One of the newest restaurants in Denver, Cantina Loca, is headed by Dana Rodriquez. She was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as a best chef at her other restaurant, Work & Class. Cantina Loca is her baby as it focuses on Mexican street dishes from her home town of Mexico City. We visited on a Friday evening and it was packed with diners. We started with one of her own mezcals, Dona Loca, not cheap but a great mild flavor. The other had a cocktail with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
Our dishes filled the small table, a fish taco, cactus, three fried tacos, and a plate of brussels sprouts to share. All four dishes presented a different taste on the typical Mexican food found in Denver.
First, the pescado loco, is tempura covered fish that is marinated in a vinegar and spicy sauce, then fried. The fish is crispy on the outside but a mild fish taste inside. A very good little taco
The cactus is also covered in tempura and fried. Not a great dish to look at but after a crunchy start, the green cactus inside is soft and delicious, making it a very different dish. What a great surprise as that is the first fried cactus ever eaten and it was great!
The three tacos are filled with cheese and potatoes and then fried. They are presented covered by a shredded cabbage salad. A very pretty presentation of tacos.
The last dish was the platter to share of grilled brussels sprouts, apples, cabbage, spicy cashews, all prepared in a chili vinegar sauce. It’s an extra large size of a healthy dish to eat.
A small vanilla flan finished the evening meal.
My ratings are: It’s OK, Good, Very Good, and Excellent.
The verdict ⚖️ for Cantina Loca is Very Good.
@cantina_loca
5280dining.blog 