Classico Macha has finally found a permanent space inside Hush Hush Bar on College street. Most known as a summertime pop-up taqueria taking over patios across the downtown core, including Montauk Bar, Lobby, Bar Sybanne and Project Gigglewater, their continued collaboration with Hush Hush Bar now enables them to welcome guests in their own space.
First moving into Hush Hush Bar in June of this year, serving guests on the patio and using the bar's space as their commissary and ghost kitchen for product prep and distribution, this move means Hush Hush Bar is a taqueria by day, transforming into a club later into the night.
Classico Macha is lead by the sibling duo of executive chef Abel Páez and his brother, front of house manager Abraham Páez. Joining them as PR is Carlos Crespo of Bar Sybanne and Karla Hernández, social media manager, but more importantly, a leader in the development of Classico's new vegan concept -- Classico Vegano and Bodega.
"Hush Hush has an urban vibe that matches our 'Taqueria' vibe," says Abraham Paez. "Street food approached, serving honest food to people looking for real Mexican food. Hush Hush has always being supportive of Classico, so together, we set up a space in the venue that feels like a vintage-Mexico City-Taqueria."
Initially born from a salsa macha side project of chef Abel Páez in August 2020, after a second pandemic lockdown lead to him being laid off again from the kitchen, Páez decided to adopt the name of his four decade old family brand, "Classico" to officially launch his own spin-off -- Classico Macha.
"I had the idea to do a taco pop-up, so I reached out to my friend Bryan Núñez from Hush Hush and he happily let me use the front space of the bar to sell my tacos," says the chef. "After the success I had during the first weekend, I kept going all November 2020. Thats basically how and when Classico started."
The group's ghost kitchen at Hush Hush Bar launched in March 2021 and right from the beginning, the incorporation of strong vegan options were at the forefront of their focus. Officially opening in Hush Hush Bar's space at the end of November meant they could expand their menu to include a bulk of vegan dishes that they were offering through Classico Vegano and Bodega's ghost kitchen, as well as expand on their creativity in designing new vegan alternatives to popular menu items.
"We always wanted to be inclusive," says Abel Páez. The response of the public has always been great when it comes to our vegan food, so we decided to give our guests a better experience with comfort Mexican food, just like the food I grew up with but vegan."
Quesabirria is one iconic Mexican dish taking over the city that anyone eating plant-based diets is missing out on. Luckily, Classico Macha is doing things differently. The only quesabirria option you'll find on the menu here is made with vegan cheese, a generous amount of juicy mushrooms and of course, a flavourful broth to dip. A great contemporary alternative to a classic.
Boasting plenty of vegan-friendly options, majority of the menu here is actually meatless, bringing you the best of both worlds. The chef says a must-try are the Enchiladas Suizas, corn tortillas stuffed with tofu, suiza sauce, black beans and melted cheese.
"They’re just like my favourites back home," he says. "Also, my partner’s and I favourite dish."
Classico Macha is open for indoor dining at Hush Hush Bar Tuesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you're looking for delivery, find them on Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, DoorDash and Ritual, operating Tuesday to Sunday from 3 p.m. until 12 a.m.
