Cantina De Salsa

We have LOVED cantina since it opened… as locals, it was a refreshing change compared to many restaurants around here, with great food, great service and a nice atmosphere. Last night, it was different… and definitely disappointing. First, the service was sloooooow… our waitress brought a tiny container of chips for 8 people and we ordered more since only some of us got any before others arrived and the order we placed never came. They were out of queso and replaced it with a regular cheese that wasn’t creamy at all, totally changing the flavor and texture of every dish. As die hard cantina fans, we all noted our favorite dishes were not quite up to par. The pico was watery and mushy, not at all chunky and awesome like it used to be or like it is in any of the pictures posted here on the Unilocal page. As soon as I saw those pics today, I was like, now THAT’S what pico de gallo looks and tastes like! No longer at cantina. We were there for a birthday dinner and I’m not sure we’ll be back for awhile since it wasn’t very festive. Thank goodness for the great company we had with each other! Probably head back over to Rose and Kettle across the street next time we make our jaunt to cherry valley. At least until cantina fixes whatever is wrong for now.

We came for dinner and was disappointed in the service and the food. After reading all the Unilocal reviews, we expected really good food and margaritas.
The margarita was ok, the gaucamole was ok, and the beef fajitas was bad. It had no taste and was cold. I have had better fajitas at TGI Fridays. Also, our service was terrible. Our waitress apparently forgot about us — when I saw people coming after us get their food before us. Don’t believe the hype…

What happened to this place? I’ve had some delicious meals here, but my experience tonight will keep me from returning. The food was awful. Not just awful but stupid. I’m offering two stars because the service was quick and friendly and the place still has an eclectic, funky environ that I respect. UNLIKE THE FOOD.
A pitcher of margaritas that had more ice than brew, none of which had flavor. Nachos that were burned oozing grease that dripped across the table as the server removed what we didn’t eat. Tomato sauce on chile rellenos that tasted like someone had opened a can of tomatoes added a handful of sugar and sent it to our table. And only one of the two rellenos had sauce on it– WTF? Guacamole that tasted like it was swimming in a sweetened vinaigrette. Enchiladas with no sauce but a huge serving of black beans and a microscopic serving of meat. All terrible. Terrible.
And the new menu is laid out thoughtlessly, if not randomly. It makes you look at the page and see nothing, completely oblivious to the fact that nothing you order will be delicious.
You could chalk our experience up to the kitchen having a bad night, but the recipes have changed– AND NOT FOR THE BETTER. I forgot the quesadilla made with Italian cheeses– the most offensive being a TON of Asiago, served with Mexican condiments. It doesn’t work.
I’m writing this at 4a after a 6p dinner because not only have my husband and I been experiencing the food over and over tonight, but my GI tract is PISSED at me for eating there.
Do YOUR GI tract a favor and don’t eat here. It is AWFUL.

This is one of the best Mexican places in the general surrounding area. They have a second location in Cooperstown, NY as well. Each spot is very brightly colored and decorating in true Mex style. The sangria is pretty tasty. They give you free house made chips and salsa as a starter. For dinner my SO and I have had the chicken burrito, the pork tacos (which are probably the best tacos you’ll ever eat), chimichanga, and chicken fajitas. You have to try the pork tacos at least once! They don’t really have a big desert menu. They have Flan most days if you enjoy Mexican style deserts. The staff at either location are always friendly. The avocado is always fresh. Genuinely a good Mexican meal. Check it out!

GREAT guacamole and margaritas … and friendly service.

What a wonderful place. Such a great option for Mexican food in the heart of new York state. The duck is awesome.

Cute little place in Cooperstown.

My first time Mexican so keep that in mind. Nice bright atmosphere and clearly hometown place, saw a few friends that traveled 30 min to get there so that speaks well. Complimentary chips & salsa. Drinks are good & strong. Shrimp Empanadas, Aztec wings and cheese quessedillas were all very good (we kind of made it a tapas style night). Everyone was pleased with their food. Waitress was not overly attentive, never asked anyone for a second drink @we closed the place at 11 on a Friday night but is a place I would recommend. Very good drinks & food and some staff better than others.

I had the cinnamon duck, on recommendation from here.
It was great!
The interior was very Mexican looking.
It was a nice time.
I’ll be back.

Visited again a week ago. Fantastic! They have some new menu items and our party of 7 tried most of them. Everything was delicious! We love this place; fun, comfortable and inviting atmosphere, very reasonably priced and terrific food.

