Consider it a rebirth. Olé! Tortilla Flats has been revived, with the addition of “Cantina” to its name, and is serving up Mexican cuisine once again. The building on Placerville’s Main Street may look the same, but the inside tells a different tale. Expect a completely revamped menu—full of flavor and local flare—and a brightened up interior. 

The aforementioned cantina has an open and airy feel to it, and once you work your way to the hostess, the restaurant really opens up. On my last visit, the staff was warm and inviting, with chips and salsa arriving right on cue as our server greeted us. Crispy and fresh, the chips were delicious sans salsa, but even better when dipped into the blend of garden fresh tomatoes, herbs and spices. 

With 10 appetizers, picking only one was impossible, so we tried two: the Original Tortilla Flats Cheese Crispy and Red Chile Chicken Taquitos. Each was delightful, but not too filling. Much like garlic bread complements a tasty Italian meal, the Cheese Crispy—a crunchy flour tortilla layered with a melty blend of three cheeses—was especially unique and addicting, and the perfect companion for the meal’s main attractions. 

The entrée list was impressive, with options like Apple-Jalapeño Carnitas and Ensalada El Dorado, and there really was something for everyone—vegetarians, kiddos and tequila-hungry patrons alike. Using farm-fresh veggies, local eggs and free-range meats without any trace of antibiotics, you can rest assured that no matter what you order it’s crafted with the finest of ingredients. 

Chock-full of veggies, beans and seasoned ground beef, with a house-made chipotle buttermilk ranch that allowed the ingredients to really shine, the taco salad was fresh and hearty. The fajitas came out sizzling, as expected, with perfectly tender skirt steak, sweet peppers and onions, plus the requisite sides of guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, beans (black, refried or charro) and rice (green poblano or red chile). 

No meal is complete without dessert, and with options like pastel tres leches, churros with Mexican chocolate dipping sauce, coconut flan and chocolate tacos, there are plenty of sweet delights to satisfy. 

By Tamara Berg // photos by Dante Fontana

Tortilla Flats Cantina, 564 Main Street, Placerville, 530-295-9408