A new casual Mexican restaurant, La Cantina by Cuishe, has opened in San Antonio's St. Paul's Square, transforming from the former upscale Cuishe Cocina Mexicana. Following a soft opening, the restaurant celebrated its official opening on April 1, serving street food favorites like tacos and tortas and a massive $565 cantarito.
Gusto Group, the hospitality firm behind the restaurant, revamped the menu and refreshed the atmosphere to give the restaurant a more youthful vibe. Vibrant wall hangings, word art, and a few flat screens were brought in to energize the space.
"We wanted to give the St. Paul Square location something more casual and approachable," Gusto Group rep Victoria Hudson explains. "Think of it like a modern cantina meets your favorite hangout spot. It's loud in the best way, colorful, and unapologetically Mexican."
The birria specials include ever-popular quesabirria tacos.Photo courtesy of Gusto Group
The revised menu reflects the restaurant's newfound ease. La Cantina introduced a lineup of birria specials, including quesabirria tacos, tortas, and ramen. Entrees include everyday dishes like a zippy arrachera and a Mexican burger.
The Gusto Group, which also owns hot spots like Boombox Pizza Bar and Cellar Mixology, has become known for mixing some of San Antonio's most flamboyant cocktails — and La Cantina is no exception. The $565-Mega Cantarito, meant to be shared by six or more people, pours tequila, grapefruit soda, and freshly squeezed citrus juices into an oversized clay jug. Think of it as a Mexican version of a tiki scorpion bowl.
Guests looking for a tamer experience can order the signature Chi-Chi, a vodka, pineapple, and coconut sipper that can be customized with tropical flavors. The Chisparita, a frozen version of San Antonio's signature boozy margarita, comes in six varieties.
The cantaritos come in smaller sizes, too.Cuishe Cocina Mexicana/ Facebook
La Cantina by Cuishe, 119 Heiman St., is open Tuesday through Thursday, 5-11 pm; Friday, 5 pm-2 am; Saturday, noon-2 am; and Sunday, noon-9 pm. The weekday happy hour between 5-7 pm features discounts on Mexican beers, regular cantaritos, and snacks. Guests who arrive after 10 pm can also enjoy a $3 discount on late-night bites.
The original Cuishe Cocina Mexicana, which opened in Stone Oak in 2020, will continue serving its traditional menu.
The new Burger Boy will have dine-in and drive-thru optionsPhoto courtesy of Burger Boy.
