It was about 8 years since we visited El Catrin and for years my wife raved about it and in all fairness, it was outstanding. We went back on a recent trip to TO. It is still outstanding. Maybe better. The ambience was more of a party vibe than we are used to but at no time was it overbearing. Our hostess and server were both friendly and attentive and got us seated right away. The drinks came out and their house lager was just great. However, it was the food that stole the show. Their table side-made guacamole and home made salsa weren't good...... they were fantastic. But it was when the tacos came that we remembered why we loved this place so much. I had the birria tacos with dipping sauce that was 10/10. My wife had the fish tacos and just loved them. There was so much food we had to take some back to our hotel because we were so full. Overall, there was nothing to smack talk about. 10/10 on all points. read more

El Catrin Destileria - My birria tacos with dipping sauce. Best I've ever tasted. - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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What a fun atmosphere outside on the patio with the mariachi band playing. The house made guacamole is a must and a couple cold margaritas and beers are perfect on a hot day in the city . Service by Andy was very good. Thank you. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Outside patio - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The patio is absolutely stunning -- one of the best in the city. If you're coming on a nice day, that's reason enough to go. The guacamole made tableside? Easily my favorite thing on the menu. Fresh, simple, and always hits the spot. They also serve crickets, which is a cool, unexpected touch -- respect for keeping it authentic. That said, everything else I've tried has been underwhelming and overpriced. It's a great place to bring out-of-towners or for the vibe, but if you're here for the food, temper your expectations. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We called in and were able to be seated which was amazing as it was a busy holiday Monday. We shared tacos and they were very tasty. The decor is stunning and it has a great ambiance. The churros were a treat from the restaurant and were superb. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Beef tacos. Mmmm - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Gord and I had supper last evening at El Caltrin. It was really hot and humid on the patio and the constant mist helped. We started with a Sangria de la Casa (red wine, guerra vermouth, pressed juice, fresh fruit). Gord had Atún Ceviche (ahi tuna, watermelon, guajillo, lime, cilantro, radishes). I had Pollo Quesadillas (adobo chicken, quesillo, pico de gallo). Both were tasty. It was weird, though, because his came out about 15 minutes ahead of mine. So he was finished when I just got started. Josie was our server and she was friendly and helpful. read more

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The ambiance is laid back cantina. A very large and inviting space. We sat at the bar on a NYE afternoon. The restaurant was about half full. Quick service, with very flavorful food. While we only had two small plates they were very filling. The margarita is fairly sweet, which it should not be. The Oaxacan old fashioned was only passable. Considering it's touristy location it is good to try. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Taquitos de papa - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Visited El Catrin Destileria in the Distillery District with a group of six friends during last Christmas--great for festive occasions. We ordered a few dishes to share & the below 2 are my highlights: Guacamole - Fresh, creamy, and a great starter Fish Tacos - My personal favourite: flavourful, well-balanced, and beautifully presented Mexican food is one of my favourite cuisines for its use of fresh, flavourful ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and herbs--all of which shine through here For the Interior, Seating, Lighting, Pricing: Located in the scenic Distillery District--perfect for exploring before or after your meal. Vibrant atmosphere, unique decor, and attentive service Portions are on the smaller side, but beautifully done *Prices are slightly higher compared to other Mexican spots, but the overall setting justifies it. Large drink menu with plenty of choices for cocktails and more Overall Value and Tips: This isn't your everyday Mexican spot--it's better suited for special occasions or treating yourself. The lively ambiance and festive setting make it popular with both locals and tourists. Tip: Make a reservation in advance, especially during holidays. Pair your visit with a stroll around the Distillery District--it's one of the most special venues in the area. If you've been to El Catrin, what's your favourite dish or drink and will you go again? Thinking of going? Let me know what occasion you're celebrating! read more

