Sofia’s Roadside Cantina

Sofia’s Roadside Cantina gives South Huntsville another place for tacos, birria and queso, but the reason this one matters goes beyond what’s wrapped in a tortilla. The colorful Hays Farm cantina is rooted in the Villarreal family’s Mexican and Spanish heritage and named for Sofia, the family matriarch whose cooking helped inspire the menu. There’s plenty to explore: birria tacos served with dipping broth, al pastor with pineapple, barbacoa, tinga chicken, steak and shrimp, plus tacos, burritos, tortas, bowls and quesadillas you can build your own way. Then things get a little less predictable. Birria also shows up tangled with ramen noodles. Nashville hot chicken can land in a taco, burrito or torta. There are fried tamales with avocado ranch, street corn, empanadas and, importantly for this queso-obsessed reporter, both classic queso and chorizo queso. But Sofia’s is also built around a bigger idea: everyone deserves a seat at the table. Owner Kelly Villarreal has an autistic son, and her family recognized firsthand the need for meaningful work opportunities for people with disabilities. Sofia’s was created in part to provide work training and employment opportunities for people who may face barriers elsewhere, bringing that mission into a restaurant designed to serve the whole community. That makes Sofia’s particularly important to Hungry Hungry Huntsville. Accessibility here isn’t only about whether someone can physically get through the door. It’s also about who gets welcomed into the workplace, who gets an opportunity to learn and earn, and who gets to participate in Huntsville’s restaurant community. Come hungry for birria and queso. Pay attention to the bigger story while you’re here.