We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Dennis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, how does your business help the community?
Giving back to the community is something we feel very strongly about. We provide a service and grateful the community has embraced us through the years. Giving back is the least we can do whether hosting local charity fundraisers, sponsoring team sports, or holding toy and food drives.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our food is a fusion of authentic and contemporary Mexican and varied south American flavors. Traditional items such as enchiladas are topped with house-made mole and sauces made from robust peppers and seasonal ingredients while uniquely different dishes such as Chorizo Ravioli is made with chorizo-stuffed raviolis, served with a cilantro cream sauce.

Working as a private chef in Mexico afforded me the pleasure and incredible firsthand experience of authentic Mexican cooking at its best. What I now apply to my own recipes was initially developed from generations of cooking methods straight out of a Mexican kitchen. And I believe it shows in our menu. That’s something that sets us apart from other Mexican restaurants and allows us to focus more on what we do best and just being who we are.

Beyond being a restaurant and cantina, we are a community gathering spot where everyone is a friend and treated that way. I spend a great amount of my time on the floor greeting guests and making them feel right at home. Building quality relationships with our guests is what I believe sets us apart from larger chain restaurants. We like to connect with our guests and make sure their experience is even better than the last.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Orange County is a great place to live. It offers the best of everything from historic cities and towns such as Fullerton to a wide variety of cuisines and dining choices. I can’t think of a better place to be. A few if my favorite spots in the city are right here in historic downtown. There’s just so much charm and character, the old buildings, the locally owned shops, you can’t get that just anywhere. Fullerton also has beautiful parks and trails such as the Fullerton loop, which is a 11-mile trail that meanders through much of the city’s greenbelt and rural areas. great for long walks and mountain biking.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother has always been a huge inspiration in my life and of course my wife, who continues to encourage and support me. Working in the restaurant industry means putting in long hard hours working weekends and late nights so having an understanding family who provide love and support is everything.

Website: www.thematador.com

Instagram: instagram.com/matadorcantina

Twitter: twitter.com/matadorlounge

Facebook: facebook.com/matadorcantina

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/matador-cantina-fullerton

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MatadorCantina

Image Credits
Allan De Herrera for food and drink pics

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.