Okay, after hearing from girlfriends about how wonderful this place is (I'm a Chicago transplant, they've been going there for years) I finally went a few weeks ago for a birthday party. Dear Lord in heaven - Taco Bell has better food. I sure wasn't expecting authentic Mexican but . . . some real food in lieu of canned institutional grade as they serve would be a great improvement. Girls must just go there for the drinks. 2 stars cuz the waitress was awesome. Me, never again.
(2)
Matthew K.
Blech. It's been a week, and I still cringe thinking about the disgusting fake cheese coming into contact with my tongue. This place isn't even trying. There's authentic Mexican food, there's "Americanized" Mexican food, and then there's "Hey, this town doesn't have a Mexican restaurant, so let's throw some meat, tomatoes, and fake cheese on a plate and call it Mexican" Mexican food. Two words (or at least two syllables): Juan-Tons. I am holding back vomit as I try to describe this abomination. It is a deep-fried won-ton wrapper filled with pico de gallo and government cheese. You might think I'm talking about the nacho cheese you might get at Taco Bell... no. There's Velveeta, there's Cheez-Wiz, and then there's this stuff. I don't know what it is, but it is diabolical. When I was a child, I had a toy grill that came with plastic hamburger patties and plastic cheese slices. The cheese in the Juan-Tons more closely resembled the plastic cheese slices than anything I could legitimately classify as "cheese". For mains, I ordered fish tacos, and my wife had a seafood chimichanga. The fish taco was so bland that I had to drown it in salsa to the point that all it tasted of was salsa. My wife claims that the seafood chimichanga was tolerable, but I did not dare to try it. As my wife tried to eat it, the tortilla kept opening up. The inside looked about as gross as a baby's diaper--some amalgamation of shrimp, fake cheese, and white sauce. The horror... For dessert, we ordered fried ice cream. Now, about two years ago, I remember being disappointed by the fried ice cream at Taxco, so I went to Rosita's specifically for fried ice cream. Back then, it was good. This time, it was not fit for human consumption. From the taste of it, I can tell that the ice cream is coated with corn flakes, fried in the early afternoon, then stored in a freezer until it is ready to be served. This results in a stale coating, which makes it worse than just eating a scoop of ice cream alone. I sent it back, asking if they could make it properly. They claimed that that would be impossible. The wait staff was not attentive, but the service pales in comparison to the horrible quality of food, so I won't go into too much detail. I will give them credit for their outdoor eating area, which is where we were seated. It is quite nice, and they've managed to landscape the surroundings so that you almost don't realize you're sitting right next to Lincoln highway. Kind of hard to ignore the train that comes behind the restaurant every half hour, though! The defining moment of the night was when a squirrel came up to our table, we offered it a Juan-ton; it looked at it, turned, and hopped away. This place needs to close. They don't care about their customers anymore. Avoid it or suffer.
(2)
Jessica M.
We came here for a casual family dinner and that it was. We have loads of kiddos in our family (being an aunt rocks) and were accommodated with a nice long table in a separate area of the restaurant. The rating is a-ok and so was the food. Our server juggled juice boxes, sangria, beer and margaritas to keep us all happy and that he did. I ordered the pork tacos with cilantro and onion and they were tasty. The guac was good - not great. Overall I think all of us were happy and full by the time we left.
(3)
Rowena T.
I personally really enjoyed the food and atmosphere here. It was simple and nice. I ordered the chicken guacamole burrito with a side of pinto and cheese. It was the perfect portion and quite tasty. I ordered a piña colada along with my meal and it tasted perfect. I like my drinks sweet and light on the taste of alcohol. For me, this drink was perfect! I would definitely recommend this place if you're craving Mexican food and would like a nice casual sit down restaurant.
(5)
Dayan G.
If your looking for a good traditional Mexican restaurant this is not it at all. The food was pretty much like taco bells. It's a pretty clean place and the staff was nice, but the food did not taste fresh or Mexican. The Beff taco tasted like a sloppy joes in a tortilla. To pricy for the taste.
(1)
Marci D.
This is the worst "Mexican food" ever! I guess if you've never had real Mexican food you wouldn't know the difference but let me tell you this shit ain't real. First I ordered a margarita and it was pure syrup. Then I ordered two chicken enchiladas and what came out would piss off any Hispanic. They were two dried up chicken enchiladas covered in burnt nacho cheese. I get that I'm in the Midwest but damn! All you have to do is go on YouTube and learn how to cook some real shit.
(1)
Scotty F.
I've been frequenting Rosita's for my entire life, and I have to agree with the previous reviewers who said that it isn't an authentic Mexican restaurant. If any of those people had bothered to check Yelp before going, they would have already known that. This fact does not detract from the simple truth that this restaurant is amazing. Nachitos are a family favorite- these are not authentic nachos, they are something different entirely. I personally prefer the tomatillo pork enchiladas as the main dish, though I often get an order of the Nachitos Ole for my meal (this is actually much closer to authentic nachos). Bottom line: It seems to be too confusing for people to figure out the difference between an authentic Mexican restaurant and an American restaurant built and operated by a Mexican family. Rosita's falls deliciously in the second category.
(5)
Real S.
I used to love this place!!! But it really has gone down hill!! I sat down and the waitress was clueless, the pop machines didn't work, and they complained about giving any credit to the bill because they were unable to serve the guest! This place needs to be shut down , absolutely horrible! What happened to this place?
(1)
Mandi A.
Shout out to Logan who is hands down that best in town!! He's very helpful and will put you in a great mood!! I will come back just because he's awesome!!! BTW the food was good and really enjoyed the patio!
(4)
Maggie T.
