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Cantina el Tesoro thriving in Decatur
by Brian Egestion
be@brianwrites.com
 Walter Saenz’s training as a chef in his native Costa Rica has taken him to many places. His travels took him to Miami where he prepared elaborate dishes of crustaceans and finned cuisine. Now the humble chef has settled in the confines of Decatur at an eatery that looks like the collision of a restaurant and a family reunion.
In the circa 1920 house on Church Street that has been home to other eateries, Saenz said he’s trying to bring a family atmosphere and recipes to an area that loves its neighborhood restaurants. El Tesoro took over the lease from Jake’s Ice Cream, according to Saenz and spent eight months getting it into shape. The partitioned rooms provide natural light in some areas and privacy in others. One of the rooms has maps from various locations as wallpaper on the ceiling.
Saenz operated an east Atlanta restaurant called Cantina la Casita and is trying to bring the same success to Church Street. The savvy restaurateur salvaged a collection of giant letters from an old Tower Records store and rearranged them to spell Tesoro.
They also added 100 square feet to accommodate the kitchen. Seanz said all of the restaurant cheeses are imported from Mexico, an attempt to keep true to the authentic Mexican cuisine.
The property can accommodate 260 occupants, including the family-style picnic and gathering areas on the front lawn. On Mother’s Day, children were turning cartwheels in the grass while patrons on the porch sipped beverages paired with fresh guacamole.
Saenz said he’s especially proud of his pork carnitas dish marinated in citrus juices then slow cooked for four hours. Other dishes include an authentic Mexican favorite Queso Fundido.
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