Rosa's Mexican Cocina — Restaurant in Terrell

A Gem in Terrell: Rosa’s Mexican Cocina Shines with Flavor and Service!! 
If you’re passing through Terrell, Texas, or lucky enough to call it home, Rosa’s Mexican Cocina (307 East Interstate 20, Terrell, TX 75160) is a must-visit spot that elevates classic Mexican fare to something truly spectacular. My recent dinner there left me raving about the food and the impeccable service—especially from our waitress, Genesis, whose attention to detail made the experience unforgettable. Let’s start with the birria tacos, which are nothing short of a revelation. These beauties arrived with tender, slow-cooked beef brisket spilling out of crispy corn tortillas, the edges glistening from a quick dip in the rich, red consommé. The meat was juicy and packed with deep, smoky flavor, balanced perfectly by a sprinkle of cilantro and diced onions. Dipping them into the warm, aromatic consommé—served on the side in a little cup—was pure bliss, with each bite delivering a punch of spice and savoriness that lingered just long enough to make you reach for the next one. It’s clear Rosa’s has mastered this trending dish, turning it into a standout that could rival any taco truck or big-city taqueria. Next up, the shrimp soup was a comforting bowl of perfection. The broth was a vibrant mix of roasted tomato and subtle chile notes, brimming with plump, succulent shrimp that tasted like they’d been plucked straight from the Gulf. It came loaded with fresh veggies—carrots, celery, and a hint of cabbage—adding a satisfying crunch to every spoonful. Topped with a dollop of crema and a few tortilla strips, it was hearty yet light, the kind of dish that warms you up without weighing you down. I could’ve easily made a meal of this alone, but there was more to explore. The queso blanco sealed the deal as a highlight of the night. This wasn’t your average cheese dip—it was silky, creamy, and just the right amount of melty, with a mild kick from roasted jalapeños that sneaked up on you. Served piping hot with a basket of crisp tortilla chips, it was dangerously addictive. The consistency was spot-on, clinging to each chip without being gloopy, and the flavor was pure comfort with a Mexican twist. I caught myself scraping the bowl clean, unwilling to let a single drop go to waste. What tied this whole experience together was our waitress, Genesis. Her attention to detail was exemplary—she anticipated our needs before we even voiced them. From refilling our drinks just as they hit half-empty to checking in with a genuine smile to ensure the birria tacos were spiced to our liking, she made us feel like VIPs. She even brought extra napkins unprompted (a lifesaver with that consommé!) and recommended pairing the shrimp soup with a squeeze of fresh lime, which took it to another level. Genesis didn’t just serve us; she elevated the meal into something memorable. Rosa’s Mexican Cocina isn’t just about the food—though the birria tacos, shrimp soup, and queso blanco are reason enough to visit. It’s about the care that goes into every dish and the service that makes you feel right at home. I’m already plotting my next trip back to Terrell to dive into more of their menu. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and stop in—you won’t be...

Revised: If this were close to my house, I would eat here again, but I drove 45 minutes from Dallas to meet my sister who drove from ETX. I picked this place based on the 4.8 star rating. We had high hopes! I travel a lot for work and have lived in Texas most of my life. I could eat some version of Mexican food every day.

I liked the chips and salsa, but it was too spicy for my sister. She liked her beef fajitas, but the chicken was bland. Guac and gueso w/beef were both excellent! Chips are also spot on and super thin. I had the Cielo y Tierra (surf 'n turf), which was tasty, but the beef had a lot of connective tissue. I do not eat what I cannot chew, so had to keep spitting out little blobs of it throughout my meal. Luckily, I don't need to impress my sister, but it was annoying and unpleasant. Maybe use a different cut of beef? Or better beef... It had a really good flavor with the chopped shrimp, peppers, onion and lots of cheese.

It was not very busy at 5pm on this Saturday, so the servers were distracted with side work and personal conversations, but our server was super nice. I had to look for her a few times to get a drink refill, salt, extra napkins, etc. Not a huge deal, but making eye contact with each of your tables every time you are in the dining room is the way to success as a server. They were all very young and I understand the restaurant is relatively new, as well. They have lots of potential.

The final bill with tip was $75 and we had iced tea to drink. It felt more like a $50 experience, but with food prices now, I understand. It was clean and had a good vibe. The location is very accessible. It is directly under the giant QT sign. I will have to try some other Mexican restaurants around the area.

If they make really good margaritas, that might be all this place needs to succeed. Lol. I cannot speak for the bar. There were lots of menu items that sounded good, but we had to choose. They do have Birria on the menu. Maybe it was not their best night. Maybe we were too early.

Like another reviewer, I wish I could give 3.5 stars. It is not my new favorite, but it is better than average. I will try Rosa's in Terrell again at some point. It is the day after and I feel okay. With Mexican food, that is its own recommendation, am I right? I revised this to 4 stars considering the choices in the area. They are trying to differentiate themselves from Tex-Mex. I respect that and it is grear to...

Our waitress had an attitude from the beginning. Chips and salsa arrived promptly. Drinks (water, diet Dr. Pepper and a sorta beer Rita) took forever. My husband asked if they served beer Rita's and was told yes. He received a margarita in a highball glass that we watched a waitress pour half a beer in behind the bar before bringing it to our table. My husband said, "That's not a beer Rita and the waitress,Hillary, said "I know". When asked why she said they served them she said she wanted to be accommodating. It then took 25 minutes for her to come back and take our food orders. My husband ordered the stuffed avocado. I ordered the flautas. My sister-in-law asked about the nachos. She wanted to know if they were put together separately or if they came in a pile. She was told they are put together separately. She ordered them. They, of course, came in a pile on her plate. She asked to see a manager. The manager said they would remake them and put on a bigger plate. The waitress's attitude got worse and worse. My flautas were so overcooked, they broke apart when I tried to get a piece off. I ate about 1/3 of one, left the other two. The rice was great and the beans were good as well. My husband's stuffed avocado was bland, but he ate it without comment. He had asked for salt and pepper twice, but it didn't arrive at the table until my sister-in-law asked the manager for some. We then finished our meals before my sister-in-law received her food, from a different waitress that we had requested. Daisy was proficient at her job and was tipped. We were so disappointed with the food and the service from the first waitress. We won't be going back. Very bad experience. By the way, the comment my husband made about "white people"was in reference to me and my lack of being able to eat very spice hot salsa and your waitress knew that, to the spice heat of the salsa and the queso. That's it. For you to allow a waitress yo treat customers like she did,...