After a rather rocky start, we’re pleased to tell you that The El Cantina Superior has found its footing and warrants a visit. The newest offering from Delicious Concepts (the company responsible for Pink’s Pizza, Lola, and other Heights dining staples) had a rough few weeks after their grand opening, but a problem with a gas main gave them the time needed to revamp the menu and sort out some growing pains. After the grand reopening, things are going much better.
The margarita recipe has been tweaked quite a bit, and we would rank their new house margaritas among the best we’ve had the pleasure of imbibing at a restaurant. Even better, they are only $4.50 at happy hour, so you can get your drink on for just a few bucks from 4-7 Monday-Friday. They pack a wallop, too, so you probably won’t need more than one or two. Beers are also deeply discounted at happy hour, and they have Pacifico, Dos Equis, and Victoria beer on tap.
To get a good feel for what the kitchen could do, we tried a combination plate that came with a crispy taco, cheese enchilada, taco al carbon, and a tamale, as well as rice and beans. Every item on the plate was delicious, but the fajita beef and the crispy taco were the real stand-out dishes. The borracho beans were also delicious, and the chips that came with the meal were crispy and hot but not oily. The food is more in the vein of Pappasito’s Tex-Mex than really authentic Mexican food like you might find at a hole-in-the-wall taqueria. Either way, it was delicious, and our server was prompt, polite, and competent.
Be sure to check out the ZZ Top memorabilia collection in the bar area, a product of many years of avid acquisition by owner Ken Bridge. And in case you were wondering about the name like we were, The El refers to Ken’s classic El Camino, and is not just a grammatical error made by someone with a very poor command of Spanish who doesn’t realize The El would translate to “The The.” We were a bit confused on that front, but our waiter was happy to straighten us out. All in all, we can’t wait to return to The El on an upcoming happy hour visit!
For more information, please visit: http://theelcantina.com/
Source: http://theelcantina.com/