Naco Mexican founders to launch new restaurant concept at Pearl

• Culinary power couple Lizzeth Martínez and Francisco Estrada prepare to open Santonia Cantina at Pearl.

• The new dining destination celebrates authentic borderland culture connecting Northern Mexico and South Texas.

• The menu centers on vibrant shared plates paired with an agave focused mixology program.

An established San Antonio culinary power couple is preparing to make a defining mark on the historic Pearl district. Lizzeth Martínez and Francisco Estrada, the husband and wife team behind the wildly popular Naco Mexican, are set to unveil Santonia Cantina in the spacious venue previously occupied by Full Goods Diner. Designed to transcend conventional Mexican or Tex Mex categories, the upcoming dining establishment aims to highlight the rich borderland food culture along the Rio Grande that has shaped their personal culinary philosophy.

 

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Celebrating borderlands identity through authentic culinary storytelling

For Martínez and Estrada, the border represents an interconnected culture lived daily rather than a physical dividing line. Having grown up between Northern Mexico and South Texas, the restaurateurs developed a deeply personal concept reflecting the seamless blend of regional traditions. Martínez, whose achievements include a James Beard Award nomination, a feature on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy ambassadorship, emphasized that Santonia provides the creative freedom to showcase border culture in a fun, contemporary, and authentic manner.

Dynamic cantina menu featuring bold flavors and agave spirits

Guests visiting Santonia Cantina can anticipate a menu inspired by the vibrant spirit of traditional borderland cantinas, presenting bold yet approachable dishes meant for sharing among family and friends. The food offerings will showcase pork shanks, ribeye tacos, oversized shrimp flautas, fresh ceviches, and savory botanas. Complementing the kitchen, the bar program heavily emphasizes agave spirits like tequila, mezcal, and sotol infused with regional botanical ingredients including pecan, avocado leaf, damiana, and grapefruit.

From humble food truck beginnings to a flagship Pearl destination

The new venture marks the couple’s most ambitious project to date since relocating from Mexico to San Antonio in 2017. Beginning as a single food truck operation on Nacogdoches Road, Naco Mexican rapidly gained a passionate local following before expanding into a brick and mortar location at the SA Yacht Club. Santonia Cantina will occupy a prominent 3,300 square foot space within Pearl, signaling a major milestone in the couple’s remarkable culinary journey across South Texas.

Strengthening San Antonio’s standing as a global UNESCO gastronomy hub

The launch of Santonia Cantina reinforces San Antonio’s reputation as a premier destination for authentic, culturally rich dining experiences. By bringing the unscripted heritage of the Rio Grande borderlands to one of the city’s most visited commercial districts, Martínez and Estrada are creating a welcoming community gathering space that honors historical culinary exchanges while delivering a fresh, elevated dining experience for modern audiences.

 

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Elevating the local food scene through passion and creative freedom

As anticipation builds ahead of the official opening, the culinary duo remains dedicated to offering an unpretentious atmosphere where guests can linger over great food and drinks. Santonia Cantina promises to be a true celebration of borderland hospitality, merging vibrant music, exceptional regional spirits, and time honored recipes to create a standout addition to San Antonio’s thriving gastronomic landscape.

Cover photos from: @santoniacantina