City June 9, 2011 2:59 PM

Cantina Loco

Cantina Loco
¡Yo quiero good Mexican food! 

I do, I want it, the real Mexican stuff that makes your mouth water just thinking about it.  The fresh cilantro, the spices, the roasted meats, those real tortillas, I want it bad!  If you have found yourself wishing the same thing, wanting inexpensive authentic Mexican food that's easily available in the city, your wish is about to come true.
           
Scheduled to open at the end of this month Mike Andrzejewski, owner of Seabar, and Kyle Mackiewicz (yep, two Polish guys) are bringing some old school Mexican to the corner of Allen and Elmwood.  Their restaurant, Cantina Loco and Tequila Bar, will not only feature fresh, authentic Mexican fare but will also stock a wide selection of high-end tequilas and specialty drinks.  (Um, I want that too.)
           
The duo envisions the Cantina as "a neighborhood watering hole," offering great food and drinks at reasonable prices in a contemporary, casual and comfortable atmosphere.  The menu will feature fresh and vibrant flavors in Mexican classics such as tacos, enchiladas and burritos with delicious grilled and roasted meat fillings like pork, chicken and beef as well as vegetarian options.  Newly picked veggies will be arriving daily to become part of their homemade salsas and guacamole.  Other ingredients have been sourced from Houston and Mexico to add some authentic Tex-Mex style to it all.  

And of course there is that tequila.  Cantina Loco will stock a wide selection of small estate/plantation tequilas, specializing in small artisan producers and distillers from various regions of Mexico.  They will also offer "Tequila Flights," a presentation of several types and brands of Tequila served side by side for comparison tasting.  It is their plan to keep between 30 to 40 tequilas on hand, in addition to tequila based specialty cocktails and a full bar.
           
The bar area will seat about 15 people with the restaurant seating 30 - 40 more.  There will also be a separate, take-out area with its own entrance for convenience and speed.
           
Andrzejewski and Mackiewicz want Cantina Loco to be the type of neighborhood place where people come to have a few drinks together and eat really great food at affordable prices, the type of place you want to go to just unwind and relax a few times a week without breaking the bank.

With plans to be open seven days a week with late hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Cantina Loco will cater to other restaurant workers who want to catch a bite to eat after work.  Andrzejewski understands that need very well saying, "Working in restaurants has been my life's work.  People like to have a place to go afterward."  But that does not mean you have to work in a restaurant to appreciate a cantina offering late hours.  Any night owl can appreciate this bonus.   And let's talk location.  Being situated on the Northwest corner of Allen and Elmwood makes Cantina Loco easily accessible in the heart of one of Buffalo's most vibrant neighborhoods - Allentown.
           
So, what makes two Polish guys want to open a Mexican restaurant?  The answer is simple according to Andrzejewski, "because that's what we love to eat."  And I just want to say, "So do I!  Cantina Loco and Tequila Bar, I'm on my way!"
 
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great spot and concept, and as I have noticed with Seabar, I imagine quality wont slack at all..This will be a great place for a drink and fresh tex/mex....I hope it either makes the eye sore down the street clean up its act or close up shop..

Score: 4 ( 4 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Alright, if dishes such as chili relleno (no meat) Chili Colorado, Chili Verde, Biria, Machaca, etc. AND they cook knowing that salt is NOT the only spice in Mexican food (Right, Grandma' Mora?), then we might be on to something. What passes for Mex in this town (ETS and MT excluded - they are Mex in name only) is utterly substandard, even compared to the lowest of the low, East L.A. taqueria. Please, please do this the right way. It's not that hard! Onions do go into the salsa! TWO corn tortillas for the tacos! Please, I beg of you, do this right!

Score: -1 ( 13 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Can't wait. If Seabar is any indication, this place with be delicious and creative. Also looking forward to trying the tequila flights!

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So excited for this place! But what's up with the name? Everybody I've talked to can't believe it's going to be called "Cantina Loco." Sounds like it belongs in every mall in anywhere, USA. "Cantina" would have been better. From the guy who's had really sleek restaurants like Tsunami and Seabar, I would have expected something with a better name. Even if it's casual.

Can't wait for it, regardless.

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It's better than the original name they came up with... El Bebé Cantina, but someone beat them to it.

replied to LOVEBUFF
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sounds like it should be good

as an aside, this building is at the northeast corner of elmwood and allen

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yahoooooo! cue the hallelujah chorus!

please, guys, don't skimp on the vegetarian options. mexican food is one of the all-time great cuisines for those who don't eat meat. i ate at the new sole, across from the coop. loved the decor, glad to have a vacant place in use again, and wish them every success, but there was only one token veggie entree on the menu. once i've had your one entree, unless i love it to pieces, you've given me no reason to come back.

Score: 2 ( 22 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

If you've ever eaten with Mike, you'd know -- he's a chefs chef. Go get a tofu burrito at Salsaritas.

replied to grad94
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salsarita's does not serve tofu, and i don't expect them to. same with cantina loco. all they have to do is offer bean and/or cheese versions of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, whatever.

replied to Johnny LoVecchio
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Everytime you vegetarians open your mouth about not having enough food options at restaurants, I just want to grab a handful of raw ground beef and shove it your face, followed by a bacon chaser with a side of pork chops.

replied to grad94
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violent much?

replied to Johnny LoVecchio
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Yes.

replied to grad94
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Glad to see this corner is staying "crazy". Nice bit of continuity, even if unintentional.

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@Jim1234664...thank you!!! I messed up my East vs. West :)

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No mention of the courtyard?