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Located inside distillery district by the condo side. This place has an indoor seating and outdoor with heaters on the top and a fireplace area in the middle. We got seated outdoors since the inside was fully booked. Best to book if you want to sit inside. We were greeted kindly by the host and sat us down at a nice corner. We had Jose who was most phenomenal with service. He was personable and you can tell he cared and enjoyed his job. He suggested drinks for us with options depending on our preferences and got what he recommended. The baja tacos were not bad. The fish was cooked very well with a nice crunch. The flour tortilla isn't good at all in my opinion. It was chewy, should've asked for corn tortilla to sub instead. The chicken roll tortilla was mediocre. It's like a spring roll but not much flavour and anything that would want me to order it again. The ceviche was $22 and it was such a small portion. It's for half a person from what it looks like. The service is really what makes this place shine or what made 3 stars of this review. The food that we ordered was meh. The drinks were good though, highly recommend the watermelon one and the mango cocktail for a stronger alcohol taste. Rated: 3.5/5 read more

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El Catrin is such a beautiful spot, and the experience overall was memorable. The margarita flight was absolutely the highlight truly some of the best margaritas I've had anywhere. Each flavor was unique, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. The horchata drink was another standout and honestly a must try if you visit. The food itself was okay nothing bad, just regular but the quality of the drinks and the atmosphere definitely made up for it. What really stood out, though, was the service. The manager, who is from Mexico, was incredibly warm, welcoming, and attentive. He made the whole experience feel special and added such a genuine touch of hospitality. Even though the food wasn't extraordinary, I would still come back for the drinks, the ambiance, and the amazing service. El Catrin is definitely worth checking out! read more

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Great patio and amazing decor inside! Huge tequila selection at the giant bar. The original margarita was really good, perfect lime & salt mix. We had the Tacos Al Pastor and the Birrias. Small but tasty. read more

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I came here with my wife while on vacation in Toronto. We decided to eat here based on the very lively ambiance of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly. All the food was made quickly and was delicious. The prices were a little on the pricier side but definitely worth trying! read more

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The restaurant has a beautiful aesthetic and is in a great location--definitely a nice spot for a night out. The hosts were welcoming and efficient, which set a positive tone right away. While the servers were attentive and offered feedback on the menu, the service felt a bit rushed. The food satisfied my hunger, but unfortunately, it lacked flavor and felt pretty mediocre overall. With such a stunning setting, I was hoping the food would match the vibe. read more

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We had excellent service from the restaurant staff during a recent holiday lunch with our team at the beginning of December. The servers and manager were very friendly and attentive. The food was good and mostly sharable. Most of the team found the portion sizes smaller. It would be preferred to have dishes like the ceviche as individual sizes vs shareable. We thought it was reasonable priced given the location of the restaurant being in the Christmas market itself. I enjoyed the Chicken Tinga Flutes the most, they were moist, and flavourful. The group seating area is semi private and slightly crammed. 1/2 the area can comfortable fit 16 people but you can cram extra people on the ends if necessary. We had booked for 18 people and did not have 18 seats set up upon arrival. For larger group reservations, you have to deal with the event coordinator, it took us over a month to settle the bill as a result of different staff vacations. I found communication difficult because I could never reach the coordinator over the phone and response times were long. I would probably only come back if I was visiting the distillery and in the mood for Mexican. read more

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I've had my best margarita in my life in EL Catrin! I went here with my coworker at 4pm on Friday, the ambiance is great, I like the design of the wall (makes me think of the movie CoCo) and the atmosphere takes you to another level. When we settled down, the waitress introduced day of special cocktails with us, and we ordered the Margarita Flight (Must order it!!!) -$48. You and your friend can share it, as the flight comes with 4 Margarita. Every one of it is SO GOOD! I can't wait to come back just for the Margarita flight. read more

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I love Mexican Food and I love this place; specially their patio. They have a beautiful decoration both indoor and outdoor and they also have heated patio during the winter months. They accept reservations for indoor dining, but patio is on first come first serve basis. Their staff are friendly and helpful. We ordered "Guacamole En La Mesa" and "Tuna Tostadas" as appetizers. Guacamole is made fresh at your table and the staff make it so fun to watch. It's also delicious. For entrée, I strongly recommend "Baja Fish Taco"; a bit spicy, but the creamy coleslaw makes it very tasty. We also tried their "Octopus", which was okay. read more

