Owners hope to honor building’s history
 By Hannah Simerson hsimerson@timesleader.com
and Ramiro Ayala pose for a photo inside of the newly-opened LA Cantina Amigon
a Mexican bar and grill in the former Hottle’s location
La Cantina Amigon hopes to retain some of the Hottle’s charm
as seen here with front nooks overlooking South Main Street that once were a part of the Hottle’s interior
A mural on the wall in La Cantina Amigon depicts workers in an agave field next to a Mexican street
a touch of authentic Mexican culture the bar and grill hopes will ‘remind people of the history of Mexico.’
an authentic Mexican bar and grill from the owners of Amigon’s Bakery and Amigon’s Diner
is now open in the former location of Hottle’s Restaurant at 243 South Main St
which opened at the beginning of the month
boasts a full bar and plenty of Mexican comfort foods
The menu highlights authentic Mexican dishes such as tacos
but it also features American comfort foods like wings and cheeseburgers
but it was actually my husband’s idea to add wings and burgers,” said Olivia Amigon
who co-owns all three businesses with her husband
“I feel like that was a great choice because we’re kind of merging the cultures now
Amigon says the menu is itemized to offer additional customization of dishes
“We did everything individual so that people are ordering one of this
one of this — that way people can try more and not get stuffed with one item,” Amigon said
Keeping true to all three businesses’ deeply rooted love for family
La Cantina Amigon’s staff is made up entirely of family and close friends — even Amigon’s own mother is in charge of flavoring the dishes behind the scenes
“It’s her flavoring and her recipes,” said Delia Ramos
Amigon’s sister and La Cantina Amigon’s manger
“She’s making sure that everything is done accordingly to keep that authentic Mexican flavor,” she added
And although the bar and grill is excited to bring new memories to folks in the area
It’s been exactly 100 years since Hottle’s
the American restaurant that operated in the space from 1923 until 2010
and La Cantina Amigon hopes its customers can celebrate the old while embracing the new
Touches from Hottle’s can be seen throughout La Cantina Amigon
and even framed newspaper clippings from when the restaurant first opened
And Ramos says this dedication to the space’s history goes beyond just decor
plenty of customers that have come into the bar and grill have shared memories from their time at Hottle’s
we’re just trying to give you something new,” Ramos said
Although the interior of La Cantina Amigon differs greatly from Hottle’s
Ramos hopes it can help customers see Mexican culture from a new perspective
I wanted to do a more modern vibe and I didn’t want to copy what every other Mexican place does,” she said
motioning to a mural painted on the wall depicting workers in an agave field next to a Mexican street
and Cinco de Mayo — we’re more than that,” Ramos said
“The agave field is not the traditional sugar skull or twenty million colors,” she added
you’re not just here to drink tequila — it’s also about learning where it came from and just reminding people of the history of Mexico.”
La Cantina Amigon has one goal in mind: creating a welcoming environment for customers to experience authentic Mexican culture
“You have to make them feel comfortable — you have to make them feel at home because why would they choose us over everyone else?” Ramos said
La Cantina Amigon is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m
A municipal police vehicle sits parked at the entrance to a ranch in Tlalmanalco where a shallow grave was found (AP)
Five bodies pulled from a mass grave have been identified as some of the 12 people kidnapped three months ago from a Mexico City bar
Assistant attorney general Renato Sales said 13 badly decomposed bodies have been pulled from a grave covered with cement
quicklime and asbestos discovered on Thursday on a rural ranch east of Mexico City
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