From margaritas to mouthwatering tacos, LizzDew takes a trip across city lines to uncover why Don Julio’s might just be Kitchener’s best-kept Mexican secret.
For this month’s edition of your favourite food reviewer’s escapades, we decided to cross city limits to check out Andrew’s personal favourite Mexican spot, Don Julio Taco & Tequila Bar. Located at 147 King Street West (one Ion trip away), Don Julio offers a stylish and aesthetically pleasing upper-echelon dining experience with great eats and amazing drinks.
Speaking of drinks, your reviewers were in need of some refreshments, and had a field day picking from the DJ’s vast selection of cocktails, beers, and of course, a near-full page of tequila options. Ever the traditionalist, Andrew got a bottle of Corona (with a lime of course), a never-fail mainstay that did not disappoint. As summer comes to an end, we implore all readers to get their last Coronas in before Winter.
Lizzie, on the other hand, sprung for the Margarita, stating simply, “well I got to get the margarita”. It did not disappoint, a great take on an absolute classic.
To begin, we started with the Yuca Fries, a tasty and simple dish paired with a delicious and savory chipotle mayo. The fries were crispy, and the mayo added a great kick of flavour, our only complaint is that it filled us up before we could even get to the tacos!
Nevertheless, your brave reviewers pushed on to the main event. Based on a recommendation from a friend of the review (special shout out to Josh from Local Goblin, the band terrorizing the tri-city area as of late), Andrew got three Campenchano tacos, by far the best taco he has ever had. A mix of three different proteins, two sauces, some cilantro and crispy onions, it is, without exaggeration, a flavourful serenade the likes of which you have never experienced from a taco before. Savoury, crunchy and with a hint of spice, it is an absolute must have if you find yourself in Downtown Kitchener, especially when it’s wrapped up in house made tortillas and paired with a nice drink.
Carnitas was the pick for Lizzie, a similarly flavourful stand out. The star of the show is obviously the braised pork shoulder; however, it is paired well with a supporting cast of guacamoles, pickled red onion and jalapeno sauce for a nice kick. Being a huge, pickled onion fan, Lizzie was ready to dance the night away with the carnitas.
Pricing wise, DJ’s stands on the more expensive side. Although beers are priced around the industry standard around $10, the cocktails can get a bit pricey– averaging $12-$16. However, maybe that’s the price you pay for a beautiful, extravagant, and Toronto-Esque restaurant.
That being said, their food allows for flexibility that suits your price range: entrees average about $12, mains about $30, but most importantly, they charge by the taco (usually around $7 for one), meaning you can get as many, or as little as your wallet AND stomach can handle.
We truly do recommend Don Julio’s, even if it may be a little outside some readers’ price and distance range. Although not an everyday spot, it stands as a solid contender for any group outing or romantic date. And if you do end up going, tell them LizzDrew sent you!
Here’s our ratings: Ambiance: 10 out of 10 – Drinks: 10 out of 10 (PURELY FOR THE MARGS) – Food: 9 out of 10 – Affordability: 5 out of 10
Contributed Photo/Sangjun Han/News Director
