Disappointing visit to LaRosita's

My husband and I went to this new Mexican place in New Albany, LaRosita's Sat night. The place was packed so we thought that was a good sign. After about a 10min wait, we were reluctantly sat a a table for 4. They wanted us to wait for a table for 2 to open up, but seated us anyway. The first thing we noticed that posted on every table was a sign that said to make sure you know what your ording and if you want to omit anything to order it that way because they serve "authentic" mexican food. With that noted, we looked over the menu and ordered. Husband went with the chimichanga and I chose may all time favorite Chili Rellenos. My dish came out first, and good 5 mins before his. Thought that a bit odd, but they were busy, so okay. My peppers looked great! But after cutting into them, the cheese was a firm cold brick resembling tofu and did not taste that well. Usually these tasty peppers are flowing with hot melted goodness. When the server brought my husbands dish I commented on mine and was told that was the way the dish was suppose to be. She asked if I wanted it reheated, at which I declined because it had sour cream and pico on it. Besides, if thats the way the dish is made what would reheating do? So I simply said that I didn't want the dish. A few minutes later a different server came over and wanted to know what the problem was, so I told her the same thing and her responce was, "Well, do you want a box for it?" I asked why would I want a box to take it home? If I'm not going to eat in now, why would I at home? She then said said well your gonna be charged for it anyway. I then asked why, and she said (or rather pointed) to the sign on the table, that they cook "authentic" and basically were warned before ordering?? I'm all for authentic cooking, and very rarely, if ever send back or complain about my food. But where is the line between "authentic" and poorly cooked food? Needless to say, we will never be back. Not because of the food, but rather the horrible customer service and the poor attempt, if any, to make the situation right.

Cold cheese in chili rellenos is not authentic Mexican.
It is however an authentic Mexican mistake that you should not have
paid for.

I would have left with the ticket and called a manager the next day.



Thanx for the post, it's helpful

[Robin Garr]

My husband and I went to this new Mexican place in New Albany, LaRosita's Sat night. ... Needless to say, we will never be back. Not because of the food, but rather the horrible customer service and the poor attempt, if any, to make the situation right.

DeeDee, I'm really sorry you had that experience, but I'm also very surprised, as La Rosita is generally known for very good service - it's owner operated, and the owner, Israel Landin, is well-known for his hospitality. I almost wonder if he was on vacation or something. Bottom line, I'd give them *one* more chance.

It's not all that new, by the way ... I reviewed it in February 2006, at which time it had just moved in to the East Market location from a tiny, stand-up spot out Charlestown Road, where it had been for maybe a year before that.

After she pointed at the sign that said we cook "authentic" (which is a ridiculous sign considering) Mexican, you should have pointed right back at the sign and changed the highlight to "cook" authentic. They forgot the cook part.

Robin, I would have to say the service was not good at all. Even without the food issue we had, they also "lost" my drink (thats what they said, they lost my drink) after taking it for a refill. One time it came with a new straw and the other time it came with a used straw. So I wasn't sure if that was my straw since they lost it, but thats how they served it back to me! The place is so small, the drink station was 20 ft away from our table. I just don't get that at all. Also, when we asked about the salsas, which was served in 4 plastic sqeeze bottles, we were told to just squirt the salsa on the chips........we asked for dishes which they did bring us. I'm all for giving places a second whirl, but honestly, we will never return. That place left a bad taste in my mouth, in more ways than one.

[Robin Garr]

That place left a bad taste in my mouth, in more ways than one.

DeeDee, I can't blame you under the circumstances, and I won't nag you any more.

I'm sorry, though, because I've considered La Rosita one of the best of the more authentic type of taqueria/Mexican restaurant around, and I hope this isn't a sign that they're slipping.

I eat lunch there about 3 times a month and have always had good food, but the lowlight has always tended to be the service. I guess I have never expected top notch service at a place like La Rosita so my expectations have pretty much always been met. Israel is a great host and always seems anxious to please.

I'm surprised as well.
I've always had great food at La Rosita--it's one of my favorite Mexican food places. Service can be spotty, but my food has always been right on.
Also, I've had the chile relleno there before & it was not served cold.
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.

I, too, agree that while service is sometimes even more casual than ours (that's saying something), it's unusual to see a cooking mistake at Rosita's.

Granted, there's a school of thought around town that the kitchen slips a bit when Israel's not around (I know he was out of town in Mexico a couple of weeks ago), but I can't say I've noticed that to be the case. We continue to eat there a couple of times a week, and frankly, it's hard to imagine eating Mexican anywhere else, and not just because Rosita's is three blocks from our house. A few weeks ago, en route to Indy for the beer fest, my brewer Jared and I stopped at a Mexican place in Seymour.

Yuck. Tasted like Tumbleweed's Tex-Mex used to, and while that was once acceptable, it isn't any longer.

Roger, maybe the owner was out of town the night we were there, because no one seemed to know what was going on. There was even a child ( a boy maybe 10 years old) cleaning tables and getting refills, which we thought was very odd. It was jsut a mess from the get go. I just don't get that place AT ALL. What am I missing??

I'm not sure I know how to answer that question. There have been a couple of times in my memory when something about an order was wrong, but never when the food was inedible; times when the service was slow (if everyone only knew how hard it is find educable help these days!); and in short, a half-dozen visits that were not stellar, but we wouldn't keep going back if there were lapses as big as the one you report.

I have no answers, so I'll shut up now.