Type of Cuisine: Mexican and Southwestern Comfort
Overview: Casual dining with familiar Mexican favourites in a fun atmosphere

Address: 7-215 Piccadilly Street, London, ON N6A 1S2
Telephone: 519-435-1197
Website: www.iloveunderthevolcano.com

Rating: 4 / 5
Meal Ordered: Chicken enchilada combination plate
Price: Around $60 for dinner for two with drinks

Located just off Richmond Street on Piccadilly Street, Under the Volcano is a large space divided into several rooms with a large raised patio. Although the view from the patio is less than spectacular, drinking a cold Mexican beer on a warm, sunny summer day there is a true pleasure. Both the décor and the menu are profoundly Latin cliché in flavour. Aside from the ubiquitous fajitas and quesadillas, the selection of chimichangas, chonitas (a Mexican-styled panzerotti) and flautas are prepared with a consistent appeal. The menu is designed around combinations and giving customers a wide choice, even if from only a select few ingredients. We are talking about Mexican food here after all. Chicken and fish are front-and-centre but vegans and vegetarians are more than welcome. With or without protein, dishes are offered from “mild to wild” in their spiciness. The “Drunken Chicken” for instance, quickly brought beads of sweat to my dinner guest’s forehead from the aroma alone when she ordered “hot.”


I enjoyed my beef enchilada combo that was served with brown rice, refried beans and a green salad with an avocado dressing. It was a filling meal that was somewhat predictable but good. During each of the several times I have visited Under the Volcano, service has been efficient albeit without much enthusiasm.
Under the Volcano is a good choice for a casual evening of comfort dining, especially with a few drinks (try the daiquiris). With a little searching, it is easy to find coupons and other discounts from one of their many marketing programs that provided added value.

Unlike Mexicali Rosa’s which occupied the space previously, Under the Volcano offers a more authentic Mexican menu that is very approachable and familiar. While there are more true Central American and Mexican restaurants in the city, Under the Volcano is fun and festive for the unadventurous, and ideal for groups. The décor borders on the cliché, but it is comfortable and inviting. Private rooms are available. Pricing is fair and no one will be disappointed by what they receive. For the right occasion, Under the Volcano is a good and predictably good choice. Be warned, however. Parking is trolled by ImPark who are quite predatory in their enforcement. There is no free street parking in the area so guests musts be mindful of using the pay lot otherwise tickets are frequent and severe. My father received a $75 fine for being 15 minutes over the limit.
Under the Volcano, aside from building more of a visual presence in such an incredible building and area of town, really needs to negotiate a better parking arrangement. Otherwise, they could suffer a dwindling client base, one which the average food and menu will not be strong enough to prevent.

Detailed Rating:
Location: 24 / 30
Service: 25 / 30
Food: 31 / 40
Overall: 80 / 100