Fonda Balam
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | October 2021 |
| Founder | Matty Matheson, Kate Chomyshyn, Julio Guajardo |
| Defunct | May 2024 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
Area served | Toronto |
Key people | Matty Matheson, Kate Chomyshyn, Julio Guajardo |
| Products | Mexican cuisine |
Fonda Balam was a Mexican dining venue located in Toronto's Little Italy district, owned by renowned chef Matty Matheson.
History
In April 2021, Matty Matheson collaborated with chefs Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo, both formerly affiliated with the Michelin-starred Quetzal, to introduce Birria Balam, a temporary eatery focused on birria, a traditional Mexican specialty. Their joint venture was inspired by a mutual enthusiasm for genuine Mexican flavors and regional ingredients, influenced by Chomyshyn and Guajardo's experiences traveling throughout Mexico.
By October 2021, the team established Fonda Balam as a permanent restaurant near the Trinity Bellwoods and Little Italy areas of Toronto. The menu broadened from birria to encompass a wider variety of Mexican culinary offerings.
In May 2024, chefs Chomyshyn and Guajardo declared that the restaurant would cease operations by the end of the month. The closure occurred suddenly without any public clarification.
Recognition
At Toronto’s 2022 Michelin Guide event, the restaurant received a Bib Gourmand award and successfully maintained this distinction in 2023. The Bib Gourmand honors venues delivering "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." Michelin specifically praised Fonda Balam’s lengua and birria tacos, as well as their freshly made tortillas.