Following Robin's review of Cheap Eats in mid January, I decided to try La Rosita East Market New Albany location. After a few trips for lunches and one dinner I can no longer remain silent.
La Rosita's dishes out the finest Mexican food that I've ever had.........bar none. Each visit we started off with the three spicy salsitas from squeeze bottles, as Robin detailed, along with crisp, fresh tortilla chips. I could make a meal of these and a Negra Modelo or two.
Speaking of cheap eats a fast lunch one day consisted of an a la carte Tostadas de Ceviche and side of refrieds setting me back $4.49. A six inch crispy tortilla was loaded with very fine chopped white fish and pico de gallo, marinated in lime and topped with three small slices of avocado and stripes of a dark hot sauce. Outstanding taste and value.
Another less hurried lunch consisted of The Grilled Veggie Grande Quesadilla that was Huge. A 12 inch flour stuffed to overload with grilled mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh cilantro, sour cream and white crumbled cheese. The layers of flavors were surprising to my meat needing self. It provided two round tummies. A side of refried beans were a light pink and delicious.
Israel Landin suggested my love for seafood would be well served with his Empapelados. Our next visit I followed Israel's advice and nearly popped a button. Three large Tilapia fillets, tender pink shrimp, a few dots of salty bacon, onions, mushrooms and enough molten cheese to thicken the sauce produced by steaming in a foil wrapper. I ordered mine A La Diabla style (Spicy Hot). I'd call it a medium for the wary....just about right for the delicate flavored Tilapia. Best "fish in a bag" I've ever had the pleasure of. It's clear Chef Israel knows flavor balance and layering.
My Buddy, Gina ordered her favorite Mexican dish a burrito. She opted for the La Rosita Burrito. Out comes this burrito that looked like a catchers mitt. Not to paint a bad picture...just Very Big! She chose shredded beef which was accompanied by rice, lettuce, black beans, tomato, onion, cheese, cilantro and sour cream wrapped in a fresh flour. It was really plated well, sliced diagonally. She's equally impressed. I had the pleasure of finishing it for a snack and a lunch.
Service during each visit was very prompt and polite. Servers helped us understand the menu and offered welcome advice about dish contents. We met Israel's wife/teammate Lidia during our last visit. She, like Israel is very friendly and even helped me with a bit of Spanish to praise their efforts.
Gina and I look forward to many more round tummies while "watchin' the wallet".
