Ever since Hina Glazer and Oren Harad moved to Canada from Mexico in 2010, they wanted to find a way to link the two countries. Inspired by how Canadians love to connect with other cultures and travel to Mexico, they wanted to show Canadians the beauty of Mexico beyond the tourist resorts.
They started Artesano Canada, an enamelware and folk art business that puts Mexico’s art in the spotlight.
The name comes from the Spanish word for artisan, but there is another hidden meaning. Glazer and Harad liked that arte means art and sano means healthy, suggesting that the colourful hand-painted skulls and black-and-white enamelware that they sell are good for their customers.
The couple began selling their goods after a 2016 trip to Oaxaca, their favourite region in Mexico. Along with their three kids, they met several talented artisans whose crafts has been passed down to them from their parents and grandparents.
“So the traditional art is art that's been made for obviously many years… [and] most of the artists are born into it… We went to a resort a few months ago and… we saw many of the skulls… painted like American sports teams. So that's the difference. I could cry right now when I tell you this. And there were artisans making them but they were not making their grandparents’ art,” Glazer explained.
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For this reason, Artesano supports traditional Mexican art. The business currently works with two families of artisans in Mexico, with whom Glazer has a personal relationship with. They are a fair trade company as Glazer is strongly against taking advantage of others. She pays the artisans their desired price because she believes only they know what the products are worth.
Last November, Artesano participated in in Ontario Public Interest Research Group’s Fair Trade Fest at McMaster University Student Centre Atrium. They sell their products both online and in markets across the greater Hamilton area. Their online store ships worldwide and they have a shop at St. Jacob’s Market in Waterloo.
Glazer and Harad intended to run the business on the side, but their business grew and Glazer now operates Artesano full-time. Prior, Glazer was a self-employed translator, but has never owned a business. While the process has been hard for her and her family, it has also been very rewarding and led to several new skills.
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“[I]t's hard to try to put your name out there and your brand… [E]ven if people respond, it's not an easy journey but you learn so much about yourself. It's amazing… [Y]ou used to do one part of the business… and that's it. Nowadays we start these small businesses. We're not social media experts and we're not sales experts… but we do all that… So it's a challenge,” Glazer said.
Glazer credits her fellow vendors and entrepreneurs in Hamilton for making the process easier. The warm entrepreneur community provides tips and a support system for her and her family as they juggle life and work.
The city has also been very supportive of Glazer and Harad. Last November their van, filled with $5000 of product, was stolen in downtown Hamilton. While the goods were not recovered, they still hear kind words from Hamiltonians to this day. They have also found support in their neighbourhood, with kind neighbours who will look after their children if needed.
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The city’s sense of community, thriving art scene and rapid growth make it a wonderful fit for Artesano. As the business grows, Glazer aims to continuing travelling to Mexico and meeting other artists. She wants Artesano’s products to connect people around the world to the rich culture of Mexico.
“I really like the ceramic skulls because they represent so much about Mexico… Day of the Dead is the most important celebration of the year and skulls are such an important part of the Mexican culture… I would love to see us help people learn more about Day of the Dead which we try to do in our social media. And you know Mexican traditions in general, just… extend this knowledge to everyone who's interested,” Glazer explained.
The business is also a way for Glazer to keep her children connected to Mexico, even as they grow up in Canada. She considers Artesano a family business and would love to see it passed down to her children. Like the artisans they collaborate with, Artesano might be around for generations to come.
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The Mexican Kitchen at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market recently underwent a major shift in flavor. While you may know the vendor for their homemade chocolate creations, the new owners are cooking up more savory classic Mexican dishes in the kitchen.
While Mexican cuisine is no stranger to Hamilton’s downtown restaurant scene, the tacos, quesadillas, corn tamales and pozole coming out of this tiny kitchen are worth paying a little extra attention to.
Housed in what has become my favourite spot in Hamilton over the years, the Mexican Kitchen is not only serving up fresh dishes at an affordable price but adds a little Mexican hospitality to the market’s tight knit community feel.
From the hanging glass hummingbirds on the tiki umbrella to the colourful handmade cups from the Tonalà Craft Market near Guadalajara, every single embellishment is a conversation starter to learn more about the owners’ stories and memories from Mexico.
