📍Holi Taco – 1636 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1G3
🌍Country: Mexico     
🔥Must-try dish: Al Pastor Taco 
🎭Dinner guest: Pornstar Sam
🪑Seating: IMinimal indoor seating, and a bench out front. 
👍The high: These are hands down some of the best tacos in Toronto. 
👎The low: They were out of the al Pastor tacos and the horchata since it was one of the first sunny days of the season, and the busiest I’ve ever seen it.

As Holi’s mantra goes: “Taco is Life.” Honestly, there’s never been a truer statement.

Tucked into the no-man’s-land between Leslieville and the Beaches, Holi Taco has quietly become one of the best pre-show food spots in the east end. There isn’t much else around, which makes discovering it feel even more rewarding.

The setup is simple: mostly takeout, with a few stools and benches for anyone lucky enough to snag a seat. But what Holi lacks in size, it more than makes up for in execution. Usually, it’s just two people working in perfect sync, taking orders, cooking, assembling tacos, and somehow keeping the line moving at lightning speed. Even when there’s a wait, it’s worth every minute.

One thing I’ll always respect is when a restaurant focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well instead of trying to be everything to everyone. That’s exactly the approach at Holi, and they absolutely nail it. Their taco lineup ranges from vegan options to rich, slow-cooked meats, all topped with sauces that span every spice level imaginable. While tacos are clearly the main event, the chips and guacamole, quesadillas, and Mexican sodas deserve attention too.

Ordering here feels like a choose-your-own-adventure meal. Tacos come individually or in trios, making it dangerously easy to try “just one more.” After several visits, these are the standouts:

• Tacos de Suadero: Slow-cooked brisket that’s rich, tender, and finishes with a subtle sweetness. A must-order for beef lovers.
• Tacos de Longaniza: The chorizo taco. Smoky, juicy, and packed with flavour, with meat that practically melts into the tortilla.
• Tacos al Pastor: Pork and pineapple is one of life’s great combinations, and Holi’s version might be my favourite in Toronto. Every bite hits spicy, sweet, smoky, and tangy notes all at once.
• Tacos de Carnitas: Holi really knows how to handle pork, and this is another perfect example. Slow-cooked shoulder with crispy edges and deep, decadent flavour.
• Tacos Campechanos: The heavyweight champion: brisket, chorizo, and chicharrón all packed into one taco. It’s rich, indulgent, and filling enough that you may only need one more taco alongside it.

These five are constantly in my rotation, but there’s plenty more to explore. The battered fish taco has a loyal following, and the cactus taco is a surprisingly fresh, vibrant option if you want something lighter.

Holi stays open year-round, rain or shine, making it the perfect excuse to grab tacos before heading to the beach, a concert, or just wandering the east end. They even package everything in smart divided boxes that make takeout worry-free to transport without turning your tacos into a mess. The crowd reflects the neighbourhood itself: families, cyclists, concertgoers, beach crowds, everyone seems to find their way here eventually.

And clearly, word is out. Due to popular demand, the owner is opening a second spot in Little India called Santa Madre, with more of a speakeasy-style atmosphere, proper seating, and margaritas meant for lingering over.

Eat with you soon!