Rosita's is a solid choice for Americanized Mexican food. Don't go here expecting the real thing. The atmosphere inside/out is fun and it's a good place for groups and kids who don't want "real" Mexican. I would avoid the burritos, enchilada stack, and chimichangas as they're definitely not worth the money. I usually stick with the enchiladas or chicken quesadilla. The chicken can be on the drier side (probably why I get enchiladas for the added sauce/moisture). The margaritas aren't too bad. Rosita's is a safe choice for those who want a taste of Mexican without the flavor punch of the real thing. Eduardo's (owned by the same family) is a step above as far as authentic goes, but the price is higher as well. If you're looking for authentic without a high price tag, try Los 3 Burritos instead.
(3)
Alexis S.
This place is mediocre at best, but what drives home the 2-star rating is their $25 pitcher of sugary margarita mix that they claim has tequilla in it. I had to order a shot to make mine taste normal (though it's only $1 more if you've already ordered an entire pitcher). As far as the food, I had the pork tacos which were pretty good. Not amazing, but good. The tacos come with rice and beans, and the beans are not re-fried, but black beans, which is somewhat different then the typical Mexican dish. The others at my table were less satisfied with their orders. The service was fine. It was a Monday night and we had a large group, but the restaurant was not crowded.
(2)
Chris M.
I hate to give Rosita's a bad review -- I grew up going here. But honestly, the food has gone downhill a lot in the last few years. It's "hospital food" Mexican -- there is absolutely no seasoning on anything. And I don't mean hot seasoning -- I mean any seasoning that resembles Mexican food at all. I've had burritos, quesadillas, taco salad, etc. and all of it is very bland. I shouldn't have to doctor the food with the table salsa as much as I do to give it any discernable flavor. The service is great so I can't fault that at all (although the uniforms are awful) but I do wish the food was better.
(2)
Deirdre M.
My favorite mexican restaurant in DeKalb! The burrito grande is amazing. The only complaint I have is that they charge you for tortilla chips. Those should be free. But if you can get over that annoyance you will certainly enjoy an authentic meal. Every dish I have tried there has been delicious. Dishes are about $10 each. Grace is our favorite waitress, very friendly & attentive :-) The food comes out fast & hot and the drinks are strong. I would give them 5 stars if they had complimentary chips for their guests.
(4)
Missy L.
Yes you do have to pay for chips and salsa! I have never gone here for food because I always heard it was just ok......I ordered the Chicken Flautas and they were ok. The server was very friendly and even ran after me when I left my phone on the table. Def got extra in the tip for that! If I have to choose between them and Eduardo's, Rosita's has better food but Eduardo's has good drinks. Rosita's have better chips and salsa (but you have to pay), food is similar, but the service is what makes the difference. Outdoor patio is great. Sadly the second non authentic Mexican restaurant in DeKalb.
(2)
Amanda B.
Authentic Mexican Food = No Restaurant Pretending to be Authentic = No Ugly, Trying to be Authentic Server Dresses = Check Now that we've got that covered, I can actually write about Rosita's. Similar to many, many others who have written reviews, I grew up on this place. I'm fairly convinced that until I went to college and sampled other "Mexican" food, and actually traveled to Mexico for a study abroad experience, that I likely said that Rosita's was the best Mexican restaurant on the planet. I'm not necessarily trying to argue that now, but I still adore coming to town to visit family and stopping in for an awesome dinner. Appetizers: I almost always order a nacho which is basically just a tostada with refried beens and melted cheddar cheese on top. Whatever. Don't judge. It's delicious! :) However, the other amazing appetizer option when I'm feeling particularly indulgent is the "Diablo." Write this down folks. Put it in your notebook. Type it on your phone. It's not on the menu. It may have been at one time but is no longer. However, if you order it, most servers know what you're talking about. If they don't. Tell them to tell the chefs and they'll no. It's got meat it in you vegetarians, but for the rest of you...you have not lived if you have not ordered it. I don't know what's in it. I don't really care. It's amazing and you need to order it. Yesterday. Dinner: I'm always partial to flautas. Not particularly special here but still tasty. I actually love the seasoning on their beef tacos and would recommend that as well. Otherwise, order the nachitos for dinner (actually an appetizer) and you won't be disappointed. Drinks: If you're feeling thrifty, I got nothing for you. If on the other hand, you're OK with shelling out a little extra money for a solid margarita, order the Golden Cadillac on the rocks. Phenomenal. Please thank me later when you've ordered these items and are in food coma bliss.
(3)
Jon T.
Ms T and I stopped in DeKalb on our way home from Chicagoland to have lunch with an old friend. I know he and his wife are regulars at Rosita's so we met them here. I had eaten here once about ten years ago while on business. It is a fairly typical family style Mexican restaurant with perhaps just a little more sophistication. We did not eat a lot of chips and salsa, since we were busy catching up. The salsa was thin but with decent flavors. Ms T had a ground beef tostada. The beef was mildly seasoned and she said it was good. Often ground beef in these places is pretty boring. I ordered pork tacos. They were served with cilantro and a sprinkle of queso Chihuahua. I was happy that it was not drowned with raw onion. The pork was juicy with mild spice and good flavors. I guess they were trying to mimic al pastor a little although not advertised as such. The meat was sweet with pineapple juice. I found it too sweet, but with a squeeze of lime and some of the salsa, it was good. From our limited sampling I would rate Rosita's about average for small town family Mexican restaurant.
(3)
Carolyn A.
We eat here often. I usually order the Mayan Chicken with a blue margarita. Great salsa too.
(5)
Ruth F.
