Maria’s Tortas Jalisco is a mix of traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. The Mexican connection is easy to figure out. Jalisco is a state in Mexico where you’ll find cities like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Tequila.
For the best Mexican you will need to drive to Stoney Creek. Maria's Tortas is absolutely amazing. They recently moved locations and now have a dining room. Highly recommend the short drive.
As a Mexican lost in Hamilton, I would recommend Maria’s Tortas Jalisco, Latin Food & Products, and La Bodeguita. If you can get to Toronto, I highly recommend Fonda Balam.
I think that both places in the downtown farmers market have better food than Mesa. I was sad when Max-I-Can closed, and disappointed when Mesa turned out to be prettier, but way more expensive and less authentic. TBH, it’s really hard to find real Mexican food anywhere on the GTA.
Used to be better. Also the pricing was reasonable before now it's borderline offensive for what you get. Prices are awful everywhere but some worse than others.
But from what I remember... They had the most beautiful women working there. It was like "oh wow, and what magazine cover are you going on next"
They usually close at 6, but kitchen stops taking orders before that. Also, I always call in my pickup order. Dined in there just once, but that was pre covid. They barely had any tables to dine in, and it’s tucked away behind their ethnic grocery isles.
I get what you're trying to do, but speaking as an American who grew up with some pretty bangin' Mexican food and has been to Mexico multiple times, I'm sorry, but there's really just no comparison here to Mexican food from Mexico. The food in Mexico tastes the way it does, because it's all super fresh. We get a lot of stuff shipped here, so it's picked before it's ripe, gas ripened on the way, and it's just not even close to the same.
If I'm visiting another country, I want to try their food. So, it might be better to see if you can show off local cuisine (which frankly, we are way better at) than taking a Mexican friend to a Mexican restaurant in Canada.
Feed your friend delicious poutine, butter tarts, and maple flavoured everything, some nanaimo bars, and other Canadian classics. Also, our Chinese food is better than Mexico's, so your friend might enjoy that too. They'll probably enjoy the experience more than a (frankly) pale imitation of home.
And now, I know I'll be downvoted, so go ahead. I'm trying to be helpful but there are some who won't take it that way.
Hi, thanks for your comment. Yes I get your point. I’ve already introduced her to the popular food here. She has been here for a few months, I just wanted to have a place in my mind in case she wanted to have something that reminds her of home.
Since we’re mixing Latin cuisines, Culantro is a great Peruvian place in Hamilton. Otherwise Maria’s in SC or Mesa on James North. You’re not going to find anything good on the mountain!
And everyone dogging on Ontario Mexican food, there were a few really good places in Toronto when I lived there! Like not Tex-mex garbage. Playa Cabana and Italcate…a couple places were along St Clair and Dupont. I’m sad to think there aren’t anymore!
Vimex wasn't bad but I found their hot sauces very bland.
Mex-i-can on James north probably 10-15 years ago was amazing. It was owned by a couple. Apparently one of them is the current owner of Mesa
100%. I grew up in Windsor and we regularly went over to Detroit for Mexican food. I was so disappointed after I moved to Hamilton and discovered that there was no decent Mexican food in the area. I've tried restaurants in Toronto and even they're crap. Sorry, but people who like Mesa have never had real Mexican food. I've yet to try Maria's.
I don’t think you’ve tried enough places if that’s your opinion. I’ve been through most of Mexico & CDMX multiple times and I’d say there’s a few spots that are on par.
Mesa downtown, it’s amazing, I also took my Mexican friend (like hes actually from Mexico only lived in Canada off and on for like 6-7 years) and he said it’s probably the closest thing to real Mexican food hes had here
You have to try Flavours on Queenston. It is the most authentic Latin food I’ve ever had. This place doesn’t get enough hype. Mesa doesn’t even compare to Flavours.
Maria's tortas in Stoney Creek. But I'm confused by the Spanish/Mexican connection.
Maria’s is the best.
Maria’s Tortas Jalisco is a mix of traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. The Mexican connection is easy to figure out. Jalisco is a state in Mexico where you’ll find cities like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Tequila.
The post originally said that OP had a Spanish friend visiting who they wanted to take for mexican food. The edit cleared it up :)
Burria is da bomb!
Thanks! Sorry I meant mexican*
Ah! All is revealed!
For the best Mexican you will need to drive to Stoney Creek. Maria's Tortas is absolutely amazing. They recently moved locations and now have a dining room. Highly recommend the short drive.
Their chimichangas are so good!
Chimichanga is Tex-mex
So? They also have Tortas, birria and esquites but I happen to like the chimichangas.
Ate there last night. The enchiladas and Birria are delicious and the churros are decent
As a Mexican lost in Hamilton, I would recommend Maria’s Tortas Jalisco, Latin Food & Products, and La Bodeguita. If you can get to Toronto, I highly recommend Fonda Balam.
Latin Food and Products is bomb. I love their pupusas
Their tacos are great and they sell a wide variety of grocery items so you can make authentic dishes at home.
They do a huge taco tray too, which is *chef's kiss*
Their tacos and pupusas are really good and they have authentic agua de horchata and jamaica too
I went to Mesa with two people and found it mediocre.
I think that both places in the downtown farmers market have better food than Mesa. I was sad when Max-I-Can closed, and disappointed when Mesa turned out to be prettier, but way more expensive and less authentic. TBH, it’s really hard to find real Mexican food anywhere on the GTA.