At the Mexican Kitchen you’ll find great food at arguably the cutest vendor at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, while also learning something new. It definitely hits all the sweet (or shall I say spicy) spots for me.
There’s a couple ways you can get yourself downtown. Either take the 5, 51 or 1 Hamilton Street Railway bus from Sterling Street and University Avenue heading east, or take the 5 or 10 heading east from Main Street West and Emerson Street. Hop off at Main Street West and MacNab Street South.
You can cut through the MacNab Transit Terminal towards Jackson Square and make your way inside to the Hamilton Farmers’ Market mall entrance. If you prefer a slightly longer walk outdoors you can head west on Main Street West and turn right onto Summers Lane until you reach York Boulevard. Turn right on York Boulevard and the main entrance will be on your right.
The Mexican Kitchen is located on the lower level opposite from Slurp Ramen and Leslie’s European Deli.
At the Mexican Kitchen you can easily get away with spending under $10 for a filling meal, but it is cash only. Delicious soft corn tortilla tacos or quesadillas go for $4.50 each or you can order three of the same kind for $11.50. Each taco or quesadilla comes with a side of home-made red or green salsa.
Four different kinds of Mexican tostadas are $7.50 each while corn tamales go for $6.50. A small warm traditional pozole soup is $8.50, while medium and large go for $10.50 and $12.50, respectively.
The simple menu also has a few tasteful extras, you can add fresh squeezed lemonade to your order for $1.00, a churro for $2.00, some extra avocado, cheese, sour cream and beans for $0.75 and salsa or meat for $0.95.
If you’re dining solo or simply not up for up for sharing, I recommend the pozole soup with chicken topped with lettuce, radish, tortilla chips and lime. You can add fresh avocados or meat as an extra to the dish. Complete your meal with a glass of fresh lemonade and treat yourself to a churro for dessert.
If you’re like me and like to convince friends to tag along so you can try as much things as possible without breaking the bank then I’m proud to share with you my Mexican Kitchen game plan for three.
Start off with tacos, I recommend the spiced potatoes or grilled poblano peppers with onion and zucchini, sprinkled with roasted garlic, lettuce, pickled red onions and cilantro. Share a tostada, which is basically the flat version of a taco topped with a mountainous pile of fresh ingredients.
All tostadas come with a bed of homemade beans on a crunchy grilled tortilla and the option of sour cream and cheese. Your choice of filling includes slow cooked meat (chicken, beef, pork or chorizo and potato), veggie (avocado, sour cream and cheese), vegan (extra avocado), or cauliflower ceviche (cauliflower with onion, parsley, cucumber, avocado topped with spices and lime juice).
Don’t forget the lemonade and churros, and your meal will still be under $10.00 each!
While the menu at the Mexican Kitchen consists of five main dishes, each one is made from scratch, is gluten-free and can be customizable for meat, vegetarian and vegan diets.
You can also add an extra helping of their fresh ingredients and handmade beans and salsas for an incredibly affordable price, where else can you get extra avocado for less than a dollar?
The corner vendor has also utilized their space to maximize seating. There are bar stools spanning the entire length of the counter lining the vendor and several tables that seat four.
At the Mexican Kitchen there’s something for everybody and when doubt you can never go wrong with a taco.
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Taqueria Marina is the above ground counterpart to Shaolin, the underground Southeast Asian restaurant with whom it shares a kitchen. The sister late-night food spots make up two thirds of the James Street North restaurants owned by Born and Raised Restaurant owner, Chef Vittorio Colacitti. You can order from both Taqueria Marina and Shaolin’s menu from Taqueria Marina’s space.
Once you walk into Taqueria Marina and pass the stairs leading down to Shaolin, a decorative couch sits on your right and the bar on your left. You seat yourself at one of the tables for either two or four. There is an exposed brick wall covered in photographs of notable Hamiltonians. The restaurant boasts low-lighting, exposed pipes and tasteful greenery.
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Taqueria Marina’s head chef is Sebastian Sanchez. The restaurant is named after Sanchez’s great-grandmother, Marina, who opened a fonda, a small, home-like restaurant, in 1912 in Autlan, Mexico. The menu at Taqueria Marina consists of shareable appetizers, tacos, cocktails, beer and an ever-growing and changing selection of tequila and mezcal.