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I really wanted to like this place. I think that the ambiance and servers were what saved this restaurant. The food was not good at all. It lacked flavor. I ordered the sopes de raja and somehow it tasted like absolutely nothing... The drinks were okay too. I ordered tacos de nopales, one of my favorite dishes, yet this one did not deliver. It wasn't authentic in my opinion. I think that the lights/decor and the día de los muertos vibe is what I enjoyed the most. Overall, I'm not sure that I'd come back. read more

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We sat outside near the fire on a warm September evening for dinner. Great atmosphere outside and we also loved the decor inside. We tried the tacos which were very good. It would be even better if we could select different types of tacos instead of getting three of the same. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Entry - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

It was good but WAY too expensive. I'm not sure how this happened but I spent $50 for three chicken flautas (plus one free because it was Tuesday) and a Mexican soda. Waitresses were great and the restaurant was clean, but noisy though I guess that's the vibe they're going for. Would not come back simply because the price is ridiculous. read more

I came here during a weekday afternoon where the restaurant was only half full. I mention this because I came with a large group (14 people) and they refused to split the bills individually, a common practice at many other establishments. Part of the problem seemed to be that the server was inexperienced and came off a bit annoyed at times. I have been here a few times in the past so it really soured my view of the restaurant. Another point I should mention is that one of the bartenders was doing some unhygienic things. He had prepared some cocktails in anticipation of happy hour and to taste his creations, he was taking the straws out of the glass and licking the bottoms. One of my companions spotted him doing this twice. Anyways, the food as usually was solid. I ordered their pulpo and chorizo and it was cooked well with a tasty sauce. Our table shared a few chips and guacamole bowls and there were no issues there. Props to the kitchen for a solid service. Overall, the experience made us regret coming here, especially considering that there are other restaurants in the vicinity and great Mexican restaurants in Toronto. read more

Had chicken tinga flautas & Baja fish tacos. The tacos were unbalanced with too much sourness but the flautas were pretty tasty. At these prices I expected more though. Also we sat outside & there was a huge fire going for a long time, though it was 27 degrees & sunny, so that wasn't pleasant. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We were walking through the Distillery District and stumbled upon a super cool alley with funky lights, and as we stopped to look, salsa music allured us down the alley into the coolest restaurant I've been into. The music was 10/10 and the margaritas were 10/10. We didn't have any food, but the atmosphere and the drinks alone were enough to make us want to come back. read more

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Fantastic place in the distillery district. We sat at the bar because there were no tables available indoor, and the bar staff took great care of us. They easily accommodated the vegan in our group and we all ate well. Get the margarita flight and share it with friends. You won't regret it. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Margarita flight - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I love El Catrin, for any special occasions. Great food and drinks, beautiful patio with heatings. Indoor is so romantic. The drinks are delicious and unique. My favourite is Mayan, it's lightly sweet, balanced with tamarind sour and mexican spices! Loved it. The esquites are out of the world !!! Warm and smooth yummmm... mouth melting. The love guacamole steals the show plus it is delicous and so authentically chunky. Being vegetarian I am pretty happy with the options available to me. Totally worth it. read more

I love Mexican food , I heard so much about this place so I went to Catrin in Destileria today, I had Al pastor tacos that were a bit hard the meat no really soft and bit dried, my friend had the Birria-beef ones that were good and tasty , the mojitos drinks are good , Horchata Colada was not good ... kinda weird taste left in your mouth . Overall I rank 3 over 5... The service was good and cool decoration read more

El Catrin Destileria - El catrin Destilería - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Five stars for the patio and the ambiance, but the food and service bring it back down to three. If I had a little more tequila, I would have just gone with five because it's such a fun place. I think because of its location in the Distillery district it is touristy, but who cares? The outdoor patio had it all - great weather, twinkly lights, gorgeous people and party music. Unsurprisingly, the drinks are where they shine. The "mangonados" are dangerous. I took no pictures of the entrees because the food was pretty forgettable. Just go without expectations, grab the tequila (or mocktails) list and enjoy! read more

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Really good food and the ambience is lovely (definitely recommend sitting out by the fire pit) but the service was exceptional. Staff were very clear about what I could eat, food came very fast, and every staff recommendation was perfect for me. I was sad not to make it back before the end of my trip. read more

