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Let's get one thing straight: Cantina 138 isn't playing by anyone's rules but its own. A beloved Williamsburg gem, this Geechee-Gullah-meets-Mexican mashup reps Southern heritage cooking with bold, tequila-soaked flavor, and somehow it's the most cohesive thing you'll eat. An authentic feel with a Manhattan twist, the soul of a family kitchen, the polish of a downtown cocktail den, and zero pretension in between. We're so in!
Grab your $55 pulse (a $94 value) for a 3 Course Dinner For Two that includes 1 Starter, 2 Entrees, 1 Dessert, as well as 2 Classic/Frozen Margaritas, Mezcalitas, Glasses of Wine, or Draft Beers.
Location-wise, this is as good as it gets. Smack in the middle of Williamsburg's ever-buzzing grid, Cantina 138 makes sense every time. The regulars know this. They're the ones who've already got their order memorized, who show up for the vibe as much as the plates, and who will absolutely side-eye you if you sleep on the wing situation.
And speaking of, the fare here is next level. Geechee Street Wings come dressed in either a blueberry BBQ blue cheese crumble, or a buffalo garlic aioli. The Southern Fried Chicken Tacos are crispy-thigh perfection doused in hot honey, cooled down by crunchy pickles and cabbage slaw. Then there's the Chicharron Tacos, aka crispy pork chunks dripping with tangy pineapple chow chow, garlic aioli, and the famed blueberry BBQ.
Ready to go bigger? The Fajitas arrive sizzling with peppers, onions, warm flour tortillas, rice, black beans, and Pepper Steak. And the drink menu is exactly as thoughtful as the kitchen. Go for the Classic or Frozen Margaritas, or savor the smoky finish of Mezcalitas.
Save room, though! The Tres Leches Cake, soaked in three kinds of milk and crowned with whipped cream, is the finish line every regular is racing toward. Delish...
Cantina 138 isn't a fusion restaurant in the gimmicky, buzzword sense. It's a genuine dialogue between two rich culinary traditions that, it turns out, have always had more in common than you'd think. Geechee-Gullah Southern cooking and Mexican-inspired flavor both run on the same currency with bold seasoning, slow-built technique, and food that's meant to be shared loudly around a table. Here, that conversation plays out dish by dish. It just needs someone who understands both languages fluently.
That someone is Executive Chef Jonathan Barragán, and his path here reads like a masterclass in hard work. Barragán didn't arrive in fine dining through a shortcut. He started as a teenager behind a McDonald's counter, stepped into his first real kitchen in Times Square at 18, and spent the years since sharpening his craft across some of the city's toughest culinary proving grounds. We're talking Virgil's Real BBQ, Rocco's Tacos, Tacombi, even the exacting standards of British Airways First and Business Class catering.
Barragán, also the Executive Chef behind Ánimo in Midtown and a name that's earned nods from Food Network, brings something rarer than technique to the pass: heart. His food is scratch-made on principle, and it's rooted in the idea that a great dish should feel like a memory, specifically, his own. Raised on the flavors and traditions of his Mexican upbringing, Barragán cooks the way his family taught him, with warmth, with generosity, and with the understanding that the best meals are the ones that bring people closer together.
None of this happens without restaurateur extraordinaire Déon Sass, whose vision shaped Cantina 138 into more than a menu. It's a space where heritage and heart show up in the details. The décor, the energy, the unapologetic blending of Geechee-Gullah soul and Mexican bravado. It's all intentional, all personal, all built to honor where these flavors come from.
Step inside and you'll feel it immediately, and you'll fall in love immediately, too...
All selections will be made from the restaurant's full dinner menu.
Your $55 3 Course Dinner For Two (a $94 value) Includes:
Cantina 138 earns a spectacular 4.7 Stars on Google from 295+ reviews including:
"Top tier! The shrimp tacos were absolutely delicious, I even went back for seconds. My friend ordered the loaded nachos and she loved them too. The drinks was on point, It was our first time there, and the entire experience was amazing. Definitely looking forward to coming back!"
"Where do I start? The food was on point. The tacos have a hearty feel to them. They dont fall apart and the flavor melts in your mouth. The appetizers are all good. They all pair well with the drink selections. Come have a good time. Hospitality is top notch and professional always. I would definitely be back. Cantina 138 needs to be put on the map!"
"Great energy and service. Would definitely go there again. Phenomenal. The flavors were well combined and delicious."
Cantina 138's Website | Google Reviews
May purchase as many vouchers as you like for personal use or for gifting.
Multiple vouchers may be combined for larger groups.
Tax & tip not included; reservations required.
Additional cost added for the difference of higher priced menu items; $5 upcharge for Fajitas.
Expires Saturday November 6, 2026.
