RESTAURANT REVIEWS

Featured Restaurant for May 2026:
LATIN FOOD & PRODUCTS
Hamilton Farmers' Market

     This month is one of the rare chances where I get full authority to choose who gets featured in the dining guide. Without a moment's hesitation, I said “Latin Food & Products.” Since moving downtown last month, this place has been a frequent lunch destination for me. I first went for nostalgia - I remembered coming to the farmers market as a kid and having pupusas for lunch. The good prices kept me coming back since, and the amazing flavours won my heart and landed them this review!

     For this particular lunch me and a buddy got tacos al pastor, cochinita pibil, carnita tacos, and my personal favourite: a chicharon and cheese pupusa. The tacos al pastor are bright and succulent, with pork complimented perfectly by the sweet pineapple, aromatic cilantro, and crunchy onions. The carnita is very mild in taste, allowing the toppings to stand out even more. It makes for a perfect chance to try their to-die-for house salsas or hot sauces!

     Cochinita Pibil is a dish so good that I struggle to put it into words. I first heard about it through an MMO, of all places (iykyk), so I was excited for the chance to try it IRL and see if it lived up to the fantastical hype. The taste of the meat is incredibly rich and deep. There is so much flavour packed into every bite that it defies the laws of science. The meat is tender and shredded, sort of like pulled pork, and drips with juice that’ll stain your fingertips orange from the intense spices. The pickled onions add a nice crunch, and the thick, double-stacked corn tortillas bring the whole bite down to earth with their warm and subtle flavour. 

     Cochinita Pibil is a dish so good that I struggle to put it into words. I first heard about it through an MMO, of all places (iykyk), so I was excited for the chance to try it IRL and see if it lived up to the fantastical hype. The taste of the meat is incredibly rich and deep. There is so much flavour packed into every bite that it defies the laws of science. The meat is tender and shredded, sort of like pulled pork, and drips with juice that’ll stain your fingertips orange from the intense spices. The pickled onions add a nice crunch, and the thick, double-stacked corn tortillas bring the whole bite down to earth with their warm and subtle flavour. 

     Pupusas are, in my opinion, painfully underrated. Delicious toppings stuffed into corn dough, flattened into a patty, and grilled until crispy! What’s not to love? My favourites are the chicharon & cheese or the chicharon, beans, & cheese. It’s got enough cheese for a good pull, lots of tasty protein, and fried dough! It’s the ultimate comfort food!

     Quite a few of you may have only been familiar with Latin Food & Products’ main location on James, and not have known that they have a stall in the market that sells some of the best lunch you can get in Hamilton!

- FW