Miguel, who lives in Lewisville, explained that childhood memories inspired the business name.
“Back in our home in Mexico, we’d say, ‘Come hang out at our chante,’” he said, adding that chante is an informal word in Spanish for home.
Miguel said when he was 24 years old and washing dishes in a hotel restaurant in California, he set a goal to own a restaurant one day. He worked his way through the kitchen ranks, from dishwasher to food prep to cook then executive chef.
While working as an executive chef for 10 years, he also attended management courses and cooking classes. After leaving that job, he worked for a variety of other restaurants. His brothers followed a similar career path.
Ten years ago, Miguel moved to Texas. His brothers lived elsewhere at the time, but they all agreed they should open a restaurant in Texas. Now, Martin and Enrique also live in Lewisville and help with the day-to-day operations. Miguel’s wife, Veronica Garcia, is the general manager.
Miguel said their menu consists mainly of authentic Mexican food with a dash of Tex-Mex items.
They serve a combination of recipes their mother, Abigail Garcia, taught them and those they developed on their own that are inspired from different regions in Mexico. The Garcia brothers have fond memories of their mom making fresh guacamole and salsa in lava stone bowls when they were children. They use similar serving bowls at the restaurant.
“One of our signature items is the Abigail Enchiladas,” Miguel said of the dish named after their mother. “She taught me how to make the sauce...We love that sauce.”
Other menu items include taquitos, fajitas, burritos, pork, fish and camarones al ajillo, which is garlic shrimp. Desserts include flan, tres leches cake and fried ice cream. The Lewisville restaurant also has a full bar.
Miguel said he understands the importance of impressive food presentation; however, he backs the visual appeal with taste appeal. He said he repeatedly receives compliments on how nice the plates look when they arrive at the table. When patrons taste the food, they are doubly impressed, he said.
Although the pandemic slowed the restaurant’s expected business growth, Miguel said he and his family are grateful for the support they receive from the community. They have developed a strong repeat customer base.
“My satisfaction is once you leave this place, you leave satisfied and happy with what you paid for,” Miguel said.
Chante Mexican Grill & Cantina, 951 W. Round Grove Road, Ste. 200, Lewisville. 469-293-8098. www.chantemexicangrill.com Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
