The Mexican restaurant in Newport News serves dishes you may not find elsewhere in Hampton Roads.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — If you’re looking for a truly unique Mexican food experience, you’ll want to try Catrin Cantina in Newport News.
You won’t find some of the dishes at Catrin Cantina anywhere else in Hampton Roads.
“We always try to do something different from everybody else. Like the presentation is one thing,” owner Martin Cisneros said.
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One example is the restaurant’s crowd favorite, “Trompo Pastor,” which is served using individual open-flame ovens thought up by Cisneros’ business partner.
Cisneros moved to the United States from Mexico more than 40 years ago. Since Catrin Cantina opened two years ago, he says the restaurant has become a Peninsula staple.
“They’re still coming back every week and every day. Thank you for that. The people around here have been great,” Cisneros told 13News Now.
Catrin Cantina also serves its “Piña Loca” inside a half pineapple. We also tried their classic Texas fajitas.
“That’s what [diners] like,” Cisneros explained. “The seasoning, the presentation and the portions.”
Cisneros says that even though there are plenty of Mexican restaurants across Hampton Roads, his food speaks for itself.
“Try the food,” he stated. “I have people who come in from Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, even North Carolina, they come to try. And they come back and they like it.”
Cisneros has found such success with Catrin Cantina that he’s opening another restaurant later this year at the former Cheeseburger in Paradise location on Hornsby Lane.
Catrin Cantina is open seven days a week on Jefferson Avenue in Newport News.
This piece is part of 13News Now’s weekly Friday Flavor segment. If you have an idea of where Marta Berglund should visit next, send her an email at mberglund@13newsnow.com or message her on social media.
Dining and Cooking