Fonda Balam on Postcard

"Is that the best lengua taco you’ve ever had? Is there a better birria in the city? You might find yourself asking a lot of questions at this casual fonda where it’s impossible not to over-order. What started out as a summer birria pop-up by celebrity chef Matty Matheson and former Quetzal chefs Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo quickly evolved into this brick-and-mortar where tortillas are made in-house. The menu has expanded sensibly with aguachile de camaron, spicy seafood cocktail and sweets like chocolate cake with coconut flan. This is food you crave on a regular basis served in an easy-going setting that doesn’t care how you’re dressed. Low-flung counter seats, sunshine-yellow napkins and cacti in every corner add to the charm." - Michelin Inspector

Fonda Balam

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@infatuation

"Birria Balam started as a pop-up, but has now settled into a permanent home in Trinity Bellwoods. The menu features a range of tacos, including a really good rendition of birria with an incredible consommé. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed with some outdoor picnic tables, food served on plastic trays, and a no reservations situation, but it’s a great place to start the night (especially with their solid selection of beer and cocktails) before venturing to other bars along Dundas Street." - julia eskins

The 24 Best Restaurants & Hotels In Toronto

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@infatuation

"Birria Balam started as a pop-up, but has now settled into a permanent home in Trinity Bellwoods. The menu features a range of tacos, including a really good rendition of birria with an incredible consommé. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed with some outdoor picnic tables, food served on plastic trays, and a no reservations situation, but it’s a great place to start the night (especially with their solid selection of beer and cocktails) before venturing to other bars along Dundas Street." - Julia Eskins

Fonda Balam - Review - Toronto - The Infatuation

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@michelinguide

"What started out as a summer birria pop-up by celebrity chef Matty Matheson and former Quetzal chefs Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo quickly evolved into this brick-and-mortar where tortillas are made in-house. The menu has expanded sensibly with aguachile de camaron, spicy seafood cocktail and sweets like chocolate cake with coconut flan." - The MICHELIN Guide

2022 Toronto MICHELIN Bib Gourmands

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@canadas100best

"Julio Guajardo and Kate Chomyshyn — the husband-and-wife chef team who helped get Quetzal off to its great start and then unexpectedly upped and left — are now in the taco business with Matty Matheson. Their Spadina Avenue pop-up purveys two versions of that social media darling of tacodom: birria."

https://canadas100best.com/the-100-list-2021-birria-balam-tacos/

Canada's 100 Best 2021 - Ontario

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Carol F

Google

Open until June 8, 2024, Fonda Balam offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious Mexican cuisine. The restaurant does not take reservations in advance, so guests must walk in and place themselves on the waitlist. They have been recognized on the Michelin Bib Gourmand for two consecutive years. It's recommended to visit Fonda Balam before its closure! During our visit, the special of the day was the Chorizo Sope which consisted of chorizo and potato. The Taco de Birria was particularly noteworthy, and the Guacamole and House Salsa, especially the Salsa Verde, were crowd favourites. The Totopos was crunchy and only was $1 to refill a side portion. The Quesabirra Con Consome, Taco de Lengua, Taco de Carnitas and Cuba Libre were equally satisfying. The restaurant has 48 seats arranged in double U-shape seating and window seating. The restaurant features two bathrooms and a dedicated team comprising one member on drinks, two on service, and one on cleaning. For our dinner time, we arrived at 5:15 pm and were seated at 6:16 pm after receiving a text notification. The staff managed the increasing crowd, and by 7 pm, they had to close the waitlist due to reaching full capacity before 10 pm closing time.

Wendy Chang

Google

Had to wait about 40 minutes to eat here but it was worth it. The place is beautiful, our server was beautiful, why this kid isn't in movies I don't know, and the food was fantastic. Got the birria tacos and guacamole. Went somewhere else the week after and got their birria just to try to recreate the memory of this dish and it did not compare. I don't repeat many restaurants in the efforts of trying something new and would hands down go again.

Dennis Marijan

Google

Just left satisfied. Very popular place, you might have to wait. Birria En Su Caldo is what you must go for, but it’s so hard to choose. Specialty drinks from the bar are just as tempting as you watch the bartender take his time mixing! Happening, popular, good food, fair prices, good atmosphere.

