One of Vancouver's favourite stops for tacos and freshly-made tortillas is on the move due to redevelopment, but the new location means an exciting new chapter for a beloved eastside cafe space.
Chancho Tortilleria, which moved to 560 Davie St in 2019, is set to re-open at 2096 Commercial Dr. in April. That's the same venue that was home to neighbourhood staple Cafe Deux Soleils for nearly 30 years. The cherished community hub for coffee and breakfast fare announced it was ending its storied run last fall.
The last day of business for Chancho Yaletown will be March 26, 2023 and diners that stop by to help celebrate the last weekend of operation (March 25-26) can enjoy prize giveaways that will be redeemable at the new Commercial Drive location.
Chancho initially opened at 1206 Seymour St in 2017 before shifting around the corner, taking over the larger restaurant space vacated in 2018 by longtime Vancouver diner the Elbow Room. The irreverent Elbow Room was an enduring neighbourhood favourite, known for its outspoken and sassy service; the operation wrapped up following the passing of one of its co-owners and in the wake of the block's looming redevelopment. Neighbour Noah's Cafe also recently shut its doors on the same Davie block and is shifting its operations to a new location in the West End.
'We are honoured to take over the space' says Chancho co-owner
No stranger to taking over iconic spaces and fostering community, Chancho co-owner Ernesto Gomez has released a heartfelt letter to the community about the restaurant's relocation to the Drive.
Here's Gomez' letter in full:
In 2017, Chancho opened its doors with a simple mission: offer amazing carnitas and fresh tortillas in a welcoming space. Everything is made fresh with locally-farmed ingredients and native products from Mexico. Through a non-profit partnership, Chancho imports the finest organic, fair-trade ingredients from Oaxaca and helps improve the quality of life in over 30 rural communities. This cultural exchange of ingredients and ideas is the essence of Chancho’s menu.
We started Chancho in a small space at 1206 Seymour St. and its immediate success demanded a bigger footprint. Within two years, our neighbour, The Elbow Room, on 560 Davie St., closed and Chancho moved in. The new, expanded space allowed us to serve Chancho's growing audience, and the old location became a commissary kitchen and native corn tortilla factory. Two years later, and after a difficult pandemic, Chancho’s building is slated for demolition by the City of Vancouver to create low-income housing.
As we looked for a new location for Chancho, we met Jeff Maisonet of Cafe Deux Soleils, who recently decided to retire and sell his Commercial Drive institution. A community hub for over a quarter century, our team at Chancho, like many, were very sorry to see it go.
When I moved to Vancouver I attended my first music show at Cafe Deux Soleils. I made great friends with members of the creative and music community through the cafe. I am really sad to see it go, but wish Jeff all the best as he pursues his new dream.
While Chancho could never aspire to replace the storied cafe, it shares the same values towards the community, and we are honoured to take over the space. Driven by the spirit of independence and honesty, we're thrilled to call Commercial Drive Chancho's new home for the decades ahead, and we can’t wait to welcome the community into our new space.
Nos Vemos,
Ernesto
Fans of Chancho's award-winning Mexican fare can expect to find the restaurant at its new location in early 2023. Follow @chanchotortilleria on Instagram for updates.
