Tropical Island Breeze

I was making my way along Ogilvie near St. Laurent when I saw a Mexican restaurant in a small strip plaza. Kukulkan on Montreal Road which was located in a similar spot didn't last too long. I returned to try it out for a Wednesday lunch.

Expecting something nondescript and likely not as trendy as the location on Wellington, I was pleasantly surprised by the inside. La Bonita was decorated with (fake) cacti and tropical trees, with the walls being covered with Mexican-themed tchotchke including old rifles and pistols, as well as many photos of movie stars and musicians. It felt like someone's cluttered, rather busy, but ultimately charming house.

I opted for the Caldo Tlalpeño ($8.50), 3 tacos ($22), and 4 churros ($7.50) for dessert. The soup was delicious with tender chicken, rice, and chickpeas. The fresh onion and cilantro added some minty crunch. The churros were also tasty, freshly fried and coated with sugar. They came with caramel and chocolate dipping sauce. The tacos were alright but I was expecting a bit more flavour. They were certainly more expensive than Toronto because honestly, a side of rice wouldn't add much to the cost. The Mole Con Pollo had good chicken but was a bit bland. The vegetarian Nopales fared better with a nice mix of cactus, guacamole, and mushrooms.

But the main issue was that these tacos lacked that corn aroma. This was also a problem with Ay Dios Mio. So I suspect that Mexican vendors in Ottawa don't have a good supplier. It's true that some taquerias in Toronto grind and make their own tacos and tortillas. But these are trendier places. Humbler (i.e., POC) spots still put out quite good product because they buy from specialized businesses. While waiting for my food, I have seen those delivery trucks pull up. It was clear (i.e., by their business name as well as the packaging labels) that these wholesalers procured everything from tacos to sauces directly from south of the border.