Kevin Regis

Google

I recently visited Fonda Balam with modest expectations, considering how often food influencers hype up restaurants for their own gain. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my assumptions were entirely off-base. The restaurant's seating style was strikingly unique, reminiscent of a cozy bar atmosphere that immediately drew me in. For my meal, I opted for the quesabirria con consome, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The dish was hearty and satisfying, leaving me feeling completely satiated. And can we talk about the guacamole? It was simply divine. While I hesitate to use the word "authentic," I can confidently say that I have no complaints whatsoever. Every dollar spent here felt entirely worthwhile. Overall, my experience at Fonda Balam exceeded my expectations, proving that sometimes the best culinary surprises come from places you least expect. I highly recommend giving this restaurant a try—you won't regret it!

Chris Henry, Eating Pilot

Google

I had dinner down the street and always try to have dessert at a different place. Usually there is a line up out the door at Fonda Balam so I thought I’d check it out. As I entered I was greeted by a friendly server and inquired about the desserts. He mentioned the avocado and passion fruit sorbet and I was sold. The special rice flan didn’t interest me. He offered me a seat at the H shaped diner style seating. After some tap water I reviewed the menu and chose the avocado and passion fruit sorbet. Wow, heaven. Then I couldn’t take my eyes off the side of beef consomé and ordered it. The scent, the full flavour - best I’ve ever had anywhere. The test of a good restaurant is the soup - at least this is what I learned in hospitality school. Also the staff were very attentive the whole time. Can’t wait to return for dinner. Check out the menu !!!!

Brett Seldon

Google

Lots of hype around this place and it’s certainly warranted. Usually quite a long wait time to get in so we had to go a little earlier on a Friday. The set up inside is unique as there is only stool seating along two U shaped tables and along the windows. Wasn’t sure how I would feel about that, but it works fine if you’re a couple. Food was superb - some of the best tacos you can get in the city. The Quesabirria Con Consome seems to be what they are best known for, and it’s an absolute must. We also got the shrimp aguachile + leguna and pollo tacos. To be honest its more filling than you’d think so we had to take some home. No complaints with anything however, great little spot and we will definitely be coming back to check it out in the summer!

Andrea L

Google

Came here around 5pm on Friday and quickly got a spot but the restaurant filled up quickly! I got the birria taco and fish special taco. Unfortunately I didn’t think the fish one was that great cause it was barely battered/ fried. So seven lives fish taco is way better. I did enjoy the Birria and the guacamole was so good! The deep fried cheese and Birria tacos (Quesabirria) were extremely heavy too. Good for the first couple bites but you feel so heavy after I also got the blood orange slush drink which was good! I will return next time probably in the summer, and only order 2-3 tacos which should be more than enough food! The portions are huge.

niloufar ebrahimian

Google

It’s the service here that makes it stand out. You know a place is good & the food is great when you forget to take pictures of your food/drinks. We shared the shishito peppers (I could drink the sauce), tuna ceviche, guac, quesabirria, meat + chicken + pork tacos. For drinks we got the regular margarita, the mango chamoy patron slushy, a spicy margarita, and another mezcal drink. The appetizers were AMAZING, the quesabirria was great, but the tacos could have been better. The 2 servers we had went above and beyond. Everyone was so nice, we had lengthy conversations about the food/drinks with them, and their recommendations were tailored to our preferences. We even joked about working at Fonda Balam just so we get the secret sauce for the shishito peppers. We will definitely come back, and we will gladly wait in line.

Carol F

Google

Open until June 8, 2024, Fonda Balam offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious Mexican cuisine. The restaurant does not take reservations in advance, so guests must walk in and place themselves on the waitlist. They have been recognized on the Michelin Bib Gourmand for two consecutive years. It's recommended to visit Fonda Balam before its closure! During our visit, the special of the day was the Chorizo Sope which consisted of chorizo and potato. The Taco de Birria was particularly noteworthy, and the Guacamole and House Salsa, especially the Salsa Verde, were crowd favourites. The Totopos was crunchy and only was $1 to refill a side portion. The Quesabirra Con Consome, Taco de Lengua, Taco de Carnitas and Cuba Libre were equally satisfying. The restaurant has 48 seats arranged in double U-shape seating and window seating. The restaurant features two bathrooms and a dedicated team comprising one member on drinks, two on service, and one on cleaning. For our dinner time, we arrived at 5:15 pm and were seated at 6:16 pm after receiving a text notification. The staff managed the increasing crowd, and by 7 pm, they had to close the waitlist due to reaching full capacity before 10 pm closing time.