Went here for lunch after calling ahead to make sure the beans are lard-free (they are). Had the "Juan-Tons," which are cream cheese and pico de gallo in egg roll wrappers. They didn't mention that they also include cheddar, which was a surprise. The rolls themselves weren't that impressive, but the guacamole dip they came with was really good; nice bit of onion without being overpowering. My companion liked his chile relleno; I had the green enchiladas with cheese. The enchiladas were OK; the refried beans were really good, and the rice was pretty blah. Fried ice cream for dessert was tasty but not actually fried; it was a cornflake crusted ball of fairly good vanilla ice cream hidden under chocolate syrup and a bunch of whipped cream. The food was fairly mild; the plastic jug of salsa on the table was good though and permits one to turn up the heat if desired. I was very disappointed by the "Mexican hot chocolate" that is obviously from a mix (I asked, and the waitress confirmed they use Nestle's) - the menu says it is "Sweet Mexican chocolate spiced with cinnamon" - no cinnamon in evidence. Very spacious; the occupancy sign says they can only seat 509 (!) people. Full bar.
(3)
Ashley J.
My boyfriend and I journeyed out to Dekalb to visit my poor little brother who 'lives in the middle of nowhere'. We were told that Rositas was a MUST .. 'meh, i've experienced better'. As a total foodie, who has a slight obsession with Mexican food, I can say that Rositas is far from authentic. We were seated promptly, and our server was very attentive.. however, the problem that I have is with the food. After waiting for some chips and salsa (complimentary at MOST Mexican places..) we were surprised by the fact that you have to pay extra for them! 'Ok, they must be awesome' we thought .. nope. The salsa was just OK, nothing special, it was more like a pico de gallo than salsa..served out of a sauce dispenser, which makes dipping your chips nearly impossible without sticking your whole hand into the thing.. Ordered a plate of nachos for the table.. expecting regular nachos, right? What we got was a plate of tortilla chips covered in American cheese. Yikes! Not sure where they got this recipe, but I knew something was off until I asked what kind of cheese it was.. Just a very strange taste when we were looking for something different. I ordered the chicken enchilladas, same thing- topped with sliced american cheese. I think this recipe is just plain weird. It damages the whole essence of what the meal is supposed to be! My boyfriend was smart, and specified what kind of cheese he wanted on his steak tacos, but he said they weren't that good either.. Afterwards, I asked my friend WHY he would recommend Rositas, and he's still hooked. I guess everyone has different tastes and expectations..definitely will not go back.
(2)
Hayley H.
A bit over priced for simple mexican food. Its open for lunch, unlike the much talked about Eduardos (owned by the same group), which is a bonus. There was a lot of room in the dining area, not very busy on a Sunday morning, though who goes to Mexican food on Valentines morning. We do. And we were not that impressed. Although the shrimp stuffed chimichunga was a sour cream dream, the flautas were a bit small. The refried beans on the side were a bit bland, with a strange sweetness to them. Its worth a lunch, but I would recommend sticking to the fajitas. You cant go wrong with them. And pop is overpriced at 2.50.
(2)
Derek G.
I grew up on Rosita's and it's a staple for my parents. It WAS my favorite Mexican restaurant for all of my formative years until I met the competition in Sycamore - however that is not an insult to this fine establishment. The food is always good and the drinks are always strong. I actually eat here more often rather than my preferred choice because friends drag me here, but I'll willingly admit it's never kicking and screaming. The pollo azteca is my favorite as it's spicy enough, but not overboard. The service is always friendly. Rosita's is a really really solid restaurant for Dekalb, try it and you won't be disappointed. If I could ask one question to Rosita herself, though, it'd be why on earth did you pick those awful dresses for the wait staff? Blarg!
(4)
Ev S.
Ok, we have been to Rosita's a few times, but today will be our last. My partner ordered the arroyos con poyo, chicken and rice, there was no rice and the chicken was just shredded chicken you would put in an enchilada. No seasoning or flavor. I had steak enchiladas, which were equally as bland. The guacamole was blah and tasted store bought, not fresh. As we looked around, we noticed how soiled the carpet was by our booth. The waitress starting coughing as she brought our meal, which happened, but then comes back to announce she coughs and sneezes in fits and her dad is the same way. I'm sorry...TMI! Just a weird lunch and a waste of money. I'd rather go to Taco Bell. Rosita's is in need of a restaurant intervention, really dull food.
(1)
Amy T.
This is one of the last restaurants to go to if you want authentic Mexican food. The fact you have to pay for tortilla chips blows my mind. The food is just OK, and Mexican food should never be served with American cheese. El Burrito Loco has better food at better prices. I have been to Rosita's five times. Each time I was hoping it would be better than the last, and every time it was no better than the first. Try to avoid this place if you can.
(2)
Renee S.
I grew up on Rositas and a staple in my college years. Its not the most authentic Marxian food you've ever had, but it is consistently the same good meal every time. Every time I return "home" I feel the need to visit here. Service is always great, and food is served fast and hot. Use caution with the hot sauce dispenser. I admit to have had a few accidents in over-serving myself with the lid flying off when dispensing. :)
(4)
Luke S.
My girlfriend's family has been coming here for years. Taking me here was their first true test. They would have thrown me to the curb if I hadn't loved Rositas. Luckily the food is really good and they have a ton to choose from. My go to is the pork tacos, but be sure you get crunch taco shells. The Nachitos are also a can't miss! I've been here several times since we started dating and I have yet to be let down.
(5)
Nikki R.
Went there for lunch on a Sunday and sat in their outdoor seating area, which was very nice. Service was good, too. As for the food, I got cheese enchiladas with beans and rice and was quite disappointed by how bland the meal was. I loved their chips and salsa (spicier than I expected - yum!), but they charged for them, which seemed odd to me. I probably won't go back.
(2)
Chad P.
It's a nice atmosphere, with places to sit and be loud, places to sit outside, or just for a nice night out for two. I'm not a Mexican foodie, so for me, the food meets my bellys expectations. I always enjoy the fish tacos with tasty whitefish and excellent mango salsa. Perfect summer dinner that goes well with a tasty margarita.