Took my son here for his 21^st birthday with family. They had no problems with me bringing my own cake at all, which was great!
Pros:
— fresh Mexican food made to order in a beautiful little town (needed in this county badly)
— every entrée was perfect
— free sombrero for the birthday boy
— friendly staff
Cons:
— cheap plastic water pitcher on table, no ice, spilled everywhere when poured by server
— server was very slow … even before rush
— very hard to get drink refilled or check
— iced tea had no ice, tepid

Mexican food can be hard to come by in central NY. Thankfully, there’s Cantina de Salsa in quaint Cherry Valley, brought to us by the same folks behind the fabulous Alex & Ika in Cooperstown.
We had lunch here on a Sunday afternoon. We walked in and there a live acoustic band playing. Nice. I ordered three pork tacos and my wife had a chicken enchilada. Both were comprised of very fresh and quality ingredients and were delicious. I’d say it’s authentically-​minded food at its core that’s slightly reinterpreted by the chef. Bonus points for the complimentary chips and a salsa to start our meal.
If you’re out in the middle of Upstate and need some Mexican, this is your place.

The food has gotten way more consistent since they first opened. The menu does not change much (only a problem for locals who have no other source of Latin food in a 20 mile radius). Good selection of tequilas and mezcals, reliably good food at reasonable prices. Too bad the new bartender has his head in his ipad.

The cinnamon duck was amazing, and all the portions here are huge. I would suggest your group order different meals and then all share. There are a variety of salsas to choose from with different heat intensities. The «house» margarita was great and can be served in pitchers.

I dined here with a large group of people this past weekend and it was surprisingly decent Mexican food. Definitely not what I expected for upstate New York! The passion fruit margarita I had was a little watered down. The homemade salsa that comes with the chips was divine. The veggie enchiladas were unlike any other enchiladas I ever had – they came stacked in a big round bowl. They were very tasty but far too many beans for my taste. Our server was very nice and attentive.

We stopped in on a Friday night — it didn’t seem busy, but we go the «do you have a reservation?» at the door like other reviewers mentioned. Nope, and we were relegated to a line of stools opposite the bar, given menus and chips, and a 15 minute wait. Several tables were open when we arrived, and they stayed that way until after we had left — this is Cherry Valley on a Friday night, after all.
Our waitress arrived promptly, our drink order took under 10 minutes to arrive. I was surprised that the Coke I ordered was Mexican, bottle labeled in spanish, the real deal — and it was surprisingly good. My wife’s margarita was good too, interesting that it was served in a Pilsner glass, but good nonetheless — as others have commented, the bar prices are rather NYC for upstate — $ 8 for a traditional margarita seemed a bit steep.
Dinner was taco salad for me, and an enchilada for her. Mine was good, surprisingly so — the beef was tasty but not too spicy, and the dressing was very good. If anything, a true Mexican lover would find fault in the lack of spiciness, but it was fine for me. Was it worth $ 10? Hmm…
Enchiladas were another story — she initially didn’t seem to care for them, but warmed to them as she got in further. She did say, and I agreed, that the tortillas in the dish were under or uncooked, and quite chewy.
All in all, a good meal, a nice atmosphere, and easy enough to get to. We’ll still probably go see Huemac in Oneonta when we jones for Mexican, but not a bad visit at all.
Just get reservations…

This is a pretty nice place and it’s refreshing to find some different styles of food in the Cooperstown area. The service is nice and the food is very, very tasty. I’ve tried the pork soft tacos and while they were fairly messy, the flavor was spot on and quite good. They have the usual Mexican beers and margaritas and parking is in a lot across the street. It’s a decent place overall and I would definitely come back here again.

A lovely place; they are open even in the thick of winter when everyone else is shut down.
The front of the «cantina» somewhat lacks ambience, but this is more than made up for by the welcoming smiles of the employees. Make sure you check the «mirror» room in the back — the atmosphere there is romantic enough to bring a date here. Music is not too loud, so it is quite possible to have a conversation.
Sangria — definitely try it! but be warned, it is strong! other mixed drinks are very tasty and potent, as well. Food is nothing special for those who are spoiled by the variety and authenticity that can be found in the coastal metropolises — however, they try pretty hard, and the food is tasty.
The staff are wonderful, accommodating, fun and pleasant.
I love this place and consider myself a regular!

Decent.
Nothing extremely special, but if you’ve got a hankering for a burrito, it’ll do.

My brother and I ate here this evening and it was… okay.
Right when we walked in the we were greeted one or two minutes later by an employee working behind the bar — he asked «did you guys have make a reservation?» My brother explained that he didn’t but didn’t know that we had to.
My brother looked back at me after the interaction and game me a little smirk because he called to see if they were open tonight (it’s the night after Thanksgiving) and the person on the other end of the phone didn’t offer a reservation. Whatever, nbd.
But then we had to remind our waiter about our guacamole appetizer (after 25 minutes), had to wait about 30 – 40 minutes for a drink refill, and waited too long for our entrees which were underwhelming. We were both a bit frustrated and the experience was punctuated by asking for the check 20 minutes after we were clearly done eating.
I have to preface this post with the fact that I’m from the southwest and am half-​hispanic; I know good mexican food. This place could benefit from fresh salsas available throughout the meal as opposed to cholula and that green habanero paste. (eww…)
Anyhow, if you haven’t had good mexican food, this place will suffice. For those of you who have, consider saving the trip to Cherry Valley.
ps — If you decide to go, the guacamole was good.