Home · Birria tacos
Birria tacos in Montreal: La Toxica’s house specialty
Birria tacos are La Toxica's house specialty in Montreal: beef marinated in chiles and slow-cooked, golden corn tortillas, and a rich consommé for dipping. The recipe is inspired by Rosa's grandmother's, in the Jalisco tradition. We serve them at both Montreal restaurants: Plaza Saint-Hubert and Chinatown.
What is birria?
Birria is a Mexican dish of meat marinated in dried chiles and spices, then simmered until it shreds. At La Toxica it is served as tacos on corn tortillas, with consommé for dipping every bite.
Where does birria come from?
Birria comes from the state of Jalisco in western Mexico. A dish for celebrations and gatherings, it starts with meat marinated in chiles and spices, then cooked slowly until tender. At La Toxica, that story meets Rosa's family recipe and the generous flavour that launched the restaurant.
What is birria?
How do you eat a birria taco?
The ritual is simple: squeeze on a little lime, lift the taco while it is hot, dip its edge into the consommé, then bite. The broth carries the flavour of the meat and makes every bite juicier.
What is quesabirria?
Quesabirria adds melted cheese to the birria before the tortilla is crisped. The result brings together pulled meat, a cheese pull and consommé served on the side. See the glossary.
What is birria consommé?
Birria consommé is the meat's cooking broth, served next to the tacos for dipping. You can also order it on its own in 500 ml or 1 L, or as a 5 oz extra.
What birria formats are on the menu?
Tacos with or without cheese, quesadilla, ramen, torta, burrito and consommé bring the same birria into several menu formats.
- Birria tacos with or without cheese
- Birria quesadilla and burrito
- Birria ramen and consommé
- Birria torta
Is La Toxica's birria beef or chicken?
Our birria tacos are made with slow-cooked beef. The birria quesadilla and burrito come with beef or chicken.
Are the tortillas corn?
Yes, our birria tacos are served on corn tortillas, crisped on the griddle before serving.
See every format and priceWhere to eat birria tacos in Montreal?
La Toxica serves birria tacos at two Montreal restaurants. The first is at Plaza Saint-Hubert, 7221 Rue Saint-Hubert — La Toxica Plaza Saint-Hubert, open 7 days. The second is in Chinatown, 1059 Saint-Laurent Blvd., 1st floor — La Toxica Chinatown, open Tuesday to Sunday. Both serve birria in every format: tacos with or without cheese, quesadilla, burrito, torta, ramen and consommé. Book online, order takeout, or get delivery through Uber Eats or DoorDash.
Tastet ranked La Toxica among the best birria tacos in Montreal.
Good to Know About Birria
What is a birria taco?
A birria taco is a corn tortilla filled with marinated, slow-cooked meat, served with consommé for dipping.
What is a quesabirria?
A quesabirria is a tortilla filled with birria and melted cheese, crisped on the griddle and served with consommé.
Is La Toxica's birria beef or chicken?
The birria tacos are beef. The birria quesadilla and burrito come with beef or chicken.
Can I buy birria consommé on its own?
Yes. Birria consommé comes in 500 ml or 1 L, and as a 5 oz extra with your tacos.
Where does birria come from?
Birria comes from the state of Jalisco in western Mexico. At La Toxica, the recipe is inspired by Rosa's grandmother's.
Where can I eat birria tacos in Montreal?
At La Toxica: 7221 Rue Saint-Hubert (Plaza Saint-Hubert) and 1059 Saint-Laurent Blvd., 1st floor (Chinatown).
Is birria sauce gluten-free?
Traditional birria consommé does not use wheat flour, and our tacos are served on corn tortillas. A shared kitchen can still create cross-contact, so always tell the team about an allergy before ordering.
Why does authentic birria have a reddish colour?
The colour mainly comes from the dried chiles and spices used in the marinade and broth. It does not rely on colouring to achieve that deep red.
Can I freeze uncooked marinated birria meat?
Yes. Promptly place the marinated meat in an airtight freezer-safe container, thaw it in the refrigerator, then cook it completely. Do not thaw it on the counter.
Is birria consommé spicy?
It is aromatic and gently warming, designed to complement the taco rather than cover its flavour. Ask the team about current salsas if you want more heat.
Looking for “What alcohol is in most margaritas?” Find the answer on our Mexican bar page. See the bar FAQ.
Ready for the ritual?
Choose your format from the menu, order online or reserve a table at either of our two restaurants.