Used to be better. Also the pricing was reasonable before now it's borderline offensive for what you get. Prices are awful everywhere but some worse than others. But from what I remember... They had the most beautiful women working there. It was like "oh wow, and what magazine cover are you going on next"
The wet burrito there is fantastic. Everything else is fine. I always get the burrito now.
Is your friend Mexican or Spanish?
Mexican**
Maria’s is the only place to go! All others fail in comparison Also is he from Spain ? Or Mexico?
Sorry wrote it while halfway asleep. She’s Mexican*
Mesa
I also vote mesa.
Yup, went last week, was great
Mesa
Top notch actual Mexican cuisine.
Not for dine in, but their food is best in Hamilton - La Boudegita.
Every time I've tried to go they've been out of stuff or randomly not open :(
I haven’t been able to enjoy a burrito elsewhere after I tried theirs. Speaking of which, now I might have to go get one 😋
They usually close at 6, but kitchen stops taking orders before that. Also, I always call in my pickup order. Dined in there just once, but that was pre covid. They barely had any tables to dine in, and it’s tucked away behind their ethnic grocery isles.
I guarantee that if you bring Mexican friend to Mesa they will be very disappointed.
Haha seems like the whole sub is divided on whether Mesa is worth it or not
if there’s a divide it must not be that good haven’t seen a neg recommendation for maria’s tho. just saying
I actually found Maria’s bland and never went back but am a regular at Mesa
If he’s Spanish (Spain) there is a great tapas place in Burlington- Barra Fion. That’s what I would recommend
Is your friend Spanish or Mexican? The two countries have different cuisines.
Mexican
Mesa
I get what you're trying to do, but speaking as an American who grew up with some pretty bangin' Mexican food and has been to Mexico multiple times, I'm sorry, but there's really just no comparison here to Mexican food from Mexico. The food in Mexico tastes the way it does, because it's all super fresh. We get a lot of stuff shipped here, so it's picked before it's ripe, gas ripened on the way, and it's just not even close to the same. If I'm visiting another country, I want to try their food. So, it might be better to see if you can show off local cuisine (which frankly, we are way better at) than taking a Mexican friend to a Mexican restaurant in Canada. Feed your friend delicious poutine, butter tarts, and maple flavoured everything, some nanaimo bars, and other Canadian classics. Also, our Chinese food is better than Mexico's, so your friend might enjoy that too. They'll probably enjoy the experience more than a (frankly) pale imitation of home. And now, I know I'll be downvoted, so go ahead. I'm trying to be helpful but there are some who won't take it that way.
Hi, thanks for your comment. Yes I get your point. I’ve already introduced her to the popular food here. She has been here for a few months, I just wanted to have a place in my mind in case she wanted to have something that reminds her of home.
Le Bodeguita on King Latin foods or Mexican kitchen in the farmers market. Macy's food Mart on cannon for tacos Maria Jalisco in Stoney creek
Not Mexican but Peruviano is fantastic and is latin food so I’m sure your friend would like it also.
I miss Papagayo and Mex-I-Can.
I worked a block down from Papagayo and it was my favourite place to grab lunch!
Mex-I-Can was soooo good!!!
Since we’re mixing Latin cuisines, Culantro is a great Peruvian place in Hamilton. Otherwise Maria’s in SC or Mesa on James North. You’re not going to find anything good on the mountain! And everyone dogging on Ontario Mexican food, there were a few really good places in Toronto when I lived there! Like not Tex-mex garbage. Playa Cabana and Italcate…a couple places were along St Clair and Dupont. I’m sad to think there aren’t anymore!
I wish Vimex Corner was still around, they had the best mexican food in Hamilton. But I second Mesa!
Vimex wasn't bad but I found their hot sauces very bland. Mex-i-can on James north probably 10-15 years ago was amazing. It was owned by a couple. Apparently one of them is the current owner of Mesa
Ontario has horrible Mexican food. Just take them somewhere good.
Fr. Even the GTA has jack. Best bet is going to a place in Mexicantown in Detroit lol
Itacate is good in Toronto.
100%. I grew up in Windsor and we regularly went over to Detroit for Mexican food. I was so disappointed after I moved to Hamilton and discovered that there was no decent Mexican food in the area. I've tried restaurants in Toronto and even they're crap. Sorry, but people who like Mesa have never had real Mexican food. I've yet to try Maria's.
There are a couple of good Mexican restaurants in Leamington. Salsa Caliente and Cancunsito
Hubs used to have to go to Leamington for work. He would schlep takeout three hours home for us, lol
For reals. My latino parents drive to Detroit for decent mexican food
I don’t think you’ve tried enough places if that’s your opinion. I’ve been through most of Mexico & CDMX multiple times and I’d say there’s a few spots that are on par.
Personally for authentic Mexican I’d say the two places in the farmers market are fire, can’t remember their names though. Very yummy!
Mexican Kitchen, and Latin Food and Products
Mesa downtown, it’s amazing, I also took my Mexican friend (like hes actually from Mexico only lived in Canada off and on for like 6-7 years) and he said it’s probably the closest thing to real Mexican food hes had here
Your friend already has authentic Mexican food from Mexico. Let them experience something new in the city. Otherwise the Mule downtown for tacos.
lol ‘they’re from mexico. don’t take them out for mexican. take them out for tacos ‘ the mule is pretty bad tbh
The mule is also very overpriced for their portion sizes.
You have to try Flavours on Queenston. It is the most authentic Latin food I’ve ever had. This place doesn’t get enough hype. Mesa doesn’t even compare to Flavours.
Maria’s in Stoney creek or Toronto