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My cousin brought me to her go-to spot in The Distillery District, and it was a total win! We had some afternoon Cocktails and Chips & Salsa that hit the spot. Big thanks to Brit, our super sweet server--she made Siena feel extra special and was super friendly the whole time. Great food, drinks, and service--can't wait for round two! read more

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I went here on a Tuesday around 6:41pm for dinner since I was in the Distillery District and there was no wait! We sat outside at their outdoor dining area and a lot of people were there too, but the line to be seated had no wait. We ordered the Salsa El Jefe, Ceviche Mazatlan, Baja Tacos, and Birria Tacos. The Salsa El Jefe is salsa that is made at your table in front of you! It was fun watching the waiter make some fresh salsa since I've never had that table-side experience at a restaurant before. They also have other table-side items too, like guacamole, but I only wanted the salsa to go with the nachos. The Ceviche Mazatlan was cool and went well with the nachos it came with. The Baja Tacos were very fresh and was stuffed with seafood and veggies, and the Birria Tacos was also very stuffed with shredded meat too and was fun dipping it in the soup it came with. I'd recommend this place! All of the food was good! Overall, my favorite was the birria tacos because of how stuffed the taco was and tenderness of the meat. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Salsa El Jefe, Ceviche Mazatlan, Birria Tacos, & Baja Tacos | IG: @nomwithelaine - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Ambiance: (5 stars) Large ceilings, lots of wood. There is music playing in the background. They got tequilas that are 250$ an ounce. Overall I would come here for a drink, and skip on the food. Service: (5 stars) Very fast, a few minutes after ordering it was already ready. Food: All the meals are around 23. For steak it is closer to 40. Corn is ok. Expensive for what you get Baja tacos (2.5/5 stars)- not a lot of flavour, just deep fried. Enchiladas Verde (2/5 stars) - brunch item. Little flavour, the taste of the tortilla is the only thing that you really have taste. Birria tacos - (2/5 stars) - the tacos come with a liquid gravy on the side, otherwise they would be very dry. Limited flavor. Quesadillas gringa - (4/5 stars). The only thing which has any taste. read more

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Came here with friends for lunch! Everything was very yummy! I got huevos divorciados and added chorizo. It consisted of 3 fried eggs, salsa roja, tortillas, black bean purée, guacamole, cotija. It was very flavorful and tasted very fresh! My one friend got a chicken quesadilla and my other friend got birria tacos. Both enjoyed their lunches. For my drink I had a Caesar...which is like a Bloody Mary . Service was very good as well. I highly recommend if you're in the area. read more

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Category: Gourmet taco. OK, so the last time I reviewed this place was 2015.... an update is long overdue. In the time that has elapsed El Catrin has passed the test of time. I can now say that El Catrin is a real gem and a true Toronto culinary destination. The key to the success of this place is: 1. Location - it's located smack in the middle of the Distillery District. 2. Decor - the restaurant is plain gorgeous! The highlights are the incredible mural inside the restaurant, the incredible bar, and the front patio. 3. Food is consistently good. Not cheap but good. Here's my overall rating: Food - 5/5 Service - 4/5 Ambiance - 5/5 Value - 3/5 El Catrin has some really nice taco offerings as well as additional Mexican delicacies. You don't get a huge bang for your buck, and the tacos may not be the most authentic, but overall this is a very pleasant dining experience. Well worth the visit. read more

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Beautiful patio with heaters and a nice indoor area as well. The guac and tacos were delicious. The tacos were a little bit on the smaller side and pricey but they were worth it! read more

Food - Mexican food. Table side chips and avocado, salsa, esquites, tuna tostadas, tacos, gorditas, flauta, especiales, drinks, and deserts. We ordered Birria Taco and tableside guac, and churros for desert. Birria taco was good with Birria sauce and hot sauce. Tortilla chips wasn't to my liking as it was too thick for me: my preference is slight thinner and crispier kind. Was still decent but just not the best. Service - was good. Busy place so don't think to get super pampered. Ambiance - it's like having a party with a lively ambiance as people are chatting away amidst the loud background music. Verdict - was good. Slightly pricey but good! Also, they charge coke by per glass and not refillable. I wish each waitstaff lets customers know that these drinks aren't refillable. It's not a bottled coke and it was even flat! For this, i take out one star!! read more