The icing on the cake is the fact that this totally awesome concept is going to be on a highly visible urban corner. The only downside here will be the wait for tables...this joint will be packed from minute 1.

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Rumor on the street is, they won't be utilizing the patio.

replied to The Boss
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Lovely!

That corner was lonesome for occupation. Cantina Loco seems to be a great fit.

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Mexican food made by 2 Polish guys?? Sounds heavenly to me!!
Thanks Hol!

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I can't wait Seabar is amazing so I'm sure Cantina Loco will be just as great. This is a great location just a shame that the patio won't be used. Anyone know if there is a reason why?

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I think that patio is part of the building next door? Or perhaps the Allentown Association didn't want another outdoor patio? Just a thought..

replied to summersh
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Hopefully we can step the cocktails and spirits menu up a bit from the crap we're used to seeing around here. How about introducing Buffalo to some good Mezcal? It would be awesome to see a craft cocktail menu with bartenders actually sent out for real training in mixology. Treat your cocktail program like your food program–Fresh, quality ingredients, crafted by someone who knows what they are doing!

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I just hope that Is EXPENSIVE as all hell to keep out the riff-raff that hangs around the Seabar all the time;-). Also hope that it is open till the dwindling hours of the morning.

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Being expensive as hell will also keep out hard working, middle class folks like myself who aren't going to pay expensive as hell prices for Mexican food.

That much being said, I'm really happy to see something opening up on that corner and look forward to trying it out.

(as long as it's not expensive as hell)

replied to REGURGE
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>But what's up with the name? Everybody I've talked to can't believe it's going to be called "Cantina Loco."

If you want to be doctrinaire, it should be "Cantina LOCA", (modifying a feminine noun) but like Holly I'm looking forward to the comida rica regardless of the name. El Palenque in the suburbs is the closest authetic Mexican, so it will be awesome to have this near home.

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Seriously! How can they call it a mexican restaurant with a name in improper Spanish. Seriously, what about just calling it "Cantina?" Should we get a petition going? "Cantina Loco" is TERRIBLE!!

replied to KeepItSimple
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>How about introducing Buffalo to some good Mezcal?

A dream come true! As they say in Oaxaca "para todo lo mal, mezcal, y para todo lo bien también." ("For everything bad, there's mezcal, and for everything good too.") Mezcal is getting popular in the U.S., but I struck out trying to get "the other Mexican place up the street" to stock it. The two Buffalo suppliers can only get one (inferior) brand. Hope you're reading this Mike and Kyle!

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Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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I wonder if Cozumel will let them use their parking lot.

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When I go through Allentown, it seems as if 50% or more of the stores are vacant. Is that what is meant when it's called "thriving"? With no parking and few commercial neighbors, this place can expect less than 1 year of life.

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Y'know, if someone disrespects the most rudimentary rules of grammar, one has to wonder how much respect there will be for cuisine. It's "Cantina Loca," if you care. Obviously the proprietor of "Cantina Loco" doesn't care.

I'm betting that this is going to be one more in a long line of utterly disappointing places in Buffalo with Mexican words on the menu but no Mexican food, starting with Gramma Mora's, another non-Spanish neologism, by the way. You won't find "mm" in any native Spanish word.

I promise that you'll be able to get better and more nearly authentic chile colorado at the Ukrainian-American Civic Center on Military near Amherst...starting this coming Friday night.

I'm not kidding.

Score: -6 ( 10 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Tell us more, Senor.

replied to bfotk
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Don't you mean, "Señor?"

replied to LouisTully
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Telling more: The $9 a plate menu includes a choice of chile colorado, carnitas, pollo verde, or pescado.

All come with refried beans, Mexican style rice, choice of corn or flour tortillas, and homemade salsa.

The address of the Ukrainian-American Civic Center is 205 Military Rd.

replied to LouisTully
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I am not a grammar expert, but isn't the name of the business considered a proper noun and as such the same rules do not apply? I'm pretty sure a proper noun, in this case "Cantina Loco", can be a made up word or spelled however you want. I may be way off on my grammer but if you want to split hairs...

replied to bfotk
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attention naysayers..... are you familiar with this operators work history? he has never done anything for 1 year Greenjeans. parking, location and the name will not undermine this joints sure path to success. THIS JOINT WILL BE PACKED, from the first day to 10 years from now, just like every other place that he has ever worked.

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I couldn't agree with you more, Boss. The Mexican-influenced offerings currently available at SeaBar bode well for this venture, and anyone who is expecting to find the slop served at 99.9% of Buffalo's well-known "Mexican" restaurants have no idea what they are in for. Naysayers here will be glad that their real names aren't tied to their foolish and uninformed comments.

replied to The Boss
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Closed before June 1 2012. $100 says so.

replied to The Boss
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people whining about the name make me chuckle, stay home children, let other people go out and have fun.

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looking forward to trying this place out. sea bar is delicious and mike has done a great job there. cozumel is dirty and disgusting. i refuse to eat inside if at all.

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So when will I be able to get a shot of El Tesoro? I'm getting thirsty, and the windows are still covered with butcher paper.

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Look at www.lagloriaicehouse.com it's a Mexican street food restaurant in San Antonio TX. They have great Mexican street food (tacos, sopas,tortas, ceviches, Agua frescas). They stand out in a city with great Mexican food. This is the model you are looking for.

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It's September and each time I walk by this corner I see people working but not real progress other than a newly styled door. Any idea when this place is going to open? There aren't even walls!

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