(4)
Jeanette K.
I was told this was the best Mexican in DeKalb, and maybe I'm a Mexican food snob, but it was just OK. Nothing knocked our socks off, and I get irked when Mexican restaurants charge for chips and salsa. Let's see an Italian restaurant charge for bread and olive oil. Isn't going to happen. We started with margaritas, which were large and strong, as anticipated. I ordered enchiladas verde with chicken, and they were ok, if lacking in actual "verde" color and flavor. Basically I was served a pile of cheese with some enchilada buried underneath. Others ordered pork dishes and tacos, all with "ok" reviews. Service was good, and bonus for easy parking.
(3)
A B.
Worst "Mexican" restaurant my family has ever been to. It is nothing close to authentic and the service was so bad the wait staff didn't even notice or comment on the fact that we literally took about two bites out of our food. It was inedible. The queso was a thick, stringy, oddly flavored cream that likely came out of a can. The chicken-drowning-in-adobo-sauce was rubbery and tasted terrible, steak tacos were flavorless, rice was mushy, avocado was nearly spoiled, salsa was mediocre. We left to go to Los Rancheros which has never let us down!
(1)
Julie S.
First of all you have to pay for chips, that weren't even that good. I asked the waitress about vegetarian options and she was not helpful, so I'm sure I ended up eating some chicken broth or something. The food was okay, until later that night when both my boyfriend and I were sick from it. The salsa was too spicy. The guacamole was $3 and it was just mashed avocados. The service was horrible. There were only a few tables in the place and it took our server almost 10 minutes to come back and take our order. We wanted more drinks during our meal but she was no where to be found, and she didn't take our plates away when we were done. I wasn't expecting the Ritz but this place is a big thumbs down. I'd rather go to Chipotle. We won't be going back and I recommend you don't go either.
(1)
Scott K.
My 2nd visit to Rosita's was better the then the first and thus will plan on a 3rd. My fist visit was chicken enchiladas and comparing them to Tia Maria's in Geneva I was not very enthused. My most recent trip came be the recommendation from two staff folks at the nearby House Cafe. I had two each of the chicken and beef tacos in a corn shell. The chicken was bland even after salsa sauce. The beef however did have a mild, very mild, spice to it but tasty enough to entice me to try Rosita's again
(2)
Monique C.
I like Rosita's. It's definitely one of the Mexican restaurants in Dekalb that I go to, but it's a little pricey for simple Mexican food. I did like their drinks and their mango pork chops.
(3)
Rebecca S.
Right down the street from Eduardos and doesn't even come close....It IS slightly cheaper, but not by much. However, I believe Rosiatas IS open for lunch and Eduardos is not.
(3)
Johanna J.
This place gets worse every year for me. The food is under seasoned and I swear you get more beans and rice then anything else. I don't know what is going wrong it could just be me but Rosita's is not the restaurant it used to be.
(2)
Randi A.
I literally grew up in Rosita's. For what its worth, I love their food. Mexican is one of my favorite cuisines and I can understand why someone, who is not accustomed to Rosita's, wouldn't like it. Their margaritas are one of a kind and the appetizers are particularly original.
(4)
Josh O.
I was amazingly impressed with this place. Having grown up in California and gone to college in Minnesota, I was expecting this to be the same-old midwestern interpretation of crappy Mexican food. Imagine my surprise when the food was actually delicious! And the salsa was actually decently spicy; I expected the standard extra-mild but it was more like a medium. I highly recommend this place. This is what Mexican should be like (at least outside of the border states ;).
(4)
JarHarms P.
I guess in DK you are either for Rosita's or Eduardo's. Their main advantage is being open for lunch when Eduardo's is not. Pop is kind of pricey and I was a bit surprised to be charged for chips and salsa. We ordered guacamole and chips, which I did not enjoy much. There is hardly enough guac and frankly it is not anything special. The food was OK but not as flavorful as I'd expect one of the "best" Mexican places in DK. After trying Rosita's for the first time I'd say I fall into the Eduardo's camp.
(2)
Bonana A.
I live now in Dekalb, IL where Rosita's is but this place to me is not what Mexican American food should taste like. I was born and raised in Los Angeles where Mexican restaurants are everywhere, ad have to be good or they'll go under. Rositas is just not that good. We just started going to a new Mexican restaurant near the Walmart on Sycamore Road which is the closest thing to authentic Mexican cuisine. "Los Rancheros". They even have Carnitas which being a standard in Mexican restaurants all over L.A., but, you can't even find it here and when I asked at Rositas, they never heard of it. I would go there first. To me, Rositas is a watered down interpretation of something that might slightly be Mexican but not really.
(2)
Dwight D.
Paying for chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant os a big reason for why this place is rated low. The food isn't bad but for the price you pay it isn't great either. Other Mexican places in DeKalb (Eduardos, Burrito loco, etc.) have better food for better prices. On the other hand, this is a nice looking place with a good vibe. Overall, average on a good day.
(2)
Susanne C.
I have been eating at Rosita's since the 70's (!) when it was a tiny storefront restaurant and they had the BEST guacamole ever. Since then, it has expanded hugely, including a patio area, into a very big restaurant. Since last summer we have made several trips out there - an hour's drive - and my memories have not held up. The drinks have been good, the quesadillas above average but overall, the food is very bland. Last night we did not even get any salsa and chips. The chicken taco salad had neither salsa or guacamole in it, just lots of lettuce and some sour cream. Also very bland.
(3)
Alanna K.
This place is ok. Not my favorite, but I do eat here once in a while. Cindy Crawford is a fan of this place...I've seen here there. Maybe I just have had higher expectations with the amount of my friends that love the place, and other people that love it there. I don't know, it's not the worst, but not the greatest.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Teri B.
