We’ll see you in there.
Connect to customize your food & drink discovery.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Casa Morales
If you like this, you’ll also like:
Kensington Market has a way of producing a very specific kind of restaurant: the kind that starts small, builds a loyal following, and slowly grows into something bigger than anyone expected. Casa Morales, at 152 Augusta Avenue, feels like the next chapter of exactly that story.
If the name sounds familiar, it probably is. Casa Morales comes from the family behind Gus Tacos - the beloved fast-casual spot launched in 2019 by Augustine Skrzypek Morales and Carlos Emilio Morales. What started as a small food court stall, inspired by their family’s original taco stand in León, Mexico, has since grown into a city-wide favourite with nine locations. Casa Morales is where the family takes things a little further - and a little more refined.
Walking in, it’s clear this isn’t your typical quick taco stop. The space is dark, warm, and polished: black upholstered seating, a softly lit open bar, and an open kitchen where the smell of fresh corn tortillas hitting the grill drifts through the room.
The overall design feels modern and minimal, but there are thoughtful nods to Mexican heritage throughout. Concrete panels with delicate floral patterns echo the kinds of tiles you might see in an abuela’s kitchen or a laundromat in Oaxaca - subtle details that add character without feeling heavy-handed.
Executive chef Felipe Kwon - a longtime friend of owner Augustine Morales - brings over 15 years of Toronto restaurant experience to the kitchen, with past stops at El Rey Mezcal Bar, Alma, and Bar Isabel. The menu stays rooted in traditional Mexican flavours, but with a thoughtful, slightly elevated approach.
Some standouts:
The masa section anchors the menu, with sopes, tlayudas, and tacos that lean classic but feel a bit more refined. Think a tlayuda topped with beef tongue, or mushroom sopes layered with cremini and oyster mushrooms.
For something more substantial, the arrachera (skirt steak) arrives medium rare with house salsa and tortillas - technically meant for sharing, though you may not want to.
The cocktail list leans heavily on mezcal and tequila, as it should. The Bendito Dios - mezcal, pineapple, lime, agave, with a Tajín rim - is smoky, bright, and easy to keep ordering. There are also fruit-forward mocktails, Mexican soft drinks, and a concise beer list.
Casa Morales isn’t trying to reinvent Mexican food. Instead, it feels like a thoughtful evolution - a restaurant that respects tradition while bringing a bit more polish to the table. It’s a natural next step for the Morales family, and one that feels earned.
Prices reflect the more upscale setting, but the cooking largely lives up to it.
Book ahead for dinner. Come hungry. And order the rib eye taco twice.
Casa Morales
152 Augusta Avenue, Kensington Market
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Reservations via OpenTable.
Recommended For You
