BIZNOTE: New owners, name for Mission in The Admiral District

(Photo courtesy Mission Cantina – from left, Tina Padilla, Shawn Padilla, Peter Morse)

That’s the new ownership team for what was Mission Latin Lounge and is now Mission Cantina (2325 California SW). From the announcement:

Peter Morse, an original owner and manager of the restaurant, has teamed up with new partners, husband and wife Shawn and Tina Padilla. This is the first ownership change for the West Seattle restaurant since it opened in 2005.

Mission Cantina has reason to be enthusiastic about the future, as there are numerous projects in the works, such as expanding the offering of rare and boutique tequila, mezcal, and other agave-based spirits. Peter, Shawn, and Tina will ring the bell when La Escuela Del Misión (The Mission School) is in session in late fall. You’ll never be late for class at this school for tequila, which will provide opportunities to taste the new options. Look for a new sign to reflect the updated name soon and a refreshed interior including new skylights, Mexican tiles, and agave harvesting tools, just to name a few. One much-anticipated change is the launch of a weekend brunch later in the year.

Shawn Padilla tells us there will be some other menu changes – watch for the “big reveal” around Dia de los Muertos, just after Halloween. You’ll likely see the new Mission Cantina signage before then.

JB September 7, 2016 (5:24 pm)

This is great – I’m excited to see what changes they make and to try out some new tequilas! West Seattle’s very own tequila bar! Also, the pic is sideways, at least in the mobile version.

NW September 7, 2016 (5:29 pm)

Peter, Shawn and Tina provide this community not only the finest tequilas the market has to offer but in addition a place where patrons of yours who choose to smoke a cigarette out front a place to pluck their butts.The amount of times I have walked by in the past and seen them littered about everywhere directly in front is not attractive. Just a helpful suggestion for the new business. Best of luck.

Peter September 7, 2016 (6:07 pm)

Dear NW,

As an owner of Mission, I totally agree. We sweep daily and have a commercial ashtray mounted on our exterior wall and an additional ashtray on the bike rack. I’m not sure what else to do. Appreciate the comment though and will work on it further.

GW Neighbor September 7, 2016 (6:08 pm)

I have had the pleasure of talking tequilas (should be the name of a podcast) with Shawn and the man’s knowledge will blow your mind. I am excited for Peter and crew to have gained such a great couple to partner with and take Mission to the next level. I can say that I know where Uber will be driving me to and from on Dia de los Meurtos!!!!

Congrats to the business!!!!

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (7:09 pm)

GW Neighbor,

Thank you for the kind words. We are always working to improve our knowledge and share it with our friends, family and neighbors. Tina is going to be leading us with her mezcal expertise as well as we will be bringing in brand reps, distillers and industry experts too. Watch for our events and please come join us.

OP September 7, 2016 (7:15 pm)

Very excited by the new projects—particularly the Mission School! But I’m biased. I’m having my 50th birthday celebration there this month. :)

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (7:17 pm)

OP,

Glad to hear that you chose to spend your 50th birthday with us. I am sure our excellent team will be take great care of you and your party goers. Salud!

Mom of three September 7, 2016 (8:35 pm)

So excited to hear this! Congrats to Mission Cantina! Little known secret: this is one of my favorite places to take my kids for dinner. They love it!

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (7:23 pm)

Mom of Three,

Thank you and we look forward to enjoying your continued patronage. As a regular we would greatly appreciate your feedback good or bad as we make changes to Mission Cantina.

David September 7, 2016 (8:54 pm)

Woo hoo – so excited to see it on the blog! Shawn and Tina are awesome folks and I can’t wait to support them in their new endeavor😀

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (7:23 pm)

Thank you!

ttt September 7, 2016 (8:55 pm)

we LOVE mission, but skylights?! one of Mission’s best features is the dark atmosphere and the lit candles up the walls… if it ends up looking like a puerta vallarta or matador we will stop going. keep it cool Mission!

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (7:34 pm)

TTT,

Thank you for the candid feedback. We are attempting to make the ambiance better for our weekend daytime brunch and keep everything that makes the evening vibe as it is today with all Mexican lighting, candles, etc. We also like the atmosphere! We plan to keep everything that makes us unique.

Johny Pizza September 7, 2016 (10:59 pm)

TTT,

I am guessing that skylights will be to add a better environment for the brunch that is soon to come. It shouldn’t really effect night time ambiance. I am super excited to see the interior refresh and hopefully crush a plate of chilaquiles and chase off the night before with a Bloody Maria!!! If it could be like a Senior Moose for brunch I will be fat and broke!!!

