I’m a Texas Gal, born & raised in San Antonio. My Mother is (was) Mexican-American. I grew up eating Mexican food, delicious Mexican food-the kind of food people pay big bucks for in restaurants. My Mom knew how to make all my favorites: Menudo, Mole, Tripas, refried beans, Spanish rice, gorditas … she even made home-made flour tortillas on the weekends. I can still see her rolling out the dough on the well floured kitchen counter…in her nightgown. Oh, and pumpkin empanadas! Those would make the house smell so darn good.
Suffice to say, I’m pretty picky when it comes to Mexican and Tex/Mex foods I eat in restaurants. Not everybody can make good rice, or menudo… and I’ve learned that the hard way! There’s nothing worse than shelling out your hard-earned money on a meal that tastes nothing like you expected it would-especially when you have your heart (and stomach) set on eating a particular dish.
When I go back “home” to San Antonio; there are a few restaurants I always try to get to while I’m there. I know the food is gonna be delicioso (delicious) and while it may not be exactly the way my Mom made it-it’s close enough to bring back many memories of eating her cooking.
One of those restaurants happens to be Rosario’s Mexican Cafe’ y Cantina. Not only does the restaurant share my Mother’s name; but it was one of her favorites as well. It’s comforting to eat there, remembering the times I was with her, my Tia & my cousin. Good times with lots of laughs & lots of comida (food).
The last time I ate at Rosario’s, it was just me & my Prima (cousin). I knew just what I wanted … Lengua (beef tongue). I’ve eaten Lengua two ways, Lengua Tacos & Lengua made with a tomato sauce. This is the latter. As you can see, it came with Arroz (rice) & Frijoles (beans, in this case refried beans). If you’ve never tried Lengua (and I know many of you haven’t), you should give it a chance. When properly cooked, this tender meat just melts in your mouth! It was delicious! Here’s the plate I ordered:
Lengua Plate- Tender tips of beef tongue delicately seasoned & simmered in a light tomato sauce. $8.75
My Prima isn’t as adventurous as I am when it comes to eating, no Lengua for her-instead she chose “Griselda’s Tacos Callejeros” – Three corn tortillas lightly grilled on the comal, filled with a dab of refried beans and your choice of diced beef fajita or shredded chicken or carnitas. Topped with cabbage lime slaw, diced avocado and queso fresco. She opted for the Chicken, the plate costs $10.95.
She said they were yummy, and I guess they were because she ate them without offering me any! LOL!
Rosario’s has 2 locations- here’s the one I always eat at:
910 S Alamo St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 223-1806
Monday – Thursday 11am – 10pm
Friday & Saturday 11am – 11pm
Sunday 11am – 9pm
Late night bar Friday & Saturdays until 12am
Next time you’re in San Antonio-drop by & order a couple dishes off the menu-your tummy will thank you!
