The night we went to El Catrin was really not the best opportunity for it to shine, but it still impressed us. It was an overcast, breezy Tuesday night and sitting outside was really not what we had in mind. Walking into the outdoor seating area of El Catrin changed all that: the heaters and large centerpiece fire pit were blazing and the waitresses were in tank tops! We gladly took a seat outside as many other diners had opted to do and were happy we did. (I can't speak to the interior atmosphere because I somehow managed to not set foot inside).
Drink:
They do classic and specialty margaritas that are available by the glass of pitcher and both options are reasonably priced. They also have several beers and wines if that's more your style.
Food:
If you like guacamole, give theirs a try, They actually make it at your table in a huge mortar and pestle. Pretty fun!
Their food is ideal for sharing with a group. Tacos come in groups of three and most other things are similar sharing portions. There are about 12 different types of tacos to choose from and they all sounded great! Their Baja (fish) taco was a hit with my group.
The atmosphere:
I walked by this place when I was last in Toronto and added it to my must-eat list. I was strolling through the Christmas market and loved the full patio despite the cold temperatures. If you happen to be under-dressed, they also have blankets to throw over yourself, though the heaters do a great job of keeping the temperature comfortable.
I'm assuming our server was new, as she wasn't that well-versed in the menu. She also had the worst timing ever; it managed to be more entertaining than annoying in the end but she still needs some work.
The food, drink and atmosphere are still enough to make we want to go back. Next time, I may go with a bigger group so we can order up even more variety.