Bloomington has more than 10 Mexican restaurants. Students and residents have more than enough options, making competition to attract customers intense.
These restaurants are continuously evolving and modifying their menus and atmosphere to get creative in order to maintain a steady flow of customers.
Social Cantina is one of the newest additions to the Mexican food scene, while Juannita's has been around since 2013.
Others, such as El Rey Azteca, are somewhere in between.
El Rey Azteca, located on East Third Street, opened in July last year. Partial owner Adriana Rosales said they are looking for ways to stand out.
“We make real Mexican food,” Rosales said. “Other places have an American influence, but our food is authentic. We have several dishes, like our flautas and enchiladas verdes, that nobody else has.”
Rosales said business was great in the beginning, but has slowed down a bit since. The restaurant is attempting to show what makes them different.
“We don’t use much canned food, and 98 percent of our ingredients are natural and fresh,” Rosales said. “We are going to open up a buffet soon too, with real, authentic food.”
Other restaurants, such as Social Cantina, which opened July 30, take a different approach to draw in customers. After the restaurant opened this summer on North College Avenue, Social Cantina was thriving with business, host Charles Audu said.
“The boom period was before school started, when we were the new kids on the block,” Audu said. “Now people have been here so it’s slowed down, but it’s still steady at night.”
The restaurant is distinctive in its style and atmosphere. Its environment is casual during the day, making it a convenient spot to do homework or have meetings. At night, it takes on a bar atmosphere and is a fun place to start off the night, Audu said.
“I think it appeals to students more,” Audu said. “We cater to the 21st century mindset.”
Social Cantina is still new to the Mexican restaurant game in Bloomington, but the business is trying to compete. After winter break, the restaurant will start taking reservations. Social Cantina is also creating new seasonal menus and drinks and just released their fall menu.
Other restaurants are not as worried about the competition. Juannita’s, located on West Kirkwood Avenue, has been in business since 2013. Josefina Marquez, cook and co-owner, said business has fluctuated, but she isn’t too concerned.
“It’s a good location, and students and residents still come regularly,” Marquez said.
Juannita’s is a family business and sticks to the basics of authentic Mexican food. It is named after Marquez’s mother, Juannita, who now shares the restaurant with her children.
“My mother Juannita has the original recipes for everything,” Marquez said. “We make enchiladas, tamales, all the original Mexican food. It’s not Tex-Mex, it’s rice and beans, real Mexican food.”
Although the rise in Mexican restaurants has not seemed to affect Juannita’s, Marquez said food truck sales have declined a bit due to the high number of food trucks that populate downtown Bloomington.