Okay, after hearing from girlfriends about how wonderful this place is (I'm a Chicago transplant, they've been going there for years) I finally went a few weeks ago for a birthday party. Dear Lord in heaven - Taco Bell has better food. I sure wasn't expecting authentic Mexican but . . . some real food in lieu of canned institutional grade as they serve would be a great improvement. Girls must just go there for the drinks. 2 stars cuz the waitress was awesome. Me, never again.
(2)Matthew K.
Blech. It's been a week, and I still cringe thinking about the disgusting fake cheese coming into contact with my tongue. This place isn't even trying. There's authentic Mexican food, there's "Americanized" Mexican food, and then there's "Hey, this town doesn't have a Mexican restaurant, so let's throw some meat, tomatoes, and fake cheese on a plate and call it Mexican" Mexican food. Two words (or at least two syllables): Juan-Tons. I am holding back vomit as I try to describe this abomination. It is a deep-fried won-ton wrapper filled with pico de gallo and government cheese. You might think I'm talking about the nacho cheese you might get at Taco Bell... no. There's Velveeta, there's Cheez-Wiz, and then there's this stuff. I don't know what it is, but it is diabolical. When I was a child, I had a toy grill that came with plastic hamburger patties and plastic cheese slices. The cheese in the Juan-Tons more closely resembled the plastic cheese slices than anything I could legitimately classify as "cheese". For mains, I ordered fish tacos, and my wife had a seafood chimichanga. The fish taco was so bland that I had to drown it in salsa to the point that all it tasted of was salsa. My wife claims that the seafood chimichanga was tolerable, but I did not dare to try it. As my wife tried to eat it, the tortilla kept opening up. The inside looked about as gross as a baby's diaper--some amalgamation of shrimp, fake cheese, and white sauce. The horror... For dessert, we ordered fried ice cream. Now, about two years ago, I remember being disappointed by the fried ice cream at Taxco, so I went to Rosita's specifically for fried ice cream. Back then, it was good. This time, it was not fit for human consumption. From the taste of it, I can tell that the ice cream is coated with corn flakes, fried in the early afternoon, then stored in a freezer until it is ready to be served. This results in a stale coating, which makes it worse than just eating a scoop of ice cream alone. I sent it back, asking if they could make it properly. They claimed that that would be impossible. The wait staff was not attentive, but the service pales in comparison to the horrible quality of food, so I won't go into too much detail. I will give them credit for their outdoor eating area, which is where we were seated. It is quite nice, and they've managed to landscape the surroundings so that you almost don't realize you're sitting right next to Lincoln highway. Kind of hard to ignore the train that comes behind the restaurant every half hour, though! The defining moment of the night was when a squirrel came up to our table, we offered it a Juan-ton; it looked at it, turned, and hopped away. This place needs to close. They don't care about their customers anymore. Avoid it or suffer.
(2)Jessica M.
We came here for a casual family dinner and that it was. We have loads of kiddos in our family (being an aunt rocks) and were accommodated with a nice long table in a separate area of the restaurant. The rating is a-ok and so was the food. Our server juggled juice boxes, sangria, beer and margaritas to keep us all happy and that he did. I ordered the pork tacos with cilantro and onion and they were tasty. The guac was good - not great. Overall I think all of us were happy and full by the time we left.
(3)Rowena T.
I personally really enjoyed the food and atmosphere here. It was simple and nice. I ordered the chicken guacamole burrito with a side of pinto and cheese. It was the perfect portion and quite tasty. I ordered a piña colada along with my meal and it tasted perfect. I like my drinks sweet and light on the taste of alcohol. For me, this drink was perfect! I would definitely recommend this place if you're craving Mexican food and would like a nice casual sit down restaurant.
(5)Dayan G.
If your looking for a good traditional Mexican restaurant this is not it at all. The food was pretty much like taco bells. It's a pretty clean place and the staff was nice, but the food did not taste fresh or Mexican. The Beff taco tasted like a sloppy joes in a tortilla. To pricy for the taste.
(1)Marci D.
This is the worst "Mexican food" ever! I guess if you've never had real Mexican food you wouldn't know the difference but let me tell you this shit ain't real. First I ordered a margarita and it was pure syrup. Then I ordered two chicken enchiladas and what came out would piss off any Hispanic. They were two dried up chicken enchiladas covered in burnt nacho cheese. I get that I'm in the Midwest but damn! All you have to do is go on YouTube and learn how to cook some real shit.
(1)Scotty F.
I've been frequenting Rosita's for my entire life, and I have to agree with the previous reviewers who said that it isn't an authentic Mexican restaurant. If any of those people had bothered to check Yelp before going, they would have already known that. This fact does not detract from the simple truth that this restaurant is amazing. Nachitos are a family favorite- these are not authentic nachos, they are something different entirely. I personally prefer the tomatillo pork enchiladas as the main dish, though I often get an order of the Nachitos Ole for my meal (this is actually much closer to authentic nachos). Bottom line: It seems to be too confusing for people to figure out the difference between an authentic Mexican restaurant and an American restaurant built and operated by a Mexican family. Rosita's falls deliciously in the second category.
(5)Real S.
I used to love this place!!! But it really has gone down hill!! I sat down and the waitress was clueless, the pop machines didn't work, and they complained about giving any credit to the bill because they were unable to serve the guest! This place needs to be shut down , absolutely horrible! What happened to this place?
(1)Mandi A.
Shout out to Logan who is hands down that best in town!! He's very helpful and will put you in a great mood!! I will come back just because he's awesome!!! BTW the food was good and really enjoyed the patio!
(4)Maggie T.
