Combining culinary innovation & culinary fusion, Escodite Cevercerria de Barrio – meaning hidden neighbourhood bar- made is debut on the gastronomic scene in 2015 with its inaugural location in Union. Since then, this dining sensation has rapidly expanded its footing, now boasting eight distinct establishments situated in key locales. The establishment’s colorful Mexican decor, dynamic ambiance, and diverse & innovative menu has solidified Escondite as one of Montreal’s most beloved & wallet-friendly taquerias. Whether it’s Happy Hours (5 à 7), Taco Tuesdays, celebratory occasions, or corporate gatherings, Escondite offers an amazing dining experience. I visited the Vieux-Montreal location on Sunday 20 August for lunch, and here is my experience & guide!
Introduction to Escondite: Sharing the Story
Escondite made its debut in 2015 with its inaugural location in Union. Since then, it has expanded to eight distinct stores situated in key locations: Drummond, Laval, Old Port, West-Island, Monkland, Verdun, and Brossland. Spearheaded by the visionary restaurateurs Benjamin Bitton, Yossi Ohana, Moti Meslati, and Yann Levy, the same passionate minds behind esteemed establishments such as La Habanera, Biiru, and Koa Lua, Escondite has emerged as a culinary force to be reckoned with.
Ambiance & Decor
What sets Escondite apart is its vibrant and celebratory ambiance. The interior is adorned with neon signs, colorful skulls, depictions of Frida Kahlo, vibrant luchadors & playful cacti. These elements harmonize seamlessly with the eclectic furniture & reggaeton music, creating a festive atmosphere that transports you to the bustling streets of Mexico. For those seeking the outdoors, some locations feature outdoor terraces, inviting patrons to indulge in an alfresco dining experience that further amplifies the restaurant’s charm.
Signature Dishes: A Gastronomic Tour
The Escondite menu consists of mouth-watering tacos, tostados & quesadillas, from classics such as ‘Baja’ & ‘Al Pastor’ to more unique tacos flavors such as ‘E’steak Koreano & Nopal’, which features sirloin, oaxaca cheese, grilled cactus, pickled jalapeno, orange crush sauce, coriander and pickled onions, providing an asian influence to the mexican cuisine. You’ll also find a mixture of ‘Cold & Raw’ options such as their fresh Shrimp or Fish Ceviche or ‘Tuna Tostada’ as well as heartier ‘Hot’ Options including their black berry ‘Papi Chulo Pork Ribs’ or maple ‘Chicken Wings’, bringing a Montreal flair to the menu. They also have a designated kids menu with simple, inexpensive items such as ‘Oaxaca Cheese Mini Quesadilla’. And of course, there is a small but tasty dessert menu, with fan favorites such as ‘Churros with Nutella’ or ‘Key Lime Pie’.
Sip and Savor: The Drink Menu
Escondite has an incredible cocktail menu, designed by Mixologist Lawrence Picard. It features several signature cocktails such as their renowned ‘Mojito Del’ King’ with bacardi gold, lime juice, fresh mint & cerveina leaves and jalapeno for a little kick! Escondite also offers pitchers which are perfect for sharing. The menu boasts a comprehensive tequila & mezcal list and you can even indulge in a flight of tequila ‘Desayuno Del Patrón’ which will give you a silver, gold & coffee shot of patron served alongside the classic trio of salt, lime and chamoy miguelito! Beyond cocktails, Escondite offers a small selection of red and white wines as well as local & imported beers, offering a diverse range to suit every preference. For those seeking a non-alcoholic option, there are multiple Jarritos flavors on offer, I recommend the guava or pineapple for a refreshing & fruity alternative.
My Dining Experience
I visited with a group of 3 for lunch. To try and sample a bit of everything, we shared the following items:
- ‘Gyoza Nachos’: This was the showstopper – the monterey jack cheese filled, crispy gyoza combined with the sweetness of the pomegranate pico de gallo, the tanginess of the queso fresco & crema & the spice from the serrano chile & jalapeno was to die for! I highly, highly recommend this dish to share (or just to indulge by yourself)!
- ‘Alas de Pollo’ – the chipotle & maple chicken wings with coriander were delicious and the maple syrup brought a unique Canadian flavor to the dish. Each serve comes with 5 wings, so we ordered 2 rounds as we couldn’t get enough.
- ‘Tinga Tostadas’ – The shredded, chipotle chicken was juicy & smoky and even more delectable combined with the fresh ingredients – lettuce, queso fresco, lime crema, red onion, tomato & lettuce – and with the crunch of the hard shell tortilla, making it the perfect bite!
- ‘Camarones Y Queso’ – The shrimp had the same smoky, chipotle flavor as the tinga tostada, and the shrimp gave it a unique & lighter flavor profile
- ‘Churros con Nutella’ – 3 fluffy churros coated in cinnamon and sugar and served with nutella – the perfect way to end our meal.
All the food was incredibly flavorsome and sampling a variety of different items was a fantastic way to experience a bit of everything that Escondtite has to offer. On top of that, the servers were friendly and attentive, and the overall vibes in Escondite were incredible.
Catering to Dietary Requirements
Mexican cuisine is fantastic for vegetarian options, and there is no shortage at Escondite. In fact, our group’s collective favorite dish was the Gyoza nachos, which are vegetarian-friendly.. Vegetarians can also enjoy the ‘El Chapiflour’ taco with general tao cauliflower with tamarind, agave and coriander or the ‘Quesadilla Sincronizada de Hongos’ with sautéed mushrooms, black truffle pasta, oaxaca cheese, cheddar garlic cheese in a flour tortilla. Vegan options are more select, however there are staples such as ‘Guacamole & Tortilla chips’ or the ‘Ensalada de Mangos’, a salad with mango, cucumber, coriander, peanuts, crispy shallots, pickled shallots, hamoy dressing and serrano chile. As always, please check with your server to ensure the dish you select conforms with your dietary requirements.
Price Point
Escondite is very affordable – 2 tacos will set you back just $10.95 and appetizers range between $4.95 – $20.95. Our meal for 3 people came to just over $120 (including tax & tip), which is very reasonable by Montreal standards!
Getting There
Escondite Vieux-Port is located at 12 Saint-Paul St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1Y7. The location is centrally located in the heart of Old Montreal, with no shortage of activities to do before or after your dining experience. The location is easily accessible by the orange Metro line with the closest station being Place-d’Armes. To plan your public transport trip, please visit https://www.stm.info/en#. There is also paid parking in the surrounding area, which you can plan here. The closest Bixi station is de la Commune / St-Sulpice which is just a couple of minutes walk from Escondite.
Reservations
You can book Escondite online here. The Vieux-Port location is open:
Monday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 10:30 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Whether you visit for Happy Hour, Taco Tuesdays or any other occasion worth celebrating, Escondite is the ultimate destination for delicious, flavorful Mexican cuisine and unique cocktails that pack a fiery punch.
🍹🌮 Head over to their official website to make your reservation & start Uncovering Escondite today🌮🍹
