New chef, new menu a smash hit at La Cantina Brewing Company in Salinas

Gooey and packed full of flavor, smash burgers, the cooler cousin of the traditional hamburger, takes center stage on the new menu at La Cantina Brewing Company in downtown Salinas.

The staple of new chef Jason Naranjo's repertoire, the smash burgers or "smashies" ooze with cheese and an assortment of delectable toppings like caramelized onions, grilled jalapeños, pepper jack and his signature Patron sauce.

"I like to add my twist to them," Naranjo said while rattling off a list of ingredients (serrano peppers, portobello mushrooms, chorizo) he's currently experimenting with to bring new flavor combinations to his pub grub creations.

Naranjo, just 19, got his start helping his grandfather in the kitchen preparing family meals.

"I always had this kitchen mindset and as I got a little older, I got jobs working in kitchens, going from dishwashing to being a prep cook and a line cook," he said. "Now finally to run my own operations is a big goal of mine."

Let fandom come: Anime World brings pop phenomenon to Northridge Mall in Salinas

Taking a chance on the young chef was an easy decision for Horacio Davila, La Cantina Brewing Company founder and Head Brewer. Davila had already done his research and after losing his long standing chef a couple of months ago and trialing another one that did not work out, he had made the decision to implement a simple, yet tasty menu. One that pairs well with La Cantina's craft beer and is unique to the area.

When he mentioned this new direction to his fiance, Naranjo, who is his fiance's son, overheard, and immediately offered to take over the kitchen operations.

Davila was won over by Naranjo's enthusiasm.

"I saw the willingness to try, to dare and I'm a daredevil as well. I never play it safe. I've always been a risk taker," said Davila, who opened the downtown establishment in 2022 after eight years of home brewing.

La Cantina is the go-to place for unique palate-friendly craft beer he brews on site. Specialties include fruit-forward German sours.

The duo then began a collaboration in the kitchen, grilling copious amounts of burgers and trialing sauces, because as Davila said, "it's all about the sauce" then testing the final product with family and friends. A soft launch of the smash burgers occurred earlier this month with free mini smashies, which were well received.

"People have come to support him and now he's even started his own smashies brand," said Davila with pride. Dubbed " smashies831 " on Instagram, when Naranjo is not slinging smash burgers Thursday through Saturday at La Cantina in Oldtown Salinas, you can find him at pop-ups throughout the region.

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: New chef, new menu a smash hit at La Cantina Brewing Company in Salinas