True to its name, Taqueria Marina prides itself on its tacos. The tortillas are made from heirloom Mexican corn that undergo a 48 hour soaking and hand-grinding process. A wood-fired oven then roasts the ingredients for the tacos. With four very different tacos, there’s something for everyone.
Take the 5 or 51 from campus heading downtown for about 20 minutes until you reach Main Street West at MacNab Street South. From the bus stop, it’s about a 15-minute walk. Continue on Main Street West until you reach James Street North, where you turn left. Opposite Born and Raised Restaurant at James Street North and Robert Street, Taqueria Marina is also located on the left.
Tacos are $7 each. Shareable appetizer ranges from $5.00 to $15.00. Beer starts at $5 and cocktails start at $12. The tequila and mescal list is always changing. Check their socials for details on weekly specials.
Shaolin’s menu is a little more expensive, with prices ranging from $5 for Sweet and Spicy Nuts to $20 for an extra-large Wonton Soup. Drinks range from $12 to $16. Desserts are under $6.
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Definitely try the Mole de Coco, a shrimp taco with coconut-cashew mole and salsa verde. True to its word, the tortilla is delicious and the coconut-cashew mole works wonderfully with the shrimp, managing to be flavourful without being overpowering.
Flip your menu and peruse Shaolin’s options as well. I’d recommend the Shaolin Bao. With kung-fu chicken, pickles and scallions on a soft steamed bun, these addictive baos are well-seasoned and full-flavoured.
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I found the decor really interesting. It’s both casual and candlelit, with a brick wall meeting a metal ceiling. From the photographs on the wall to the painted pumpkins celebrating the Day of the Dead, there was always something to look at.
Taqueria Marina is a great place to go with a small group of friends. It’s casual enough in vibe and menu, but also feels intimate and special with its candlelit tables and cozy space. With the shareable items and the finger food, it’s fun, social and messy food.
The double menu also means that there’s something for everyone. There are vegan and gluten-free options and our server asked us if we had any allergies. The two cuisines produce a variety that will likely satisfy many individual tastes.
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By: Hafsa Sakhi
I’m always looking for new places to eat, and Daniel, our Arts & Culture Editor, recently suggested Mesa, a Mexican restaurant tucked near the end of James Street North.
Upon entering, I was awed by the beauty of the interior. Jewel toned light fixtures hung near the entrance, and a traditional mosaic pattern decorated both the walls and ceiling.
A large cactus decorated with fairy lights sat next to our table, and Latin pop played in the background.
The menu offered popular dishes like quesadillas, burritos and nachos plus some Mexican gems like tamales, chimichangas and cactus salad.
The menu is sure to cater to those who are new to Mexican cuisine or those who already have their favourites. It also features a range of options for vegetarian diners.
Take the 1, 5 or 51 and stop at Main at MacNab. Head east on Main Street West toward MacNab Street South.
Turn left onto James Street North, and walk straight until you see your destination, which will be a block past James and Robert Street.
Appetizers range from $10-$14, but the sizes are larger than your typical starter size. The entrees are around the same price, between $11-$16.
Choose from desserts like tiramisu, flan and cheesecake all for $5. Alcoholic drinks average at around $8, soft drinks at $2.25 and hot beverages at $2.75.
Since the sizes are large, I recommend going with a friend or group. I went with my small family of girls, and comfortably ate by splitting several plates.
The menu is sure to cater to those who are new to Mexican cuisine or those who already have their favourites.
We ordered a large burrito, quesadilla plate and nachos, and still had enough to take home.
The nachos were my favourite, with deliciously spiced steak meat, hot cheese and topped with fresh salad and tangy sour cream. The nachos added that crunch, and the dish was served with salsa and pico de gallo.
You get your money’s worth at Mesa. The appetizers look like entrees, and the beautiful decor is comfortable and inviting.
The restaurant caters to a variety of dietary restrictions, with gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and halal options. You also get to choose the filling from several meat and veggie options with your dish, and in this way, you pick and choose your favourite tastes.
With the warm ambience and the fun Spanish pop playing in the background, my family and I decided we must come back.
Before we left, I asked our waiter the meaning of Mesa. He smiled and explained it meant “table”. So grab a mesa and enjoy the taste and experience of Mexico.
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