Rosalva’s — Restaurant in Lake Arrowhead

Update:. They received their liquor license and now make their margaritas with real tequila instead of wine. However, you sure can't taste it. They taste like they're all margarita mix. I've addressed this with them, you literally can not taste a hint of tequila, but nothing's changed. You can drink an entire one in one of those large round margarita glasses and not get a hint of a buzz. My wife and I have tried them on four separate occasions and same results each time. A giant glass of mix. Go to La Casita in Crestline and by contrast, their margaritas will give a buz with just one glass. I hate to be negative about this place because it was once so very good. It's too bad.

Old Review: I have been eating here for many years. Up until a year or so ago I would have given them five stars. However, something has changed and not for the better. For instance, 6 out of the last 8 meals we've ordered for pick up were made wrong. This is even after I reconfirmed my orders twice each time so they would be right. I even called everytime so they could fix whatever break down they were having getting orders right and also so they could try to remidy my incorrect orders, but no, they did neither. With a family of four each meal averaged $50-60. That's on average over $300 I've spent on incorrectly prepared orders. Again, I've told the owners and their employees a number of times but they have done nothing to rectify. Hungry for Mexican food, I took my friend visiting from out of town for a sit down meal a couple months ago and again was given the wrong food. I ordered a chili verde burrito and was served carnitas. When I told the owner, she told me I was wrong. I then proceeded to have to explain to her the difference between carnitas and chili verde! And she grabbed my fork and actually opened up the burrito as I sat there. I couldn't believe I was having to argue with the owner about this. Two other times I went and they were completely out of pork. Yes, imagine a Mexican restaurant out of all things pork.... Lastly, my brother and his family came up to visit my mom and ate here on Saturday, June 10. I decided to sit with them and not eat to spend time with them. When I arrived, which was after they already sat and ordered, I was provided a menu. I told the owner, who had provided the menu, I wouldn't be eating that I was just hanging out with my family but that I would like a glass of water. Her demeanor changed and it took asking twice just to get water. As if I had done something to her for sitting at the table with my family. I don't know what the deal is there these days but definitely not the Hortensias...

I can't believe we have never ventured in here since my family's cabin purchase twenty some years ago! The location is directly off of highway 18, so be careful when pulling in or out. There are plenty of places to sit outside, 2 levels, as well as some inside. The menu has many options as well. We opted for the "daily specials", one plate of 2 beef tacos and one plate of 2 enchiladas, one beef and one cheese both plates $14.99. The choices were chicken, beef or cheese. While waiting for our food, we snacked on the complimentary chips and salsa; both rather bland. Some people must love it because on the front of the menu it stated each table is alloted two servings of salsa. There will be a charge after two.

Our food came out fairly quickly and looked good. The beef taco wasn't shredded, more like cubed meat. Different and good. I had a bite of each of my husbands enchiladas for one of my tacos. Again, the cubed beef. The mexican rice had good flavor, the beans just okay. When the bill came, one of the plates was $15.99, instead of $14.99 as stated on the menu. I inquired and was told they have to upcharge because both the enchiladas were not the same. When ordering, great customer service would entail having declared the discrepancy to the patron. That did not happen.

For our first time visiting, we enjoyed the food, for the most part. There are at least three Mexican food places within a five minute drive. Would I choose this one? Verdict still out.

By the way, they do not have any Happy Hour regardless of what you may find on...

Upon reading reviews about Rosalva's, I knew we had to go - it sounded great. Unfortunately, that was not our experience. When we arrived (2 adults, a 2.5 year old, and an 8 month old), a waitress inside grunted to us that we could pick any table outside. There was absolutely no view - maybe there's another patio that's more scenic? No one offered a high chair or a booster, but we made it work. The servers weren't nice - didn't smile, didn't make suggestions - and weren't particularly good (I spent 7 years waiting tables in my youth, so ALWAYS give servers grace). They didn't bring the extra plates that we asked for (the toddler was grabbing food off of a hot fajita plate - again, we made it work), and didn't come back in a timely manner to check on us after food was served. We ordered a plate of fajitas, which was HUUUUGE, with good meat quality. Unfortunately, they weren't very well-seasoned and only came with THREE tortillas. Even at the worst Tex-Mex places in Houston (my hometown), they give you 4 tortillas at a minimum! We also ate our small basket of chips with the salsa (which was tasty!), but were never offered more. Overall, we walked away from the experience wishing we had gone somewhere else to eat. ...