San Antonio's Pearl district is about to get a new culinary landmark. Lizzeth Martínez and Francisco Estrada, the husband-and-wife team behind the beloved Naco Mexican, are preparing to open Santonia Cantina in the space once home to Full Goods Diner. The restaurant, set to debut soon, aims to capture the vibrant food culture of the Rio Grande borderlands—a region that has deeply shaped their cooking philosophy.
For Martínez and Estrada, the border is not a line but a living, breathing culture. Growing up between Northern Mexico and South Texas, they experienced firsthand how traditions blend seamlessly across the river. Santonia Cantina is their most personal project yet, a place where they can express that hybrid identity through food, drink, and atmosphere. Martínez, a James Beard Award nominee and Netflix's Taco Chronicles alum, says the restaurant gives them the creative freedom to present border culture in a fun, contemporary, and authentic way.
A menu built for sharing
The cantina's menu draws from the lively spirit of traditional borderland cantinas—places where friends gather over bold, comforting plates. Expect pork shanks, ribeye tacos, oversized shrimp flautas, fresh ceviches, and savory botanas designed for the table. The bar program leans heavily on agave spirits like tequila, mezcal, and sotol, infused with regional botanicals such as pecan, avocado leaf, damiana, and grapefruit. It's a celebration of the region's flavors, served with warmth and generosity.
This venture marks a major milestone for the couple, who moved from México to San Antonio in 2017. What started as a single food truck on Nacogdoches Road quickly grew into a brick-and-mortar at the SA Yacht Club, earning a devoted following. Now, with a 3,300-square-foot space at Pearl, they're taking their culinary journey to a new level.
The opening also reinforces San Antonio's reputation as a global gastronomy hub, recognized by UNESCO. By bringing the unscripted heritage of the Rio Grande to one of the city's most visited districts, Martínez and Estrada are creating a gathering place that honors historical exchanges while offering a fresh, elevated dining experience. As they put it, Santonia Cantina is about hospitality—good music, regional spirits, and time-honored recipes, all served without pretense.
For those who've followed their path from food truck to Pearl, this is a story of passion and creative freedom. And for San Antonio, it's another reason to celebrate the rich, diverse flavors of the borderlands. The couple's journey echoes the broader narrative of Latino culinary excellence across the U.S., much like the community celebrations of Mexican pride that unite diaspora communities. As Santonia Cantina opens its doors, it promises to be a standout addition to the city's thriving food scene.
