If you’re anything like me, you find yourself in a near-constant state of desiring tacos. To appease this never-ending appetite while still maintaining a healthy and balanced bank account, I have often found myself traversing Bloor Street West to the Salvadorian-inspired Tacos El Asador. Nestled in the heart of Koreatown at the corner of Bloor Street West and Clinton Street (right out of Christie Station), this tiny, family-owned restaurant has been dishing up authentic flavour for 25 years.
JAY BAWAR/THE VARSITY
It should be noted that this place is charmingly seedy and quite small; housing six picnic tables that would snugly fit four around each, Tacos El Asador has a tendency to fill up during peak hours. Don’t let this dissuade you; let it instead serve only as testimony to how utterly amazing the tacos are. The tacos here are the star of the menu.
Served on a four-inch toasted tortilla, all of the tacos come with hot salsa and jalapenos on the side. There’s a taco option for everyone, with vegetarian tacos at $2.45 per taco and meatier options (choice of beef, chicken, chorizo sausage, pork, beefsteak, shrimp, fish, and the list goes on) starting at $3.55 each. Please, please try the fish tacos if your diet allows — they are divine.
Personally, I would suggest ordering two to four tacos depending on hunger level, as the tacos are on the smaller side, but this also gives you the opportunity to try a variety of different tacos in one sitting. Other than the tacos, Tacos El Asador also serves burritos, tamales, pupusas, quesadillas, and enchiladas — emphasis on the tamales, because they’re the bomb. Be sure to keep an eye out for the chalkboards behind the register that list daily specials and meal combos, which add variety to the time-tested favourites of the set menu.
Seriously, if you are in the neighborhood or if you have time to make the 20-minute walk from campus, try Tacos El Asador. The hours are agreeable: 12:00 pm–9:00 pm every day except Sunday (2:00 pm–9:00 pm) — and the tacos are fantastic. The spice might burn your taste buds, but the price won’t hurt your wallet. Make sure to add a side of guac, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
