G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Gonzalo Almendrades, Chef & Co-Owner at Los Sapos Tacos in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Opened in November 2024, Los Sapos has quickly established itself as a lively destination for authentic Mexican street food. Having started out with pop-ups and taco events, Gonzalo and his partner eventually found their home on Keefer Street, creating a space that feels like a street corner in Mexico City or Guadalajara. The walls are covered in colourful graffiti, with the main pieces created by Mexico City artist Peso, while friends and customers have contributed their own tags over time. Guests can expect delicious street-style tacos, quesadillas, great music, and a welcoming community atmosphere. With extended hours until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Los Sapos has also become a favourite among Chinatown's hospitality workers and the late-night crowd.
Born in Lima, Peru, Gonzalo moved to Canada at a young age before relocating to Mexico with his family, where he spent much of his childhood. It was there that he developed his love for Mexican street food and learned to cook. Rather than attending culinary school, Gonzalo honed his skills working alongside talented chefs in restaurants throughout Mexico and Canada. He's spent much of his life balancing two passions, food and music, and the latter is very much part of the Los Sapos experience. A percussionist, guitarist, vocalist, and rapper, Gonzalo performs with local band Los Furios, bringing his musical background into the atmosphere of the restaurant. Now approaching two years at the helm of Los Sapos, he's built a team of approximately 13 people and continues to grow the business, with a new Mexican breakfast concept in the works for North Vancouver.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Gonzalo to chat about his journey from Peru to Mexico and eventually Vancouver, the importance of authentic Mexican street food, the intersection of food and music, building a community in Chinatown, the restaurant's late-night following, future expansion plans, and all of Gonzalo's favourite spots around town.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
Gonzalo’s favourites at Los Sapos:
Taco: Birria
Campechanas: The Melita's Special
Pairing: A guava Jarritos or Mexican Coca-Cola
The FULL LIST of Gonzalo’s Local Favourites:
Brewery: Backcountry Brewing (Squamish), Strange Fellows Brewing
Brunch: La Mezcaleria
Burger: Two Rivers Meats (North Vancouver)
Coffee: Livia
Cocktail Bar: The Keefer Bar
Dying to Try: Bar Supernova
Hidden Gem: The Hide Out Diner
Italian: Fiorino
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company (Parksville / Qualicum)
Mexican: La Mezcaleria
Outside of Vancouver: Hop Creek Farms and Hop Creek Brewing (Squamish)
Sushi: Kingyo Izakaya
Thanks for joining us, Gonzalo!
Watch Gonzalo’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
