97091 Wed May 21 14:19:51 -0700 2003 12 22 Quebec (including Montreal) 0 528779 we had a caller last week that tuned in to ask for a good mexican restaurant in montreal. i told her i would investigate ... p.s. i co-produce and broadcast foodfellas..food radio in montreal on cfmb1280am sundays at midnight. Wed May 21 14:19:51 -0700 2003 0 foodfella/barry 1 528796 I think Santropol is the best Mexican in Montreal. Not very Mexican, you say? No, but neither is most of the slop you get served at so-called Mexican places here, and at least it's good. There's a real opportunity for a taqueria. Fri May 23 07:37:44 -0700 2003 528779 0 John Green 2 528799 I agree it's hard to find decent Mexican in Montreal, but all hope is not lost, since other Latinos are stepping up and providing good food from the same general family and even dabbling in Mexican. Seems to me the root cause is that unlike the U.S., Canada doesn't have a whole lot of Mexican immigrants - but it does have many immigrants from the rest of Latin America. La Chilenita (Clark/Marie-Anne and Napoleon/Hotel-de-Ville) makes a tasty burrito; I don't know how authentic it is but I do find it very satisfying. The quesadillas, various Chilean sandwiches and of course the empanadas (which are the real raison d'être for the place) all make a nice lunch. The Colombian cafeteria on Rachel is pretty good, based on limited first impressions. (Don't remember the name; it's on the south side, just east of St-Laurent.) Explore the St-Zotique/St-Denis/Belanger vicinity for various Central American treats (pupusas, etc.). As for Mexican proper: Taqueria Mex on St-Laurent near Marie-Anne does a decent burrito. Nothing spectacular. Haven't been in a couple of years, but Lêlê da Cuca (Marie-Anne east near St-Dominique) used to be and hopefully still is an interesting Brazilian/Mexican hybrid restaurant with a menu full of things you'll *never* see at the usual faux-Mex places. (It's BYO wine, too; they're very strict about it being wine only, not beer, that you bring.) Mañana, on St Denis near Cherrier, may not be the most authentic possible but isn't too bad. Have heard good things about Casa Mateo, haven't been yet. But be careful to avoid spots like Zaziumm and Carlos & Pepes. These are not at all worth the bother. Fri May 23 13:46:22 -0700 2003 528796 0 Matt 3 528804 Casa Mateo is not bad, but it can be expensive. Drinks are pricey, and before you know it that $15 meal is over $50. There is a new (this year) Mexican restaurant on St. Denis just a door or two below Gilford (east side). It's nicely decorated, and they seem to be trying to do a really nice job. It's not a taqueria, it's a *restaurant.* I've only gone once, and had a good but pricey sopa de lima and something else (don't remember what...). I haven't been back only because it is a bit pricey and I can't get my head around paying Italian restaurant prices for Mexican food (yes, I know that is a nasty prejudice). I've walked by a number of times and they are rarely busy, but that might be because nobody knows about it and/or it has a name that is difficult to remember. Too bad, because it has great potential. Fri May 23 15:40:29 -0700 2003 528799 0 blork 4 528818 There is an excellent and quite authentic Mexican restaurant on Van Horne Ave. in Outremont. It is called La Hacienda. Sorry but I don't have the phone number but call for directions on how to get there. It is a small place but the chef is Mexican. Sun May 25 22:55:03 -0700 2003 528804 0 Reesa 5 528819 Restaurant La Hacienda 1148, avenue Van Horne, Outremont, QC H2V 1J8 (514)270-3043 Link: http://canada411.yellowpages.ca Sun May 25 23:04:29 -0700 2003 528818 0 Tari Elensar 6 529242 This is the best palce in M<tl. hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wed Sep 17 18:27:58 -0700 2003 528819 0 Greg 3 528808 How's that place on the west side of Peel, north of Sherbrooke...across from the Marriott Residence Inn?? forgot the name...sorry...not from Montreal. Sat May 24 07:43:54 -0700 2003 528799 0 Goober from Toronto 4 528824 Sorry, the location you describe doesn't ring a bell for restaurants of any kind...will have a look next time I'm in the area. Mon May 26 15:38:36 -0700 2003 528808 0 Matt 3 530195 i've ate at a few tex-mex restaurants over the past 15 years and i think carlos and pepes is one of the best;good food and prices. Mon May 24 21:54:27 -0700 2004 528799 0 patryck gouveia 1 528933 Sorry for the late entry- But Anyone try La Guadalupe on Ontario East? I like it very much- Mexican owned and operated. Thu Jun 19 17:42:19 -0700 2003 528779 0 Jen 1 529036 i've been to Manana on St. Denis and i think the two short reviews on Montrealplus.ca are correct: bland food and poor service. one thing that depresses me is is when you go to a nice dinner restaurant and expect something really good and instead they serve you "microwaved Mexican". Swanson's Hungry Man Mexican dinner is better than what i have had in most of these types of joints. (no kidding) in New Haven, Ct., where i used to live 20 yrs ago, there was an excellent Tex-Mex place called Viva Zapata. they actually broiled, baked and roasted things. what a novel idea! there were a couple other good place's there also. the Mexican combo plate i had at Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant (a chain) in Framingham, Mass., was also very good. and there wasn't a Mexican in sight. Having a Mexican owner is no actual guarantee of great food. i've been tripped up there before also. like the Chowhound says, in many places they apparently think the decor is what you came for. here is a list of Mexican resto's i put together from web surfing for my own personal restaurant guide to Montreal. i haven't sampled these yet but it will give you something to consider. i'll be in town in 2 weeks and i will try several of these starting with La Hacienda. most of them i got from Montrealplus.ca p.s. Syracuse, NY, near me has a couple good local Tex-Mex joints. a fast food place downtown called Desert Moon has an "upscale" fast food approach. their salsa was the best i've ever tasted. and i don't even like salsa! (it's usually a mess of limp veggies and cold tomato sauce amd just looks and tastes slimy to me). it was out of this world! the list: Mexican Food in Montreal (yeah!) 3 Amigos 1657 St Catherine West x the Fauborg good, some love it some dont i will try it Mexicali Rosa's 1425 Bishop ok to good students like it also at 2800 St Charles, Kirkland (west island) this location had good reviews from Montrealplus.ca La Taqueria Mexicaine 4306 St Laurent, Montreal (514) 982-9462 good food for a self srvc joint they say Carlo's & Pepe's 1420 Peel sounds good fun hangout but one person in here (chowhound) doesnt think so La Hacienda 1148 Van Horne Ave MRoyal VOTED BEST AUTHENTIC MEXICAN from what i saw Mi Tierra 900 Duluth Ave East Mexican cuisine Margaitas, fresh lime juice, mole poblano over duxendid, avocado stuffed specialty, smokey chipotie-cream cheese 522-8068 Restaurant Alebrijes 4727 St Denis sounds good La Fiesta 5179 Cote-des-Neiges live Mariachi band 7:30 Fri & Sat Casa de Mateo 440 St Francois Xavier live Mariachi band weekends El Meson 1678 St Joseph in Lachine 634-0442 has v. good review Sun Jul 13 13:09:26 -0700 2003 528779 0 Mike 2 529225 I am a true Mexican Food Junkie and I hated what I found in mtl. Until I found Le Coin De Mexique North West corner of Eberville and Jean Talon A Bit out of the downtown core but well worth the trip. The rest. is nothing special but the food is the best.. Go check it out it will be really worth it Ghazlehurst@yahoo.ca Thu Sep 11 22:49:03 -0700 2003 529036 0 Greg