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El Camino

Taco Restaurant and Bar$$$$
Centretown-Downtown, Ottawa
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8.6/10
252
ratings
  • Stars
    The Mexican food at El Camino is a can't miss
  • Tips
    Minka S.
    "My favourites are the ox tongue taco, crispy prawn in betel leaf."(10 Tips)
    jstnjnprr
    "The El Fuego pairs perfectly with the Green Papaya Salad."(3 Tips)
    Poppy V.
    "... is my favourite), the papaya salad, and especially the pork belly."(3 Tips)
    Diana P.
    "Betel leaves."(2 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon69 Tips and reviews
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  • ox tongue
  • el fuego
  • betel
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  • Gemma M.heart icon on user image
    Gemma MarrJune 18, 2016
    El Camino is my go-to place to take visiting friends. The restaurant has a really cool atmosphere (albeit loud), and the food is amazing. The lamb and/or fish tacos are my absolute favourite.
  • Fernando G.
    Ok. I'm Mexican so take my word, this is an awesome taco place with good vibes. Beef, pork and fish tacos are really good. Just be ready to wait a loooong time for a table
  • Tariq H.
    Tariq HossenbuxAugust 19, 2014
    Always a wait here but it's worth it . The tacos are on another level compared to anything else out there in Ottawa. Small but very tasty. The steak was marinated so deliciously!
  • Minka S.heart icon on user image
    Minka SinghMarch 16, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Everything on the menu is amazing! My favourites are the ox tongue taco, crispy prawn in betel leaf. The guac is delicious when available. Pork belly is also worth a try.
  • Maxheart icon on user image
    MaxApril 1, 2016
    Take out window for lunch time. About everything is awesome and fresh. One of the trending restaurant in Ottawa.
  • Chris S.heart icon on user image
    Chris SoueidanAugust 18, 2015
    Best selection of tacos and Mexican tapas food around. Alcoholic drinks are awesome and so is the Tekate beer, my personal fave.
  • Adam James Realtyheart icon on user image
    Adam James RealtyJune 3, 2017
    The Chorizo Crispy Taco is out of this world! One of the best tacos I have had in recent memory! Outstanding!!
  • Poppy V.heart icon on user image
    Poppy VAugust 7, 2014
    Everything is phenomenonal, if you can snag a seat. The tacos, the cocktails (the way is my favourite), the papaya salad, and especially the pork belly.
  • Erik N.
    Erik N.August 6, 2014
    Make sure you get there early, line ups are crazy but the food is amazing. Don't skip be put off by the of tongue taco, it's prob the best one!
  • Kiel C.heart icon on user image
    Kiel CoyleSeptember 21, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Have the Green Papaya salad with the Salt & Pepper Squid. Best combo of flavours. Top it off with a Beau's or a Gin & Tonic for your whistle wetter.
  • Eric S.
    Eric St-CyrSeptember 19, 2013
    10$ for a drink and Weezer's "blue" album at an ear shattering decibel, which ironically costs 8.99$ at most record shops. Luckily everybody there is well equipped with a sense of irony.
  • grandtheftamyheart icon on user image
    grandtheftamyFebruary 18, 2016
    fish tacos were the best thing i ate in ottawa! 🌮 the japanese eggplant taco (basically a veggie version of the fish taco) was also great.
  • Hinaheart icon on user image
    HinaDecember 14, 2015
    The takeout window is cash only. Make sure you get here about 20 minutes before they open for dinner at 5pm as it tends to get filled up pretty quickly.
  • Jay S.
    Jay SmidtOctober 15, 2014
    The tacos are of course awesome, but don't forget the other items in the menu like the shrimp dumplings or the amazing pork belly!
  • linnieheart icon on user image
    linnieJanuary 4, 2015
    There's a reason why there is always a huge lineup outside of this place. Amazing cocktails and eclectic, novel food. It's worth the wait!
  • Yue D.heart icon on user image
    Yue DongApril 4, 2016
    All the tacos are very good! Also pepper calamari is one of the best in town. The portions are quite small though
  • Xander S.heart icon on user image
    Xander SJune 1, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    $4 handmade and fresh soft tacos, served to go! Makes a welcome change from ending a night out with an ESD poutine or a schawarma.
  • jstnjnprr
    jstnjnprrApril 10, 2023
    The El Fuego pairs perfectly with the Green Papaya Salad. It’s almost like they were made for each other.
  • mayo
    mayoJuly 4, 2013
    Fish tacos are lightly battered & come with a lovely chipotle mayonnaise. Beef tacos are real, shredded beef - not hamburger.
