.
Poot’s modest space is rich in hometown pride painted in red with green accents found on Mexico’s national flag. Squeezed into the narrow corridor is a grill and a counter with a line that spills out the door, even mid-week outside of prime mealtime hours.
Their top seller is the campechano taco. To make it, Poot peels a corn tortilla from a high stack as the foundation that holds a heap of beef, chorizo and cheese laid on a simple black-and-white patterned paper at the base of a styrofoam container.
La Chilaca Taqueria is located in Toronto's Kensington Market. (CTV News Toronto/Corey Baird)While vying for a low price point can be a sacrificial act when it comes to high-quality food in Toronto – La Chilaca is an exception.
A mix-and-match set of three tacos costs $12, while a torta with lamb, chicken, several varieties of pork or tofu is $10.
As affirmation of Poot’s commitment to authenticity, he sources each ingredient straight from his hometown. “Everything is from Mexico,” Poot said. “I have to bring it from my town to Toronto.”
Poot’s attention to detail – down to the specificity of sourcing spices – is what separates his establishment from the herd.
“The difference is the quality and the original recipe,” Poot said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 dead, third in critical condition after attack in Kingston, Ont., suspect arrested
Two people are dead and a third suffered life-threatening injuries following an attack at an encampment in Kingston, Ont., Thursday. A suspect has been arrested following a multi-hour standoff.
B.C. will scrap carbon tax if feds remove requirement: Eby
British Columbia's premier says the province will end the consumer carbon tax if the federal government removes the legal requirement to have one.
Actor Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen, dies at 63
Chad McQueen, an actor known for his performances in the 'Karate Kid' movies and the son of the late actor and race car driver Steve McQueen, has died. He was 63.
Family of Sikh man speaks out against Toronto-area hospital after beard shaved
The family of a Sikh man from Brampton is seeking an apology, an explanation, and a promise to do better from the local hospital network after they say the facial hair of their loved one was removed without their consent.
Ottawa resident who tested positive for mosquito-borne virus dies, public health says
An Ottawa resident who died of a viral encephalitis this summer tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), the first human case of the virus in Ottawa.
Trump rules out another debate against Harris as her campaign announces US$47M haul in hours afterward
Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out another presidential debate against Kamala Harris as her campaign announced a massive fundraising haul in the hours after the two candidates met on stage.
'Keep your bags packed': Consul general grilled over $9M NYC condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark is testifying on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
NEW N.B. premier's asylum seeker comments spark controversy
Claims from New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs that Ottawa wants to force the province to take in 4,600 asylum seekers are 'largely fictitious,' says federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
TIFF pauses screenings of documentary about Russian soldiers due to 'significant threats'
The Toronto Film Festival says it has been forced to pause the screenings of a documentary about Russian soldiers this weekend, citing 'significant threats to festival operations and public safety.'