Review: La Cabana Mexican Restaurant in Suisun City, California

La Cabana Restaurant in Suisun City, California, is a fun place to enjoy traditional Mexican food at a decent price. However, don't come into this restaurant thinking you are walking into a run-of-the-mill, traditional Mexican food restaurant serving the same ol' same ol' while playing awful Mariachi music in the background. La Cabana injects some modern fun into their atmosphere while preserving the tradition of cooking quality Mexican dishes. La Cabana is easy to locate in Suisun. It is on 325 Main Street which is only a few blocks after you exit in from highway 12. There is plenty of parking which is also a rarity in Suisun City.

What is striking about La Cabana is the decor. The statue you see when you walk in is just a complete shock to the system. And the rest of the decorations give it a local feel, especially the paintings. There are about a dozen murals painted on the walls of La Cabana depicting different themes such as the military population (Travis Air Force Base is minutes away), Mexican families and the working class of Suisun City. There are also several interesting photos strewn about the restaurant such as a tribute montage of recently deceased African American musician pioneers. There is plenty of open dining area for families and large parties to eat in, but if you want a more sports bar-like atmosphere you can just go up the steps and watch about three or four soccer games on the flat screen TVs while enjoying your meal.

The menu layout of La Cabana is also different and fun. The designer came up with neat little characters and icons to help you decide what to eat. They aren't just listing tacos and enchiladas at La Cabana; you will be entertained just trying to make a selection of relatively low cost entrees. Most of the big plates cost around $13, while specialty drinks (which have another entertaining menu that is definitely NOT for kids!) average between $6 and $10.

Service at La Cabana is also a charming aspect of the restaurant atmosphere. The waiters and waitresses all dress in black pants and T-shirts yet are completely professional and extremely attentive to our needs. It is always a pleasure to go into a restaurant where you don't feel like you are they are doing you a favor by serving you. Our waitress was extremely polite and was very patient with us while we chose our meals. And it was only about 10 minutes before we got our main plates!

I chose the Tres Amigos shrimp plate which consisted of 18 shrimp equally divided into garlic butter, breaded, and spicy diablo styles. My wife chose the carnitas plate while the kids got tacos and chicken strips off of the child's menu. While we waited we munched on La Cabana's chips and salsa. The salsa was loaded with a spicy garlic flavor that was highly addictive and none like I have had in Northern California. We easily went through two baskets of chips in record time!

The Tres Amigos plate was an absolutely stunning meal. Although the spicy shrimp weren't that spicy, they still packed flavor. The garlic butter shrimp were also a tasty treat. However, the breaded shrimp were out of this world. I've never had a breading on shrimp so loaded with flavor! Usually breaded shrimp is a risk at a restaurant because they often use the cheapest flower as a simple cover up of low quality shrimp. This, however, was a delightful coating that was truly new to my tongue.

The carnitas were a good meal if you are into carnitas. The pork was very soft and tender and went well with the flour tortillas. What really made them stand out was when they were combined with the vegetable mix that consisted of actual avocado heart slices, another thing I am not used to seeing at a Mexican restaurant. It is best to enjoy the carnitas in the flour tortilla wraps and with a little spice.

Our experience at La Cabana was a completely enjoyable one. It may take a little getting used to of the atmosphere since it is completely a break from the traditional menu and set up, but La Cabana spares no detail in service and quality food. We will surely be back for more!