A brand new Day of the Dead-inspired restaurant called Calaca Mamas Cantina is opening in downtown Anaheim, located at 1550 S. Harbor Blvd.
The new restaurant will replace Captain Kidd’s Buffet across from Disneyland Resort on May 27th. The family-friendly concept was conceived and founded by restaurateurs and sisters Angela and Mariam El Haj. The space will seat 200 guests, including a dining room with several banquettes for parties of four and a larger, semi-private area to accommodate parties up to 12. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the menu is inspired by the sisters’ love of Mexican food and culture.
When the restaurant opens, mixologist TJ Majeske will create the bar program, consisting of a selection of margaritas and specialty refreshments. As for food, guests can expect a wide variety of Mexican favorites alongside some fun twists on classics, such as the ‘Walking Taco’ featuring chicken tinga and carne asada, chihuahua and cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, crema all in a bag of Fritos corn chips. Breakfast entrees include favorites like Chilaquiles con huevos, Breakfast Tacos, Huevos Rancheros, and breakfast burritos or bowls. In contrast, lunch and dinner entrees include tacos, burritos, and bowls which can be ordered with the guest’s option of protein.
“Spanish is the second-most spoken language in Southern California, yet we saw a void of family-friendly Mexican restaurants in Anaheim. When it came to the restaurant menu and bar program, we knew that we wanted to stick to tradition and highlight authentic Mexican dishes while also infusing it with fun and elements of the unexpected,” Angela said in a press release. “I think we are most proud of our ingredients, which are all non-GMO and sustainably sourced. Ensuring the highest quality and standards of product was a non-negotiable for us, and we are confident that our guests will appreciate this high-level attention to detail and care.”
The El Haj sisters collaborated with Deborah Mayne on the restaurant design to create a one-of-a-kind space, inspired by Day of the Dead celebrations, which includes large scale murals by local street artists from the Los Angeles design studio Splatterhaus, along with art collected from the sisters’ travels to Mexico, and a central double-sided altar. The large altar connecting the dining room and cantina is adorned with marigold flowers and is dedicated to the sisters’ parents, who have both passed. Double doors open onto the patio in the cantina area, giving the space an open-air atmosphere. And the patio, which is sure to become a fan favorite, will feature a large fire pit and unparalleled nighttime views of the Disneyland fireworks display.
“While we have been in the restaurant industry for many years, this is our first where we have built the concept from the ground up,” Mariam said. “Since Day of the Dead traditions and celebrations have always resonated with Angela and I, despite not being Mexican ourselves, we wanted to pay homage to a culture that celebrates life and honor that heritage while still creating a space that was uniquely us. In fact, we incorporated nodes to our family throughout the design and decor. ‘Calaca’ means ‘sugar skull,’ which is an iconic representation in Day-of-the-Dead celebrations, and we’re both proud moms, so we added ‘Mamas’ to it. The space was actually originally named ‘Mom’s Country Kitchen’ so Calaca Mamas is a reference to the restaurant’s heritage, as well.”
