Los Amigos Taqueria Inc

In her native of Mexico City, Adriana Orta grew up on some of the best, messiest tacos and sweetest churros in the world. Her mother and uncle ran a family catering business specializing in taquizas (a sort of "taco party"), providing warm tortillas, fresh salas and savoury ingredients for partygoers to make their own tacos. "I learned from a very young age to work in the kitchen as I always helped my mom and uncle," Adrianna recalls. "It is because of them that today I am who I am.

Adriana and husband Mazen Adas decided to open up their own taqueria in September 2014, blending the lively taquizas party concept with authentic Mexican street fare. When the couple began tossing around potential names for their causal fast food eatery, Los Amigos (meaning friends) was the first idea that came to mind, and it stuck. "For me, the connection between sharing food with family and friends is where my best memories come from,” Adriana notes.

The quaint 14-seat eatery sits in the centre of Davie Street in Vancouver’s thriving, eclectic West End. Inside, guests feel as though they've been swept up into a true Mexican cantina; the smell of spices and fresh-baked tortillas wafts through the restaurant, while historic black and white photographs depicting Mexico City’s revolution (courtesy of Adriana’s father) adorn the walls.