Southside Cantina — Restaurant in Dennis

I typically live by the rule that if I have nothing good to say I say nothing at all. As you can already see the Southside Cantina has earned a two-star review from me. I would like to justify that rating. Since it is a new restaurant, I’d like to give the management an opportunity to hear constructive feedback.

We arrived a little after 6PM and around 6:50PM our food was brought out. The timing was not typically noteworthy other than the table seated after us had their food brought out about 10 minutes after they ordered. There were four in our party so not a particularly large group. We ordered 5 tacos, a quesadilla for two, guacamole & chips, and salsa and chips.

First, the salsa and chips were $4.50 as an add on item. The salsa was very chunky with roasted red peppers and no spice to note. The taste was best described as sweet and overly soupy. Perhaps the roasted red peppers were adding to the sweetness, but it tasted as if a bit of sugar was added at some point.

The guacamole & chips was an appetizer for $8. The chips are pretty standard corn chips. The guacamole was overly complicated. The overpowering flavor was sour. I believe they may have added tomatillos to it to stretch the avocado which was nonexistent. The color was unappetizing and not an expected avocado green.

The taco prices varied $4.95-and up. There were no complaints about the ground beef House taco which was fairly standard and as expected. The shrimp taco was underwhelming and was considered average. Side orders of rice and/or beans are $4.50 each. That would be $9 total for those of you keeping score.

I personally had two “street” tacos for $5.95 each. This came with two tortillas for each taco with carne asada as the filing. There are several options which is part of the varied price. The cotija, cilantro, and meat seemed to be good ingredients. The two heaping (approx. 1oz scoops) of salsa “verde,” which normally I like, on each taco was an unwelcome addition. The bitter/sour flavor of the tomatillo was overpowering and the brown color of the “verde” was off putting. The carne asada was good, but too mild for the heaviness of the salsa verde. It seemed the tacos were stuffed with the verde in order to justify the $6 price tag.

The quesadilla for two was fairly nice. Two large tortillas filled with a mild cheese, well-seasoned chicken, and green chilies topped with diced tomatoes, a generous amount of shredded iceberg lettuce, and sour cream. It’s served like a Mexican pizza with pizza stand, on a metal pizza platter, and repurposed pizza spatula. While the lettuce was a bit much the dish itself wasn’t trying too hard.

The overall eating experience was more akin to being punched in the mouth with flavors. I wonder if the chef is tasting his own food. It doesn’t seem to me that anything leaving the kitchen was checked for standard. If this was the standard, then it’s got a way to go.

Wrapping up the food portion, the sangria fell fairly flat. It was described as not fruity enough and had no distinctive qualities. It shouldn’t be advertised anytime soon as a signature drink.

Ambiance: The whole establishment seems like it was thrown together last minute. The outside seating is high, metal stools with no backs. Rustic with an unfinished look can work especially on Cape, but this was far from that. Unfinished is the operative word.

I agree with another reviewer that this restaurant is just what this area needs. The idea is perfect, the execution was poor. My hope is that the owners/management can pull it together. For now, I’m not planning to go back, but I wouldn’t be opposed to giving it another shot with a fair...

Listen, cape cod often doesn’t do food very well other than fried seafood. My family has been coming to Dennis Port for years and I my expectations were low coming here.

Staff was very receptive and friendly. I ordered a spicy mango pulled pork taco and a carne asada street taco. Both were delicious. The non frozen house margarita I ordered wasn’t great but it got the job done. My wife ordered the burrito with marinated chicken and it was excellent.

Is the price a bit high for the food? Yes. But like many places this area has been hit hard by the coronavirus and as a brand new restaurant I’ll cut them a break on that end.

If you’re looking for the best tex mex food and margarita of your life, you won’t find it here, but it is a solid option for mid cape and I’m very excited that it is a great new spot in Dennis Port. We will be...

These are not your mom's tacos. Forget the Ortega hard shell, ground beef, lettuce and sauce out of a ketchup packet. At the Southside Cantina you have the opportunity to experience a real "street" taco. Co-owner Tony Pons has spent at least two years tinkering with his tortilla recipe, starting with whole corn imported from Mexico. The result is the perfect platform for a superbly-crafted taco.

Beef brisket and carnitas (pork shoulder) are slow-smoked on premises. Three cheeses, melted and fresh. Smoked tomatoes in the cool salsa. Herbaceous cilantro leaves and a fresh mini-lime wedge for zing.

The atmosphere is casual and lo-fi, but the food is high-end - as are the myriad of top-shelf tequilas and mezcals on display at the bar. Perfect spot for a beer and snack after hanging at the beach. Can't wait...