First things first, Quesa is not a Tex-Mex restaurant. “Our food has nothing to do with Tex-Mex,” owner Patricia Cabrera explained to me, “In Mexico, if you order a taco, they don’t give you rice and beans with it,” and the same rule applies to the tacos that are served at the new Cedar Springs restaurant.
As I reported back in January, Quesa specializes in Mexican street food. Husband and wife owners, Francisco and Patricia Cabrera, have crafted a menu filled with small, casual bites. The street-style tacos come in five key varieties: beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian. They can be ordered on house-made soft corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or lettuce.
The restaurant’s signature dish is something called a “quesa.” Each fried, corn empanada-like pastry is pumped full of savory ingredients such as cheese, fried beans, and various meats. And sure, if you’re craving something greasy and savory, these options won’t disappoint, but I recommend opting for the more adventurous options. Sink your teeth into a pickle and cheese quesa, or the “fideo” which includes vermicelli pasta, chorizo, and avocado. No matter which quesa you choose, make sure to order a side of salsa to dunk it in. (Yes, you have to order salsa — no complimentary chips and dips here).
The bar at Quesa specializes in tequila and offers a wide range of house-made margaritas on the rocks, as well as frozen margaritas. Flavors include tamarindo, jalapeño, sangria, strawberry, mango, and chamoy. Not a fan of agave? They also have a selection of mojitos, beer, and wine.
Breakfast is available daily from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m., brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until close. Lunch and dinner are served daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and a late night taco menu is available on Friday and Saturday from 11:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Quesa is still in their “soft opening phase,” and won’t celebrate their grand opening until later this month. So hours may vary until then.
(I stopped by Quesa for dinner a couple of weeks ago. When I made a return visit with my camera, they brought me a large portion of the menu to photograph, you can check it out in the gallery below.)
