La Rosita new location issues

I have been waiting for a bit get down to the new location for La Rosita because I figured that with the increase in size/volume there would be several hurdles for them. I'm not one to stay away from a place because of some negative comments, but I have a fair amount of friends that love (not like) La Rosita, and ALL of them have nothing good to say about the new place. The most disappointing thing I have heard is that the food is not up to the same standard.

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the size of the new location was the service. I would describe the service at the old location as somewhat lacking, but the food was so good that I didnt really care about the lack of quality service. However, if the food is taking a hit, that will kill it for me.

La Rosita is one of my absolute favorites so please tell me otherwise....

I've done carry out from them twice in the new operation, and I have not noticed any difference in the food. I cannot comment on the service, as I just ordered it to go, but the food was still wonderful. The ambiance is different in the new place. Its a lot bigger, and not as cozy as the old building, and that might have an effect to some people, but that would seem to be more psychological than anything. I've had people tell me they miss the coziness of my store's old building, and that the new place seems a lot more sterile than the old, but I tell them they are nuts! My old building was falling apart, and I don't think I could fit one more bottle in the place.

Taking an operation and changing the atmosphere from what people are used to always takes a bit of time for adjustment. Maybe the food is different, or maybe its in their head, but it will be a different experience from what they were used to. To me, the food tasted exactly, and wonderfully the same.

I really don't like being negative of a local place, but my 2 experiences were so poor I feel I need to chime in.

I will say the food was still amazing but I doubt I ever go again.

I felt as if I was starring in a mockumentary about horrible service. I would have expected Micheal Moore to appear but W couldn't be held responsible in this case. I gave it a second chance and it was even worse.

For the first time since I was a drunk 20 year old college student at the Dupont Tumbleweed after a bourbon infused day at Churchill Downs, I left without paying. I know the forum motto is speak to a manager to let them make it right before bashing a place. I tried. After about 15 minutes waiting at the cashier to pay, with the intention of asking for a manager, I left. I did later mail them $20 and a note on my $12 bill as I am beginning to have morals as I age.

My Carne Asade was amazing. The service was so incredibly poor, It outweighed the food.

We went by a few weeks ago and had a much better level of service than any of our visits to the old location. We hadn't gone there as often as we could because of the expected poor service and the no substitution policy. Is it too much to ask for black beans with my enchiladas instead of the mashed to a pulp beans?

Historically I never thought the food was good enough to put up with marginal service and the lack of a bar - despite the generally universal praise they receive. On the other hand, I'm going to give the new location a try. I hope I change my mind.

No apologies, just my observation, as one who once thought he knew everything and then realized that going into battle with the army you have sometimes results in, er, problems:

La Rosita's gradually is resolving the service issues, and I've noticed no difference whatever in the quality of the food, even on day one.

I can't speak to the quality/service at the old location, as my first time ever going was a month or two ago at the new restaurant. I felt like the food absolutely lived up to the hype that I'd heard about it, and it seemed a good value for the money. Was not impressed at all w/ their margaritas; then again, I'm driving from Clifton next time I visit, so it's probably not a good idea anyway.

My visit was for a friend's birthday party. We were a HUGE table of at least 20 people. There were a few mistakes on orders, IIRC (which involved people asking for special things), and they seemed to be quickly remedied. The service was friendly and attentive, especially for a huge group of people that was arriving at different times. Just my 2 cents.

Took my in-laws for dinner tonight, and everything was fantastic. The food was as amazing as ever, and the service far exceeded anything we've ever had at the old location. The best part was that after my 3 year old decided he wanted "Chicky" as our food was arriving, it took only 2 minutes to get him a plate of chicken and rice.

I'm extremely happy that the issues I've heard about seem to be ironed out!

We went a week or so ago. Service was great and the food was fine. It's just not a destination place IMO. With Bank Street (definitely a destination spot) just around the corner, I be stopping there when I make the drive. One big caveat, I've yet to find any Mexican food locally that I would classify as fantastic.

I will say that the new location for La Rosita sure is big. Kind of like skating rink big.

We've been to new location 3 times. Food seems as fantastic as always. I've noticed no change, food-wise. Service-wise, they've got a lot more geography to cover and the input computers are not located very efficiently. I think the increased capacity caused them to hire more servers, some of whom are less experienced. The trick is to get into Theresa's service section. She's fantastic and very professional (even thought she's only about 10 years old - it seems). A couple of the new servers don't speak much English.

Service-wise, they've got a lot more geography to cover and the input computers are not located very efficiently.

This. The one time I went to the new location the food was awesome. But the servers seem to have had to run marathons to get drinks and punch in orders on the computers. The place is HUGE!