The St-Henri Taco War, Tacos Victor, and the Hunt for Tomatillo Salsa

What?! Six bucks for a taco?

But get this: A double shell for holding the mound of fillings, three giant containers of serve-yourself homemade salsas on the countertop, and AYCE radishes and cucumber slices for a refreshing, juicy crunch between bites of sautéed shrimp with shoestring potatoes or beef tongue – a filling you don’t see that often but definitely need to have at a reputable taco joint.

The other options are different cuts of beef – marinated, thinly sliced, grilled to perfection and heaped with delicious accompaniments on those two layers of 100% corn tortillas (gluten-free, without the advertising).

I got the shrimp and fries, since beef and I (though I know it’s authentic) don’t always get along. And what have I ben doing all my life NOT putting fries on tacos?? I just hope the shrimp were sort of sustainable too and not from Asian shrimp farms that destroy mangroves and livelihoods. And at the least the beef, though not organic, was the nose-to-tail kind of no-waste eating.

 And I didn’t feel ripped off in the least when five or six giant shrimp came on a plate with just enough room for healthy servings of each of the three salsas: red, darker red, and tomatillo. Those salsas…not too smoky, not was too salty, and just enough pure, addictive flavour.

I would have paid $6 just for the salsa buffet.

The only people who aren’t getting their money’s worth here are people who don’t like salsas and cucumbers or radishes. If you like any of those things (and don’t assume you won’t like the milder but not-from-a-can tomatillo salsa), it’ll be worth it.

For people who like cheap, porky after-bar food, there are other choices. Heck, Le Tequila Bar even has poutine. More giant tacos for me. Suckers.