Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Cantina Loco
This past weekend I dined at Cantina Loco located on Elmwood. This experience wasn't much different from the few other times I have eaten there. But unlike the other times, this time I was aware of the cultural things going on with this restaraunt and the food. The place is mobbed most nights of the week with a crowd you wouldn't expect at a "Mexican" restaraunt. The people dining here are all young white "hipsters" that fill up the tables and bar area to drink fancy margaritas and eat food that barely has any identity to Mexico. To start, we order a pitcher of pomegranite margarita and queso and chips. By now, I am positive that no one that is looking to eat genuine Mexican food would order any of that. Next, I order a quesadilla and my friends order the tacos. The items are covered in cheese, unknown sauces, and guacamole presented in a very modern appearance on plates. Don't get me wrong, the food is good and the atmosphere is young and fun, but this class has made me aware of the cultural fallacies that are present in American restaraunts that try and display a certain culture such as Mexican, Chinese, Japanese etc.This place is a perfect example of how food from different cultures is changed and turned to fit the people that surround a specific area.
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Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI really like Cantina Loco. The food is good, fresh and fairly affordable.
However, as you mentioned in your post, the restaurant is doing something interesting where they "recreate" Mexico for a hip young and perhaps most importantly white American demographic. We talked about it a bit in class, but what is it about "eating like a Mexican peasant" that is so appealing to white American progressives? What is it about thsi food that has drawn so many in? How are these young, hip white Americans using the food of poor Mexicans and Native peoples of Mexico to articulate their knowledge, and white cultural privilege in the United States?
Youre right, the food is good, and I think they did a ncie job with the restaurants decor (it was started by the same chef that owns Seabar), but there is a lot of interesting cultural practices and exchanges happening here.
thanks for the post and enjoy your quesadilla!
I have been to Cantina Loco many times. People seem to forget about the main concept of the restaurant. It is more of a "Mexican tapas bar". Their food is good but their focus is on drinks. The food is more in snack portion.
ReplyDeleteThe owner of the restaurant also owns SeaBar which tries to take a somewhat more modern take on sushi.
the restaurant isn't "Mexican" but more of a Mexican kitchen in its inspiration. The same can be said about most sushi places who serve rolls. It is a way to modernize food and bring to the masses.