Story written by RHS Student intern Victoria L.
Companions on Broadway location evolves…..to La Cantina
Many tourists come to Revere for our beautiful beach, vital to our history. Although I know the beach is our diamond of the city, we have so much more to offer. The beach and Revere overall has an abundance of restaurants for our tourists to choose from. They range from Mediterranean to Mexican, and we want to focus on our newly opened restaurant, La Cantina, which was previously known as the Holiday Cafe or even Companions. As the world evolves so should our buildings.
La Cantina recently opened on Broadway over the summer and since their opening they have been very popular. The colorful exterior has been eye-catching to those who drive past, and when you enter, you’re only found by an even more attractive interior. Inside, you’ll find a comfortable intertwining of retro and latino inspired decorations. They have the place decorated beautifully from floor to ceiling. The inside may have something amazing for us to look at but the mixture of classic Mexican and Colombian food has attracted guests to stay. 
Although I’d never been aware of the effect Companions had on Revere residents, it was clear the restaurant was an essential hangout spot. “Companions was a staple spot in Revere, it gave the same kind of vibe as how New Deal is. It’s a place you wouldn’t find anywhere else. I don’t think I can go to New York and find a Companions.” Says Santo Martell. He tells me stories about his parents’ frequent visits and how they’d order from Companions on days they didn’t feel like cooking. The restaurant was a homey place where many would go to get a break from their complicated lives and fit right in.
Taking over such an important venue with such a rich history must be a difficult task for La Cantina to battle. When asked if Martell thought La Cantina could ever live up to Companions’ reputation, he says, “Eventually over time people might start to be more fond of it but no I really don’t think it could build up to what Companions was before. I could ask someone down the street or even someone at the grocery store and they would be like ‘Oh Companions? Yeah, I’ve been there before!’ It used to always be something you could talk about.”
Even though it’s believed that they couldn’t be as impactful as Companions that doesn’t mean they haven’t made a name for themselves. With the restaurant’s interior and exterior design alone it’s already created a buzz for it’s establishment. The restaurant is able to give a much more lively feel to Broadway as a whole, making an impact in the Revere community and emphasizing the love we have for Hispanic foods!