  • Derek K.
    Derek KitchenJune 2, 2013
    must try the bourbon sour, and you are lucky indeed if the beef tongue tacos are on the menu. Perfection
  • Michaelheart icon on user image
    MichaelAugust 4, 2017
    Good ox tongue and vegetarian tacos! Super tender meat, a bit pricey per taco but nice to try
  • Evan T.
    Evan ThorntonJune 13, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Comparisons are odious, I acknowledge that- but these Tacos blow Taco Lot out of the water. Try the Lamb!
  • David R.heart icon on user image
    David RamalhoOctober 22, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    The 'Salt & Pepper Squid' was killer; pair it with some tacos and you're set for the night.
  • Sang Hwa L.
    Sang Hwa LeeFebruary 19, 2014
    Just like the album, adored by hipsters and legitimately good! Ox tongue and cocktails; just do it.
  • Kyo S.heart icon on user image
    Kyo SongMarch 18, 2016
    Fantastic cocktails. Try the El Fuego 👍🏻
  • LMIheart icon on user image
    LMIApril 24, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    The vegetarian taco is not on the inside menu, but it's always eggplant and always awesome.
  • Sterling L.heart icon on user image
    Sterling LynchSeptember 20, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Great cocktails, normally. Keep an eye out for the guy who shakes the crap out of them and stick to the cheap bar rails.
  • Will R.heart icon on user image
    Will RobertsonOctober 8, 2014
    BEST TACOS. Going to come back to Ottawa just to come here again. The Toronto taco spots could learn a thing or two from these guys.
  • Sean V.heart icon on user image
    Sean VeaudryMarch 8, 2016
    Everything but especially the fish and ox tongue.
  • M-A G.
    M-A GougeonSeptember 2, 2013
    The fish taco was amazing, but the Ox tongue not so much! It is also very well priced!
  • Mara M.heart icon on user image
    Mara MateNovember 15, 2017
    I like the El Fuego cocktail, the crispy fish taco, an the ox tongue taco.
  • Jonheart icon on user image
    JonDecember 6, 2014
    Late night tacos are great and the free Mexican hot chocolate was good too.
  • willmacsheart icon on user image
    willmacsSeptember 13, 2016
    Obviously tacos. Had ox tongue, pork, fish - all amazing
  • Brodey D.
    Brodey DoverAugust 9, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Don't ask questions. Sit down, order up, get a drink down and eat up. Hands down the leader of Elgin.
  • frederic b.heart icon on user image
    frederic boulangerJuly 23, 2013
    You got to try the beef taco, the shrimp pot dumbings, yes dumplings!
  • Margaret S.
    Margaret SohnJuly 12, 2015
    Super good for late night eats. Fish tacos and Tequila sours are 💥
  • Eric B.heart icon on user image
    Eric BenchimolSeptember 16, 2020
    Best taco place (and maybe best restaurant) in Ottawa!
  • Kitt H.heart icon on user image
    Kitt HodJune 28, 2018
    The fish tacos are worth a special trip!
  • Jessicaheart icon on user image
    JessicaJanuary 29, 2016
    Great tacos and churros for a late night!
  • karlaheart icon on user image
    karlaFebruary 7, 2015
    Even mexicans approve of this place. :) 👍
  • Stephen
    StephenNovember 30, 2014
    Certainly the latest trendy eats on Elgin street.
  • Richard H.heart icon on user image
    Richard HemphillMay 9, 2014
    Been here 25+ times
    El Camino has the best customers.
  • Sterling L.heart icon on user image
    Sterling LynchAugust 28, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    My high score is 886k. If you beat it, post a photo. I will do the same next time.
  • Brian A.heart icon on user image
    Brian AlkertonOctober 18, 2014
    Lamb and Ox Tongue are the highlights.
  • Irottareheart icon on user image
    IrottareJuly 17, 2019
    Beef and fish taco worth to try !
  • Thalia C.
    Thalia CherryJanuary 15, 2014
    Sooooo tasty! Fish Tacos are the best!
  • Bradley T.
    Bradley TurnerJuly 12, 2013
    The crispy fish tacos are outstanding
  • Iz C.
    Iz ChangApril 18, 2014
    Don't go there hungry when it's busy, especially if you're at the takeout counter. I waited thirty minutes for one taco.
  • Nicholas A.heart icon on user image
    Nicholas AmottJuly 1, 2014
    "Don't Be a Dick"...this sign should be mandatory at every store. Ever. Established.
  • Ariela B.
    Ariela BadenasJanuary 4, 2014
    Fish tacos are out of this world
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