Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos — Restaurant in Toronto

(24/05/2023): I have been going here for many years now, and the food is as amazing, if not more so than my first time! You can't go wrong with any of the options, but I always go for the Gobernator. It's a Seven Lives staple, and I recommend it to all first-time goers, and repeat patrons too.

I came with my friends mid-afternoon on a Wednesday, and thankfully there wasn't too long of a line - as the other times I have come around (noon to 2pm) there have been lines stretching outside the store and spilling into the sidewalk - the food really is that good, being made to order and all by the talented and hardworking crew there.

The visual aesthetic of the store is charming, really paying homage to its Mexican cuisine with its vibrant colours and stunning grafitti art. There are plants galore and nice long tables to eat on, though it would be nice if there were seats. It is certainly much more spacious than their previous location, and is much easier to move around in.

I would recommend buying two tacos instead of just one for a filling meal - if you choose to get one, that should suffice as a light meal. I also would caution those with a low spice tolerance to opt with the mild-salsa instead of the hot one, which makes even a spice-afficionado sweat - but I recommend getting some salsa on top of your tacos nonetheless, as they really elevate the flavour profile. Moreover, I really suggest coming with friends, as having good company to enjoy good food with is always...

As soon as we arrived, the server recommended the Gobernador, and it did not disappoint. This dish featured a combination of succulent shrimp and smoked tuna, resulting in a creamy, cheesy, and delightfully spicy medley of flavors that truly hit the spot.

To accompany our meal, we tried the Strawberry aqua fresca, which was exceptionally good. What's even more exciting is that they offer horchata as well.

For our taco selections, we went with the Shrimp taco and the Baja taco. The Shrimp taco was nothing short of phenomenal, with sautéed shrimp that seemed to be drowning in a delectable chipotle crema. The blend of textures and flavors in this taco was a true treat for the taste buds.

On the other hand, the Baja taco featured cod that was incredibly moist and juicy, creating a mouthwatering experience. What truly stood out was the use of real masa corn tacos, which added an authentic touch to each bite.

One thing to note about this place is that it has a unique atmosphere. Instead of traditional seating, everybody stands at the counter to eat, which adds to the communal and lively vibe of the place. Overall, my visit to this taco spot was a memorable culinary adventure filled with delicious seafood tacos and refreshing drinks. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in the mood for a unique...

EDIT: since covid started and since they moved across the street to their new location, tacos are not what they used to be. This was my go to place for such a long time, but I've been back since the covid restrictions lifted 3 times, and 3 times I felt that tacos that I am so used to were not the same tacos. Baja was always my favourite, followed by the gobernador. Right now it's just meh. While the fish is still good, it's not the same recipe with what they put inside. It's pure onion chunks. No way that this is the same recipe. Attached photo has the original photo of the Baja fish (left) taken couple years ago. It does not look like this. Rumour is going around that the original owner sold the place. You can also tell that everyone working there now are not the same people who worked at the old location. These are still good if this is your first time at seven lives, but if you are a regular like me, these are way down in quality and taste. I am on a lookout for a new place I can rave about. This, sadly was three strikes and you're out. Don't ever compromise on quality and taste. I downgraded my 5 star rating below (original review) to 3 stars.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: Best. Tacos. Ever. In. The....