Upon opening the restaurant’s tall glass doors, you are greeted with a warmly decorated interior and the aroma of delicious, authentic Tex-Mex cuisine.  A hostess flashes a friendly smile.  “Welcome to Cantina Laredo,” she says.

We sat towards the front of the restaurant, directly below a lofty window overlooking Forsyth Boulevard and several skyscrapers in the heart of downtown Clayton. In contrast to the immense glass windows, the interior of Cantina Laredo is mostly tan and brown, creating a very relaxing atmosphere within the restaurant.

The restaurant boasts a seasonal wooden patio complete with a fire pit and retractable roof: amenities that will undoubtedly contribute to the restaurant’s already booming popularity in the warmer coming months.

Cantina Laredo’s food, however is one of the things that outdoes its atmosphere. Each table is started out with a set of mild and steaming spicy salsa with complementing tortilla chips. Our first entree was Cantina’s signature tableside guacamole, made right in front of us. Accompanied by tall glasses of sweet Arnold Palmer, the smooth, fresh guacamole was an instant favorite.

Both of us ordered the delicious “tacos de fajita,” consisting of several tortilla wrapped beef delicately paired with beautifully seasoned Mexican rice, black beans and and topped with a zesty sauce.

Averaging from ten to fifteen dollars per entree, the pricing for the food is the only downside to the restaurant. Although Cantina Laredo definitely boasts the authenticity and quality to make up for it, it definitely isn’t a daily place to grab a bite.

With the perfect blend of an enticing ambiance and exquisite cuisine, Cantina Laredo offers a fantastic overall dining experience.  We would strongly recommend a visit to Cantina Laredo, but be sure to prepare your wallet.