FEATURE — Cafe Sabor, specializing in Mexican “fiesta cuisine,” first opened in St. George less than a year ago but is already gaining a local following.
But don’t be fooled by the name.
“We’re more than just a Mexican restaurant,” owner Justin Hamilton said. “A lot of our foundation is definitely your Mexican cuisine, but we feel we have some fusion elements to it as well. We try to bring in other aspects … fresh seafoods or pastas or appetizers that are a little bit different or unique, that still use those Latin flavors but are different.”
An example is the popular Chino Latino egg rolls, which Hamilton described as “like a southwest Asian fusion, with an avocado cream dipping sauce.”
“We try to have food that’s different,” he said. “It’s all fresh. We make it every day in-house – all of our sauces, all of our meats. Everything is prepared every morning.”
Watch as Sheldon and Caitlin savor the flavor of Cafe Sabor in Episode 22 of “What’s on the Menu” in the player above.
Korby Beckstead, Cafe Sabor’s regional manager, described several other popular offerings on the restaurant’s menu, starting with Carne Asada fries featuring flame-broiled skirt steak and masa fries, topped with melted cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and fresh guacamole.
Another featured menu item is the Camarones ala Diabla, which are shrimp and mushrooms simmered in a spicy mojo de ajo sauce, served with rice and beans.
“Diabla just means it’s got a little bit of fire to it,” Beckstead said. “You can level that up, whether it’s mild, medium or hot.”
Popular taco options include chicken, pork carnita and a steak-and-shrimp combo called “Tierra y Mar,” which translates colloquially as “turf and surf.”
Diners can also satisfy their sweet tooth as well, as Cafe Sabor features hand-dipped chocolates courtesy of Bluebird Candy Company in Logan, a century-old business Hamilton said he purchased a couple years ago.
When it comes to Cafe Sabor, Hamilton first started the restaurant in Logan 16 years ago when he was a student at Utah State University. The St. George restaurant, which opened in November 2017 at 290 E. St. George Blvd., is the company’s sixth location, with the others all being in northern Utah and Idaho.
“As we’ve continued to grow this concept, we went to areas where we really tried to ingrain ourselves in the local community,” Hamilton said. “We want to be the local spot that people can come and enjoy good food, good service, and kind of a really unique atmosphere.”
Hamilton says Cafe Sabor strives to meet the needs of its customers, whether it’s lunch or dinner time, and whether they are eating by themselves, as a family or even throwing a large party for work.
“No. 1 is great quality and consistent food that’s a great value,” Hamilton said. “No. 2 is that we try to have customer service where you feel like it’s still a local place.”
“It really is a family. It’s like eating out of the family kitchen,” Hamilton added. “Many of our employees and cooks have been with us for over a decade. And I think that that goes to show you the love that they put into the food that they serve.”
What’s on the Menu: Cafe Sabor | Brought to you by Camping World
Resources
- Cafe Sabor St. George | Location: 290 E. St. George Blvd., St. George (click for map). | Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, hours vary. Click here for schedule. | Telephone: 435-218-7775. | Website | Facebook.
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