La Chiquiada
Mexican restaurant · Decatur ·
Mexi-Cali cafe: tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, cocktails
Mexi-Cali cafe: tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, cocktails
"The food isn’t the point at La Chiquiada. The Mexi-Cali cafe (in the middle of an apartment complex in Decatur) has the colorful aesthetic and easygoing pace of a West Coast beachside spot. So the move is to come for its laid-back energy, tasty margaritas, and chip and dip munching." - Juli Horsford
"It was an Eater reader tip that turned us on to this Mexi-Cali sleeper, where you can catch the owner, Catherine Zuber, “brewing coffee, crafting cocktails, and managing full-time,” they report, down to the live music selection. With no large signs, this hidden gem highlights fresh local produce in big salads, slaws, tamales, tortas on telera bread, and of course, tacos and burritos. Weekend breakfast service offers exclusives like housemade biscuits and cinnamon rolls, topped papas, tostadas, chilaquiles, and huevos rancheros." - Beth McKibben
"A Mexi‑Cali restaurant on West Trinity Place in Decatur opened by Catherine Zuber as a community-focused gathering spot inspired by California's Mexican foodways after she returned during the pandemic. Chef Ulises Martinez, originally from Oaxaca, emphasizes daily preparation, freshness, and as many local and house-made ingredients as possible; standout dishes include a foraged mushroom quesadilla made with Oaxacan cheese, street-style tacos, a citrus-marinated flank steak, and a roast chicken dinner for two served with rice and freshly made tortillas. Mornings feature breakfast tacos, house-made pastries and Prevail Roasters coffee with weekend brunch, while the bar highlights mezcal and tequila cocktails alongside California wines from Napa, Paso Robles and Sonoma. The interior embraces blues and pinks with two murals by Katherine Boggsbloom, retains original architectural details, and offers an intimate indoor space plus a large patio; its location under a WeWork and next to a major apartment complex supports flexible dining, work-friendly seating, and takeout. Open Tue–Wed 7:00–15:00; Thu–Fri 7:00–15:00 and 16:00–22:00; Sat 8:00–15:00 and 16:00–23:00; Sun 8:00–15:00." - Sarra Sedghi
"Designed as an all-day, pop-in neighborhood spot by owner Catherine Zuber, this café transitions from morning coffee with breakfast tacos and conchas to an afternoon happy hour with snacks, cocktails, and northern California wines, then into a dinner service featuring street tacos, chile relleno, and citrus-marinated flank steak." - Beth McKibben
"Located in the same building as WeWork in Decatur, La Chiquiada from Catherine Zuber will serve breakfast tacos, conchas, and coffee in the morning and transition to street tacos, chile relleno, citrus-marinated flank steak, and roast chicken dinners in the evening, plus a Mexican-inspired weekend brunch and a happy hour featuring snacks paired with Northern California wines and cocktails such as a margarita, cucumber gimlet, and a take on the gin fizz." - Beth McKibben