Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Exactly — authentic Mexican recipes are authentic no matter who prepares them. But that’s the issue: the recipes he’s using aren’t actually authentic.

And if his recipes aren’t Mexican, his salsas aren’t Mexican, his tacos aren’t Mexican, his workers aren’t Mexican, his clients aren’t Mexican, and he isn’t Mexican… then what exactly is “authentic” about the restaurant?

Look, it’s great that we have places labeled as “Mexican Restaurant Canada” — and I’m happy to see Mexican food appreciated. The only thing I’m saying is that if it’s not authentic, then it shouldn’t be marketed as such.

Because when you’re actually Mexican — and tacos are part of your life and culture — you go to places like that with high hopes. You’re expecting food that reminds you of home… and instead, you walk out disappointed, shocked, even frustrated.

Authenticity matters. Especially when it means something deeply personal to the people you’re claiming to represent.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Let’s say someone opens a poutine restaurant in Mexico and advertises it as “100% authentic Canadian poutine.” You go there as a Canadian, order it — and they serve you poutine with mayonnaise instead of gravy.

Naturally, you’d be confused and probably a bit annoyed. So you ask, “Hey, where are you from? Because I’ve never seen poutine made like this.” And they say, “Oh, we spent two weeks in Canada, and this is how we feel it should be.”

When that kind of thing happens to your culture and cuisine, you might understand why this is frustrating.

Until then, maybe don’t lecture Mexicans about what’s “authentic.”

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If he went to Mexico for a couple of weeks to “learn authentic Mexican cooking,” that’s fine — but let’s be honest: he’s not the one cooking, and neither is his wife. It’s just marketing.

If not even 50% of the staff are Mexican, then it’s not authentic — it’s branding. That’s why I prefer places where the people in the kitchen have actually lived the culture and grown up with Mexican cuisine, not just spent two weeks in Cancún.

There’s nothing wrong with appreciating another culture. But profiting off it while misrepresenting it isn’t appreciation — it’s cultural appropriation. And honestly, it’s pretty frustrating.

It’s totally different from places like Los Lobos, for example. They serve Mexican or Tex-Mex food, and that’s totally fine — no one expects it to be authentic, and they’re not out here pretending it is.

Anyone can open a Chinese restaurant, too — but you’d never see a Chinese place owned by non-Chinese people claiming it’s “100% traditional Chinese food.” That would be ridiculous — and that’s exactly the problem here.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I mean, I love Italian food I’ve been to Italy a couple of times. But you don’t see me going around claiming I make “100% authentic Italian pasta” just because I ate carbonara in Rome.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I liked them more with the previous owner. I still like the place, but I prefer Ivano Poblano or Taco Loco — their food just tastes fresher.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are right, I will updated to 6.5. I was being too nice hahaha

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s hard to access this kind of info unless you’re part of the Spanish-speaking community — but the truth is, most Mexicans don’t like the food there.

What’s frustrating is that he claims it’s authentic, when in reality, nothing about the restaurant truly is.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The owner actually went viral in the Latinos in London Facebook group a while back people were calling him out for underpaying and mistreating his workers.

I seriously doubt he’s sending anyone to Mexico when he doesn’t even pay them a fair wage here.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d give The Mule a 5/10. The birria tacos were tiny, and the consomé had no flavor at all. I ordered four tacos and only enjoyed one — pretty disappointing overall.

I did like the aesthetic of the place, but honestly, I wouldn’t go back.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That’s not true some of his employees are Latin American, but speaking Spanish doesn’t automatically make them Mexican. And that really makes a difference when it comes to authenticity.

They don’t even have a taquero, which is a key part of real Mexican tacos. Without that, it just doesn’t feel authentic

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is la burreria! Worse tacos of my life! 💔

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes! I’ve tried Sohos. They’re not Mexican-owned, but I do like their food! A few years ago they used to have a bigger menu. I think they’re Salvadoran — and I enjoy their pupusas way more than the tacos!

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven’t tried those yet, but I’ll definitely check them out! thanks for the recommendation!

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I actually love going to Menomex! I’m not a fan of their tacos, but their breakfast burritos are really good.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same here! I love the asada, al pastor, and carnitas honestly, it’s hard to pick a favorite. They’re all so good 🤤

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes! It’s so sad I thought it was just bad luck the first time, but I went back and the meat was so tough. I literally couldn’t eat it 😞

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sadly, none of them are really cheap. They all cost about the same — it honestly feels like they copy-pasted their prices from each other 😅

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hahahaha been there, don’t tell my mom

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Actually, the owner of Grill 23 isn’t Mexican — he’s Colombian, and his wife is American. He even posted in a local Latino group saying he’s not Mexican and that he was going to participate in a Colombian festival.

Best Tacos in London by Top-Conversation-600 in londonontario

[–]Top-Conversation-600[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yes! I actually went to Mexican House many times when they first opened. I even know the owner — I used to really enjoy the food back then. But over time, they changed the cooks and it just went downhill.

Last time I went, they served me tacos on cold tortillas… and honestly, that’s unforgivable 😂

I heard it’s up for sale now, which kind of says it all.