Rosita's is a solid choice for Americanized Mexican food. Don't go here expecting the real thing. The atmosphere inside/out is fun and it's a good place for groups and kids who don't want "real" Mexican. I would avoid the burritos, enchilada stack, and chimichangas as they're definitely not worth the money. I usually stick with the enchiladas or chicken quesadilla. The chicken can be on the drier side (probably why I get enchiladas for the added sauce/moisture). The margaritas aren't too bad. Rosita's is a safe choice for those who want a taste of Mexican without the flavor punch of the real thing. Eduardo's (owned by the same family) is a step above as far as authentic goes, but the price is higher as well. If you're looking for authentic without a high price tag, try Los 3 Burritos instead.
(3)Alexis S.
This place is mediocre at best, but what drives home the 2-star rating is their $25 pitcher of sugary margarita mix that they claim has tequilla in it. I had to order a shot to make mine taste normal (though it's only $1 more if you've already ordered an entire pitcher). As far as the food, I had the pork tacos which were pretty good. Not amazing, but good. The tacos come with rice and beans, and the beans are not re-fried, but black beans, which is somewhat different then the typical Mexican dish. The others at my table were less satisfied with their orders. The service was fine. It was a Monday night and we had a large group, but the restaurant was not crowded.
(2)Chris M.
I hate to give Rosita's a bad review -- I grew up going here. But honestly, the food has gone downhill a lot in the last few years. It's "hospital food" Mexican -- there is absolutely no seasoning on anything. And I don't mean hot seasoning -- I mean any seasoning that resembles Mexican food at all. I've had burritos, quesadillas, taco salad, etc. and all of it is very bland. I shouldn't have to doctor the food with the table salsa as much as I do to give it any discernable flavor. The service is great so I can't fault that at all (although the uniforms are awful) but I do wish the food was better.
(2)Deirdre M.
My favorite mexican restaurant in DeKalb! The burrito grande is amazing. The only complaint I have is that they charge you for tortilla chips. Those should be free. But if you can get over that annoyance you will certainly enjoy an authentic meal. Every dish I have tried there has been delicious. Dishes are about $10 each. Grace is our favorite waitress, very friendly & attentive :-) The food comes out fast & hot and the drinks are strong. I would give them 5 stars if they had complimentary chips for their guests.
(4)Missy L.
Yes you do have to pay for chips and salsa! I have never gone here for food because I always heard it was just ok......I ordered the Chicken Flautas and they were ok. The server was very friendly and even ran after me when I left my phone on the table. Def got extra in the tip for that! If I have to choose between them and Eduardo's, Rosita's has better food but Eduardo's has good drinks. Rosita's have better chips and salsa (but you have to pay), food is similar, but the service is what makes the difference. Outdoor patio is great. Sadly the second non authentic Mexican restaurant in DeKalb.
(2)Amanda B.
Authentic Mexican Food = No Restaurant Pretending to be Authentic = No Ugly, Trying to be Authentic Server Dresses = Check Now that we've got that covered, I can actually write about Rosita's. Similar to many, many others who have written reviews, I grew up on this place. I'm fairly convinced that until I went to college and sampled other "Mexican" food, and actually traveled to Mexico for a study abroad experience, that I likely said that Rosita's was the best Mexican restaurant on the planet. I'm not necessarily trying to argue that now, but I still adore coming to town to visit family and stopping in for an awesome dinner. Appetizers: I almost always order a nacho which is basically just a tostada with refried beens and melted cheddar cheese on top. Whatever. Don't judge. It's delicious! :) However, the other amazing appetizer option when I'm feeling particularly indulgent is the "Diablo." Write this down folks. Put it in your notebook. Type it on your phone. It's not on the menu. It may have been at one time but is no longer. However, if you order it, most servers know what you're talking about. If they don't. Tell them to tell the chefs and they'll no. It's got meat it in you vegetarians, but for the rest of you...you have not lived if you have not ordered it. I don't know what's in it. I don't really care. It's amazing and you need to order it. Yesterday. Dinner: I'm always partial to flautas. Not particularly special here but still tasty. I actually love the seasoning on their beef tacos and would recommend that as well. Otherwise, order the nachitos for dinner (actually an appetizer) and you won't be disappointed. Drinks: If you're feeling thrifty, I got nothing for you. If on the other hand, you're OK with shelling out a little extra money for a solid margarita, order the Golden Cadillac on the rocks. Phenomenal. Please thank me later when you've ordered these items and are in food coma bliss.
(3)Jon T.
Ms T and I stopped in DeKalb on our way home from Chicagoland to have lunch with an old friend. I know he and his wife are regulars at Rosita's so we met them here. I had eaten here once about ten years ago while on business. It is a fairly typical family style Mexican restaurant with perhaps just a little more sophistication. We did not eat a lot of chips and salsa, since we were busy catching up. The salsa was thin but with decent flavors. Ms T had a ground beef tostada. The beef was mildly seasoned and she said it was good. Often ground beef in these places is pretty boring. I ordered pork tacos. They were served with cilantro and a sprinkle of queso Chihuahua. I was happy that it was not drowned with raw onion. The pork was juicy with mild spice and good flavors. I guess they were trying to mimic al pastor a little although not advertised as such. The meat was sweet with pineapple juice. I found it too sweet, but with a squeeze of lime and some of the salsa, it was good. From our limited sampling I would rate Rosita's about average for small town family Mexican restaurant.
(3)Carolyn A.
We eat here often. I usually order the Mayan Chicken with a blue margarita. Great salsa too.
(5)Ruth F.
