In my home, I have a resident expert when it comes to the subject of tacos. My teenage son, Tate, is a true aficionado, so I brought him with me to try a plate of tacos at Smokin’ Barrels. We ordered at the counter and sat at a nearby table, and, once the plate of Tacos Don Birria arrived, the expert was almost speechless. Almost. (He did utter a few “wows” between bites.) Smoked beef brisket is placed inside a corn shell that’s given a quick shot on the flat-iron grill before serving. The house-made salsas have a kick, but the highlight is a beef broth that’s there for some taco dipping. He’s already asking when we can go back.
Mistatim Industrial | 13119 156 St NW, Edmonton | 587.817.0339 | tacoscocinalatina.com
You won’t find a better margarita in the city, and the menu is filled with items that may not be instantly familiar to those of us used to our usual Mexican-restaurant staples. The cuisine is very region-specific. Try the coqueta, which is seared tuna with avocado and fried onions, served in a dark sauce that’s one part salty and one part spice. Save room for the soft churros, which can be dipped in a variety of sweet sauces. Did I mention the margaritas?
Downtown | 10220 103 St NW, Edmonton | 780.421.8100 | facebook.com/mariarestaurant
Less than a decade ago, Calle Mexico was a simple food truck, traveling from Leduc to the city and back again. It built such a following that two brick-and-mortar locations followed. What hasn’t changed is the quality of the tacos and tortas (Mexican sandwiches). Our favourites are the Steak and Beef Tongue Tacos, and make sure to try as many of the house-made salsas and sauces as you can. This is a story of how a small business grew based on one simple idea: make great tacos, and the world will come to your door.
Queen Alexandra | 7704 104 St NW, Edmonton | 825.512.5932
Queen Mary Park | 11127 107 Ave NW, Edmonton | 780.705.0901
callemexico.ca
This article appears in the March/April 2023 issue of Edify
