For Javier Gonzalez, owning a restaurant was a dream that became reality in June. He and his wife, Judy, opened Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen on Hwy. 249 in Pinehurst, in the former location of the Pinehurst Breakfast House.

“I started cooking when I was 14 [years old], so I really like to cook,” Javier said. “It feels so good [to own a restaurant].”

Javier and Judy Gonzalez own Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen[/caption]

Rita’s Cantina, named for its freshly made margaritas, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menu options made with locally sourced ingredients, Judy said. The most popular dishes include steak and shrimp ($15.99), ceviche ($12.99) and fajitas ($11.99-$12.99), but Javier said the pollo con espinaca plate, chicken stuffed with spinach and cheese, ($12.99) is among his favorite dishes to cook.

Traditional Tex-Mex dishes, such as fajitas, quesadillas and tacos, are on the menu in addition to soups, salads, seafood, chicken and steak dishes. However, Javier said some of his cooking, such as the sauce for enchiladas, is more authentic.

“A lot of the places, they make enchiladas with gravy,” he said. “We make [enchiladas] with chile colorado [red sauce].”

For each dish, Javier said the presentation of his food is a priority.

“I try to do every [dish] the same,” Javier said.

Judy said customers often take pictures of Javier’s made-from-scratch creations.

The breakfast menu includes Eggs Your Way—eggs cooked to order with a choice of meats and potato ($7.99)[/caption]

“He’s really, really good at what he does,” Judy said. “A lot of people say when you look at the pictures from other restaurants, ‘Oh, they look so beautiful.’ But when you get to the location, it’s not the same. Here, you get what you see.”

In the six months since Rita’s Cantina opened, Judy said the restaurant has gained many regular customers. Getting to know the community, she said, is the highlight of owning a restaurant.

“We’re getting new customers every day. Once they come and they try [the food], they say they’re coming back,” Judy said. “[Javier] loves to cook, so I think when you love to do something, you do it better.”