New Mexican Restaurant Gato Exotico Opens in Cambridge | Eater Boston

"An over-the-top mash-up of Mexican cuisine and 1990s mall culture, this new spot brings 13-foot-tall Aztec-inspired statues, a lush jungle interior, cheeky tiki mugs, and $5 tacos to CambridgeSide. From the team behind the playful, immersive American Chinese restaurant Wusong Road, chef-owner Jason Doo channels his teen years hanging out at the mall into an atmosphere meant to foster community, and—acknowledging he’s not a Mexican cuisine expert—has Wusong Road’s sous chef and Mexico City native Sergio Enriquez and his mother, “Doña Anna,” creating the menu and running the kitchen. The wide-ranging lineup spans small, street food-inspired bites to large, shareable plates—think $5 tacos, enchiladas, and carne asada—paired with tequila drinks and tropical cocktails from bartender Matt Tetrault. Keeping the experience affordable is the point, with meals estimated at $30 to $35 per person and a proudly middle-class ethos. It’s currently open for dinner, with lunch service slated to start Monday, December 15." - Celina Colby