Cantina 1948 — Restaurant in Temple

First of all this is neither authentic Mexican cuisine nor clever contemporary fusion. Went on a Thursday date night with my wife and we wanted to try and support local in Temple as we usually go to Austin or Waco for decent dining.

We were greeted and sat quickly. That was the highlight of the evening. Our server was obviously still in training. New servers in training are nothing new at a restaurant and usually are shadowed by a veteran server or manager..:most patrons in my experience have no problem with this. However this guy was clearly not trained well AT ALL and instead of someone guiding him they had him wearing an ear piece that you could clearly see him oddly pausing while speaking to us so I can only assume the trainer was giving him directions throughout his time waiting on us.

I’ve read multiple reviews before sharing my own. The music is obnoxiously loud. I wouldn’t even call this a cantina. It sounded more like a discoteca in Juarez. It doesn’t make for a pleasant atmosphere AT ALL. They have obviously only paid lip service to the multiple reviews saying the same about the music.

If you are going to brand yourself as a higher end Mexican restaurant, with price points to reflect that, and then charge $5 for chips and queso or salsa then you better be slicing and frying your own tortillas in the back….not serving tiny portions of Calidad tortilla chips from WALMART.

We ordered the 3 tamale plate and the Mexican Plate by Chuy. The entree offerings on the menu leave a lot to be desired. The only thing memorable was the corn tamale.

My jalapeño cucumber margarita tasted like someone juiced a cucumber and added a splash of jalapeño and tequila. And how the hell do you get tajin only on the stem of a martini glass???

Finally we decided to go ahead and try dessert. My wife asked about the chocolate cake. The server said “it’s about this tall and shaped like a wedge” then he paused as the person talking to him through the earpiece said something to correct him. He then turned back to us and said “the chocolate cake is kind of a chocolate flan. We said ok sounds good. 3 minutes later he walks out with a chocolate lava cake. My wife’s immediate response to me “this is the exact same frozen lava cake cake I get from Target”

We’d had enough….it was almost comical how disjointed this restaurant is…so we asked for the check. The server then just sat there staring at me waiting for me to hand him my card without ever showing me the receipt from our dinner. I was so annoyed I didn’t even care anymore, handed him my card and then paid…hopefully there weren’t any errors.

$98 for canned queso, Walmart tortilla chips, watered down cocktails, some sort of food plated and sold as Mexican and a chocolate lava cake from target.

Management needs to take a good hard look at everything or this place is gonna be RIP...

I recently visited Cantina 1948 and had a fantastic experience, largely thanks to the exceptional service from bartenders Jorge, Julian, and Jenn.

Jorge stood out with his remarkable sense of humor and warm welcoming attitude. His lively personality added a fun vibe to the evening, and he was always ready to share a joke or engage in friendly banter.

Julian and Jenn also showcased their skills behind the bar, crafting drinks with precision. The Cantiner Old Fashioned was a highlight of the evening—rich, balanced, and undoubtedly the staple drink of this bar. It's a must-try for anyone who appreciates a well-made cocktail.

Food-wise, the guacamole was incredibly fresh, and it was evident that it was made in-house. The vibrant flavors complemented the drinks perfectly, making for a delightful pairing.

Overall, the combination of excellent service from Jorge, Julian, and Jenn, alongside delicious drinks and food, made for a memorable Saturday night at Cantina 1948. I highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for great cocktails and a...

Cantina 1948 is a new hot spot! Upon entering, you'll find an attractive interior: Fashionably lit bar area Wooden tables with cushioned metal chairs Elegantly cushioned table seating A lounge Stage area Upstairs loft seating Music and silent TVs

It's not an extensive menu but there are some delicacies theyve chosen to represent a few best of Mexican cuisine and even upped it up with different artistic presentational touches. Because of all the above, expect it to be a little pricier.

Our drinks: Virgin Piña Colada Hopadillo Guava Margarita

Our food: Tortilla Soup - chunky and nommerz Red Pork Tamales Elotes Preparado Mexican Board by Chuy

Our recommendations: Mexican Board by Chuy Tortilla Soup

Do browse through the other menu specialties. Come on a night with something live happening if you can. We had a great server

They're a new welcome to Downtown Temple. Street parking has construction because of future new developments, but you should still be able to find a spot...