One time I looked at my husband over a plate of food at a Mexican restaurant in Corydon and said, "Do you think that all Mexican restaurants use the same recipes?" In my experience, Mexican food in our area tastes the same no matter where you go. So, the first time I ate at La Rosita in New Albany, I expected my food to look and taste every other Mexican meal I've ever had. I was pleasantly surprised to find that instead it was the most authentic and delicious Mexican meal I've ever tasted.
The Experience
La Rosita doesn't look like a restaurant and isn't in a commercial area. Instead, it is on a residential street in New Albany, discreetly hidden inside of an old house. While the non-commercial appearance of La Rosita can be disconcerting at first, you soon realize that the outside appearance is perfect for the unexpected treasure that is hidden inside.
The Food
The food at La Rosita is as authentically Mexican as it gets outside of Mexico. It is all served in the traditional Mexican manner, and many of the dishes are prepared from old family recipes.
The dinner menu is somewhat overwhelming with four full pages of entrees and no combination choices. The average price for an entrée item is $9.99, with many entrees priced as low as $5.99. Choices include classic Mexican food items such as enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, and tacos, as well as traditional Mexican food items such as lomo, sopapillas, and enfrijoladas.
La Rosita also has a lunch menu, dessert menu, and vegetarian menu with 19 different meat-free entrée choices. Both American and Mexican beer is served. Adventurous diners may want to try one of the house specialties, specially designed by Chef Israel.
The Service
The service at La Rosita is quick and efficient. I wouldn't say that the staff is overly friendly, but they aren't rude either. They take your order and bring your food, and that is all I ever really need from a server. They are, however, very knowledgeable about their dishes, which is important with a menu as complex as La Rosita's.
Review
The first time I ever ate at La Rosita was during my second to last semester of college. My Spanish professor wanted to take us somewhere authentic to eat in celebration of the end of the semester, so she drove a few of us over to La Rosita for lunch. I was skeptical at first because of the almost-shabby appearance of the restaurant from the outside and the overwhelming menu, but it won me over the second my server brought chips and salsa to the table.
I've since introduced my husband, mom, and four friends to the restaurant. The food at La Rosita is so good that you'll crave it for weeks after you've eaten there. Even now just writing about it, I'm tempted to stop by and grab some carry-out dinner on my way home from work. It's the best Mexican restaurant I've discovered in this area, and, best of all, their prices are very generous.
I always opt for the enchiladas with steak and the green sauce. They aren't served like any enchilada I've ever had at any other Mexican restaurant -- instead of the meat and toppings rolled inside of the tortilla, they're all piled on top. My mom's favorite is the Pastel Azteca, a house specialty, and a good friend of mine who spent a year in Mexico says that the Empapelados taste like they were made in Mexico and shipped to the U.S.
Recommendations
- Guacamole
- Enchiladas
- Pastel Azteca
- Veracruz Quesadilla
Pros
- Delicious, authentic food
- Reasonable prices
Cons
- Location -- No matter where I am in Louisville or Southern Indiana, La Rosita is never on the way to where I'm going. However, it's worth going out of my way for.
