Rancho de Tia Rosa
Rancho de Tia Rosa is a one of a kind Mexican restaurant, nestled away in Mesa at 3129 E. McKellips Rd. Mesa, just like a well kept secret. In fact, I accidently drove by it last week and had to turn around, when I got to Val Vista RD. and realized I had driven past my destination. I would venture to say this is my new favorite Mexican food restaurant, as I have been there twice in the last two weeks. I find myself craving the unique, exceptionally flavorful dishes that are their trademark.
On both occasions I have taken my daughter as my dining partner, in fact the food was so good the first time that my very picky teenager asked to go back again. It is indeed a triumph, for their food to be so delicious that it won over, one of the most hard to please eaters I have ever known.
On our first visit, we sat in the main dining room, which I highly recommend, it is original in its design, colorful, appealing and soothing with a fountain visible for all to enjoy. Our waiter was Brandon, he has that certain kind of friendly charm that most guests feel immediately comfortable with, and he quickly takes cues from his customers (huge applause). All I had to do as glance up at him for him to know I was not ready yet to order, he smiled in acknowledgment and breezed by the table, to then return after giving us a few more minutes( again). As with most Mexican restaurants, chips and salsa are brought to your table for your snacking enjoyment. At Tia Rosa’s they bring you two salsas a traditional red salsa and a very distinctive green salsa made with tomatillos, it has a sweet taste to it as if sugar is one of the main ingredients. You barely realize you are addicted to it until your arm stars hurting from the continuous movement of the chip, plunging into the green salsa and then being devoured by your mouth. You start to wonder is there a 12 step program to detox from this phenomenal green salsa now that they have gotten you hooked.
We decided to share an appetizer, even though we continued to inhale the chips and salsa. I wanted to try the Dos Tia’s Tamales, one tamale filled with cheese, onions and sweet corn, the second tamale ( hence the dos in the name), filled with red chili pork, served in the husks with black bean salsa. Under adamant protest from my daughter, as she is a cheese crisp a- holic, we settled on the cheese crisp, and I was deprived the Dos Tia’s tamales, until next time. As far as cheese crisps go it was good, my daughter the cheese crisp connoisseur loved it and in fact ordered it as an entrée the second time we visited.
Speaking of the entrees, part of what makes Tia Rosa’s so unique is the vast array of specialty dishes. Such a magnificent change from the same old mundane combination plates, that can be found at any commercialized Mexican restaurant. If you enjoy an out of the ordinary salad, they offer a Pineapple Avocado Salad, with red leaf lettuce, thin sliced purple onions, served with a homemade poppy seed dressing that sounds scrumptious. If you are a die -hard chili relleno fan( I was once married to one), then the Nuevo Chili Relleno, should be quite a treat for your taste buds; a roasted poblano chili stuffed with pork picadillo, topped with pinon nuts, sour cream and cheese served with Spanish rice. For the seafood lovers in your group, they are in for some mind blowing selections; Grilled Salmon steak with an orange mango sauce served with tequila rice and fresh limes. Grilled Salamon Enchiladas in an avocado sauce served with Spanish rice, mango salsa and fresh fruit. Or Enchiladas de Mariscos, grilled shrimp and fish wrapped in a corn tortilla covered with rich creamy green enchilada sauce, served with rice grilled peppers and onions. One of the dishes that really caught my eye was Chicken Mole, a true authentic Mexican dish, however not common for restaurants to serve. Typically when you think Chicken Mole, you think your Nana’s kitchen at the holidays. There are 6 varieties of chilies and 22 spices, herbs, nuts, fruit and chocolate blended together to make this classic sauce for the chicken. Garnished with sesame seeds and served with Spanish rice and flour tortillas. Chicken Mole is the absolute next entrée I will indulge in upon my next visit, which I anticipate to be very soon. Probably next week as that is fast becoming my pattern.
They have an Adkins friendly dish called Plato Baja en Carbohidratos, it is a Carne Asado platter served with lettuce wraps, cheese and sour cream. They also offer a entrée called Enchiladas de Espinaca, fresh cooked spinach, onions and pinon nuts in a creamy green chili sauce, served with black beans and a sautéed chili corn, perfect for the vegetarian in your group.
You can still take pleasure in traditional dishes like; tacos, tostados (called flying saucers on the menu), burritos or my absolute to die for favorite dish here…… drum roll please…..the shredded beef chimichanga. The flavor of the shredded beef is one of a kind…..comparable to none. You cannot help but savor the taste as it teases your palate, and the aroma arouses your senses. It’s like a love affair with your meal. Seriously, I use to dream about Johnny Depp, now I dream about this chimichanga….MMMMMMMMM!!!
Rancho De Tia Rosa’s is marvelous dining experience. It is authentic, yet displays the ability to think outside of traditional flavor box, allowing your taste buds to be teased and satisfied in a way they have never known before. The next thing you know you will be driving down the street and your taste buds will be navigating your car to Tia Rosa’s for more.
It is a perfect place to take your family, friends from out of town or even a romantic date. You can check out their fantastic menu, read the history behind this family owned restaurant by logging on to www.tiarosa.net. Tia Rosa’s is only open Tuesday through Saturday; please call 480-659-8787 for times of operation. On my scale of 1- 5 forks, Tia Rosa’s is most definitely a 5 fork rating, take everyone there and then tell all of your friends, that is what I did.