Rosa's Café & Tortilla Factory — Restaurant in Austin

I've lived in the Austin area for almost 30 years. However, I grew up in Big Spring, TX, and spent many unforgettable times making a short drive over to Midland to enjoy the fajitas of lore that could seemingly be smelled cooking for miles before arriving at Rosa's. The flavor and tenderness of the meat gets down into a person's soul and touches it with God's grace and something miraculous in a meal that words cannot truly describe. Many years passed after I left West Texas and made my home in Austin. I would smell those fajitas and taste them in my dreams. Then, one glorious day, i saw a sign that read, "Rosa's cafe...coming soon!". I waited like a child for Christmas praying that it was not all to good to be true, and wondering if it would be just as good. When it opened, I found out that it indeed was everything I had dreamed of for so long. Now, my wife and I have frequented the location weekly for years. Normally we grab takeout. Last night we dined inside, and I was transported in time to a distant day, when I was a teenager hanging about with friends and family and slathering those warm fluffy tortillas with guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and Pico before stuffing them as full as I could with the most tender mesquite grilled meat in the universe. I don't like Rosa's. Honestly. Not one bit. Rather, I love Rosa's cafe, every bit with every inch of my heart and soul. Some things, not many, stand the test of time and remind us that wonderful food and smiling faces can change the world, if at least for a brief moment in time. I'm not making this up. Try it if you haven't, and maybe you'll understand what many of us already know. Now, if only we could get a Taco Villa...

September 2025

Occasionally I visit Rosa's Café & Tortilla Factory where overall one of my favorite casual Mexican restaurants. It's a place where you first order your food, claim your seating, and then wait for your number to be called out. There are monitors on the walls displaying your number like bingo until your number is called. The place had a great fun atmosphere to absorb you into the Mexican culture. It seems most items on menu had a photo of what you are ordering I case new to Mexican food.

I ordered the Chicken Fajita Plate however was told it would take a bit longer to prepare for I replied it was ok. It did take a bit longer but was worth it. The plate had Rosa’s famous mesquite-flavored grilled chicken tenders, bell peppers and onions, Mexican rice, and refried beans. Apparently can with it out with black beans. There was also an edible taco bowl with guacamole, shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream, and a jalapeño to spice it up along with lots of four tacos.

I made two large tacos with the ingredients given to me and the check had great charred flavor from the grill. Wrapped in thick flour tortillas it was great. The rice and beans were also good to...

Bad management. My mom made order for two dozen tamales. When she called the lady that answered didn’t speak very good English and had hard time understanding what my mom was saying. So, she passed the phone on to someone else who rushed my mom. To find out that person didn’t even take down order like she said she did. When we went to go pick up our order on Christmas Eve we found out order was there. I understand that customers can be pains in the butt. I’ve worked in customer service I know. My mom explained had to the cashier that she order our tamales and just told her what our experience was like ordering. My mom never got mad and yelled. The manager walked up with an attitude. I’m sorry you were having a bad and having be a manager but that is your job. She didn’t want to hear what we had to say and very rude! The female managers in Christmas pjs on Christmas Eve if you’re not happy with your job find new one. And to the cashier, the gentleman in pink pants that helped the cashier and to the older lady who gave us our food keep up the amazing job!!! Y’all were very helpful unlike...