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Habanero's
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
52 Wellington St EToronto, ON M5E 1C7
Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core
(416) 366-6394
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
17 reviews for Habanero's
17 reviews in English
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Review from Robin D.
10/15/2011
I liked it! Ended up here after roaming the area for good lunch eats. The decor is untasteful except for the many cheerful paintings on the wall.
Place does not seem to be popular as it was at 1/5 empty. Anyhow, I ordered the steak fajita and it was good! And waited for the small sizzling plate with beef come out... yay! -
Review from Adam B.
5/7/2011
My girlfriend, is a big fan of American-ized Mexican joints. From El Torito to even Del Taco (well, at least she can't stand Taco Bell), she loves the not so authentic stuff. Wonder what she would think of this place offering 'Canadaian-ized' Mexican?
Place was maybe 1/3 full when I came in for lunch around 1pm. I ordered the Clyde Burrito which features two styles of Beef Chili, a Con Carne and a Texas style with big chunks of brisket. It's not one of the Mission Street style ones you'd find at Chipotle or Burrito Boyz. This is more authentic style you'd eat with a fork and knife. Pretty good flavor although the refried beans that it came with might as well have come from a can from the Metro a block or so away.
Service was good at first and then my server simply ignored me for about 15 minutes and then realized he never gave me the check!
A real surprising disappointment was no free chips and salsa at your table. Is this the norm for Mexican joints in the True North? Or just Hernando's only? I was really looking forward to enjoying some during my meal and that was a disappointment.
Overall, Hernando's was OK. You'll definitely get a better burrito at Burrito Boyz but still better than most of the reviews I saw on Yelp illustrate. -
Review from Katherine S.
North York, ON
6/16/2011
Okay, I left a perfectly good, little pub because my sister swore that she knew people who got food poisoning from it, to come here...and get food poisoning.
NOW, I just want to state that I cannot CONFIRM that it was this place that gave it to me, but let's just say that I had only eaten finger foods at a bridal shower prior to coming here and shortly after dinner I got sick in the middle of a concert. Super fun AND convenient!
The service was good and this is why this place got the extra star. The guy was truly nice and the service quite fast.
You wouldn't think the food would make you sick, because it was very bland. Tasted like something I could have made myself very easily. I ordered the chicken burrito and I found it was quite dry. THey didn't include any sour cream or guacamole, even on the side, so it was just rice and beans and chicken.
The atmosphere was cute enough, so perhaps as a place to go after work for drinks, but be wary. -
Review from Jennifer M.
London, ON
8/9/2009
Upon my first visit here, 3 yrs ago, I discovered that the menu was identical to our local Mexicali Rosa's. I was unaware that it was a chain restaurant of sorts, but I was quite pleased because I have a love of their Nachos Con Pollo. Like, unholy love. Mmm. Definitely ordered those and was not disappointed. Went with a few friends and the server was chatty with us, but not overly so. Very relaxed service, though so if you're in a hurry, you might want to say so.
Fast forward 3 yrs and Mexi's has closed but Hernando's remains. Was reminded of its existence on my last Toronto visit and went for those yummy nachos because of that unholy love. Mmmm. Also had a bite of my mom's chimi and that was good, too. But it's those nachos I crave. -
Review from Andrea L.
York, ON
2/11/2010
I am loathe to write a one star review as I prefer to remember and highlight the good experiences I've had. However, the experience here was something that I couldn't let pass undocumented. The drinks were the only decent thing we had and that was because the beer was in bottles, and thus unalterable. The food was pretty bland and not tasty or even good tasting. Unfortunately, the server was the worst example of unprofessional services I've ever seen. Inappropriate and unnecessary interjections into our conversations, charged for "extras" and seemed put out by requests.
The restaurant also just seems sort of sad, like they haven't put any money into redecorating or improvements since the early 90s. -
Review from Anna E.
Thornhill, ON
5/20/2009
Very VERY bland! where is the flavor?
i had a xmass party for my last job there and it was definitely taco bell, heated up in a microwave *(not even an oven). the food grossed me out completely. but we were there for social reasons, plus i would assume IBM would pick the cheapest place to host the xmass party since they are such cheapos!
some girls asked me to join them for lunch today, i made a grimace but joined them nonetheless..
if they weren't such a great company, I'd be upset to tears.
20 dollars for a chicken burrito that tasted worse then taco bell. (actually Taco Bell is darn good compared to this place, at least its flavourful)
so yeah, DONT GO HERE, if you want to enjoy your food. instead take a few steps to reach the Sultan's Tent. (right across the road) its AMAZING value and experience. -
Review from Soma A.
Toronto, ON
8/5/2009
The food here has it's good days and bad days. I've had amazing meals here and I've hand mediocre ones.
BUT... the drinks are the best. Quite possibly the best Mango Margarita in Toronto. And although the vibe and the restaurant may sometimes seem a little low key, it doesn't take much to change that. If your with some great people it can be a lot of fun... like you rented the place out for you and your pals! The wait staff is very funny and personable and almost join in. I love the open window in place of a patio. I think its better because you get to look out at all the people, and not feel like your on display for everyone on the sidewalk.
If your looking for a place for you and your friends to "take over" and not have to worry about seating than I would go here. And if you're worried about the food then just stick to the nachos (always a safe bet), but don't miss the margarita's or sangria. -
Review from Andy H.
8/7/2008 8 photos
I had been to Toronto for 5 days, and this was my last meal before heading out the next morning. Wow, what a way to end the week!
I had been to two other Mexican restaurants during the week...I mean of course when you think Toronto, the next thought that pops in your head is Mexican...duh. Anyways I had found this place on a whim. I was walking by my hotel and took a different street that I had not taken all week long. I came across this funky looking Mexican joint and said "what the hell, I gained 10 lbs on this trip, let's add 5 more."