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (7:44 pm)

Johny Pizza,

You are correct about the skylights. We look forward to having you in for brunch and brunch cocktails. We are developing our brunch menu and I am confident you will approve. Thanks

Juanderful September 8, 2016 (1:56 am)

Please improve the God awful food. Hire some Mexican truck guys and pay them a living wage to sling tasty food. Seriously, GRINGOS! STOP THE RUNNY DISHES. That is all.

P.S. Love Dawndra! Make her a manager.

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (7:53 pm)

Juanderful,

Thank you for the feedback. It is unfortunate that you have had a bad experience and you have the entire teams commitment to do better. We are continuously looking for ways to make improvements today and in the future. We love Dawndra too and will pass along your comments.

Dan September 8, 2016 (8:06 am)

Need to prepare real Mexican food, have not returned to Mission

following a couple forgettable meals several years ago. Check out the Mexican options in Georgetown, Casa la Catrina is great.

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (8:34 pm)

Dan,

Appreciate the feedback. Hopefully you will come back to visit us soon and see if we have made the improvements needed to earn your business. We also enjoy the food at Fonda la Catrina and support them when we can.

Wes C. Addle September 8, 2016 (8:18 am)

I’m hoping for a food refresh too. I live very close and would patronize more often if the food was better as I enjoy everything else about the space. Also no free chips and salsa is a bummer, it’s not worth buying the order of chips and salsa(dip) as an appetizer due to the underwhelming amount of food you receive. Best of luck!

Dave September 8, 2016 (9:29 am)

Really looking forward to the change. We love tequila and mezcal, but in the 5 years we have been in the neighborhood have been disappointed with Mission (except the first year’s 4th of July pig roast with The Swinery). Bring a good selection of agave beverages and quality food, and we will be regulars!

newnative September 8, 2016 (9:44 am)

Ah, and here come the debbydowners. Mission isn’t Mexican, if you want (authentic) Mexican, go to Guaymas. I really like the Mission food (latin-style) and the portions are huge. I really like the happy hour menu as well. I hope the changes are good and more light inside sounds like a good idea.

Danielle September 8, 2016 (5:03 pm)

I hate to be “The Vegan” but one of the things I love about Mission is that many of the vegetarian items can be made vegan. I’m excited for the new owners and hope they will keep that up!

Shawn Pedro September 8, 2016 (8:18 pm)

Danielle,

One of our new owners is gluten free & dairy free and eats somewhat vegan so we will be keeping those options. Hopefully we can add new menu options too. We appreciate your business and look forward being able to provide many options for you and others.
- Danielle September 10, 2016 (5:51 pm)
  
  Thanks for your response! I really appreciate those options. I’m looking forward to checking it out.

ttt September 8, 2016 (10:24 pm)

We love their food. And I appreciate that they are listening to feedback on here. We don’t want a Senior Moose like so eone replied though. We love the unique vibes and great drinks. Just keep it cool and unique.

JonnyQuest September 9, 2016 (8:27 am)

Should I desire (doubtful), I can get free institutionalized chips and salsa, as well as a blended, pre-mix margarita at any number of chain Mexican restaurants. And street tacos at numerous food trucks, a favorite being a hidden gem in Cashmere. Neither of those are reasons I frequent The Mission…

Judy Morse September 9, 2016 (12:47 pm)

I think Mission is great. I go there every time I am in Seattle. I usually go to Seattle when my son Pete invites me. Mom

JWinWS September 10, 2016 (5:39 pm)

I’m hoping to be the valedictorian of La Escuela Del Misión. My wife is hoping to “fail” so she can keep repeating her senior year.

Juan B September 11, 2016 (7:09 am)

I’ve been going to the Mission since they opened in 2005, when West Seattle didn’t have very many (if at all) nice restaurants/bars

I love Mission, as do my wife and 8-year old son. I love their margaritas, their plantains, their sweet potatoe enchiladas, their chips and salsa (that I happily pay for), their enthusiastic waitstaff, their stone-walled interior, the lighting, the candles. You get the idea. I love the Mission. They’re better than Matador and Cactus. In fact, I’m going bold and declaring that, It’s my favorite restaurant in West Seattle! Yup.

Im excited for the changes however and hope that they only improve on what is already a great restaurant and make it even better. I’ll definitely be there to toast the new Mission with a handful of Mezcal! Congrats!

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