Is Cantina Margarita on the rocks?

Have these drinks been chilled? When Jack Martinez, founder of the beloved Jack-n-Grill at 2524 Federal Boulevard, franchised his New Mexican restaurant concept to Anthony Javazon, the Jack-n-Grill at 16221 East 40th Avenue became a favorite stop for recalibrating the tastebuds after flying into DIA, and earned a Best of...

By Patricia Calhoun

October 27, 2008

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Have these drinks been chilled?

When Jack Martinez, founder of the beloved Jack-n-Grill at 2524 Federal Boulevard, franchised his New Mexican restaurant concept to Anthony Javazon, the Jack-n-Grill at 16221 East 40th Avenue became a favorite stop for recalibrating the tastebuds after flying into DIA, and earned a Best of Denver 2007 award (while the original Jack-n-Grill picked up yet another award for Best Green Chile).

But Martinez and Javazon had a falling out over the terms of the franchise deal, and in the spring of 2007 Javazon went his own way and turned the restaurant into Cantina Margarita, which had a menu suspiciously close to that of Jack-n-Grill.

But Martinez could be having the last laugh, because our frequent flier (and green chile eater) found the Cantina Margarita closed at noon on Sunday, which used to be prime time at this joint -- and judging from the orange construction code inside, it may not be reopening any time soon. If ever.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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