Upon entering you get a good feeling from this place. The vibe is just energy and a fun time. The hostess gave me a great window table. Then the waiter showed up immediately and took my drink order. I got the cocarita, which is coconut and pineapple with some Jose Cuervo. I mean since they already had water on the table, why order a non-alcoholic beverage...it is my last night here dammit!
The drink came out and was perfect...strong, but tasted great. I then ordered the salsa-queso tapas for an appetizer, which is black bean & corn salsa served with corn chips. This tasty treat comes with salsa verde and con queso dip. Awesome!
Then it is time for the main event...chicken quesadillas! Oh and another alcoholic beverage please.
The chicken quesadillas consisted of grilled flour tortilla layered with monterey Jack Pico de Gallo and shredded crispy lettuce. It is served with rice, beans and crispy tortilla chips. Mmmmmmmmmm...I may go back to Toronto now that I remember this meal being so good.
Oh and another alcoholic beverage please. Definitely check this place out, because the atmosphere is funky, the food is tasty and the staff is attentive and quick. This is Canadian Mexican food at its best! -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
10/10/2008
After several successes at the Yonge Street location (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), I was always hoping to go to the one on Front Street. Same owners, so you'd expect the food to be equally fresh, tasty, and worth going to. Sadly, the best I can say is it's adequate.
If you can't venture north on Yonge, this will do, but this Hernando's is a pale comparison to its sister restaurant. Probably one of the reasons is this one is above street level, not below. This you'd think is a small point, but it doesn't have the closeness and snug feeling of the other location. It's bright, open, and just feels to family-friendly when comparing (albeit perhaps unfairly) to the other. The food doesn't seem to have the same draw or success to that of the other location, but this may be psychosomatic. I can't put my finger on it, but myself, and others before me, don't like it as much as the other. Take the subway north. -
Review from Nikhil S.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2011
Probably my worst Mexican experience in the city. Ordered the chicken enchiladas which were stale and bland and the rice tasted like microwave-cooked rice. Food had no flavour at all. The only saving grace was their hot cider which was delicious. Regardless, never going back and will not recommend it to anyone.
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Review from Morley B.
5/18/2010
Went here for lunch on Monday.
Probably not a great day to go, you get left overs from the weekend.
Thanks for more latin american immigration in the last 20 years, Toronto is finally getting more authentic and good mexican and latin American restaurants. Which means, you should probably never go to a place like Hernando's unless you're going for marguaritas after work with your colleagues.
I've only been here once. And it was for lunch. So, take this review as representative of my own experience, vs. me going there at least 3 times to get a sense of the place.
The rice was hard, obviously not fresh.
The chicken in the enchilada was dry, and also not fresh.
The beans were ok.
The corn tortillas were cold and seemingly not fresh.
Our lunch was uninspiring.
The best I can describe it as is - left overs from the weekend. Although if I had dinner on Saturday night and brought home a doggie bag and nuked it for my own lunch on Monday - I bet it would have tasted better that having lunch here after the weekend.
It's not that cheap for what it is. It's not expensive but give the meal was half rate at best, it was relatively expensive.
With St. Lawrence market so close, and so many other options in the area, I wouldn't return here for lunch any time soon. Sorry HH. -
Review from Julie A.
10/5/2010
I'm pretty sure the "fiesta rice" was just some Uncle Ben's microwaveable rice. Service was kinda slow and I thought it was way overpriced for the quality of food that was served.
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Review from Kat T.
8/9/2008
This is Toronto's version of Tex Mex. Chili has no place with burritos. Bland veggies stuffed into a cold tortilla is not good. There is just not enough flavor. Maybe some salsa that doesn't come from No Frills would help?
Listed in: Burrito Magic
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Review from Joanna S.
Toronto, ON
2/10/2009
I hadn't been there in a forever but we ended up for dinner there on Saturday night. The place was dead. The food was bland. The vibe was lame. On the upside, the company I was with was great - and the sangria was tasty. I had been craving Mexican all day, and it was close by... let's just say I was left wanting...
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Review from Ghetto D.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2010
Food seems microwaved and the staff seems annoyed to be working there. I've been here a few times because I keep forgetting how bad the food is.. Hopefully by writing this I'll remember.
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Review from Simon C.
Toronto, ON
10/19/2009
I went once, never going back. If you're going to subject your system to this kind of food, do yourself a favor and make a run for the border. Eat at Taco Bell.
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Review from holly h.
Toronto, ON
3/5/2010
Went here for a nice Valentine's dinner. We got there early, around 5:30, and there was one other couple in the whole place. I had been to the Yonge St location years and years ago, and thought we might try out the Wellington location.
We definitely shouldn't have.
First we ordered drinks - I had a lime margarita, which I was excited about trying, I always have margaritas at mexican places and only mexican places. My bf ordered a pint of something on draft. I was surprised when the drinks came that mine was so small, and upon tasting it, it was like a really watered-down limeade from frozen concentrate, with not even a hint of tequila. The pint, which they were charging full-price for (around $6), was a half-pint, and was not specified as such on the menu or by the server.
I ordered a simple chicken burrito, which was by far the most bland tasting burrito I've ever had. The refried beans and rice were fine, bland as well. Bf had the Clyde burrito, with chili, beef and beans. Again, bland. The menu said that it came with sour cream - yet when it got to the table, it did not, in fact, have sour cream. We asked if there was supposed to be some on it, to which the server replied, "it's a mis-print. there's lots of mis-prints on there". Classy.
I hate to be such a downer, but with very far below average burritos going for $15 a pop, a margarita that sucked for $7.99, and a half pint for full price, you'd think the service and atmosphere would at least make up for it. Again, another huge let-down. At least my company was good.
