Instagram worthy Mexican food has landed in Randolph

RANDOLPH — A new Instagram worthy Mexican and Puerto Rican restaurant has opened in Randolph and they’re serving classic margaritas and birria tacos the authentic way.

Right on the same street as Showcase Cinema is the restaurant of your photo dreams with a red flower wall and colored neon lighting that wraps around the restaurant. The décor is so unique you’ll feel like you’re in a lush garden.

You can wander over to Santa Madre at 14 Mazzeo Drive in Randolph and try enjoying the ambiance yourself.

The restaurant opened in February to give people in Randolph a nice restaurant without waiting in traffic and paying for “expensive” food.

“We wanted a nice restaurant in an area where you wouldn’t hit traffic,” said co-owner Ceferino Ortiz, 37.

At Santa Madre, you can find a mix of Puerto Rican and Mexican dishes — from their crispy deep-fried empanadas to the fresh piña coladas behind the bar.

Special drinks

Customers love the ultimate margaritas with fresh juices, Ortiz said.

Good options range from the Blackberry Smash to the Henny Lovers margarita. If you love the coconut and tropical flavors of the island then the coconut picante and la toxica are the perfect drinks to try.

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What's to eat?

Some of the crowd-pleasers on the menu are the grilled carne asada tacos, three-meat fajita, cow tongue tacos, birria tacos and enchiladas.

“Ever since I was a kid it was my dream to open a restaurant, I used to be a sous chef and went to a nine-month culinary program in Puerto Rico,” Ortiz said.

Memories of cooking on the fire by the river

As a kid, Ortiz’s favorite memories were cooking on the fire outside with his family and passing time by a running river a one-minute walk away from his home.

Ortiz is the youngest of seven siblings and cooking was a way of life and a way to express gratitude to one another.“Family is everything,” Ortiz said.

To his family, one of the building blocks of cooking is having flavor and lots of laughter.

“In our restaurant, we prioritize flavors instead of spiciness compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area,” Ortiz said.

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Specials, vegetarian options and weekend DJ

The menu also has a vegetarian corner that with a twist on classic dishes including veggie quesadillas, fajitas, tacos and burritos.

Every week there are specials from Monday to Thursday including $3 off enchiladas, fajitas and burritos.

On taco Tuesday there are $10 street tacos and $1.50 off taco gringos. On Friday and Saturday, there's live DJ and a house party vibe.

Alisha Saint-Ciel can be reached by email at stciela@gannett.com