 repare yourself for a good dose of vibrancy when you enter Johny Banana; not just by the super-size Luchador (a Spanish wrestler) staring you down as you pass the threshold – but by the day-glo orange and green colour scheme. What was previously Canteena (and Azul before that) has been transformed, right down to the last door hinge, into a bright and lively Latin-fusion bistro that hones in on the Latin Experience.
When John and Vivian Martin moved to Canada from their native Mexico City, their goal was to open up a restaurant, infusing downtown vitality with contemporary Mexican culture. And that they did; their Johny Banana is down-to-earth chic, tricked out even further by wacky kitsch elements.
One wall is devoted to Loteria cards (Mexican bingo cards), a game based around Mexican traditions. Parts of the ceiling and sidewall are orange, as are the banquet and bar stools. Dark mod chairs and wood-framed mirrors contrast well with the zebra print wood tables and bleached wood flooring. The small cacti on each table bring the whole package together.
The Martins break down stereotypical images of what to expect from Mexican restaurants. “Some Latin American places around town are really cliché,” explains John Martin. “You have a Sombrero on the wall and mariachi music in the background. Their food is authentic but we wanted to present ourselves in a bistro way.”
|
181 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON
| Looking for more restaurants in the Queen West area? |
 |
|
23 Reader Reviews
As a vegetarian person I would say this is the best place to have a tasty and filling meal, their cactus burrito is delicious. I also recommend the dulce de leche empanadas they are just great!
Nate's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
They have the best chicken burrito in town, the avocado salsa they put is unbelievably good. Food is fantastic in this place!
Aaron's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
I love this place, and have become hooked on their steak burritos.
A great little local spot, which I highly recommend!
Nelia's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
Best burritos in town! I cannot believe I didn't know about this little oasis in Toronto. Great food, excellent ambience so different to other burrito places. Get the mole burrito is a mouthwatering experience.
Michael's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
The food at this place is amazing, I lived in California for some years and I haven't had such an authentic burrito since I came back. The chorizo burrito was delicious and their guac is fresh and chunky. Nice place to have lunch or dinner. Great music by the way.
Allen's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
I noticed that Johny Banana was doing lunch, so I decided to give it a try, and WOW I have to say it's great! They have mouth watering burritos. The chicken with mole one is awesome the perfect combination of spices. Queen West has the best new lunch spot!
David's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
I just found that Johny Banana changed their concept, at the beginning I was kind of upset because I really liked this restaurant but when they told me they kept the best sellers of their menu and lower their prices I was more than happy to give it a try. Yeah, less options, but less money to pay... I have to say that now the burrito is better! I don't know if it's because is so cheap but it was PERFECT! They also have the pork tacos which I love and the cookies with dulce de leche, so I could say they still are authentic. Thumbs up!
Tim's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
It's so funny that you are saying that because I am a frequent customer at Johny Banana and they don't have any type of fajitas in the menu and they don't do the classic Tex-Mex chips and salsa appetizer. As far as I know, the chips are made at the restaurant, one can easily tell. You are probably confused and talking about another restaurant in the city but not this one...
Anne's Rating: 4 Stars |
 |
We went last night because it looked new, and we had never seen it before. We should have known walking in the door and smelling pine cleaner instead of chiles, lard, and meat that it was not going to be good...though the menu sounded enticing. We both ordered the fajita combo platter, thinking we'd get a big plate of sizzing fajitas. Wrong. The chips and salsa were good, but those obviously came from a box/bottle. The fajitas were not only NOT sizzling, they were lukewarm and looked warmed-over and limp. The beans were cold and were whole beans not cooked in anything besides water. No salt, no seasoning, nothing. The rice was the color of Mexican rice but was cold, hard, and tasteless. I guess I should say if you're looking for low-fat Mexican food, this is the place; there wasn't an ounce of cheese or grease on anything. My husband's steak fajitas were worse than my chicken--cold and tough and no seasoning. We could see into the kitchen and have the sneaking suspicion everything is on a plate and is microwaved. We didn't see OR hear much kitchen action, and there was definitely nothing sizzling. We left hungry. I have to say, though, the decor is cheap just like the food. We'll never go here again.
"Worst "Mexican" Food Eve's Rating: 1 Stars |
 |
I was told that this place was a little oasis on Bathurst St. and I have to say they were right! I tried these mole enchiladas that were amazing (who would think enchiladas could be served with this chocolate sauce? Delicious combination!). We also had a hibiscus and a tamarind margaritas that were really good.
Karl's Rating: 3 Stars |
 |
| Click here to view all 23 reviews | Voice your opinion! Submit a reader review for Johny Banana. Click here
|
|
|
Johny Banana |
181 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON
416-304-0101
Queen West
Latin American
Restaurant, Bar
Tue. to Sun.: 11:30am - 10:00pm
$$ (affordable)
Master Card Visa American Express Diners Club |
|
Related Restaurants |
|
|
|
|