Montreal is one of the cities which has left the biggest impression on me. I went there when I went travelling for the first time to a foreign country during summer 2010. The four weeks that I spent there were enough for me to be able to fall in love with this city. I really want to go back!
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to do so the following summer in 2011. This second time I went, I stayed for almost 2 months. This allowed me to get to know the city a bit better and and enjoy the summer even more and the numerous activities organised during this time.
During this time, I was completely against going to a Mexican restaurant whilst abroad because not being outside of my country for a long time, I said to myself that it wouldn't make sense to go so far to eat something that I used to have at home and I wouldn't have known any different.
However, a friend of mine from Quebec would be passing through Montreal and would be going with another friend to a Mexican restaurant, so I felt like it would be a good opportunity for us to see each other and spend some time together. The place was the restaurant called "El Rey de Taco" (I think that any Mexican restaurant in foreign countries feel obliged to use that word in their names).
I had already heard about this place once and I think that I had even walked past it, but I hadn't stopped to go in. That was until the day that I went to see my friend...
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Have you seen the stick of meat which they use for tacos? Delicious tacos! They also sell 'agua de jamaica' (Hibiscus tea). From seeing this image, you could actually believe that you were in Mexico and not Montreal!
"El Rey del Taco restaurant
I remember that it's a very nice and simple restaurant; in the sense that they haven't really decorated it or put up too many sophisticated installations like in other places (e. g. the Mexican restaurant "Tres Amigos").
But it doesn't stop you from feeling as f you're at home in this restaurant. It's exactly why it reminds you of Mexican markets and establishments.
What did I eat?
In regards to the menu, I don't exactly remember everything that was on it, but I remember that I ordered a BBQ consommé (I think if my mum had seen this, my choice would have surprised her a lot). Although normally, it is not something I would want to eat in Mexico (not then... forgive me God, I didn't know what I was doing! Haha), I fancied it because I didn't want to order enmoladas or enchiladas.
It was a good choice because it tasted authentic to me! I really liked that dish and I felt as if I was back in my own country again. My friend (and her friend) ordered something different from me, I don't really remember what it was, but they loved their order.
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How I liked those taquitos! To console myself, I'll go eat a lyonnaise salad and raspberry tart!
The service and the atmosphere
El Rey del Taco is waited on by Mexicans, how could it not be?! I think that me it even more authentic. In Montreal, I also went to another Mexican restaurant, called "Tres Amigos", but that place seemed more "artificial". Although it was decorated with sombreros, chillies and other things that people think of when they think of Mexico (long live stereotypes! ), it didn't seem authentically Mexican.
In this restaurant, which is bigger, the waiters were from all over the world, except from Mexico! The one who was serving us wasn't very friendly, additionally, I remember that the mole which I ordered was presented more as a gourmet meal and not a true mole; it seemed more like an adaptation of the dish to me.
However, in El Rey del Taco you will feel more at home! Firstly, the waiters were very friendly and nice, furthermore, every time they saw a Mexican, it made them happy and they would start to talk with them.
Another undoubtedly Mexican detail: they had the stick of meat which they use for tacos! I remember that the young guy making the tacos couldn't have been much older than 20. I don't know if they were tacos al pastor or Arab ones (I think that they were pastor ones) but now that I write about them, I wish they had a branch here in Lyon!
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Some tacos with lettuce, cream, salsa... and guacamole! It was definitely more tasty and authentic than the ones from Don Taco here in Lyon.
The decor and the installations
As I said, the decor is more simple, but that doesn't stop it from being nice going there. Although the tables are made of plastic, it seemed like a clean place to me. You could eat in the part outside or inside.
As it was hot, since it was the middle of summer, we ate outside. I don't think that anyone would want to eat outside in winter, especially in Montreal since it can reach temperatures like -45ºC... Below zero! (God, I want to spend more time there! I don't know how I will... well, I'll have to buy lots of coats).
Eating and nothing else? Mexican products boutique!
If you thought that El Rey del Taco was only a place to eat, you'd be wrong. You can also buy a whole variety of Mexican products. Wow, they have a lot!
I think that the advantage of Canada not being so far from Mexico means that there is a good assortment of merchandise. There was things from typical tortillas and corn flour, to all sorts of chillies, beans, sauces, traditional sweets.. that is to say, a lot of the things that you miss being out of the country.
Honestly, I think I envy the Mexicans that live in Montreal because they can enjoy the wide range of tasty Mexican assortments. Here in Lyon, I have not found those sorts of things like over there, but eventually, I will return to Montreal one day.
The prices
The prices of El Rey del Taco deserve a special mention: It's not at all expensive! I think that this is one of the secrets of its resounding success. Eating a dish which is like at home, with good service, for the right price... What else could you want? (Of course, the picky people would say "To actually be in Mexico! ", but whilst they don't have flight tickets, the food from this place will make them just as happy.
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So it seems like a definitively Mexican place. You can't believe that it's actually in Montreal. What do you think?
When to go... The opening hours
You can go to enjoy the great Mexican food (or to stock up on Mexican products) from Monday to Sunday. El Rey del Taco is open from 9 in the morning until 10 at night. These are the opening hours! Not like in France where everything is closed on Sundays.
How to get there
The closest Metro station is called Jean Talon. It's the same one which you take to get to the market which has the same name.
Conclusion
Now that I think about it and comparing it to the Mexican restaurants in Lyon, I think that... I would like one of these places to be opened up here!
Whilst checking out some information about this place, I saw that the other customers had given it very good reviews. I believe that the service, the flavour of the dishes, as well as the variety of products which are found there (a load of products! ), make this place an exceptional one.
Although I went to this place some time ago, the comments of the rest of the clients are good. So, I can easily recommend this place because it means that it has not changed since I was last there.
I think that the people of Montreal and the Mexicans that live in the city are truly lucky people: they can easily go on a short culinary journey to my country, without the need of a plane. They only have to take the metro, get off at Jean Talon station and get themselves to the little piece of Mexico.
If you find yourself in Montreal and you are feeling some nostalgia for some traditional Mexican food, if you feel like you need your dose of tacos, barbecue, chillies and everything else, then you have to go to El Rey del Taco! Without any doubt!
