Cantinas in Mexico City / La Diana Cazadora: A spacious cantina with generous botanas and a welcoming family-friendly environment
This cantina offers a laid-back atmosphere spread across two floors, with the traditional perk of complimentary botanas for every 3 drinks ordered.
By Alejandro Pohlenz
If I mention the name Helena Martínez Verdayes, you might stare at me with a "what" face. Probably if I inform you that she is the widow of Jorge Díaz Serrano, you might connect some dots. I assure you that, today, a colossal scandal would have erupted if we found out that a 16-year-old girl posed nude for a sculpture that would be placed on Paseo de la Reforma. By the way, it is curious that until 1967, the sculpture had a loincloth. From that date on, it was stripped naked so that it could show off its "original beauty." I also didn't know that before being called "Fuente de la Diana Cazadora" (in homage to the Roman goddess who, in her Greek equivalent was Artemis), this two-ton sculpture was called "La Flechadora de las Estrellas del Norte" (too long).
In reality, the establishment to which we dedicate these lines today is not even near Reforma or the Diana, but rather, next to the Polytechnic (IPN) in Lindavista. The marquee says: "restaurant and family room", but, in practical terms, it functions as a cantina; that is, 3 drinks open the door for you to choose the elements of the day's menu that you want. One advantage is that it is a very spacious place and has two floors. One user said he felt like he was at a wedding party. Also, sometimes, it presents live music and people can dance danzón, salsa or chachachá...
The typical menu includes consommé, frijoles puercos (which include chorizo, bacon and pork sausage), spring salad (simple), spaghetti a la rabiata, sopes with chorizo, criadillas (bull testicles) in morita sauce, puntas al albañil (beef tips with onions and peppers), and carnitas with nopales. There is pozole on Fridays after 7:00 p.m. The melted cheese with chorizo is magnificent. One user ruled that the place is for people 40 and older. Could it be?
- What we love and you should try: melted cheese with chorizo.
- What we don't like so much: the criadillas.
- Address: Av. Montevideo, Lindavista, CDMX
- Hours and days of operation: every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
- Ideal for: lunch Payment: cash and cards.
- Accessibility: yes.
- Parking: valet parking
- Reservations: no.
- Nearby public transportation: Lindavista Metro Station.
- Pet Friendly: yes.
- Suitable to go with children: no.
- Vegan options: yes.
