Adobe Rose Restaurant — Restaurant in Artesia

I roll into Artesia for refinery work on a Monday — the kind of Monday where the town feels like it’s on a slow-motion lunch break. Not a lotta options. I wasn’t touching Mexican food in New Mexico again — already gave it four tries, and it’s been like going back to the same bad tattoo artist hoping this time the eagle won’t look like a pigeon. The only non-Mexican place in town? Closed. Fast food? Nah. If I’m gonna feel bad after a meal, it better at least try to impress me first.

Adobe Rose had good reviews and pretty photos, so I figure, “Alright, I’ll give you one shot.”

The Setup The place has a Mexican name, a Mexican feel, and a Mexican aesthetic — right down to the patio vibe — but here’s the twist: it’s not really a Mexican restaurant. The menu doesn’t even have enough Mexican dishes to pass the audition. And get this — fajitas? Only on Monday. What is that? It’s like a steakhouse that only serves steak once a week.

The menu’s small but quirky, like the chef got trapped in a pantry with Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper and decided to make it his muse. I skip the experimental stuff and go for the Monday fajitas, plus an El Jefe margarita. Wasn’t planning to drink, but hey — this was a scouting mission: New Mexico margarita vs. Texas margarita.

Appetizer – Trio Salsa Spinach dip? Lights out — creamy, rich, seasoned perfectly. Queso? Same deal — thick, cheesy, and ready for a title fight with any Texas joint. The salsa? A confused mix of runny and chunky, but with a sneaky heat that wins you over. On its own, fine. With queso, dynamite.

Drinks – Sweet Tea & Margarita Sweet tea was solid for being north of the sweet tea border, but my glass sat empty more than once while my server breezed past like I was in the Witness Protection Program. The margarita? Took forever ‘cause she forgot to put it in. By the time it showed up, the appetizer was long gone. Still — strong but smooth. If I were a drinker, I’d have gone for round two.

Main – Monday Fajitas Presentation? Beautiful. Sliced beef, pink in the middle, tender. Flavor? Underwhelming. Like they seasoned it by reading the spice label out loud in the kitchen. Shrimp were great, though — plump, well-seasoned. Beans? Good but didn’t belong with fajitas, they were more like enchilada beans. Tortillas? Okay. They did their job, but they weren’t making memories.

The Bill Then came the check — twenty-three bucks for fajitas. Portion size? Fine. But with that flavor? Should’ve been $16–$18, tops. You’re charging “brag about it later” prices for “well, at least it looked good” taste.

Verdict Better than I expected walking in, but not enough to bring me back for the fajitas. Rating: 3.5 stars — mostly for the trio appetizer, the margarita, and the patio. Would I return? Yes… but for a drink and chips, not for pretending it’s a Mexican restaurant...

What a nightmare .

Dining alone, I chose to sit at the outdoor bar. There wasn't a bartender present, so the indoor bartender was assigned to serve me .

I started by asking whether the Dos Equis tap I saw was the Amber or the lager . She didn't know what the difference between the two beers was. A bartender, and she doesn't know the difference . I should have left right there, but I was really wanting a nice meal and this place was recommended (though, I'm not sure why) .

The bartender produced the Dos Equis I ordered while telling me she learned that it is the lager . Alrighty then....

I order the chips and queso as well as the strip steak. She picked up my menu and asked, "which one is that?" I pointed to the item I wanted and she scurried off . I had to call after her before she disappeared inside, that I wanted my steak medium rare. Apparently she didn't know that she would need such pertinent information.

Five minutes later a basket full of tortilla chips crumbs was delivered with my queso. I asked for some salt at that time.

Another 10 minutes and another server emerges with a platter with my steak and a lamb dinner . She asks if I had the steak or lamb . She hands me the steak and asks me to cut in to the steak to check the donenes. I replied, "I would if I had silverwar". Yes, I was never given silverware or a napkin . She thrust a rolled up napkin with the silverware on the bar and I proceeded to check the donenes. Now, this fine dining establishment that charges 32 dollars for a fillet is so sophisticated that they roll a fork and knife in a napkin. Good help you if you need a spoon . The steak was overcooked but I feigned saying anything because this nightmare of a dining experience was already frustrating me .

The oitstoe came bare with two pads of butter to moisten it's Sahara desert dryness . Before I could ask for some sour cream the food deliverer was gone. By this point my Dos Equis LAGER was empty and the bartender is nowhere to be found.

10 minutes later my steak is almost gone and I've had nothing to drink. The bartender finally arrived and asks me, "did I ever bring you your salt?"

I toldrr her no, and that I was thirsty since my drink had gone empty and I'd really like some sour cream for the potato . Five minutes go by and she finally walks behind the outdoor bar to hand me a McCormick sea salt grinder. Fine dining at it's best!

It's been another 10 minutes and she is nowhere to be found. Sorry, but this restaurant isn't worth your...

I usually never review a restaurant, unless me and my wife are beyond pleased with the food or service, and by far our visit this evening with my brother and sister in law was, BY FAR THE BEST SERVICE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM IN A VERY LONG TIME!!!!!!! We have gone to eat there several times, but usually the food is always amazing, but never good service.. . until this evening that we arrived a completely different experience. As we arrived we asked one of the waitress if they could please check on our reservation to see if our table was ready, since there was a line we were right outside the door by the bar area,. Since we had a reservation already we figured we didn't have to wait in line if we asked a server upon our arrival. So right after asking the waitress to please check, she said yes, but then as she turned around she went to a table pulled her phone out and started talking to the 4 gentlemen's at the table and did not even care to ask about our reservation!! COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED AT THE FACT THAT SHE DID NOT EVEN CARE WE WERE STARING AT HER THE WHOLE TIME, BUT LUCKILY!! The lady behind the bar saw the whole scenario and IMMEDIATELY! APOLOGIZED! Got us drinks and offered us appetizers that were delicious!! She also immediately when to ask about our table. While we waited she made us forget about the bad experience and gave us her full attention and service till our family arrived. Our table was not ready, but she made our waiting time very pleasant and comfortable, she also took the time to get our drinks and appetizers from the bar and take them inside and set them on our table and asked if she could get us anything else, !!!! BY FAR, HER SERVICE AND TAKING THE TIME TO LEAVE HER AREA TO MAKE SURE WE WERE OK, WAS SOMETHING THAT MOST SERVERS, MUCH LESS A BARTENDER WOULD EVEN CARE TO DO SO. THIS BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY WAS ONE OF THE MOST HUMBLE AND SWEETEST PERSON IN THE INSIDE AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE THAT HAS SERVED US, AND OUR WAITRESS WAS ALSO OUTSTANDING!!!! So I'd like to take this time and THANK YOU, for your service, and the lady behind the bar for taking into consideration our feelings that were hurt, and apologizing for someone else's rudeness and carelessness. We will be returning more often if we receive the good experienced and service like earlier this evening, "minus the bad part" THANK YOU LADYS!!! GREAT JOB AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CHEFS AS WELL, OUR FOOD WAS AMAZING!!!!! OUR WAIT TIME WAS WELL WORTH IT!!! THANK YOU...