Wendy Chang

Google

Had to wait about 40 minutes to eat here but it was worth it. The place is beautiful, our server was beautiful, why this kid isn't in movies I don't know, and the food was fantastic. Got the birria tacos and guacamole. Went somewhere else the week after and got their birria just to try to recreate the memory of this dish and it did not compare. I don't repeat many restaurants in the efforts of trying something new and would hands down go again.

Dennis Marijan

Google

Just left satisfied. Very popular place, you might have to wait. Birria En Su Caldo is what you must go for, but it’s so hard to choose. Specialty drinks from the bar are just as tempting as you watch the bartender take his time mixing! Happening, popular, good food, fair prices, good atmosphere.

Kevin Regis

Google

I recently visited Fonda Balam with modest expectations, considering how often food influencers hype up restaurants for their own gain. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my assumptions were entirely off-base. The restaurant's seating style was strikingly unique, reminiscent of a cozy bar atmosphere that immediately drew me in. For my meal, I opted for the quesabirria con consome, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The dish was hearty and satisfying, leaving me feeling completely satiated. And can we talk about the guacamole? It was simply divine. While I hesitate to use the word "authentic," I can confidently say that I have no complaints whatsoever. Every dollar spent here felt entirely worthwhile. Overall, my experience at Fonda Balam exceeded my expectations, proving that sometimes the best culinary surprises come from places you least expect. I highly recommend giving this restaurant a try—you won't regret it!

Chris Henry, Eating Pilot

Google

I had dinner down the street and always try to have dessert at a different place. Usually there is a line up out the door at Fonda Balam so I thought I’d check it out. As I entered I was greeted by a friendly server and inquired about the desserts. He mentioned the avocado and passion fruit sorbet and I was sold. The special rice flan didn’t interest me. He offered me a seat at the H shaped diner style seating. After some tap water I reviewed the menu and chose the avocado and passion fruit sorbet. Wow, heaven. Then I couldn’t take my eyes off the side of beef consomé and ordered it. The scent, the full flavour - best I’ve ever had anywhere. The test of a good restaurant is the soup - at least this is what I learned in hospitality school. Also the staff were very attentive the whole time. Can’t wait to return for dinner. Check out the menu !!!!

Brett Seldon

Google

Lots of hype around this place and it’s certainly warranted. Usually quite a long wait time to get in so we had to go a little earlier on a Friday. The set up inside is unique as there is only stool seating along two U shaped tables and along the windows. Wasn’t sure how I would feel about that, but it works fine if you’re a couple. Food was superb - some of the best tacos you can get in the city. The Quesabirria Con Consome seems to be what they are best known for, and it’s an absolute must. We also got the shrimp aguachile + leguna and pollo tacos. To be honest its more filling than you’d think so we had to take some home. No complaints with anything however, great little spot and we will definitely be coming back to check it out in the summer!

Andrea L

Google

Came here around 5pm on Friday and quickly got a spot but the restaurant filled up quickly! I got the birria taco and fish special taco. Unfortunately I didn’t think the fish one was that great cause it was barely battered/ fried. So seven lives fish taco is way better. I did enjoy the Birria and the guacamole was so good! The deep fried cheese and Birria tacos (Quesabirria) were extremely heavy too. Good for the first couple bites but you feel so heavy after I also got the blood orange slush drink which was good! I will return next time probably in the summer, and only order 2-3 tacos which should be more than enough food! The portions are huge.

niloufar ebrahimian

Google

It’s the service here that makes it stand out. You know a place is good & the food is great when you forget to take pictures of your food/drinks. We shared the shishito peppers (I could drink the sauce), tuna ceviche, guac, quesabirria, meat + chicken + pork tacos. For drinks we got the regular margarita, the mango chamoy patron slushy, a spicy margarita, and another mezcal drink. The appetizers were AMAZING, the quesabirria was great, but the tacos could have been better. The 2 servers we had went above and beyond. Everyone was so nice, we had lengthy conversations about the food/drinks with them, and their recommendations were tailored to our preferences. We even joked about working at Fonda Balam just so we get the secret sauce for the shishito peppers. We will definitely come back, and we will gladly wait in line.

Fonda Balam

Fonda Balam

Photos

Highlights

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