Went here for lunch after calling ahead to make sure the beans are lard-free (they are). Had the "Juan-Tons," which are cream cheese and pico de gallo in egg roll wrappers. They didn't mention that they also include cheddar, which was a surprise. The rolls themselves weren't that impressive, but the guacamole dip they came with was really good; nice bit of onion without being overpowering. My companion liked his chile relleno; I had the green enchiladas with cheese. The enchiladas were OK; the refried beans were really good, and the rice was pretty blah. Fried ice cream for dessert was tasty but not actually fried; it was a cornflake crusted ball of fairly good vanilla ice cream hidden under chocolate syrup and a bunch of whipped cream. The food was fairly mild; the plastic jug of salsa on the table was good though and permits one to turn up the heat if desired. I was very disappointed by the "Mexican hot chocolate" that is obviously from a mix (I asked, and the waitress confirmed they use Nestle's) - the menu says it is "Sweet Mexican chocolate spiced with cinnamon" - no cinnamon in evidence. Very spacious; the occupancy sign says they can only seat 509 (!) people. Full bar.
(3)Ashley J.
My boyfriend and I journeyed out to Dekalb to visit my poor little brother who 'lives in the middle of nowhere'. We were told that Rositas was a MUST .. 'meh, i've experienced better'. As a total foodie, who has a slight obsession with Mexican food, I can say that Rositas is far from authentic. We were seated promptly, and our server was very attentive.. however, the problem that I have is with the food. After waiting for some chips and salsa (complimentary at MOST Mexican places..) we were surprised by the fact that you have to pay extra for them! 'Ok, they must be awesome' we thought .. nope. The salsa was just OK, nothing special, it was more like a pico de gallo than salsa..served out of a sauce dispenser, which makes dipping your chips nearly impossible without sticking your whole hand into the thing.. Ordered a plate of nachos for the table.. expecting regular nachos, right? What we got was a plate of tortilla chips covered in American cheese. Yikes! Not sure where they got this recipe, but I knew something was off until I asked what kind of cheese it was.. Just a very strange taste when we were looking for something different. I ordered the chicken enchilladas, same thing- topped with sliced american cheese. I think this recipe is just plain weird. It damages the whole essence of what the meal is supposed to be! My boyfriend was smart, and specified what kind of cheese he wanted on his steak tacos, but he said they weren't that good either.. Afterwards, I asked my friend WHY he would recommend Rositas, and he's still hooked. I guess everyone has different tastes and expectations..definitely will not go back.
(2)Hayley H.
A bit over priced for simple mexican food. Its open for lunch, unlike the much talked about Eduardos (owned by the same group), which is a bonus. There was a lot of room in the dining area, not very busy on a Sunday morning, though who goes to Mexican food on Valentines morning. We do. And we were not that impressed. Although the shrimp stuffed chimichunga was a sour cream dream, the flautas were a bit small. The refried beans on the side were a bit bland, with a strange sweetness to them. Its worth a lunch, but I would recommend sticking to the fajitas. You cant go wrong with them. And pop is overpriced at 2.50.
(2)Derek G.
I grew up on Rosita's and it's a staple for my parents. It WAS my favorite Mexican restaurant for all of my formative years until I met the competition in Sycamore - however that is not an insult to this fine establishment. The food is always good and the drinks are always strong. I actually eat here more often rather than my preferred choice because friends drag me here, but I'll willingly admit it's never kicking and screaming. The pollo azteca is my favorite as it's spicy enough, but not overboard. The service is always friendly. Rosita's is a really really solid restaurant for Dekalb, try it and you won't be disappointed. If I could ask one question to Rosita herself, though, it'd be why on earth did you pick those awful dresses for the wait staff? Blarg!
(4)Ev S.
Ok, we have been to Rosita's a few times, but today will be our last. My partner ordered the arroyos con poyo, chicken and rice, there was no rice and the chicken was just shredded chicken you would put in an enchilada. No seasoning or flavor. I had steak enchiladas, which were equally as bland. The guacamole was blah and tasted store bought, not fresh. As we looked around, we noticed how soiled the carpet was by our booth. The waitress starting coughing as she brought our meal, which happened, but then comes back to announce she coughs and sneezes in fits and her dad is the same way. I'm sorry...TMI! Just a weird lunch and a waste of money. I'd rather go to Taco Bell. Rosita's is in need of a restaurant intervention, really dull food.
(1)Amy T.
This is one of the last restaurants to go to if you want authentic Mexican food. The fact you have to pay for tortilla chips blows my mind. The food is just OK, and Mexican food should never be served with American cheese. El Burrito Loco has better food at better prices. I have been to Rosita's five times. Each time I was hoping it would be better than the last, and every time it was no better than the first. Try to avoid this place if you can.
(2)Renee S.
I grew up on Rositas and a staple in my college years. Its not the most authentic Marxian food you've ever had, but it is consistently the same good meal every time. Every time I return "home" I feel the need to visit here. Service is always great, and food is served fast and hot. Use caution with the hot sauce dispenser. I admit to have had a few accidents in over-serving myself with the lid flying off when dispensing. :)
(4)Luke S.
My girlfriend's family has been coming here for years. Taking me here was their first true test. They would have thrown me to the curb if I hadn't loved Rositas. Luckily the food is really good and they have a ton to choose from. My go to is the pork tacos, but be sure you get crunch taco shells. The Nachitos are also a can't miss! I've been here several times since we started dating and I have yet to be let down.
(5)Nikki R.
Went there for lunch on a Sunday and sat in their outdoor seating area, which was very nice. Service was good, too. As for the food, I got cheese enchiladas with beans and rice and was quite disappointed by how bland the meal was. I loved their chips and salsa (spicier than I expected - yum!), but they charged for them, which seemed odd to me. I probably won't go back.
(2)Chad P.
It's a nice atmosphere, with places to sit and be loud, places to sit outside, or just for a nice night out for two. I'm not a Mexican foodie, so for me, the food meets my bellys expectations. I always enjoy the fish tacos with tasty whitefish and excellent mango salsa. Perfect summer dinner that goes well with a tasty margarita.
