La Toxica, the family-run Mexican taqueria in Montréal, serves quesabirria as “birria avec fromage” on its menu: a crisp, griddled taco of braised birria and melted cheese, served with a cup of consommé for dipping. Rosa Castellanos built the kitchen around her grandmother’s birria recipe, the same one that went viral in 2021, and you can order it at our Villeray restaurant on Plaza Saint-Hubert or at our Chinatown Saint-Laurent location.
Ready to eat? See the La Toxica menu or read more about our birria tacos in Montreal.
What is quesabirria, and what is “birria avec fromage” on the menu?
Quesabirria is a taco filled with slow-braised birria and melted cheese, then crisped on a hot griddle. On the La Toxica menu it appears as “birria avec fromage,” which is simply quesabirria under its French-language name. The birria itself is the heart of the dish, and our birria tacos page covers the recipe’s story in more detail.
Where can you eat quesabirria in Montreal?
You can eat quesabirria in Montréal at either La Toxica restaurant. One sits in Villeray on Plaza Saint-Hubert, near métro Jean-Talon on the Little Italy side. The other is in Chinatown on boul. Saint-Laurent, near métro Saint-Laurent and Place-d’Armes.
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| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Saint-Hubert (Villeray) | 7221 rue Saint-Hubert, Montréal QC H2R 2N2 | 514 277-1111 |
| Chinatown Saint-Laurent | 1059 boul. Saint-Laurent (upper-floor entrance, separate from the ground floor), Montréal QC H2Z 1J6 | 438 380-8995 |
Parking in both neighbourhoods is limited and paid on the street, with paid lots nearby. The locations page has the details for each restaurant.
Opening hours at Plaza Saint-Hubert
- Monday to Wednesday: 11 am to 9 pm
- Thursday: 11 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm
- Sunday: 10 am to 9 pm
Opening hours at Chinatown Saint-Laurent
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday and Wednesday: 12 pm to 9 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday: 12 pm to 11 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm to 9 pm
How do you order quesabirria at La Toxica?
Look for “birria avec fromage” on our menu, or ask the team at the counter and they will point you to it. If you plan to come with friends or family, you can reserve a table online first.
Not in the mood to go out? La Toxica is on Uber Eats and DoorDash, and there is also an online ordering page. Delivery is a good option when you want to eat at home, though the consommé is best enjoyed fresh from the kitchen.
How do you eat quesabirria with consommé?
Dip first, then bite. The consommé is the rich, chile-based broth the birria braises in, and it arrives in a cup beside your tacos for exactly that purpose. Dunk the crisp edge of the taco, let the broth soak in briefly, and eat it while the cheese is still stretchy.
- Use both hands, and expect a little mess. That is part of the dish.
- Add the fresh onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime if they come with your order, since the brightness balances the richness of the cheese and beef.
- Sip the leftover consommé at the end, or keep dipping until the cup is empty.
What does quesabirria taste like?
Quesabirria tastes savoury, a little smoky and deeply rich. The shell is crisp and golden from the griddle, the cheese is soft and stretchy, and the shredded beef is tender with the warmth of dried chiles, garlic and spices. The consommé adds another layer, so every dip changes the bite slightly.
Birria and quesabirria are related but not identical. Birria is the braised meat and its broth, often served as a stew. Quesabirria takes that same meat and turns it into a cheesy, crisp taco you dip back into the broth.
Is quesabirria safe for people with allergies?
Corn tortillas are the base of our tacos, but our kitchen also handles wheat, and the dish contains cheese. If you have an allergy or an intolerance, tell the staff when you order so they can advise you. We do not promise gluten-free preparation or the absence of cross-contamination.
Who is behind La Toxica’s birria?
La Toxica is a family-run taqueria that opened in 2022, and its founder, Rosa Castellanos, built the menu around her grandmother’s birria recipe. Beyond the two restaurants, the family also runs a traiteur (catering) service and a food truck that has appeared at Street Food Festival, Taco Fest and Festival Fuego Fuego. Our restaurants are MAPAQ certified.
Frequently asked questions about quesabirria at La Toxica
What is La Toxica’s quesabirria called on the menu?
La Toxica lists its quesabirria as “birria avec fromage,” a griddled taco of braised birria and melted cheese. It comes with consommé for dipping.
Where can I try La Toxica’s quesabirria in Montreal?
You can order it at our Plaza Saint-Hubert restaurant in Villeray or at our Chinatown Saint-Laurent location. Check the menu or ask the team when you arrive.
Does La Toxica deliver quesabirria?
La Toxica is available on Uber Eats and DoorDash, and there is also an online ordering page. For the best experience with the consommé, eating in the restaurant is hard to beat.
Can La Toxica’s quesabirria work for someone with a gluten allergy?
Our tacos are built on corn tortillas, but the kitchen handles wheat, so we cannot promise gluten-free or cross-contamination-free food. Tell the staff about any allergy when you order.
Is the consommé included with the quesabirria?
Yes, the quesabirria is served with a cup of consommé for dipping. It is a central part of the dish, so dip generously.
Hungry for quesabirria in Montréal? Browse the La Toxica menu, order online or reserve a table, and bring napkins.
