Let’s Taco ‘Bout the Cats Cantina

In the Strand Union Building basement next to the Rec Center, you’ll find a brand new Tex-Mex restaurant that opened on Sept. 24: The Cats Cantina.

The Cats Cantina is open every weekday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and serves southwestern food. It also allows students with commuter plans — not residential plans, as I found out the hard way — to utilize their meal swipes. 

Walking in to order my food, it was impossible to deny that the atmosphere was off-putting. The white walls, whiter lighting and sparse decoration made me feel like I was in a hospital rather than a restaurant. Liminal atmosphere aside, I was determined to get a meal. At $12 for a vegetarian burrito and a fountain drink, it was fairly cheap.

I looked at the menu, which featured burritos, nachos, bowls and a wide variety of toppings. Among the protein options were fajita veggies, which I happily opted for. Vegetarian options are always a good sign in my book. 

Economics major Samantha Gardner, a vegetarian, also appreciated the accommodation. “I don’t like [fajita veggies], but they have so many other options, so I don’t need anything else,” she said.

Mathematics major Christian Heck agreed. “I like that there are so many choices. You can choose from a lot of toppings,” he said.

The workers gave me great vibes. Standing in line, I watched an employee banter with their friend in front of me about the huge pile of food on his tortilla. Some may think this isn’t professional, but I found their genuine humor refreshing. The ingredients in the serving bar looked fresh and the bar itself looked clean. Since the employees make your food and fill your drink as you order, I was sitting down with my meal in under five minutes.

My burrito had weight, but not the ominous bulk that makes you say a quick prayer before you eat it. The tortilla was warm and flexible. The beans were well-spiced with just enough salt and mixed well with the Spanish rice. The guacamole was creamy. 

My rice was just a tad crunchy, but it was probably because I came in closer to closing time. The fajita veggies were watery, dripping through my tortilla and onto my hand. I also bit into a particularly large chunk of raw avocado around halfway through my burrito, which was unpleasant. I’m sure that doesn’t happen all the time, though, and it certainly didn’t stop me from finishing my food. 

I can’t say much about my food’s presentation — even the best burritos look flabby. The dishes of my interviewees looked tasty, though — the rice and meat contrasting nicely with the guacamole and cilantro. 

Electrical engineering major Jimmy Brubaker was also pleasantly surprised by the food’s quality. “I didn’t expect too much from it. I’m pretty impressed with the food,” he said. “[I’ve gotten] carne asada twice now.” 

“[The food] filled me up really nice. Every time I’ve gone, it tastes fresh,” Heck said.

Overall, the Cat’s Cantina is a pretty good spot if you want some quick Tex-Mex. I would improve the atmosphere, maybe add some decorations here and there and a more inviting paint color. However, the customer service is excellent and the meals taste great for quick food. I would absolutely recommend popping in sometime.