Gezzo’s Coastal Cantina, which opened in early May, is a full-service version of the quick-service Gezzo’s West Coast Burritos restaurants in McDonough and Locust Grove run by brother and sister Anita and Howard Hsu.
Elements from Mexico, Asia and Southern California combine in the bigger menu, which includes many new items and ingredients, including starters and seafood, plus more elevated cooking techniques from Cam Floyd, culinary director of the Hsus’ Sweet Auburn BBQ, and head chef Wainer Isidor.
The lively space in Westside Village, formerly Juniper Cafe, features a covered patio, a chef’s counter and a full bar, with plenty of tequila and tropical drinks curated by Beverage Director Shauna Whitson.
Credit: Sharon Benton
Credit: Sharon Benton
Among the nice surprises in the “for the table” section of the menu, savory Georgia-grown Ellijay mushrooms come roasted, with Spanish rice, serrano escabeche and queso.
Bright fish ceviche is marinated in a ginger and pineapple soy vinegar, with serrano peppers, cucumber, pearl onions, jicama, pomegranate and cilantro. It’s served with tostadas.
Lively snacks include chips fresh from the fryer, served with creamy (in a good way) guacamole, and Tator Toks with Korean spicy aioli, fried shallots and nori.
Tacos are served two-to-an-order on flour tortillas (or corn tortillas on request), with black beans and limey cilantro rice on the side. Priced from $15 for the veggie to $18 for the Gulf shrimp or tempura fish, they make a meal.
Credit: Sharon Benton
Credit: Sharon Benton
The shrimp taco is presented with four large, marinated and grilled shrimp in coconut curry, with shredded cabbage. It’s topped with sour cream and guacamole.
Big, cheesy quesadillas come with a choice of proteins, including chipotle chicken, grilled steak, ground beef, grilled shrimp or grilled veggies.
The fajita steak and cheese quesadilla, with grilled onions and bell peppers — plus sour cream and pico de gallo on the side — was cut into four large triangles, making it easy to scarf, but it was too much to finish.
The to-go packaging was neat and well-organized, with a variety of containers, allowing everything to travel well. But you should be aware that there’s a 10% to-go service charge, in addition to tax and tip.
One thing you might want to do is bring a cooler with ice, so you can grab some La Michoacana Mexican ice cream and popsicles, offered from a counter on the patio.
Credit: Sharon Benton
Credit: Sharon Benton
GEZZO’S COASTAL CANTINA
Food: coastal-style Mexican with tacos, quesadillas and burritos
Service: dine-in, online ordering, pickup and delivery, with catering coming soon
Vegetarian dishes: guacamole, nachos, roasted mushrooms, grilled veggies
Alcohol: beer, wine and cocktails
Price range: $4 (sides) to $19 (surf-and-turf burrito)
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays
Outdoor dining: covered patio with tables
Address, phone: 2260 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta. 470-427-3057
Website: gezzos.com/cantina
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