(Toronto) Tacos El Asador - is it worth trying?

[mainja]

So, I've been thinking I want to try Tacos El Asador on Bloor.

Is it worth trying?

I know that the topic of the derth of Mexican food is a common one on chowhound, so I know not to expect miracles. But in general how is this place?

[Jacquilynne]

Great thread -- adding a Place link so people can find it later.

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Tacos El Asador
690 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G1L2, CA

[aser]

hate to be the dissenting voice but I would have to disagree. The dishes I've sampled there have ranged from average to disasterous.

The pancita (tripe soup) I had contained tripe so overcooked it was akin to chewing on tires.

I would recommend you head further west to either el jacal, mexitaco or my personal fav rebozos.

[EPIcureanTO]

Been several times now, all at different times of the day, all different dishes, and it's always been quite good- except for the papusas, now that could be because it's just not my thing, because it's the first time I've had them.

It's fresh, fast, and *always* busy.

..but now I have to try this tripe dish... :)

[ontario]

"I would recommend you head further west to either el jacal, mexitaco or my personal fav rebozos."

mexitacos is terrible (in my opinion). i haven't tried the other two places, but mexitacos was as bad as rancho relaxo!

[Olivia]

To answer the post question, YES!

Two more tidbits of info:
-if they don't bring you the hotsauce, ask for it
-it's a really casual place; you order at the counter, then you sit at a picnic table, and they bring you the food on paperlined plastic plates

[MeMeMe]

We adore Tacos El Asador. The pork and chorizo dishes are out of this world. In fact, everything is delicious every time (black beans..yum). Friendly service, charming restaurant. I recommend it every time.

[pgfuzz]

Went there a couple of weeks ago and had:

- pupusa mixta
- a chorizo soft taco
- a chicken tamale

Was very disappointed with the food. The food was inexpensive but it wasn't very tasty. They cheaped out in terms of the filling - the chicken tamale had only 1 small piece of chicken. As they say, you get what you pay for.

[xtal]

Well worth it, especially if you grab 'to go' and eat at a table in Christie Pits...

[mainja]

wow! thanks so much guys. now i will be making darn sure that i check them out. *grin*

[jcanncuk]

The tamale's and pupusa's are awesome. Don't miss the crispy tacos either - mmmmmm!

[mickeyj]

I am frequently at Tacos El Asador but I've never had (or seen) anything from the grill.

I recommend the crispy chicken taco and the tamale. Guacamole is nice too. Give the nachos a miss.

[mary sand]

It's "alright". Nice mouth feel but bland was my experience there last summer. But it is inexpensive, so worth a try. It's El Savadorian (sic) so don't expect those "mexicasa" type of flavours!

[dannyboy]

yeah great tacos, and ATA that carne asada, woo-wee

[Atahualpa]

Um . . . How are the items actually from the asador (grill)? Good carne asada?

[mgs]

Just had dinner there last night. Very inexpensive, and everything is nicely spiced and yummy! Plus they were playing Nacho Libre for atmosphere...

[pimentdespelette]

Lord yes.

[zoohort2]

You can't go wrong with Tacos El Asador...it won't cost you an arm and a leg and it is very tasty!!!!!

[tuqueboy]

definitely worth going. pupusas are better than the tacos, in my opinion.

[squingy]

I love going here in the summer when my son has a baseball game at Christie Pits. A few of the other parents and I usually load up on pupusas, nachos, tacos(hard & soft) and horchata to bring to the park. I don't know how authentic it is as I hardly eat Latin American/Mexican food, but I do know when food is good, and this stuff is really good. Make sure you get the hot salsa, it's pretty awesome.

[to_eat]

Its definitively worth trying. I am a regular and have been for years. Its not mexican its el salvadorian but has latin american foods. Its a small place and not fancy at all. But the owners and nice and the food is very good and cheap. The pupusas, burritos, tostadas, tamales are all great. the guacomole too its excellent. I see people get big bowls of soup that also looks good. Try the horchata drink if they have it - its delicious!