Clarion Cuisine: Mamacitas Cantina delivers a cultural and culinary experience in Belmont

Mamacitas Cantina is a Latin-fusion style restaurant that has graced Dayton since its opening in mid-April 2023.  

The restaurant, located at 1060 Patterson Rd., was started by Costa Rican native Jorge Moreira, a self-described foodie. Mamacitas Cantina showcases a variety of different dishes from across Latin America and different spins on American dishes.

Mamacitas Cantina is Moreira’s first venture into the restaurant business, a nice change of pace from his construction and painting business Eco Renovations. 

My experience at the restaurant was nothing but bliss. Dishes like the Puerto Rican classic mofongo or Bandeja Paisa from Colombia represent the rich culinary identity of the nations without being afraid to experiment

Unlike the usual Mexican or Latin-style restaurants that serve dishes more catered to American tastes, usually tweaking the dish with more emphasis on “Tex-Mex”.

Mamacitas’s Cantina flips this and puts Latin-style spins on American-style dishes.  Recipes like the Mamacita Burger and Costillas Del Rancho (which are BBQ ribs) offer a familiar experience while maintaining the restaurant‘s dedication to Latin flavors. 

The restaurant is stylized with bold neon colors that accent the scenery and bold art pieces from a variety of movements from the most vibrant cultures in the world.  Moreira’s background in construction and painting can be seen through the beautiful design of the interior.

Mamacitas Cantina also offers a variety of specials, such as deals on Margaritas on Wednesday and the classic weekly holiday Taco Tuesday, as well as events like Karaoke and sets by local DJs.

Mamacitas Cantina is a worldly gift of culture and flavor to the Belmont Neighborhood and to the city. Moreira has certainly created an impressive eatery, especially for his first time diving into the culinary world.

Carter Cousino, staff writer/ intern

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