If you like what we do at Rum Bar Mezcal, the Mexican side especially, you should know about our friends at Alma y Gil on Dufferin St. It’s not ours, it’s an independent restaurant owned by Gerry and Mandy, two chefs who grew up with each cuisine, and it’s a Mexican and Hong Kong spot. It’s mostly a brunch and cafe spot, not a mezcal bar, so think of it as the morning after.
First time going can be a little confusing because the menu jumps between chilaquiles and Hong Kong French toast. That’s the fun of it. Here’s how to order without overthinking.
First, know when to go
This matters, because the hours are specific. Brunch is Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. That’s the full experience. Tuesday and Wednesday it’s a laptop-friendly cafe from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a smaller menu, since those are prep days for the kitchen. Breakfast is served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on brunch days. Dinner is paused right now, and it’s closed Mondays, so dont show up on a Monday expecting a sando.
You can reserve for brunch, and you can also pre-order brunch for takeout on their site if you’re in a rush.
Going with one other person? Do the split
The easiest way to get it on your first visit: one Hong Kong dish, one Mexican dish, one sando in the middle.
From the Hong Kong side, get the HK French Toast. It’s deep fried, made with kaya custard milk bread, and comes with very dark maple syrup. If you only order one thing, honestly make it this. The Radish Cakes are the other move, steamed daikon stir-fried with egg, scallion and chili crisp, and they’re vegetarian.
From the Mexican side, the Chilaquiles. House nixtamalized corn chips (they make their own masa, it’s a whole thing) with salsa, lettuce, a sunny egg, crema, cotija and cilantro. Also vegetarian.
Then share a sando. The Belly Breakfast Sando has slow roasted pork, an over-easy egg, cheese chicharron and caramelized onion sauce on brioche. The Avocado Breakfast Sando swaps the pork for avocado and a potato rosti. The Egg Sando (soft boiled egg, cold egg salad, nori, brioche) is the most Hong Kong cafe of the three.
Don’t skip the drinks
Get the HK Milk Tea. That’s the classic cha chaan tang drink, strong black tea with milk, and it’s a big part of why people come. If you want something you genuinely wont find elsewhere, try the Xoco Maiz, a purple corn lemonade with cacao and vanilla. Or keep it simple with a glass-bottle Mexican Coke, which, as a Mexican spot ourselves, we fully respect.
Is it Mexican Hong Kong fusion?
Kind of. People search for Mexican Hong Kong fusion in Toronto and land there, but it’s more like two cuisines sharing a table than one mashup. Most dishes are clearly one or the other, and then a few, like those chicharron sandos, blend both. If you’re looking for a Mexican restaurant in Toronto, keep an eye out for dinner. It’s paused for now, but their site describes it as corn focused, with tortillas, roast meats, tacos and a taco tasting menu. In the meantime you can always buy their house tortillas and salsas to take home.
Good to know before you go
The menu lists allergens on each item, which is super helpful. The sandos can be done on a gluten free bun. A few items are marked vegetarian. And cookies are baked to order, so if you want the salted brown butter chocolate cookie, order it early, it’s about a ten minute wait.
They also do a community fridge program where you can pay for a breakfast sandwich that gets donated. Not something you’ll recieve on your plate, but it’s a nice thing to add to your order.
Alright, go eat
If you’re looking for a Hong Kong restaurant in Toronto that also has a Mexican chef nixtamalizing corn in the back, this is it. Check out the menu for a Hong Kong restaurant in Toronto that does it differently, then head to our family’s Casa Mezcal on Dupont later that night for tacos and a mezcal margarita.
Alma y Gil, 392 Dufferin St, Toronto.
FAQ
Does Alma y Gil serve dinner?
Not right now. Their site says dinner is paused, and you can email hello@almaygil.com to host a private event.
Can I pre-order?
Yes, brunch takeout can be pre-ordered online. Big orders should be emailed in ahead.
Is there anything vegetarian?
Yes, including the Chilaquiles, Radish Cakes and Avocado Breakfast Sando.
