RESTAURANTS + BARS
New M Cantina a Dearborn neighborhood treasure
![Chef and manager Junior Merino shows off some of the dishes on the menu at the new M Cantina restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan.](/gcdn/-mm-/5ee2f1d335e8a92985c4f1276f26d43d7081772c/c=0-198-3245-2031/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379024075687848-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-11.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Chef and manager Junior Merino shows off some of the dishes on the menu at the new M Cantina restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Passion fruit ceviche.](/gcdn/-mm-/98761970f0bb24d083e853baf291997537e8de2b/c=0-307-2000-1437/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379023995971337-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-10.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Passion fruit ceviche.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![A plate of churros at M Cantina.](/gcdn/-mm-/60acd5ae978ecbb4ed01e43a4bc598e7816d35ad/c=0-20-3000-1715/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379023930450917-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-4.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A plate of churros at M Cantina.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Duck carnitas.](/gcdn/-mm-/919976a62ca3bfa48f193755575b63df5312a70c/c=534-0-2947-1363/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379024041055626-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-12.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Duck carnitas.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![M Cantina in Dearborn. Nuevo Latino street food is the premise at this surprising little storefront in Dearborn. Don’t be misled by the modest surroundings. The restaurant, run by husband-and-wife team of Junior and Heidi Merino, is not a mom ‘n’ pop operation, but very professionally done with many stylish little touches and well-prepared fare.](/gcdn/-mm-/e9cca2b898ed3581254410ae217b71a802a33e25/c=0-347-3067-2080/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379024116560110-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-15.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
M Cantina in Dearborn. Nuevo Latino street food is the premise at this surprising little storefront in Dearborn. Don’t be misled by the modest surroundings. The restaurant, run by husband-and-wife team of Junior and Heidi Merino, is not a mom ‘n’ pop operation, but very professionally done with many stylish little touches and well-prepared fare.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Customers Mohamad Beidoun of Livonia, left, and Mustafa Abdullah of Dearborn Heights enjoy their meal.](/gcdn/-mm-/a390a97d7dd09ded1451555f86a4f90e14afb5e2/c=0-213-3668-2285/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379024029511552-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-8.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Customers Mohamad Beidoun of Livonia, left, and Mustafa Abdullah of Dearborn Heights enjoy their meal.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![The dining room and bar area of the M Cantina.](/gcdn/-mm-/4059cdd310492fd79365295cd5aeaa2c61699e69/c=0-122-3847-2295/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379023997375346-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-2.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The dining room and bar area of the M Cantina.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Chef and manager Junior Merino prepares a smoothie drink at M Cantina in Dearborn.](/gcdn/-mm-/3a1635c035f12fee166b7c0d3b95f4f23305aa45/c=0-245-2000-1375/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379024037467603-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-14.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Chef and manager Junior Merino prepares a smoothie drink at M Cantina in Dearborn.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![An exotic ice cream trio dessert.](/gcdn/-mm-/1b87524ae91c7e0bdd67fe0e501428cf9a33536c/c=0-189-4500-2731/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379024151660335-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-1.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
An exotic ice cream trio dessert.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Carpaccio salad.](/gcdn/-mm-/07d1d14ff89c7a9e5f9834cd516482b12e513c07/c=0-199-3546-2202/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379023961183114-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-7.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Carpaccio salad.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Shrimp tacos.](/gcdn/-mm-/bffc96158bffba7adacc4a7d8f14c038439cd7b8/c=696-0-3804-1756/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379023955099075-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-5.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Shrimp tacos.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Filet mignon tacos, along with a dozen bottles filled with different flavors of salsa.](/gcdn/-mm-/9f4117c7e4d9057639c1badb61f58d632e8c573f/c=0-163-4500-2705/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379023981619245-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-6.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Filet mignon tacos, along with a dozen bottles filled with different flavors of salsa.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Chips and salsa trio.](/gcdn/-mm-/8536ae18e5e33a573b0c6f79da665a05a59496e8/c=88-0-3624-4714/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379024118744124-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-9.jpg?width=496&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Chips and salsa trio.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News![Mexican Street Corn at M Cantina in Dearborn.](/gcdn/-mm-/eecdad61da87ded59215c4f6f9e115cc75c742b4/c=3-0-4497-2539/local/-/media/2017/08/09/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636379023983959260-080517-FLJJ-fd-dining-mcantina-08101117-3.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Mexican Street Corn at M Cantina in Dearborn.
Jose Juarez, Special To Detroit News