Tucked away in downtown Hamilton’s up-and-coming James Street North neighbourhood, Mex-I-Can does Mexican as well as anywhere in Toronto… and then some. With virtually a rendition of the entire menu available as vegan, veggie, gluten-free or meat lovers (not to mention mild, medium or hot), there truly is something for everyone at this unpretentious cantina.

Mex-I-Can’s philosophy is pretty simple: you pick your filling and then you pick your wrapper. That’s it, really. The menu consists of 7 meat or veggie options (Ground Chicken, Ground Beef, Steak, Shredded Beef Barbacoa, Pork Carnitas, Ground Pork Chorizo, Al Pastor, Nopales), any of which can be served-up in a variety of different ways (Nachos, Pupusas, Quesadillas, Tamales, Tacos, Flautas, Burritos, Enchiladas, Chalupas). Servings are huge and worthy of sharing.

We start with the Mex-I-Nachos to share five ways ($13.50). House-made Tortilla Chips are covered in Ground Beef (optional), Refried Beans, Cheese, Sour Cream, Pico de Gallo, Shredded Lettuce, Tomato and Guacamole. After eating my fair share, I was left wishing I ordered the Two-Taco Platter ($10.99) as my main, rather than the larger, Four-Taco rendition ($15) that immediately caught my eye when I first arrived hungry.

With its family-run kitchen, a bar full of cheap Beer, a dining area that can host a huge party with live music on the weekend, and quite possibly one of the largest Burritos ($10 L, $13 XL) I have ever seen, there is going to be, without question, a repeat visit the next time we’re in the Hammer. There are a lot of reasons why the James Street North neighbourhood in downtown Hamilton is becoming such a hot spot. Mex-I-Can is definitely one of them.