Playa Cabana Hacienda in Toronto

Toronto has been going nuts for taco’s for some time now. Tequileiras have been popping up around the city and locals are starting to develop an opinionated palate for their favourite establishments.

I had heard lots of buzz for the Playa Cabana enterprise so when they opened a flagship location just north of Yorkville on Dupont I decided it was high time I head over for a sip and nibble.

I arrived at Playa Cabana Hacienda just as they were about to open (that’s 5pm on Hump Day). Playa Cabana Hacienda offers a wee 2nd floor patio overlooking Dupont as well as a massive space behind the restaurant which will open soon, and when it does it may just be the largest outdoor space to sip a margarita north of Bloor. The interior wow’s with a wild and wonderful assortment of glowing bar signs, hanging pulleys, industrial lamps, leather horse saddles and endless bottles of booze.

We sat by the front window and spent the next hour diving into a Toronto Mexican restaurant feast. We started off with two well crafted margaritas and then switched to imported Mexican beers which paired nicely with our onslaught of tacos and tostada. Highlights included a skillet of popcorn shrimp, crispy pork belly, seared halibut tinga on a crunchy fried tortilla and sweet finish with a playful take on the poutine featuring fresh to order churros.

If you’re a newbie to the Playa Cabana Hacienda family make sure your first stop is at their new Hacienda. Most importantly their kitchen stays open as late as the bar. Sip your margaritas and munch on a plate of tacos till 2am.

The Feast:

Jimador

jimador, triple sec, lime, simple syrup

Dave’s Margarita

tromba blanco, cointreau, lime

Dos Equis

Negra Modelo

Camarones Palomitas

popcorn shrimp, arbol, toasted sesame crema

Chorizo Pulpo

octopus, mexican chorizo, raw poblano salsa

Flor de Calabaza con Queso