rev:text
| - I have never been a fan of Cantina and I finally discovered why I love their menu but don't like their food.
Do I sound a bit odd? Let me explain.
Cantina claims that they serve authentic Mexican food and they do not. They offer authentic categories of Mexican food, but having lived and traveled extensively in Mexico this is not it. Someone mentioned "pretentious" and that is part of my issue. A lot of flash, garnishment and slick service, but the product is not authentic at all.
Their menu is fantastic. Such variety of common Mexican foods. Their taco menu is the best and that is where I go when I end up here. The tacos are in two categories: their recommended versions, different takes on toppings. And the mix and match option whereby you can order which ones you like at at discounted price.
BUT...even some of the tacos are "jazzed-up" into unusual concoctions. Some are odd to me. And so are the other categories, like enchiladas, quesadillas, burritos. I keep trying other things in the hope that it will be SOMETHING I like, but fail every time.
My discovery is that, the meal items, they all are "sweet". Caramelized onions dominate many of the dishes and even those are sweet like they were cooked with balsamic vinegar. The pickled onions they liberally put into dishes really clashes with the food itself.
On the other hand, most of the food is bland, take the salsa and beans.
Just not to my taste, but the rating is because my odd taste preferences clash with those of my son's family, which includes three grandchildren and many others that just love 1511. And they do have a following, but I am not one of the followers.
There are many far more authentic Mexican places that are not fancy or pretentious. If you are looking really good Mexican, go elsewhere.
|