Terrific St-Henri Taco Spot To Open in the Village — and Other Expansions

VILLAGE — Popular St-Henri taqueria Tacos Frida is preparing for its first expansion after four years in business — an Eater tipster has spotted signage for the restaurant on Sainte-Catherine Street in the Gay Village. Government listings confirm that Frida does appear to be planning a location at 1477 Ste-Catherine E, in the location of former Italian restaurant La Strega du Village. That section of town is somewhat of a desert for good Mexican food, so Frida (with its Oaxacan owners) should be a welcome addition, with affordable classics like al pastor and nopal tacos, and other dishes like pozole, a relative rarity in Montreal.

DOWNTOWN — Toronto-based ramen chain Kinton is continuing its string of rapid-pace expansions around Montreal. After opening in Côte-des-Neiges, Westmount, and Laval, it adds a new downtown location on Union Street at Rene-Levesque. It opens this Friday (May 10).

POINTE-ST-CHARLES — Excellent Little Burgundy café September Surf has opened its second coffee shop inside the Nordelec Building on St-Patrick Street. Expect more brews with beans from roasters Anchored Coffee (Nova Scotia) and De Mella Pahleta (Toronto), as well as baked goods, sandwiches, and bowls, prepared at the original location over on Notre-Dame W.

Dirty Dogs/Facebook

DOWNTOWN — Dirty Dogs, the Plateau restaurant known for hot dogs with an almost garish array of toppings, is opening up downtown, trying its luck on Crescent Street. It’s set to take over the prime location that was very mediocre sports bar Dundees.

French Takos/Facebook

DOWNTOWN — Jean-Talon Street fast food joint French Takos has opened its doors in the former Halal Guys location on Mackay Street (near de Maisonneuve). Despite what the name suggests, it doesn’t serve tacos with French ingredients — rather, it’s a burrito-like wrap filled with an array of decidedly non-Mexican meat, cheese, and vegetable fillings. The idea is an import from France, where it was popularized by North African immigrants.

Poutineville/Facebook

COTE-DES-NEIGES — Poutineville, known for its hideous Crise Cardiaque poutine (but otherwise, a pretty good approach to the fries, cheese, and gravy dish) has opened location number four, on Queen Mary Road. It takes over a space that was diner Blanche Neige.

• Two New Restaurants Compete For Taco Supremacy in Saint-Henri [EMTL]
• Toronto Ramen Go-To Keeps Adding New Montreal Locations [EMTL]
• Café September Surf to Open Takeaway Coffee Counter in Pointe-Saint-Charles [EMTL]