Almuerzo

On Thursday, I was feeling a bit low. I had just found out that a recession will likely have a negative impact on my future. Maybe a good lunch can raise my mood. At Bloor and Dufferin, there's a "mini-mexico" with several businesses including two dining spots. But just a bit away from this spot, nearer to Lansdowne, Latin World also offers food.

Similar to Tierra Azteca, it's a combination small ethnic grocer with a few tables for dining. I guess this is Toronto's version of a bodega. Latin World is a family business, with Mom in the kitchen and the teenage daughters taking orders and serving food. I ordered a small pozole ($5) and a chilaquiles ($10). Before my mains arrived, there was complimentary tacos with 2 kinds of sauce.

The tacos were freshly fried and crispy. The red sauce had more kick while the milder yellow sauce provided a palate cleanser. Along with Mexican coke, made with sugar cane, it was a nice start to a stultifyingly humid day.

For my soup, I chose chicken instead of the more traditional pork. The bowl was also filled soft hominy or white corn kernels. The flavouring was mild and not too salty. After the addition of lettuce and raw onions, I was practically full. The plate of chilaquiles had tacos soaked in sauce, topped with the usual cheese, refried beans, and beef. It was a bit bland but only because the portion was huge. This seemed more like a family-size dish than for 1 person. So after a while, it just got tiresome to eat. This was a filling, no-fuss lunch in a cozy, laid-back store.