Amazing everything! My bf is Mexican and said it’s the best tacos he ever had in Toronto.
The Wyck
The Wyck Recommendation: Carmileta’s (The Junction) Rating: 3.7/5 Pupusas So Good I Forgot to Take the Damn Photo
Intro Scene There’s a certain joy in sitting on a scrappy Toronto curbside patio, elbow deep in sauce, sun burning your scalp, margarita in hand that tastes like someone waved tequila at it from across the street At Carmileta’s, I learned if the pupusas are good enough, you’ll forget the photo —and your manners.
What Was Ordered A reckless spread of pupusas every variety fresh, stuffed just right, dripping that bright, zippy house sauce. That purple curtido soaked the plate like edible confetti. I chased it with a polka-dot margarita that looked like a party, tasted like it RSVP’d ‘Maybe.’
Service Commentary Service was pure gold. Our server was genuinely sweet polite without the act, attentive without lurking. Friendly in that way that makes you want to come back just to see them again.
Vibe Check Neighbourhood gem energy. It feels like your friend’s kitchen if your friend plastered the walls in papel picado and community flyers. The patio? A Toronto curb lane special picnic benches and umbrellas wedged between parked cars and planters. Not exactly private, but good for people watching and airing out last night’s sins.
The Space Itself Bright yellow facade that dares you not to smile. Mismatched vintage plates, that iconic sauce bottle, and a front window that says ‘we care, but not enough to get fancy.’ Inside feels like someone’s cousin was paid in pupusas to decorate exactly how it should be.
About the Neighborhood Right in the heart of The Junction meaning parking’s a gamble, but you’ll run into dogs, strollers, and bearded dads in denim jackets. The perfect strip for a mid- day food coma and a semi-regrettable frozen drink with your accountant buddy.
Hits & Misses ✓ Pupusas: fresh, variety, sauce game strong ✓ Service: warm and genuine ✓ Patio: works when the sun’s out ✗ Margaritas: looked cute, tasted ghosted ✗ Parking: same old Junction headache
Final Verdict If you want comfort food that feels like a hug and don’t mind your margarita playing hard to get, Carmileta’s delivers. Come for the pupusas, stay for the sauce, tip your server well, and accept that you’ll leave with curtido on your shirt.
Perfect For
Sneaky weekday patio lunch
Showing your accountant buddy you have better taste in food than you do in drinks
LaGringa Tania
The food was delicious and the staff were pleasant and welcoming. Definitely going back again, everyone should try a pupusa with a nice Agua de Jamaica 😊
Victoria Isabella
I stopped by here for a birthday lunch, and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere was great, with comforting dishes that lived up to the hype. We ordered a good variety, but our top two had to be the carne asada and the tacos. I've had the biggest craving for tacos, and these hit the spot. I went with the carnitas and chorizo tacos. They also serve a wide variety of drinks, but I say go for the fresh horchata. The service was great, and they really made sure to go above and beyond. Food came out fast and hot as well.
Carmelitas is a hidden gem of the neighborhood. Especially if you're in the mood for a little back home.
Raymond Moffatt
Excellent food and service. I recommend the nachos!
Celeste Paredes-Miller
The enchiladas were yummy and the pupusas were yummy and not dry (thank god) the waitresses were super friendly and polite.
It was almost empty coming in definitely seating available and nice simple spot to come with friends and family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JC Pozos
Great service, Had the best Quesabirrias ever. The tortilla soup is really tasty too
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Quesabirria, Tortilla Soup
K T
Cannot recommend this place for pick up orders.
The food is ok. But for pick-up orders you are charged an additional 30-50% on top of the dine in rates, which makes it terrible value. For example, a single churro is $3 in restaurant, but $6 for pick up. Plus an additional pick up order surcharge. Our food was fine, but the cost was exorbitant, and a surprise as our previous experiences had been dine in.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Michael Maier
Massive surcharge to order online. When you get your food the receipt has a lower price. Weak! Go in person.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Melodie Cargill
Food, service, staff! The ceviche is out of this world
Very authentic. Great food and great service at a reasonable price
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Churros, Quesadillas
Zoltan Hawryluk
The food, staff and decor is top notch. Good vegan options too. It's great to have such a quality South American restaurant in the neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole and Chips, Quesabirria
Nick
The food is so delicious, made fresh, best I've had. Customer service is perfect, these people are so nice. Prices are good, portion sizes are huge. Hidden gem, Wife and I are new regulars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Aquino
This is one of my favourites restaurants in Toronto.
Food is good, I like the place and the music but overall, service is outstanding! They are super friendly, that makes me come back.
Keep up the good work! 🙌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edgar Thomas
This place was an unexpected highlight in Toronto; happened upon it while in search of a meal, and had no expectation that it would be so good. The richness of the flavours was fantastic. First time trying Salvadoran pupusas, and it's clear now why it's the national dish. So good! Highly recommend Carmelitas, not only for the food but for the wonderfully pleasant staff and an unusually affordable price for significant portions (without fillers like fries). The quesabirria were much larger than expected and so very rich. Super flavours. Again, highly recommended. Go out of your way to enjoy this place.
