The margaritas are strong, the décor copies the original cantina, and the food is Mexican-American with a Baja California twist.

Hussong’s Cantina opened January 21 at the Shoppes at Mandalay Place.  The 3,700 square foot restaurant recreates all the charms of the original cantina in Ensenada ,Mexico including a replica of the original bar..  Located in Baja California, the cantina is a well known water ing hole for residents of Southern California.

Established in 1892, Hussong’s Cantina played a significant role in growing the remote little frontier settlement of Einsenada into the hot spot of Baja California.  It is an area landmark that was visited in the 1950s and 1960s by movie stars such as Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne, and is perhaps most famous as the place where the margarita wa s invented in 1941.

Hussong’s original margarit a is the featured drink at the Las Vegas Hussong’s.  It is a concoction consisting of 2 ounces of 100% blue agave tequila along with fresh lime juice and blue agave nectar.  I had a couple during the grand opening event and all I can say is Wow.  If you do not want to get a drink at the bar you can get a shot-slammer from one of the roving Catina Banditas.

The opening night crowd was treated to samplings from Hussong’s extensive, affordable, and tasty menu which includes such items as chicken or steak So pas and Fish Baja Tacos.  A rock and roll Mariachi band  encourages patrons to sing along with them

This was a special evening for another reason aside from the opening. Scott Frost , President of Titan Nightlife Group is the developer behind the venue.  Unfortunately, Scott was in a motorcycle accident last year which left him a quadriplegic.  One of his goals was to walk from his wheelchair outside of the cantina to the bar assisted only by his fiancé Magan Powel.  Well he did it.

Scott Frost reached his goal.   He rose out of his wheelchair and walked to the bar.

Hussong’s  Cantina is open  from 11 AM until midnight seven days a week. For further information,  call 702-553-0123.

by Burt Davis

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