La Catrina - A taste of Mexico (We are OPEN) — Restaurant in Ottawa

We had asked the good folks at La Catrina to supply dinner and dessert for a wedding reception we were holding in October 2024.

We had approximately 80 guests and we wanted to provide them with a great food experience. In this, La Catrina rose well beyond expectations and did not disappoint. In fact, we had numerous comments from those attending who said that this was absolutely the best Mexican food they had ever tasted.

During the reception and precisely on time, their food truck pulled up alongside the hall and their staff began to prepare and to bring in delicious “Golden tacos”, “Panuchos”, “Tortas de mole”, and for dessert, absolutely wonderful “Churros”, both traditional and filled.

What made this even more pleasurable was the ongoing engagement we had with their wonderful staff, Diana, Mariana and Tania, and Ulises. The initial discussions we had to be able to accommodate 80 guests went extremely smoothly, and they were very flexible. Ulises, especially, was very pleasant to work with and accommodating, even after we made several changes to the plan shortly before the event.

During the reception, Diana, Mariana and Tania were on site, and they continued to prepare their wonderful food and supply our guests over several hours.

All in all, our experience with La Catrina was excellent. Organizing a wedding reception is stressful enough, but our dealings with La Catrina made the evening move along very smoothly.

A big “thank you” goes out to Diana, Mariana and Tania, and Ulises. As far as we are concerned, how they interacted with us is precisely how to business should be conducted, especially one as difficult as a restaurant. Many other food establishments could take lessons from the wonderful people at La...

Honestly don’t know where to start, I come in 20 minutes before closing to see what they’re serving, the lady at the counter who was previously closing the terrasse was not very pleasant when I asked if I could order a specific tortas. I did not order rudely, she RUDELY and quickly spoke to me about not being able to do any food, with an agressive tone and giving me a dirty look. She then says that the kitchen was closed an hour ago, which I wasn’t informed when she SAW me coming inside. Afterwards she continues with attitude and informs me that they’re only doing churros to go.

I asked if she was having a long day, cause god forbid someone for having a bad day, I am human too. But then proceeds to shove me to her manager. I then just simply wish them a nice night and walk away because the service was horrific. I wasn’t upset, I wasn’t speaking to them rudely. Completely civil.

I hope my experience here is better next time, and that “ la Catrina “ as a Mexican cafe improves its employees customer service skills cause as a Mexican native I did not feel the “ Mexican spirit “ that they rep.

Also to the employee who told their manager that I was upset because “ we couldn’t serve him a tortas “ in Spanish, I wasn’t, I was upset at your...

Right so... this café is an absolute gold mine. Periodt. I fancy Americano's without the added Splendas or Carnations (connoisseurs call it black, others call it pretentious) but I digress, executed correctly and you achieve this subtle, majestic cascade that only originates from a rich bean—this experience can be experienced, here. Pulled beef torta was filling in every bite, though the true highlight of this casual Mexi sandwich may have been that fluffy, airy bread. Speaking of highlights, the service was outstanding. Homey, accomodating, and snappy are only a handful of the adjectives that come to mind. Do not be fooled by its simple exterior. It isn't as loud or rambunctious as its next-door neighbours, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Instead, it's a fundamentally sound café with plenty of the fixings.

Pro tip: Top off a night with an Americano x Lic43 hybrid on rocks. Among one of my favourite summer beverages at the...