Amazing everything! My bf is Mexican and said it’s the best tacos he ever had in Toronto.
The Wyck Recommendation: Carmileta’s (The Junction)
Rating: 3.7/5
Pupusas So Good I Forgot to Take the Damn Photo
Intro Scene
There’s a certain joy in sitting on a scrappy Toronto curbside patio, elbow deep in sauce, sun burning your scalp, margarita in hand that tastes like someone waved tequila at it from across the street At Carmileta’s, I learned if the pupusas are good enough, you’ll forget the photo —and your manners.
What Was Ordered
A reckless spread of pupusas every variety fresh, stuffed just right, dripping that bright, zippy house sauce. That purple curtido soaked the plate like edible confetti. I chased it with a polka-dot margarita that looked like a party, tasted like it RSVP’d ‘Maybe.’
Service Commentary
Service was pure gold. Our server was genuinely sweet polite without the act, attentive without lurking. Friendly in that way that makes you want to come back just to see them again.
Vibe Check
Neighbourhood gem energy. It feels like your friend’s kitchen if your friend plastered the walls in papel picado and community flyers. The patio? A Toronto curb lane special picnic benches and umbrellas wedged between parked cars and planters. Not exactly private, but good for people watching and airing out last night’s sins.
The Space Itself
Bright yellow facade that dares you not to smile. Mismatched vintage plates, that iconic sauce bottle, and a front window that says ‘we care, but not enough to get fancy.’ Inside feels like someone’s cousin was paid in pupusas to decorate exactly how it should be.
About the Neighborhood
Right in the heart of The Junction meaning parking’s a gamble, but you’ll run into dogs, strollers, and bearded dads in denim jackets. The perfect strip for a mid-
day food coma and a semi-regrettable frozen drink with your accountant buddy.
Hits & Misses
✓ Pupusas: fresh, variety, sauce game strong
✓ Service: warm and genuine
✓ Patio: works when the sun’s out
✗ Margaritas: looked cute, tasted ghosted
✗ Parking: same old Junction headache
Final Verdict
If you want comfort food that feels like a hug and don’t mind your margarita playing hard to get, Carmileta’s delivers. Come for the pupusas, stay for the sauce, tip your server well, and accept that you’ll leave with curtido on your shirt.
Perfect For
Sneaky weekday patio lunch
Showing your accountant buddy you have better taste in food than you do in drinks
The food was delicious and the staff were pleasant and welcoming. Definitely going back again, everyone should try a pupusa with a nice Agua de Jamaica 😊
I stopped by here for a birthday lunch, and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere was great, with comforting dishes that lived up to the hype. We ordered a good variety, but our top two had to be the carne asada and the tacos. I've had the biggest craving for tacos, and these hit the spot. I went with the carnitas and chorizo tacos. They also serve a wide variety of drinks, but I say go for the fresh horchata.
The service was great, and they really made sure to go above and beyond. Food came out fast and hot as well.
Carmelitas is a hidden gem of the neighborhood. Especially if you're in the mood for a little back home.
Excellent food and service. I recommend the nachos!
The enchiladas were yummy and the pupusas were yummy and not dry (thank god) the waitresses were super friendly and polite.
It was almost empty coming in definitely seating available and nice simple spot to come with friends and family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service,
Had the best Quesabirrias ever.
The tortilla soup is really tasty too
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Quesabirria, Tortilla Soup
Cannot recommend this place for pick up orders.
The food is ok. But for pick-up orders you are charged an additional 30-50% on top of the dine in rates, which makes it terrible value. For example, a single churro is $3 in restaurant, but $6 for pick up. Plus an additional pick up order surcharge. Our food was fine, but the cost was exorbitant, and a surprise as our previous experiences had been dine in.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Massive surcharge to order online. When you get your food the receipt has a lower price. Weak! Go in person.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Food, service, staff! The ceviche is out of this world
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very authentic. Great food and great service at a reasonable price
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Churros, Quesadillas
The food, staff and decor is top notch. Good vegan options too. It's great to have such a quality South American restaurant in the neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole and Chips, Quesabirria
The food is so delicious, made fresh, best I've had. Customer service is perfect, these people are so nice. Prices are good, portion sizes are huge. Hidden gem, Wife and I are new regulars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is one of my favourites restaurants in Toronto.
Food is good, I like the place and the music but overall, service is outstanding! They are super friendly, that makes me come back.
Keep up the good work! 🙌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place was an unexpected highlight in Toronto; happened upon it while in search of a meal, and had no expectation that it would be so good. The richness of the flavours was fantastic. First time trying Salvadoran pupusas, and it's clear now why it's the national dish. So good! Highly recommend Carmelitas, not only for the food but for the wonderfully pleasant staff and an unusually affordable price for significant portions (without fillers like fries). The quesabirria were much larger than expected and so very rich. Super flavours. Again, highly recommended. Go out of your way to enjoy this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carnitas Taco
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