With Cinco de Mayo 2013 coming up this Sunday, May 5, it only seemed right to pay homage to this annual Mexican holiday with a visit to one of the Tampa Bay area’s mainstay Mexican restaurants for this week’s stop on the Taste Tour of 813.
The new Rita’s Mexican Cantina in Brandon seemed like an apt choice following the restaurant’s recent transformation and makeover from Tia’s Tex Mex to their new title. Tia’s, a Brandon Mexican restaurant mainstay, gained a reputable following over the years in the area, so we wondered if the new Rita’s could carry the torch and deliver a solid assortment of affordable, casual Mexican fare and a fun, laid back atmosphere like Tia’s delivered so well.
And, it’s all the same, harkening the old adage of “don’t fix what isn’t broken”.
Let’s be honest, though. When it comes to casual Mexican restaurants in Tampa and beyond, the bar is usually set relatively low. Fill us up with the traditional favorites, cook them with some semblance of mild attention, get it to the table quick, and we’re pretty satisfied. Throw a couple margaritas in the mix, 2-for-1 happy hour all day, every day, and it’s game, set, match for, at worst, a “still better than Taco Bell” Mexican restaurant experience and, at best, a surprisingly great one.
Rita’s Mexican Cantina hovers comfortably in the middle with ample seating, affordable prices, and a homely atmosphere that doesn’t disappoint or really blow us away. For $8, a sizeable platter of fajita steak and/or chicken with all the fixings is well worth the lunch-priced bargain. Despite the appearance of maybe, or probably, coming from a bag in the walk-in, the steak is surprisingly tender with kiss of char from the sizzling platter that adds a nice touch to the flavor. A couple measly strips of “grilled” chicken were probably the low-light of the meal, near un-tastable wrapped in a cornucopia of greasy grilled veggies, but hey, it’s $8, and more than enough to fill us up for a mid-day meal.
And, for $6, Rita’s 2-for-1 margaritas pack a surprisingly strong punch with an solid balance of tart and sweet and enough tequila to get you feeling it without annihilating your taste buds.
You know what you’re getting with a casual, well-maintained Mexican restaurant like Rita’s. Sure, their ambitions might not be as high as the linen-tabled, $20+ a meal restaurant down the corner, but they know what they’re doing and they do it well. Well enough at least.
What do you think of Rita’s Mexican Cantina? Give them a visit and let us know what you think with a rating and review on the Rita’s Mexican Cantina 813area Business Listing.
If you’re looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Tampa, Rita’s is also hosting a weekend-long Cinco de Mayo celebration with specials including $3 bottles (Bud, Bud light, Corona Corona Light, Dos XX), $3 20oz Drafts, $5 20oz Margaritas, and $7 20 oz. Top Shelf Margaritas as well as plenty of giveaways, prizes, music, and more from May 3-5.
