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Revision as of 17:59, 21 December 2024 by Dtmich24 (talk | contribs) (←Created page with '{{Short description|Former Mexican restaurant in Toronto, Ontario, Canada}} {{Infobox restaurant | embed = | name = Fonda Balam | title = <!-- If embedding use this for secondary small font title --> | logo = | logo_width = 200px | logo_alt = | image = | image_width = | image_alt = | image_caption = | mapframe = <!-- Set to y...')(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Former Mexican restaurant in Toronto, Ontario, Canada| Fonda Balam | |
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | October 2, 2021 (2021-10-02) |
| Closed | June 8, 2024 (2024-06-08) |
| Owner(s) | Matty Matheson |
| Head chef | Kate Chomyshyn Julio Guajardo |
| Food type | Mexican |
| Rating | Bib Gourmand (Michelin Guide) |
| Street address | 802 Dundas Street West |
| City | Toronto, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
Fonda Balam was a Mexican restaurant that operated in the Little Italy neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. It was owned by celebrity chef Matty Matheson.
History
In April 2021, Toronto-based celebrity chef and restauranteur Matty Matheson collaborated with chefs Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo, formerly of Michelin-starred restaurant Quetzal, to launch a pop-up restaurant named Birria Balam in Toronto. The pop-up specialized in birria, a traditional Mexican dish. The trio stated the concept evolved through their friendship, "love for authentic Mexican food," and exploration of regional ingredients through Chomyshyn and Guajardo's extensive travels in Mexico.
Later that year, in October 2021, the trio opened a permanent establishment, Fonda Balam, located near the Trinity Bellwoods and Little Italy neighbourhoods in Toronto. Fonda Balam expanded its menu to include birria and a variety of other Mexican dishes.
In May 2024, head chefs Chomyshyn and Guajardo announced the restaurant would be closing at the end of the month. The closing was considered abrupt, and no specific reason for the shut down was public communicated.
Recognition
The restaurant was awarded a Bib Gourmand designation by the Michelin Guide at Toronto's 2022 Michelin Guide ceremony, and retained this recognition in 2023. A Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants who offer "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." Michelin particularly highlighted the restaurant's lengua and birria tacos, as well as their homemade tortillas.
References
- "Chef, TV Personality Matty Matheson Signs With WME (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. April 1, 2021.
- Doradea, Karen (20 October 2021). "Matty Matheson among chefs behind Toronto's new Mexican hotspot". Daily Hive Vancouver. Daily Hive. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- Agrba, Liza (20 October 2021). "What's on the menu at Fonda Balam, a new sit-down Mexican restaurant from the team behind the summer's hottest taco pop-up". Toronto Life. St. Joseph Communications. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- Karounos, Patricia (19 August 2021). "Yes, there's always hot sauce: Toronto chefs Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo share their pantry essentials". Toronto Star. TorStar. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ Marcelo, Breanna (22 May 2024). "Toronto restaurant owned by 'The Bear' star Matty Matheson is permanently closing". Now Toronto. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- Carlberg, Amy (21 May 2024). "Michelin-level restaurant suddenly shutting down in Toronto". Your City Within. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "2022 Toronto MICHELIN Bib Gourmands". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
