Estella’s Cantina

Estella’s Cantina is a small taco and tequila bar on the south end of Lake Street in Miller Beach, the lakefront neighborhood of Gary. Owner Manuel Anaya opened the cantina in February 2025 after a long buildout and named the place for his grandmother. The idea, he told The Times of Northwest Indiana, was the street-vendor style of Aguascalientes in central Mexico: a short menu of made-to-order tacos, a plate of pickled vegetables and two salsas on the side, and a bar that leans on smaller tequila distilleries rather than the big brands. There are no televisions by design.

What to know

• The address is 615 S Lake St, about a block from the Miller South Shore Line stop.
• Tacos include al pastor, steak, chicken, chorizo and a cactus (nopal) option.
• The bar pours craft tequilas, micheladas and about half a dozen aguas frescas, including hibiscus.
• The restaurant opened in February 2025 and is named for the owner’s grandmother.
• Local microbrews are on tap alongside the tequila list.