WHEN I talk to most people about Cantina Laredo, the upscale Mexican restaurant located next to the new Union 72 BBQ (see ad on facing page) in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, the first thing many of them tell me is that “it’s too expensive.”
OK, so this Texas-based chain, which now has 37 locations in 18 states, is a little pricy. If you’re looking for two-for-one fajitas for $9.99, you’re in the wrong place.
But, that doesn’t mean Cantina Laredo doesn’t have very good food or good value for your money. It just means that if you’re looking for a Mexican place that’s a little more elegant, with better-quality food and a gorgeous bar area featuring a nice variety of everything from agave tequilas to red, white and sparkling wine and from premium vodkas and whiskeys to Mexican and domestic beers with great Happy Hour specials (see below), I recommend a visit to Cantina Laredo, whether during your next shopping trip to the mall or for a drink and a bite after work.
And, Wesley Chapel general manager Chris Cintino and his outstanding staff promise to make every trip to the Cantina well worth the cost.
Before I get into the new menu items, I just have to say that normally, I’m not a big fan of guacamole. Superfood or not, avocados are virtually tasteless to me, but when you add just the right amount of diced tomatoes and onions, jalapeños and a generous amount of fresh-squeezed lime juice — and the whole concoction is prepared tableside for you, I think this gluten-free delight is well worth the $10.29 price tag, especially with Cantina Laredo’s endless free chips and salsa. There’s also a new Queso y Guacamole Combinacion, which includes chili con queso (queso cheese dip with chili peppers) and the guacamole, but I haven’t sampled it yet.
So, What Else Is New
Our office enjoyed a recent trip to the Cantina and we did sample some of the great, new items on the menu.
There’s new chicken tinga, chicken fajita, ground sirloin and other new burritos and billing manager Stephanie Smith said her ground sirloin burrito was delicious and filling.
Staff writer Celeste McLaughlin also had high praise for the new Monterey chicken enchilada topped with poblano pepper sour cream sauce and poblano drizzle in a soft taco filled with fajita chicken and topped with lettuce, tomato and cheddar cheese. I enjoyed the new Arroz con Pollo (chicken with rice) soup.
But, my surprising favorite new item at Cantina Laredo is the new cascabel pepper-marinated, 16-oz. bone-in ribeye steak, which was just so tender after 21 days of aging and perfectly done to my medium rare liking. The steak was served with sliced red potatoes covered with cheese (I wish they were crispy, but they were very tasty) and grilled asparagus.
The cascabel pepper isn’t overly spicy, but it adds a unique flavor that I’m betting most will love but I know some won’t.
If you love sizzling fajitas, I’ve always enjoyed Cantina Laredo’s skirt steak and chicken fajitas, but someone else will have to let me know if they like the new shrimp or portobello mushroom fajitas. I’m allergic to the former and not partial to the latter. Other new tapas items include the chicken tinga Flautitas (flautas) with poblano pepper sauce, tamales and camaron (shrimp) and chorizo (sausage) empanadas.
Other favorites on the menu include the fresh Fish of the Day special (like an awesome pan-seared sea bass in a jalapeño beurre blanc sauce), the chicken chipotle lunch special and the grilled steak tacos. I also love the chewy Mexican brownie sundae shown above.
Catering, Brunch & More!
Cintino says that Cantina Laredo has a complete off-site catering menu and can also cater a private party on-site for up to 30 people in a private room or 75 people in the main part of the restaurant.
Cantina Laredo also recently added Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. With items like the crab cakes benedict shown at the bottom of the previous page to chorizos con huevo (sausage with eggs), all Sunday brunch items come with one complimentary mimosa, Bloody Mary or soft drink. Happy Hour specials (served at the bar only) are available Mon.-Fri., 4 p.m.-7 p.m. & 9 p.m.-close, plus 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sat., with domestic beers for just $2, imports for $3, well drinks/house wines for $4 and Casa Ritas cost just $5.  Â
For info, stop in at 2000 Piazza Ave., see the gift card special in the ad on pg. 38, call 907-3068 or visit CantinaLaredo.com.
Joe Whiskey’s Thriving In Former Skinny’s Location
Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) CEO Hope Allen called it, “the top event of my 15-year Chamber career” and I don’t believe that anyone who attended the WCCC’s “Celebrating Excellence in Business” awards (held, for the first time, at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, and sponsored by the Parks Auto Group) would even try to could argue with her.
