Lakeland

La Pinata Bringing Traditional Mexican Cuisine to Lakeland

A new, authentic Mexican dining and market experience is in the works for Lakeland.

Image from La Pinata's website

LAKELAND, FL — La Pinata is targeting a mid-August opening at 850 S Tennessee Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801.

The concept is led by Chef Jonathan Cisneros and Chef Alfredo Ortiz alongside partners Vincent Nacimos, Aiden Maher, and Cisneros. Nacimos told Business Debut the team is focused on introducing an authentic approach to Mexican cuisine in a market largely dominated by Tex-Mex offerings.

What to Expect

The concept blends a full-service restaurant with a market-style experience. Guests can expect indoor seating for about 28, along with an outdoor area accommodating around 60, Nacimos told Business Debut.

The team is also working to develop an outdoor mercado-style space where guests can shop, grab coffee or wine, or take prepared food to go.

“Everything is made in house… we’re not getting anything outsourced,” Nacimos told Business Debut.

Menu highlights include birria tacos made with slow-cooked brisket, cheese, and consommé for dipping, which Nacimos described as “like a French dipped taco.” Another featured item is pollo albóndigas, a chicken meatball served with salsa macho, a pepper and peanut-based sauce.

Both chefs bring experience from Roca in Tampa, where the team was part of a Michelin-recognized operation. Nacimos said the goal is to bring that level of technique into a more traditional Mexican format for Lakeland.

“This is a lot of their creative take on bringing a traditional kind of view to Lakeland,” Nacimos told Business Debut.

Opening Timeline

The team is targeting an opening around August 15th, though timing is still being finalized.

Hours

Initial hours will focus on dinner service, with plans for 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. on weekends. The restaurant will be closed on Mondays, with plans to expand into morning service in the future, Nacimos told Business Debut.