| Fonda Balam | |
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | October 2, 2021 |
| Closed | June 8, 2024 |
| Owner(s) | Matty Matheson |
| Head chef | Kate Chomyshyn Julio Guajardo |
| Food type | Mexican |
| Rating | Bib Gourmand (Michelin Guide, 2022-2023) |
| Street address | 802 Dundas Street West |
| City | Toronto, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
Fonda Balam was a Mexican restaurant that operated in the Little Italy neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. It was owned by celebrity chef Matty Matheson.
In April 2021, Toronto-based celebrity chef and restauranteur Matty Matheson collaborated with chefs Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo, formerly of Michelin-starred restaurant Quetzal, to launch a pop-up restaurant named Birria Balam in Toronto. [1] The pop-up specialized in birria, a traditional Mexican dish. The trio stated the concept evolved through their friendship, "love for authentic Mexican food," and exploration of regional ingredients through Chomyshyn and Guajardo's extensive travels in Mexico. [2]
Later that year, in October 2021, the trio opened a permanent establishment, Fonda Balam, located near the Trinity Bellwoods and Little Italy neighbourhoods in Toronto. [3] Fonda Balam expanded its menu to include birria and a variety of other Mexican dishes. [4]
In May 2024, head chefs Chomyshyn and Guajardo announced the restaurant would be closing at the end of the month. [5] The closing was considered abrupt, and no specific reason for the shut down was public communicated. [6]
The restaurant was awarded a Bib Gourmand designation by the Michelin Guide at Toronto's 2022 Michelin Guide ceremony, [7] and retained this recognition in 2023. A Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants who offer "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." Michelin particularly highlighted the restaurant's lengua and birria tacos, as well as their homemade tortillas. [5] [7]
The Michelin Guides are a series of guide books that have been published by the French tire company Michelin since 1900. The Guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few restaurants in certain geographic areas. Michelin also publishes the Green Guides, a series of general guides to cities, regions, and countries.
Matthew James Matheson is a Canadian chef, restaurateur, actor and internet personality. He portrays the handyman Neil Fak on the FX series The Bear.
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