Jose's Mexican Cantina Has Old World Flavors in New Providence

If you happen to be driving down South Street in New Providence around lunch time and you have a craving for authentic Mexican food, look no further than Jose's Mexican Cantina.  The only Mexican restaurant in the New Providence offers a $9.95 lunch special that can't be beat.  Listed on the menu as "Mexican Favorites" there are 14 different entrees to choose from.  Many are familiar and typical such as burritos, enchiladas and tacos in all varieties and sizes.  But, the entree that got my attention was Puerco Guisado, a Mexican stew made with tender chunks of pork simmered in mole sauce. 

"This is a dish that you won't find in other mexican restaurants,"  owner and chef Jose Brid said. "We use different spices to season the meat such as paprika, cumin as well as jalapeno peppers.  Then, it's combined with mole sauce which is made with peanuts and cocoa and is very traditional"

Puerco Guisado is in fact a traditional Mexican pork stew where pork is simmered all day with mexican flavors such as tomatillos, cilantro and jalapenos.  This version is with the addition of another Mexican staple, mole sauce.  Typically this all-purpose sauce is served with meat and Jose's version is classic with peppers, peanuts and a touch of cocoa.  

"I've travelled a lot.  Every provence in Mexico cooks differently and I've picked up a little here and a little there and I bring it to my cooking" Chef Brid said.

The lunch special begins with a choice of soup, black bean, chicken or gazpacho.  I selected chicken and it was straightforward; a clear broth with chunks of chicken and vegetables.  I was hoping for more Mexican flavors such as lime or cilantro but I didn't detect anything that would set it apart from chicken soup from the deli.  It was ordinary but not awful.

The Puerco Guisado came on a huge platter with lots of sides.  The quantity alone made it a bargain for lunch.  The pork was tasty.  Big, lean chunks of meat falling apart from the braising  was luscious.  The flavor was subtle and earthy with a kick of heat at the end.  Mingling with the pork were chopped red pepper, onion, celery and jalapenos.  The yellow rice nudged up to the pork to sop up the mole sauce. Also on the plate was a small crispy flour tortilla filled with sour cream and delicious guacamole.  I noticed the menu only serves guacamole when in season. This is the season and I thought the guacamole was the best thing on the plate.

Jose's Mexican Cantina has been a family business in New Providence for 30 years, the last 18 being owned and operated by Chef Brid.  Five years ago he opened a second restaurant in Warren by the same name. While my goal is to find the best dish on the menu for lunch, Brid mentioned over and over he has many more authentic specialties on the dinner menu.  So, grab your wine, beer or tequila (Jose's is BYOB) and head over to New Providence for a taste of old Mexico.