The Daily Biff - 2008 02 21

Currently playing on my computer (tune in: pls, asx)

Thu, 21 Feb 2008

Restaurant Review: Rancho de Tia Rosa

Restaurant:	Rancho de Tia Rosa
Cuisine:	Mexican Food
Rating:	Above average
Price:	~$40 for two adults and two kids (tip not included)
Location:	3129 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, AZ, 85213
Website:	www.ranchodetiarosa.com

We went out to dinner with family tonight, both ourselves and the Amundsens. Tami suggested we go to a local favorite Mexican restaurant, Rancho de Tia Rosa. It's just down the road from where they live. When we arrived at approximately 6:30, we found that the parking lot was entirely full and a restaurant lobby full of patrons waiting to be seated. Apparently Tami was right, this restaurant is the local favorite. Tami was baffled as to why it was so busy on a Thursday night.

Despite having a "reservation" we still had to wait about 20 minutes for table... which would be fine if we didn't have three starving Mexican jumping beans. Apparently (in the immortal words of Jerry Seinfeld) Rancho de Tia Rosa knows how to "take" a reservation, but doesn't know how to "hold" a reservation. Ah well... we had plenty of time to look at the restaurant decor, which was not in short supply.

The Rancho de Tia Rosa menu features standard fare. Kristy ordered up the Carne Asada and I ordered a Chile Relleno. My chile relleno was good; one large chile stuffed with pork picadillo (tomatoes and some other veggies). I would have liked it a bit spicier, but I didn't see any condiments on the table and I was too busy (with the kids) to remember to ask. There was plenty of food... I might even have to complain (albeit very slightly) that my chile was over-stuffed. I like the roasted pepper part of the chile relleno, so my own preference would have been more chiles with less stuffing. But I digress... it was still tasty. Kristy appeared to enjoy her food and kids gobbled up their dinners (after the long wait).

Summary: Above average food at value prices.

:: Posted by rus on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:36 pm
:: Filed under /reviews/restaurants

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Mid-Winter Break in Arizona: Phoenix Zoo
We spent the day at the zoo today. It's a decent zoo... the kids enjoyed the petting area, the camel rides, and the carousel ride. The kids spent the majority of the time on the carousel or at the camel rides. But the carousel was, by far, the most popular attraction at the zoo today... see pictures below.

Combing out the goat's hair.

Eliana followed this goat around.

Berkeley enjoys another carousel ride.

Olivia on the carousel.

Eliana was nearly hidden from view.

Olivia on the carousel again.

Lots of happy faces on the carousel.

Um... did I mention the carousel rides?

The kids loved the camel rides.

Left to right: Ana, Rus, Camel

This was the third ride.

:: Posted by rus on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:57 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /vacations/2008/arizona

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