RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
/LOS CHAVOS
A Taste of Mexico on Denman
by Jacqui Birchall
(click images to enlarge)
It’s a Friday at 6:30 p.m. and there’s a line spilling out the door of Los Chavos Mexican Restaurant.
Three weeks after opening, this innovative new restaurant is jam packed and buzzing. Quite a feat in the competitive world of restauranteering.
The three Chefs, left to right, Juan Pablo, Josué and Mario. (Jacqui Birchall Photo)
A very attractive restaurant, Los Chavos takes over the popular space formerly occupied by Buckstop Restaurant. One may sit comfortably at the bar, around the window, or at one of the small tables inside and out. I sat at the bar and loved that I could chat with other customers and the bartender.
Los Chavos means ‘the guys’.
These guys are brothers Juan Pablo Ledezma Santos and Josué Ledezma Santos, the restaurant’s owners, creators, and chefs, who hail from Veracruz, Mexico.
The brothers entered Canada under the Provincial Nominee Program, a government scheme that brings in skilled workers to desirous employers. Josué cheffed for Las Margaritas on West 4th Avenue and then Nook, and Juan Pablo honed his considerable skills cheffing at Glowbal’s Italian Kitchen, and later, Nook.
They are both so grateful to Canada for the opportunities they have experienced. The chefs want to offer a successful restaurant with delicious food and, of course, employment opportunities for locals. At this they have definitely succeeded.
Juan Pablo and Josué emphasize that their dishes are of highest quality and made fresh daily. Everything is made in the restaurant. The brothers reveal the menu is created around truth, heritage, and locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to compose delicious Mexican food made with love. They add that every dish that leaves their kitchen embodies the rich traditions of Mexican cuisine, ensuring an exceptional dining experience that truly honours the flavours and heritage they hold dear.
Both the brothers can be found in the kitchen, with a third chef, Mario, who is also from Mexico. Two of the chefs cook while the other does prep. They share the small kitchen space with a dishwasher. When I was there they joked about the very small kitchen causing them to wonder where to put a large bag of onions that recently arrived.
I ordered the ceviche. So delicious! The best! The ceviche is available on a tostada or a larger order in a bowl with corn chips. I recommend the larger bowl-sized serving. Juan and Josué tell me it is made in the style of Veracruz, Mexico. I also enjoyed the Fridha Kahlo Cabernet Sauvignon.
They have modernized the carnitas and tell me the most popular dishes are the ceviche, carnitas, tuna tostadas and birria.
Customers may feast on small plates, including botañas such as queso fundito, potatoes bravos, guacamole and chilaquiles. Various tostadas are served with ahi tuna, chicken tinga, diablo veg or birria. Check out their selection of “bols” including sopa de fideo, arriba ensalada and Los Chavos bowl.
At dinner time, try the full-sized meals like cumin and coriander half chicken, wild prawns on a homemade tortilla with spiced rice, sweet and spicy blistered peppers, charred onions, guajillo chilli and garlic mayo, or grilled beef cheek with poblano peppers, refried beans, a tortilla and chimichurri. Broc Oh Mush or maiz de cole are delicious vegetarian dishes that can accommodate vegans when cheese is not included in the former. The diablo veg taco is another vegetarian option.
Los Chavos has a full bar with a wonderful selection of tequila and mescal. There are many expertly made cocktails to choose from. And, of course, there is always cerveza. The bartenders Frederick and Andrew will mix you your favourite cocktail, and the very charming servers will take good care of you. The staff are a multilingual group.
Happy Hour is from daily from 4 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 12 p.m. with drinks at special prices. Currently the restaurant is open seven days a week. Sunday to Wednesday the hours are 3 to 11 p.m., Thursday 3 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Check for changing seasonal hours.
Minding you don’t disrupt their service, pop your head in the kitchen serving hatch and compliment the guys!
Los Chavos
833 Denman
604.681.0802
Reservations accepted.
Website here.
