Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant has been a fixture in Tucson’s culinary scene for over five decades, offering a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine. Located in a Fort Lowell shopping center, this long-standing establishment promises a vibrant dining experience, as one steps inside a space reminiscent of Mexico itself, filled with color and texture. On a Friday afternoon in November 2021, two reviewers, Roy and Jim, visited Rosa’s to sample their offerings. They were promptly seated, a stroke of luck as the restaurant quickly filled to capacity. Chips and salsa arrived immediately, setting the stage for their much-anticipated Mexican meal.
However, the initial prompt service was followed by a significant delay. The wait for their server to take their order stretched on, becoming noticeably long. Eventually, Jim had to flag down the host, a figure in a cowboy hat with rolled-up sleeves, to request service. The host then alerted their waiter, finally initiating the ordering process.
Despite the slow start, the extensive menu at this Mexican Food Restaurant offered plenty to consider. Roy opted for a chimichanga, a classic Mexican dish, along with his customary hot tea. Rosa’s chimichanga comes with a variety of filling choices, including ground or shredded beef, chili con carne, carne seca, chicken, or carne asada. He believed he selected the shredded beef. Jim, on the other hand, chose the ground beef enchiladas, a staple at any traditional Mexican food restaurant, served with rice and beans. His enchilada plate featured corn tortillas filled with beef, baked with cheese, and accompanied by Spanish rice and refried beans, garnished with fresh toppings. To complement his meal, Jim also ordered a margarita with salt.
Roy described his experience at this Tucson Mexican food restaurant as stepping “through the door in Mexico”. He was impressed by the “blaze of color and textures” and found the menu, complete with pictures, easy to navigate. A pleasant surprise for Roy was the availability of hot tea, not always a given in Mexican restaurants in Tucson. While he found the server to be slow and seemingly disinterested, a significant drawback in his view (“They lost a saguaro with that attitude,” referring to the saguaro rating system used in the original review), the food itself was a highlight. Roy stated his chimichanga was “about the most flavorful in town” and appreciated the generous portion size, noting it was larger and about $3 cheaper than comparable dishes at other Mexican restaurants. He even took over half of it home for another meal.
Jim echoed the sentiment about the quality of the food at this Mexican food restaurant. He found his enchiladas, Spanish rice, and refried beans to be “excellent.” However, the service issues persisted throughout their meal. When they were ready for the check, Jim again had to wave down the host to get their server’s attention. Despite the inattentive service, which both reviewers found frustrating, the food quality and value at Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant shone through. Both Roy and Jim agreed that, were it not for the poor service, Rosa’s would have earned a four-saguaro rating. However, due to the consistently slow and disinterested service, they both adjusted their rating to three saguaros.
Rosa’s Mexican Food Restaurant is located at 1750 E Fort Lowell Rd #164, Suite 164, Tucson, AZ 85719. They can be contacted at (520) 325-0362. Despite the service concerns, the restaurant’s long history and positive food reviews suggest it remains a worthwhile option for those seeking Mexican food in Tucson, particularly if you prioritize flavor and value.
