For this flavorful excursion, we will venture along the banks of the Ouachita River, where our culinary cravings point us to a beautiful cantina styled restaurant in Downtown Monroe.  Complete with a fabulous view from the patio, this eatery overlooks a train track trellis and the mighty Ouachita and, from that combination this new eatery is appropriately named “River & Rail Cantina”.

                Viewing this eatery from the outside, one may never guess the fabulous attention to detail awaiting diners behind its doors.  Warm spacious booths, tall tables, and a picturesque patio make this establishment one that will not be soon forgotten in the minds of diners.  With a beautiful bar that bids patrons welcome from both inside and outside the establishment, (opening to diners on the patio in true cantina style), with comfortable lounging areas, open fire pits and an environment that will surely be the talk of your next outing or group get together. 

                Now, the food!  River & Rail Cantina’s menu is comprised of dishes with a Tex-Mex flare -but don’t let the reference to Tex-Mex fool you, because this establishment is anything BUT typical.  Starter dishes include such items as the Flashflood shrimp, consisting of beautiful jumbo shrimp filled with savory cheeses, jalapenos and then tenderly wrapped in smoky applewood bacon, as well as the house made Guacamole that can be prepared table side for guest enjoyment and conversation.  But the list doesn’t stop there! 

Insofar as entrée items, River & Rail Cantina offers Fajitas made with choice cuts of beef, chicken, shrimp or even duck, as well as other items such as delightful taco salads, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos and a variety of delectable sandwiches.  River & Rail offers other entrée items such as their scrumptious pulled pork sliders, comprised of pork that has been lovingly smoked in house for 16 hours, and served with a side of River & Rail’s house made fries.

                As for all those brunch lovers, this establishment stays true to the grass-roots of the old “Swift Meat Packing Plant” that formerly dwelt in this location in days gone by.  With selections from their brunch menu that include grilled steak hash (home fries tossed with tender marinated steak, onions, peppers and topped off with two sunny side up eggs), or even for those who may not know exactly what they’re in the mood for the slider trio, served with a sampling of the Diablo burger, Trainwreck burger, and pesto chicken (adorned with house made pesto) may just be your perfect fit! 

                Not really in the mood for fajitas or nachos, fear not! River & Rail’s diverse menu also includes entrée options for those diners with a “lighter flare”.  Diner’s may find enjoyment indulging in such menu items as the Remoulade Shrimp Spinach Salad , Grilled Chicken Salad, or their Fish Tacos – filled with grilled tilapia, cilantro lime coleslaw and pico de gallo! 

For the diners who would adore nothing more than a juicy burger to indulge in, River & Rail offers their “Trainwreck burger”! This King-Kong burger is made up of 10 full ounces of ground steak, cooked to your specifications, fully dressed, and served with diner’s choice of sides!

In addition to these menu items and many more, River & Rail Cantina also offers a fully stocked bar to “wet your whistle” while enjoying the beautiful view and ambiance of their lovely patio area while relaxing from an afternoon of shopping or site seeing in the Twin Cities. 

As always, for a palatable sampling one need not travel outside the lovely confines of our surrounding area, so start your journey down “Flavor Avenue” with this eatery and many more! Just remember to roll up your sleeves and don’t be afraid to dig in to savor the local flavor!

            For more information visit www.riverandrailcantina.com