Some of Toronto’s best birria tacos are at a hidden Mexican restaurant

Pacho’s El Curadero is a casual Mexican eatery at the corner of Eglinton and Bathurst.

Originally opened under the name Amanecer Latino, this family-owned restaurant was born out of a passion for cooking.

Staff members Odalys Hernandez and Alexis Morales recall that during the pandemic, their families would cook together and deliver the food they made to their friends and neighbours.

Eventually, the team decided to turn their hobby into a business. The restaurant officially opened in May of 2024, adopting its current name later that year.

The restaurant occupies a small, intimate space with a muted colour palette. Colourful flags and rhinestone-encrusted sombreros hang from the walls and ceiling, giving the otherwise drab space a slightly friendlier feel.

Odalys and Alexis explain that, while Pacho’s isn’t usually busy, it does have a lot of regular customers, some of whom visit multiple times a week.

This comes as no surprise, as Pacho’s boasts an impressive menu, with large portions and unique flavours.

Every meal begins with a bowl of complimentary nachos, served with a spicy sauce. Though the chips and the dip pair well with one another, the chips are just as good with salsa and can even be eaten with birria broth.

The fact that the chips are endless means that you can pair them with almost any dish.

Empanadas ($15) come in three different varieties: beef, cheese or chicken. All three types are topped with shredded lettuce, sour cream and cheese.

Enchiladas ($20) are served as part of the breakfast menu. This meal is composed of four tortillas filled with cheese, chicken and sour cream and topped with your choice of red or green salsa.

Fried bananas and black bean dip are served on the side, offering a bit of contrast to the crispy tortillas.

Quesabirria ($25) is by far the most popular item on the menu. Consisting of four double-layered beef tacos, served with gratinated cheese and beef broth, this dish is the perfect blend of crunchy, cheesy, spicy and savoury.

If you’re active on Instagram or TikTok, you may recognize this dish — it’s been the subject of several viral videos, one of which calls them “the best birria tacos in Toronto.”

Whether you believe the hype will depend on whether you enjoy messy meals. Since I, personally, don’t mind getting my hands dirty, I’d give this dish a ten out of ten.

Arrachera tacos ($27) are made with grilled steak, shredded lettuce, cilantro and onions and served with lime wedges, which enhance the dish’s rich flavour.

Horchata ($10) is a rice-based drink, sweetened with cinnamon and served cold.

Jamaica ($10) is a type of sweet hibiscus tea. Its deep red colour makes it easy to identify, while its tart, floral taste makes it a refreshing counterpoint to many of the restaurant’s spicier options.

Pacho’s El Curadero is located at 852 Eglinton Avenue West.