A cursory review of the menu at Lupitas Cantina demonstrates that this is not your typical Mexican culinary experience.
Chef José Carlos Méndez and his wife, Lupita Garcia, have owned and operated a number of restaurants in the Toledo area since they moved to Perrysburg in 2010. The couple’s longest running venture, Cocina de Carlos, specializes in authentic Mexican dishes at its two locations in Perrysburg and Waterville.
Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Méndez comes by his love of great food naturally ,as his father was also a restaurateur. His father and other family members remain involved in helping Méndez and Garcia perfect their recipes.
Fewer carbs and more greens
When Lupitas Cantina opened in historic downtown Perrysburg in fall 2022, the couple had something different in mind from the standard Tex-Mex fare found at Cocina de Carlos. Méndez said his health-conscious wife told him that Mexican restaurants lack balance, with too little greens, too many carbs and too much emphasis on animal protein. At Lupitas, customers are invited to customize their meal to showcase their dietary needs. For those who prefer fewer carbs, rice and beans can be swapped out for alternatives such as salad, soup, Cuban plantains, Yuca fries or elote (Mexican corn on the cob).
A wide variety of gluten free and vegan entrees are also available and clearly identified. “With the same menu we can create a different experience every time you come to the restaurant,” said Méndez. They named their latest endeavor in Perrysburg after Méndez’s wife and adult daughter, who share the same name. “Lupitas is plural for two Lupitas,” explained Méndez.
Keeping it fresh
Lupitas is divided into a bar on one side and a dining room on the other. It boasts a beautifully lit brick patio on the side of the historic building on Louisiana Avenue. The space, occupied for many years by Casa Barron, allowed much of the decor to be repurposed from the prior occupant.
Méndez updates his menu frequently, and Lupitas features a rotating variety of seasonal specials. The winter menu plays with more proteins and soups for the cold seasons, while he anticipates a shift to a greater emphasis on fish in April for the Lenten season. Summer entrees take advantage of the fresh local produce that is then more readily available.
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Méndez said they try to work with local suppliers when possible, such as a local butcher for steaks and a farm in Michigan that delivers fresh mushrooms weekly for use in their vegan dishes. The menu offers a number of fresh, healthy vegan options, and Méndez notes Lupitas uses a plant-based imitation shrimp and Beyond Beef rather than soy-based meat substitutes.
Seasonal specials are featured under the heading of “Carlos Curiosities.” I chose the Mexican Flat Bread ($13) from that section based on the strong recommendation of our waitress. Served on a thick slab of flatbread, I would compare it to a Mexican pizza. It came topped with refried beans, melted cheese, cilantro and onions with a choice of protein, and can be grilled or fried. I went with a grilled version topped with steak, which was tender and nicely seasoned. It was more than I could eat for one meal and I had leftovers to take home.
The smash burger tacos ($14) were a hit with both of my adolescent boys. Made with fresh seasoned ground beef, the three tacos were nestled in grilled flour tortillas, topped with cheese, lettuce and pickles and served with a side. My husband went with the Trash Tacos ($17), corn tortillas heaped with a mix of steak, grilled chicken and chorizo. He described them as meat lover’s tacos.
Our 10-year-old daughter ordered the Americano taco(ground beef or chicken) from the kids menu ($7) with a side of guacamole, which was just the right portion.
When something from his “Curiosities” section gets a particularly positive response from customers, Méndez often adds it to the regular menu.
Recognizing there is a great deal of competition among Mexican restaurants in Perrysburg and Maumee, Carlos explains that they try to be “a little wild” with the food and drink menus, stocking more than 300 tequilas with more than a dozen rotating varieties of margaritas. Lupitas also features local beers on tap and liquors from Toledo Spirits.
Bottom line
Méndez promises a “magic” atmosphere where customers can spend a good time with family or friends. In all of his restaurants, Méndez said, excellent service is a top priority because employees know the most important asset is the happy customer. The emphasis on service was notably reflected in our Lupitas experience, as our friendly server graciously offered to refill our basket of chips more than once and frequently checked on us to top off our drinks. The positive experience combined with the promise of finding new and exciting “curiosities” to sample guarantee future return visits to Lupitas.
Lupitas Cantina. 209 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. 419-963-4611. Lupitas-mexican.com.
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 3pm-10pm
Friday-Saturday: 3pm-11pm
Sunday: 3pm-9pm
Monday: Closed
The Short Course
Online ordering? Yes
Carryout? Yes
Delivery? No
Outdoor Dining? Yes
Kids Menu? Yes
Changing Table? Yes
Booster Seat/High Chair? Yes
