RANDOLPH — A new restaurant serving Instagram-worthy Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine has opened in Randolph, and the restaurant is doing traditional margaritas and birria tacos the authentic way.
Located on the same street as Showcase Cinema, this restaurant is a dreamy and photogenic spot with a red floral wall and colorful neon lights that surround the restaurant. The décor is very unique and makes you feel like you’re in a lush garden.
Head over to Santa Madre at 14 Mazzeo Drive in Randolph and experience the atmosphere for yourself.
The restaurant opened in February with the goal of giving the people of Randolph a nice restaurant experience without having to wait in traffic or pay “expensive” dining prices.
“We wanted to open a nice restaurant in an area where we wouldn’t get stuck in traffic,” said co-owner Ceferino Ortiz, 37.
Santa Madre serves up a fusion of Puerto Rican and Mexican cuisine, from crispy fried empanadas to fresh piña coladas at the bar.
Special Drinks
Ortiz said customers love the Ultimate Margarita with fresh juice.
There are plenty of options to choose from, from Blackberry Smash to Henny Lover’s Margarita, and if you love coconut and the tropical flavors of the island, the Coconut Picante and La Toxica are must-try drinks.
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What will you eat?
Popular menu items include grilled carne asada tacos, triple meat fajitas, beef tongue tacos, birria tacos and enchiladas.
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of opening a restaurant. I used to be a sous chef and went to a nine-month culinary program in Puerto Rico,” Ortiz said.
Memories of cooking around a campfire by the river
As a child, Ortiz’s fondest memories were of cooking outdoors around the fire with his family and spending time by the river just a minute’s walk from his home.
The youngest of seven children, cooking was a way of life for Ortiz and a way they showed appreciation for one another. “Family is everything,” Ortiz says.
For his family, cooking is all about flavor and lots of laughs.
“At our restaurant, we focus more on flavor than spiciness compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area,” Ortiz said.
Marinated lamb, braised octopus, and more. Traditional Greek flavours permeate the Taunton restaurant.
Special menus, vegetarian menus, DJs on weekends
The menu also features a vegetarian section, with twists on classic dishes like veggie quesadillas, fajitas, tacos and burritos.
Every Monday through Thursday there’s a special menu offering $3 off enchiladas, fajitas and burritos.
On Taco Tuesday, you can get $10 off street tacos and $1.50 off gringo tacos. On Fridays and Saturdays, there’s a live DJ and a house party atmosphere.
Alisha Saint-Ciel can be contacted at stciela@gannett.com.
