Rosa’s... just the word elicits a mouth-watering response from thousands of people in the East Valley who have eaten there through the years. Tucked in the back corner at Mesa and University Drives, Rosa’s has changed owners a few times, but the great food and excellent service has remained unchanged. “Oh my heck!” (Utah-speak for absolutely) was the response of our friends when we asked them to go with us to eat dinner at Rosa’s.

Walking into the large, elaborately decorated dining room reminds me of the cafes in Mazatlan and we all took some time to notice the straw-plaster and squares of tile on the floors and walls. We gazed at the paintings, especially the one with the elderly man and his burro, and appreciated the wrought iron, greenery and the cute grass-hut baño. We were politely seated at a heavy, round wooden table in one of the two dining rooms which each have about 20 tables, great if you are dining with a crowd of friends. The ceiling fans kept us cool on a warm summer day and the Mexican music set the mood.

Let’s move on to the food. The chips and salsa arrived first. The chips were thin and crispy; the red sauce was an excellent blend of spices and the green sauce was sweet yet tangy. Perfecto! Dani ordered the tortilla soup and with its fabulous “complex” flavor she pronounced it the “best she had ever eaten.” John’s enchiladas were “amazing” and he enjoyed every bite. All three were so delicious that he couldn’t decide which was best, the cheese, chicken or pork. The beans have a yummy smoky taste and yes, they use real Mexican cheese which just seems to melt better than American versions.

My husband Lou and I ordered the steak and chicken fajitas which our server, Berner, brought on sizzling cast iron skillets accompanied by guacamole and sour cream. The beef and chicken were thinly sliced; melt-in-your-mouth tender and the veggies (peppers & onions) were perfectly cooked with just a bit of crunchiness. The tortillas were warm and fresh and heavenly as we rolled them around the hot meat and veggies cooled by the guacamole and sour cream. Once again, we couldn’t decide which was best, the beef or chicken, so when you go, just get both.

On to the dessert, Lou couldn’t wait for the fried ice cream and it lived up to his high expectations. What could be better after fantastic Mexican food than vanilla ice cream coated with crunchy flakes and topped with whipped cream and a cherry? It was so good we had to force ourselves not to lick the bowl. Our friends had never tried flan so this was the perfect opportunity. The sweet, smooth, creamy mound of tasty flan was garnished with dollops of whipped cream, strawberry sauce, a drizzle of chocolate and a light dusting of powdered sugar. It too was “bowl-licking” good.

With a four-page menu to tempt you (and fit everyone’s budget and taste buds) I hope you wonderful readers can find your way to downtown Mesa (328 E. University Drive) because Rosa’s is worth the drive. Don’t forget to tell them you read about their truly authentic restaurant in the Breeze.