Hot dogs and tacos
When I first came to Montreal six years ago, two things quickly became clear. First, hot dogs. Hot dogs seemed to be on every menu in the city. Whole fast food chains existed based on the simple frank. In California, you can only get away with eating hot dogs at the ball game or on the 4th of July. Otherwise, you open yourself to scorn. I used to amuse myself asking locals which hot dog was better, Valentine or La Belle Province. EVERYONE has an opinion on that, let me tell you. The second thing was, and I must admit I was horrified, that there were nearly zero Mexican eateries. Not even Taco Bell, the last choice when you have a craving for the south of the border flavor. Eventually, I found Le coin du Mexique(Metro Iberville) and La Guadalupe(Ontario st west of Iberville), both authentic Mexican restaurants serving up great cuisine. Since then, there have been many new Mexican bistros that have opened (and closed I might add) making up for the previous dearth. But still no Taco Bell. I think I’ve discovered one big reason - Quebecers are not fond of the refried beans. As spouse says, “Les “bins” toute croche”. Anybody have a fave Mexican joint to recommend? And what about Taco Bell? Was there ever one here?
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I’m in Mexican food withdrawal too. I’ve actually had to learn to cook…
On the plus side, Montreal is chock full of classic French food, which costs a zillion dollars in the States.
I don’t know if there’s any truth to this or not, but I once heard that there is no Taco Bell because of Quebec’s language laws. Something to the effect that signs and names have to be in French. Anything that’s currently in English is due to the fact that they already existed. I figure it’s the same reason that we have no Arby’s, Applebee’s or any number of other fast food joints that would likely do well here.
Then again, I could be talking out of my ass and have no idea what I’m saying! This is just what someone told me years ago and it made sense, that person seemed to be “in the know”.
And for the record, I like La Belle Province hot dogs better! ;)
Taco Bell got refused because they failed to meet the meat requirement grade. It was graded as a “B” in beef, and apparently Quebec doesn’t serve anything below Grade “A” beefs. There you go. I guess Toronto doesn’t mind ingesting that stuff lol.
I can only *not* recommend Carlos & Pepe’s on Peel, it’s disgusting. Worse. Enchilada. EVER. Then there’s 3 Amigos on St-Catherine, I’ve been there a couple of times, but I can’t say it’s real authentic cuisine. Taco Bell’s nothing but a fast food chain, I don’t think there’s anything authentically Mexican about it, lol.
As for hot dogs, so far the Julep has had the best ones to me.
Jay - you’re way off base with that line of thinking. Think of BestBuy, Future Shop, Blockbuster, East Side Mario’s, Bill Edward’s Cheers, Pizza Hut, Cinnabuns, Saint Cinnamon, Second Cup and Starbuck’s, just to name a few retail and restaurant chains that have opened Quebec franchises with giant non-French signs since Loi 101 came into effect.
My boyfriend makes good Mexican food! :D Mmm! We had delicious quesedillas not so long ago! So I don’t need a Taco Bell! ;)
The chefs and owner may not be Mexican (they’re Chilean), but they make mean tacos and enchiladas at La Chilenita (64 Marie-Anne west). They are much more well known for their empanadas and Chilean sandwiches, but I cannot resist the simplicity and ample guacamole of their tacos.
I was/am a Taco Smell fan also, and Carlos & Pepes used to be my favorite spot in Montreal. Lately we’ve been going to Casa de Mateo which recently expanded (so they must be pretty good). They are in the old port on St-Francois Xavier between St-Paul & Notre Dame. They tend to be more toward authentic Mexican than the Americanized version. I like both. We highly recommend it.
As for hot dogs, the ones here don’t hold a candle to the ‘meal on a bun’ in Chitown. Bun, hot dog, ketchup, yellow mustard, flourescent green relish, tomato wedges, pickle wedge, and celery salt. Add a mountain of faux cheese fries next to it and you are in cardiac arrest heaven. Go to the Weiner’s Circle at 2am and you’re greated with a barrage of profanity to boot. Doesn’t that sound appealing.
For tacos, try La Nación (on St. Catherines, between St. Marc and St. Mathieu). It was recommended to me by my Mexican friend, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. They have many types of tacos, since it’s their specialty (it’s a taquería). It has become a mandatory stop during my visits to Montreal.
Personally, I would recommend Taqueria Mex (4306 bldv. St. Laurent)…
I can’t quite recall the name, but on the corner of St-Dominique and Roy is a great little (and I mean little) Mexican resto. After, you can grab a pint at Else’s.
I’ve always loved Mexicali Rosa’s. Their Mexican Flag is very tasty.
I also used to order from 3 Amigos regularly when I worked downtown. They have an appetizer of cactus and cheese on tortillas and it is DELICIOUS. I am starving just thinking about it.
I never went myself but my sister told me that Casa de Mateo was really good.
I still miss Chi-chi’s, which was located in Pointe-Claire (dunno if there were any other ones in town). Unfortunately, I never got to try the margaritas there — I mostly went there as a kid and a teen with my parents.
I cook the stuff from scratch minus the tortilla shells but barring that, my recommendations are:
Casa de Mateo in Old Montreal
El Meson in Lachine on the water front
my 2 favs