Recorded April 1, 2021 – We chat with Matias Balmaceda, owner of Completo, Latin American Churrasco Sandwiches and Tacos. Matias shares with us his story, his thoughts on city planning, his love of nature and proving that coming from hardship can pay off.
Timestamps
- Intro – 1:36
- Covid/Business – 5:55
- Personal – 33:15
- City – 55:44
- Rapid Fire – 1.12:30
- Conclusion: 1.14:50
Matias Balmaceda, Completo, Latin American Churrasco Sandwiches and Tacos – How Hardship Can Breed Success
We had the pleasure of interviewing Matias Balmaceda of Completo. Completo is a budding chain of fast casual Latin American restaurants. Matias and his ex-partner Bret proved the concept with a pop-up a few years ago in bustling Kensington Market, serving ‘Latin Fresh Fast Food’. Soon after they opened a tiny take-out location located at 5 Coady Avenue in Leslieville, which has an intimate and inviting front patio.
They prepare made to order inexpensive sandwiches and tacos, which are loaded with avocado, salsa and your choice of protein. One of our favourites is ‘The Veggie’, a house made chickpea/black bean patty on a toasted bun, which is one of the best vegetarian sandwiches in the city, in our opinion. I’m told that the pork and steak sandwiches are also amazing! Even the fries are done just right; nice and crispy with the right amount of salt. The energy and service is always great, at both the Coady location and the new location at 337 Broadview Avenue. Matias still visits Kensington Market for Peruvian food from a woman that makes “incredible” dishes, located on Baldwin, the north side closer to Augusta.
In this episode Matias shares with us his story, his thoughts on city planning, his love of nature and proving that coming from hardship can pay off. He is of Chiliean background and tells us that the first thing he does when visiting Chile is to get a loaded Churrasco Sandwich. Unable to cure that craving in Toronto, he opened his own place making the Classic Churrasco Sandwich the main feature. Matias is the classic entrepreneur and a self proclaimed ‘masochist’. He is always positive, while working his ass off, and with his partner Andrea, they make things happen.
Key points:
- Need to jump into business. Just do it.
- Opened a second restaurant three months before Covid
- Has an affinity for patios
- “We come from hardship” so it’s not hard for us
- Proven concept in Kensington Market
- 16:54 how he tested the concept for the first time in Kensington Market
- 20:13 recommend a Peruvian restaurant in Kensington Market
- 25:10 pool circus business
Business name: Completo, Latin American Churrasco Sandwiches and Tacos
Guest website: www.completo.club
Guest Links to share: Blac – www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca, Neighbors in Need – www.needfood.org
