Rick Langenberg
With the departure of Green Mountain Falls’ acclaimed summer signature art display, Off the Beaten Path by artist Patrick Shearn, which featured thousands of colorful kite-like ribbons suspended over the Gazebo Lake, local residents may finally get a chance to enjoy dining in their backyard without throngs of visitors.
Finally! Not that we didn’t enjoy our tourists with some amazing accents this summer, and yes, passionate obsessions with capturing Off the Beaten Path scenes with every family member and relative they have ever known.
A great culinary getaway for locals this time of year is the Cantina Verde restaurant in the heart of GMF, showcasing one of the best renovations of a former eatery, renowned for Southwestern-style-inspired cuisine and familiar comfort food. Yes, their Mexican plates are outstanding, such as the Santa Fe-style stacked Enchiladas or the massive Fajitas, enough for four people, or the Nashville Hot Tacos, or even their Flank Steaks.
But often overlooked at the Cantina are their special food nights. With the tourists leaving town, the Wednesday local nights are almost an institution, except you may have to grapple with TMJ Editor Rick at the bar. These have become extremely popular for the great local vibes, conversations and spectacular burger specials, at incredible prices, like $12 a plate, and often reduced prices on certain beverages of choice. If you have ever ventured into the realm of Smashburgers, THIS IS THE TIME for this rare treat. Only one warning, you may not return to traditional burgers. The Cantina Smashburger, special crafted by head chef Molly, features a half-pound, double patty championship-style gem that can be enjoyed either through the Legend or Loco Legend style. Try this out, and you will quickly understand what these cliches mean.
Occasionally, the local nights are peppered too with live music. This summer, many enjoyed the sounds of Oklahoma Lance. For drinks to accompany the SmashSensation, I would highly suggest a bottle of Pacifico in a frosted glass. But it’s hard to go wrong with their acclaimed margaritas, as the Cantina won hands down as the local eatery with the best margaritas on The Mountain, according to the highly competitive 2025 Best Of Contest, sponsored by TMJ News.
In fact, the Smashburger is one of Cantina’s favorite dishes for customers who may not desire a Southwestern entrée.
Variety has become one of the enticing qualities of the Cantina, since it opened its doors in the summer of 2024. This is not your standard Southwestern-style culinary hub. During a recent week in mid-October, for example, the Cantina also showcased an Italian night, with Chicken Milanese, peppered with Wild Arugula and Roasted Grape Tomatoes over Creamy Pasta and a Seasonal Vegetable.
On the weekends, many revel over a definite unusual dish for a Mexican restaurant, Chicken Fried Chicken with Green Chile Cream Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Corn.
It is always good to make reservations if you are frequenting the Cantina Verde with your family, friends or your spouse. You can make reservations online or by calling 719-698-7318.
