Gaby Hinojosa, co-owner of Panfila Cantina near Johnson High School, said she and her husband and business partner, Charlie Gonzalez, continue to evolve the various offerings at their North San Antonio Mexican restaurant, which they opened in April 2022.

The background

Both Mexican natives, Hinojosa and Gonzalez met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. The couple graduated from CIA-New York and, as Hinojosa put it, life led her and Gonzalez to San Antonio, where he co-founded Tlahco Mexican Kitchen and she worked with renowned local chef Andrew Weissman at Signature at La Cantera Resort and Spa.

But the couple sought to create a new eatery together, and Panfila Cantina was the result.

Hinojosa said her menu is largely influenced by Mexican street food and snack vendors.



“We try the street food while in Mexico. Our food here is like Mexican street food, but elevated,” Hinojosa said.

What’s on the menu

According to Hinojosa, popular menu items at Panfila Cantina include Mexican street corn, an appetizer involving charred corn off the cob mixed with chipotle mayonnaise and queso fresco, and topped with lime and chili powder.

Hinojosa said enchiladas poblanos is an entree popular with diners. Here, patrons may choose from queso fresco, onions and queso Oaxaca or chicken, poblano salsa, queso Oaxaca and crema. The dish is served with refried beans and Mexican rice.


Their menu also includes tacos, mole, garlic mojo shrimp, churro waffles for breakfast, and hamburguesa, which features an Angus beef patty topped with bacon, Oaxaca cheese, chipotle mayonnaise and grilled onions, all tucked in a toasted bolillo.

Hinojosa said visitors at Panfila Cantina can be assured of experiencing genuine interior Mexican cuisine with atypical tweaks.

“We have very authentic flavors, but we like to give the food a little twist,” she added.