(4)Jeanette K.
I was told this was the best Mexican in DeKalb, and maybe I'm a Mexican food snob, but it was just OK. Nothing knocked our socks off, and I get irked when Mexican restaurants charge for chips and salsa. Let's see an Italian restaurant charge for bread and olive oil. Isn't going to happen. We started with margaritas, which were large and strong, as anticipated. I ordered enchiladas verde with chicken, and they were ok, if lacking in actual "verde" color and flavor. Basically I was served a pile of cheese with some enchilada buried underneath. Others ordered pork dishes and tacos, all with "ok" reviews. Service was good, and bonus for easy parking.
(3)A B.
Worst "Mexican" restaurant my family has ever been to. It is nothing close to authentic and the service was so bad the wait staff didn't even notice or comment on the fact that we literally took about two bites out of our food. It was inedible. The queso was a thick, stringy, oddly flavored cream that likely came out of a can. The chicken-drowning-in-adobo-sauce was rubbery and tasted terrible, steak tacos were flavorless, rice was mushy, avocado was nearly spoiled, salsa was mediocre. We left to go to Los Rancheros which has never let us down!
(1)Julie S.
First of all you have to pay for chips, that weren't even that good. I asked the waitress about vegetarian options and she was not helpful, so I'm sure I ended up eating some chicken broth or something. The food was okay, until later that night when both my boyfriend and I were sick from it. The salsa was too spicy. The guacamole was $3 and it was just mashed avocados. The service was horrible. There were only a few tables in the place and it took our server almost 10 minutes to come back and take our order. We wanted more drinks during our meal but she was no where to be found, and she didn't take our plates away when we were done. I wasn't expecting the Ritz but this place is a big thumbs down. I'd rather go to Chipotle. We won't be going back and I recommend you don't go either.
(1)Scott K.
My 2nd visit to Rosita's was better the then the first and thus will plan on a 3rd. My fist visit was chicken enchiladas and comparing them to Tia Maria's in Geneva I was not very enthused. My most recent trip came be the recommendation from two staff folks at the nearby House Cafe. I had two each of the chicken and beef tacos in a corn shell. The chicken was bland even after salsa sauce. The beef however did have a mild, very mild, spice to it but tasty enough to entice me to try Rosita's again
(2)Monique C.
I like Rosita's. It's definitely one of the Mexican restaurants in Dekalb that I go to, but it's a little pricey for simple Mexican food. I did like their drinks and their mango pork chops.
(3)Rebecca S.
Right down the street from Eduardos and doesn't even come close....It IS slightly cheaper, but not by much. However, I believe Rosiatas IS open for lunch and Eduardos is not.
(3)Johanna J.
This place gets worse every year for me. The food is under seasoned and I swear you get more beans and rice then anything else. I don't know what is going wrong it could just be me but Rosita's is not the restaurant it used to be.
(2)Randi A.
I literally grew up in Rosita's. For what its worth, I love their food. Mexican is one of my favorite cuisines and I can understand why someone, who is not accustomed to Rosita's, wouldn't like it. Their margaritas are one of a kind and the appetizers are particularly original.
(4)Josh O.
I was amazingly impressed with this place. Having grown up in California and gone to college in Minnesota, I was expecting this to be the same-old midwestern interpretation of crappy Mexican food. Imagine my surprise when the food was actually delicious! And the salsa was actually decently spicy; I expected the standard extra-mild but it was more like a medium. I highly recommend this place. This is what Mexican should be like (at least outside of the border states ;).
(4)JarHarms P.
I guess in DK you are either for Rosita's or Eduardo's. Their main advantage is being open for lunch when Eduardo's is not. Pop is kind of pricey and I was a bit surprised to be charged for chips and salsa. We ordered guacamole and chips, which I did not enjoy much. There is hardly enough guac and frankly it is not anything special. The food was OK but not as flavorful as I'd expect one of the "best" Mexican places in DK. After trying Rosita's for the first time I'd say I fall into the Eduardo's camp.
(2)Bonana A.
I live now in Dekalb, IL where Rosita's is but this place to me is not what Mexican American food should taste like. I was born and raised in Los Angeles where Mexican restaurants are everywhere, ad have to be good or they'll go under. Rositas is just not that good. We just started going to a new Mexican restaurant near the Walmart on Sycamore Road which is the closest thing to authentic Mexican cuisine. "Los Rancheros". They even have Carnitas which being a standard in Mexican restaurants all over L.A., but, you can't even find it here and when I asked at Rositas, they never heard of it. I would go there first. To me, Rositas is a watered down interpretation of something that might slightly be Mexican but not really.
(2)Dwight D.
Paying for chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant os a big reason for why this place is rated low. The food isn't bad but for the price you pay it isn't great either. Other Mexican places in DeKalb (Eduardos, Burrito loco, etc.) have better food for better prices. On the other hand, this is a nice looking place with a good vibe. Overall, average on a good day.
(2)Susanne C.
I have been eating at Rosita's since the 70's (!) when it was a tiny storefront restaurant and they had the BEST guacamole ever. Since then, it has expanded hugely, including a patio area, into a very big restaurant. Since last summer we have made several trips out there - an hour's drive - and my memories have not held up. The drinks have been good, the quesadillas above average but overall, the food is very bland. Last night we did not even get any salsa and chips. The chicken taco salad had neither salsa or guacamole in it, just lots of lettuce and some sour cream. Also very bland.
(3)Alanna K.
This place is ok. Not my favorite, but I do eat here once in a while. Cindy Crawford is a fan of this place...I've seen here there. Maybe I just have had higher expectations with the amount of my friends that love the place, and other people that love it there. I don't know, it's not the worst, but not the greatest.
(3)