Fiesta Time With Mexican Masterpieces and Tequila

Grand Leyenda Cantina opened its doors this summer at Ward Centre (in the old Compadres spot, next to Ryan’s Grill) offering authentic Mexican cuisine, great happy hour specials and more than 300 different types of tequila to choose from; as well as a nice, relaxed setting, modern outdoor/indoor bar seating and surrounding scenic views of Ala Moana Beach Park, Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean.

Sharing the same name with Grand Leyenda Tequila, which the restaurant owners also own, the new Honolulu cantina features a great menu of Mexican favorites, including homemade tacos, fajitas, nachos, ceviche, quesadillas, guacamole, taquitos, taco salad, tostadas, burritos, enchiladas, tamales and more. Customers also can enjoy complimentary chips and salsa made fresh every day.

Among the popular dishes is Fish Fillet-Veracruz Style ($17.99), which is grilled basa seasoned with a blend of house spices and topped with house special pineapple jalapeño salsa, and served with homemade Spanish rice.

There also is Ultimate Fajitas ($18.99) consisting of sautéed bell peppers and onions with grilled chicken, steak and shrimp served on a sizzling platter, and sides of sour cream and guacamole, and served with homemade tortillas.

And for dessert, Fried Ice Cream ($7.99) is simply irresistible. Dig into a large scoop of vanilla ice cream lined with a perfectly blended batter that tastes like French toast, but also bread pudding and even a bit of a malasada flair.

For happy hour, which takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to close daily, enjoy $5 house margaritas, $3 draft pint beer and $5 happy hour pupus.

The spacious restaurant also hosts weekly events, including Tres Tuesdays (7-10 p.m.) featuring live music, 75 cent taquito specials, $3 Tecate bottles and $3 tequila shots.

On Live Lounge Thursdays (7-10 p.m.), it’s an open mic showcase with $3 Heineken and Heineken light draft pints, and $3 Tecate bottles. And on Pau Hana Friday (7-10 p.m.), there’s live music, $5 Monsteritas and $5 Sauza you call it cocktails.

At the bar, The Legend Cadillac ($15) is a must-try. The festive drink fittingly resembles a Mexican Aztec pyramid with a cone-shaped tower of ice blended with fresh margarita mix, sitting in a pool of Grand Leyenda Tequila Reposado, which is 100 percent organic tequila made in Mexico. Salud!

Grand Leyenda Cantina

Ward Centre, Second Floor
1200 Ala Moana Blvd.
597-1725
Daily 11 a.m. – Midnight
Note: Follow Grand Leyenda Cantina on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news, specials, and events.