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Cantina 62: Mexican-American cuisine

In this week's Unique Eats, 2 On Your Side's Stephanie Barnes takes us to a Mexican-American Diner in Lackawanna.

On the corner of South Park Avenue and Ridge Road in Lackawanna sits a restaurant bringing Mexican and American food together.

"Kind of a fusion between some American classics, like a Beef on Weck or a Reuben sandwich, into a taco or burrito form," Matthew Krupp, owner of Cantina 62, explained.

You read that right: American classics, even Western New York classics, inside your Mexican staples.

Some of the combinations coming out of Cantina 62 might have you asking, "Really?" but Krupp says once you try them, you'll be coming back for more.

"We try new things," Krupp said. "We have fun. And that's how we come up with things like the Philly Mac Crunch Taco - or we have a Nachorito which is a combination of a burrito and a nacho."

Every month, you're likely to find Krupp and his staff rolling out a new featured item. The latest is that Philly Mac Crunch. It's a Philly Cheesesteak in a hard shell taco with Mac and Cheese on top.

For the die-hard Western New Yorker, there's the Beef on Weck taco, too.

But it is not all off-the-wall combinations.

"We do have some more authentic style dishes," Krupp said. "Our tacos Barbacoa beef, Carnitas, shrimp taco."

For Krupp, the focus is not just on food. When he opened the doors at Cantina 62 13 months ago, he wanted a laid back and kid-friendly atmosphere. You'll find crayons on all the tables.

But he wanted it to be grown-up-friendly, too. They offer beer, wine and margarita sangrias.

It is reasonably priced, Krupp adds. A taco will run you, on average, about three dollars.

Plus, Krupp said, it was about bringing life back to the Lackawanna corner.

"No one likes a dark store front on a nice corner like this," Krupp explained. "So it's nice to get some vibrancy and livelihood back in here."

Vibrant and lively for the town and for your taste buds.

Cantina 62 is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner plus brunch on the weekends.

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