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August 20/2023: Dinner with Keith & Nancy. Place was busy but not crazy for a Sunday evening. We dined alfresco as it was a nice evening. Our server "Angie" was a delightful young person. Very smily & interactive as a good server should be. The foods taste was delicious. As an appetizer we had the Guacamole ($18.00). Which consisted of 1 avocado, some onions/tomatoes & a little extra sauce, a little steep for one avocado! Main was the Baha Fried Fish Tacos (plus a taco). Very expensive again...$32.00/3 for four tacos! $8.00 for the extra taco. Also had the Cauliflower. Again, very tasty & very expensive at $21.00. For this restaurant you're paying for the location in the Distillery District. Ya gotta pay to play. Looking around for my next Mexican restaurant. This isn't a do over due to high price. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Main outdoor patio. - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Came here on a Friday for lunch - it was a scorcher so say on the patio. The water mist that comes out in the patio area was very refreshing. Staff were great - attentive and efficient. The food was great too - I had virgin margaritas and fish tacos. Yum! We also shared a chips and guacamole which they made at the table. It was sooo good! The layout of the patio area was nice with space between tables and opportunity to people watch along the main path. read more

They have a beautiful restaurant seating both inside and outside. It took us about an hour to get a table when we tried to walk in on Victoria's day holiday on Monday. The food was alright i'd say. We got the chicken flautas as well as chips + salsa to share. Needed more flavoring. The Margarita flight was delicious but costed about 50 bucks. Overall I enjoyed the ambiance and vibe of the place. The servers are also very kind and friendly. read more

The food here is good! We enjoyed the fresh guacamole, quesabirria quesadilla, and baja tacos. The margarita flight was also a nice variety. Sitting outdoors was also fun, inside was nice, the whole place works. Our server was also friendly. It's just a little expensive. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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El Catrin is a symbol of Mexican cuisine's early influence in Toronto, and their patio is a gem. Located in the Distillery District, it's no wonder they have garnered significant popularity. However, I recently visited the place and had a somewhat mixed experience. With the rise of numerous Mexican restaurants in the area, the competition has intensified, which might have affected my expectations. Nevertheless, I must highlight their unbeatable patio area, which creates a delightful ambiance. The food was up to the mark. Guacamole was freshly made at the table. Fish Tacos (Baja) were huge and loaded with coleslaws. Drinks were perfect. But be careful when your server recommends you their four signature tequilas - they are full-sized servings, not samplers. Also, it was interesting how our server literally changed her face so quickly once after we paid the bill, as though we were being rushed to leave. Overall, it's a good place if you are seeking an enjoyable dining experience in a Mexican-inspired setting, though may no longer necessarily be a must-go in Toronto. Food (quality, presentation) - 3.5/5 Drinks (quality, variety) - 4/5 Ambience (interior, cleanness) - 4.5/5 Service - 2/5 Value - 3/5 read more

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I had the Horchata Colada (coconut tequila, rumchata, horchata, coconut cream, pineapple juice) which was good in flavour, but couldn't really taste the booze. The drink was quite watered down at $17.90 (maybe due to the horchata). For appetizers, we had the Ceviche Reyes (mahi mahi) which was small for what we received, and for the main I had the Baja Tacos (3 for $25.90). They came piled high in slaw and while I admit they were bigger than I thought, the prices were still quite inflated, especially since my friend ordered the same dish and the difference in size/amount of slaw was noticeable. The waitress was friendly and patient, despite half our group being late. The establishment offers a large year-round patio outdoors as well as indoor seating with a beautiful mural inside. read more

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Quite enjoyed my dinner at El Cantrin. A friend and I made a reservation for Saturday evening and it's a good thing we did because there was a lobby full of folks waiting to grab a table when we left. I ordered the baja tacos and a mango margarita. Both were delicious. The best way I can describe the ambiance and decor is very cool. It's a great vibe for a dinner date, group outing, or just to grab drinks with friends. Hopefully it's warmer the next time I'm in town so we can sit outside on the patio and soak in the Distillery District. read more

El Catrin Destileria - Mexican Near Me - Toronto, Ontario