Photo by Jordan Kyler
Jorge's Cantina is located in a Fan District restaurant that once was Konsta's Fine Dining. The stained-glass windows were removed two tenants ago, but the upstairs bar remains, primarily because of zoning issues that prevent one on the first floor. F.W. Sullivan's Fan Bar and Grille's Jake Crocker and Mexico Restaurant's Jorgé Garcia are behind this venture, and they've branded it with a Masonic-meets-Mexican symbol, Jorge Washington. Downstairs, a portrait of the first president sports a skinny ‘stache and sombrero. This mash-up of cultures births a large, Mexican-inspired menu of tacos, both gringo- (with sour cream) and street- (naked) style, burritos, tortas, combination plates, and a melting pot of appetizers and main courses.
Service is fast, but Fan-casual. I'm seated by a manager with a dirty side towel looped to his belt. I hear excitement in the waitress's voice as she shouts to someone upstairs that the soccer team will be coming in.
This bar upstairs buzzes at happy hour. Vegetarians have plenty of options, and kids have their own menu/coloring page. In search of tongue tacos or fish tacos? You're in luck. Don't like spicy food or organ meat? Order the rich, chicken taquitos, drizzled with quesa fresca, and chopped tomato salad.
During the first visits, there were cold, unseasoned black beans, mealy quinoa and grilled fish tacos with little meat and no herbs or crunchy bits. The good thing about Jorge's Cantina was that the food improved with every visit. And the margaritas are lip-smacking, the guacamole is fresh and the cheesy quesadillas can satisfy an errant craving.
Jorge's Cantina
2526 Floyd Ave., 918-1857 or facebook.com/JorgesCantina
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Prices: $4 to $15
