Never accuse San Antonio’s Lizzeth Martínez and Francisco Estrada of shying away from the hustle. After previously announcing that their new Santonia Cantina would open this winter, the chefs will make their Pearl debut on November 19.
In planning their sequel to Naco Mexican, Martínez and Estrada paid little mind to geographical divisions. While the menu was formed by the traditions of both sides of the borderland, Santonia isn’t exactly "Mexican" or "Tex-Mex." Its culinary ideas came from the area’s shared culture.
"For us, the border isn't a line you cross; it's a culture you live in. It begins long before you reach the bridge and stays with you long after you've crossed it," explained Martínez in a previous release. "Growing up between Northern Mexico and South Texas, we never saw those influences as separate. They were simply part of everyday life."
The cocktails pair desert spirits with regional flavors.Photo courtesy of Santonia Cantina
In a sample menu posted on the restaurant’s website, the power couple naturally showcase their taco finesse, a skill that earned them a James Beard Award nomination in 2026. There’s a section devoted to ribeye, rolled up volcanes and cachetada style, but there’s plenty of other fillings, too — including brisket and salsa-drowned potatoes, adobo pork, and grilled mushrooms.
Corn plays a pivotal role, whether made into chips to scoop up machaca ceviche, swaddling enchiladas Suizas, or served in kernels as part of an elote flight.
Martínez and Estrada are also taking the second part of Santonia’s name seriously. Desert spirits such as sotol, mezcal, and tequila will mix with regional flavors such as tuna roja, mesquite, damiana, roasted corn, and piloncillo. A lineup of bar snacks will soak up some of the octane.
We want it to feel like a true cantina: great food, great drinks, great energy, and a place where people want to stay,” said Estrada in a previous statement.
A peek of the scalloped murals.Photo courtesy of Santonia Cantina
While Santonia will be "design forward," it didn’t provide many details on the decor in the new release. A rep for the restaurant says the team is still putting the final touches on the interior, but early photos show a mural of scalloped burnt-orange arches has been painted in the former Full Goods Diner space. A Pearl social media video shows a peek at a table painted with the sweeping brushstrokes of Talavera pottery.
The juxtaposition between contemporary and heritage details is perhaps where Santonia lives, nodding to a living borderlands instead of a theme-park approximation.
"The borderlands have always been a place of exchange, of food, music, traditions, and ideas," said Estrada. “With Santonia, we want to celebrate that richness without putting rules around it.”
