Tia Rosa Taqueria

Well… First off, I LOVE good Mexican food. We arrived around 6:00. The place was PACKED. I put in my name, and was told around 15 minutes. We took a seat 15 feet from the receptionist. 25 minutes later, I asked when we would be seated and

While the service was fast… My meal reminded me of a school lunch’s «Taco Day» where the food is made with the the least amount of flavor and uses the cheapest possible ingredients. The beans tasted tinny like they just came out of a #10 can, and the rice tasted like instant. My tacos were generously filled, and they served a LOT of food for the money, but when it has no flavor, and I find the majority of my meal inedible — it’s not worth it.
Like another reviewer mentioned, it didn’t even smell like Mexican food inside. With so many local, authentic, less expensive Mexican Taquerias, I can’t imagine ever going back. I was really hoping for better, since I drive past it nearly everyday.

I do this not because of the food, it is excellent, but because of the poor operational execution of this place. I order food here regularly so I feel like my opinion carries some weight. Here is what needs to be worked on:
— Phone in orders. Either get a second line or drop the program. I’ve called in before and either been on hold for 10+ minutes or I’ve spent 20+ minutes trying to get through to anyone.
–Adequately fulfill the quoted order times. I have yet to receive an order within the time designated by the call.
–Parking lot… well that’s a complaint for another time.
The food is some of the best Mexican in the East Valley but my patience has run razor thin because of those aforementioned execution issues.

I don’t think it quite compares to the main restaurant in north Mesa. Food is decent, but there is kind of a weird sterile creepy feel to the place. Why doesn’t it smell like Mexican food? Or anything at all?
It beats the Taco Bell across the street, but I would hold out for the main restaurant if possible.

Yuck pretty much covers it.
There is a serious diconnect between atmosphere and food here.
If Tia Rosa put as much thought into the quality of their food and the authenticity of their recipes (or at least call it what it is… which is to say *Not* Mexican) as they do into their décor, they might really have something.
until then, if you want to eat someplace cute, enjoy!
if you want to eat someplace good, try something else.
(I didn’t finish my fish taco here… I am kinda famous for cleaning my plate, even if I’m not that into it… does that tell you how much I didn’t like it?)

Having been a frequenter of Rosa’s in old school Mesa, then the original Taqueria while the Rancho Tia Rosa’s was being built and finally the current Rancho Tia Rosa — I can attest this is some quality food.
Check it out!