The inviting aroma of Mexican
cuisine wafts around the restaurant as hungry customers
file in for lunch. Seats begin to fill up at a steady speed,
bringing the buzz of chatter to higher volumes. Servers
spring into action to wait on their tables as another day
of good business commences for Cactus Flower Cafe.
Located at 3425 N 12th Ave. in Pensacola, Cactus Flower
advertises "California-style Mexican cuisine."
Many patrons have become regulars to the restaurant over
the years, enjoying the unique elements that have distinguished
Cactus Flower from other similar establishments.
"Unlike chain restaurants, our food is made fresh twice
a day," said Lee Kafeety, the owner of Cactus Flower.
"We go for quality above all."
Aside from its meals and welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant
is known for its food preparation. Sautéed items
are cooked with extra virgin olive oil, and chicken breast
and pure Angus beef are the only meats deemed worthy of
the restaurant's dishes. No butter or animal fat is ever
added to any of the food.
The entrees take a bit of time to arrive, but Kafeety said
that it is worth the wait.
The menu of Cactus Flower consists of classic favorites
- such as fresh guacamole, enchiladas verde, and tostadas
- as well as signature dishes, like the "fabulous flan"
dessert and Mexican wedding cake.
"Whenever I come here, I always end my meal with an
order of the flan," Pensacola resident Nancy Ping said.
"It's that good."
As the dishes and desserts lure customers back to the restaurant,
the returning patrons have come to realize the importance
of making reservations for dinner during the weekend.
Many new customers who have never been to the restaurant
said they are dismayed to find that attempting to dine at
Cactus Flower without a reservation on Friday and Saturday
nights makes it difficult to step inside at all. During
these nights, a line can be found stretching out from the
interior of the building to the patio outside.
"Yeah, weekends are usually our busiest times,"
Kafeety said.
Reservations can be arranged by phone as well as through
an online form located at http://www.cactusflowercafe.net.
Kafeety said she had long ago recognized the convenience
of setting up a Web site for the restaurant so customers,
both new and returning, could access information about the
restaurant at any time.
The site features general details on the restaurant's hours
and location. It also contains sections where customers
can view the lunch and dinner menus, read media reviews
and order gift certificates. Several Pensacola residents
have said that they found the Web site useful for finding
information about the restaurant during its closed hours.
Several years after its opening, Cactus Flower continues
to attract more and more people with its quaint charm, good
food, genial ambiance and friendly staff. The quality of
service that the staff members put forth keeps customers
coming back for more and adds to the overall success of
the restaurant.
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