Rosa Mexican Kitchen Thornton — Restaurant in Thornton

I am changing my rating to give this restaurant a better star average. I originally rated this place one star after a very poor experience, as explained in my original review below. The restaurant has responded and promised to take action to correct the problem. That deserves some forgiveness. If anyone is still reading, you can see my issue. Hopefully your experience will be better.

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Original review:

Ever had a waiter that was so hostile and rude that you just got up and left? His name is Edgar, an older man with slicked hair and glasses, and he’s actively harming an otherwise great restaurant. This was my second and last visit. Shame because I really liked the food here.

If you view my profile you’ll see I largely avoid leaving bad reviews and try to only highlight really excellent spots. But it’s been a while since I’ve been outright disrespected at a restaurant, so here goes.

They have a back bar with a large variety of tequilas. I asked for a tequila list and this is where the problems started. Asking Edgar for the list, he responded with shrugged shoulders and a callous “no”. I asked how to best order a tequila and he shrugged again with “it’s just for show”. Wait what?? That is absurd. I asked again what to do, like should I point to a bottle? Edgar got even more hostile and said “NO”. I’m really confused at this point. What is this guys problem?

He finally went to the bar and pulled out the two most expensive bottles, a Clas Azul and a Don Julio 1942. With a sneering attitude he read off the prices, and said “here is your tequila, what you want?” What an absolute jerk.

I don’t mind spending big on a dram, there are some mezcalerias in downtown Denver where I’ve been happy to spend $50+ on a pour of rare mezcal or tequila. I’m a collector of whisky, wine, amaro, cognac, etc. I have a special love of agave spirits, and any place that has a big selection, I go out of my way to try something new.

But Edgar is making sure I do business elsewhere. Apparently trying to order tequila at a tequila bar is some sort of affront now. If the restaurant owner is reading this, I recommend you...

From my first experience have always enjoyed their food, first few times I only tried their tacos a variety and churros with ice cream for dessert.

That dessert I had them add ice cream and they plated it wonderfully with an assortment of syrups for the churros unfortunately didn't get a chance for a picture on that occasion.

The best taco is the Asada Tijuana, even though the shrimp, Al pastor, fish and birria we're also very delicious each with their own unique flavor and style while having an authentic flavor.

While I haven't had a chance to try their molcajetes I was told by family it was delicious.

The only 1 item I've ordered so far was a bit underwhelmed was a some green enchiladas, think it only had 2 and could have been plated in a much better manner.

Besides that , the place is very clean, the food is plated well, the food is delicious never over seasoned or over salted.

The satff definately strives to provide great service.

This last trip ordered guacamole appetizer and it was delicious while I waited for my main dish.

I've previously tried their queso appetizer and that was delicious I believe it had chorizo.

So for main dish wanted something in their mid price range and opted for the Poblano. For some reason I expected a bit different as said Chile relleno. However to my surprise it was delicious despite not being how I imagined.

The dish has so many flavors and textures going on, there's so many items and somehow they magically manage to fuse the flavors well, all was cooked and tasted perfect.

So if recall correctly, the dish is on a base of white rice, then a mole tamal with chicken and cheese, chipotle sauce and the Poblano on top.

It was definitely delicious, think I might of perceived a bit of sweetness on the tamalm . There was a tad of spice toward the end but nothing major or hardly noticeable allowing to enjoy all the flavors.

The shrimp were also cooked and seasoned perfectly.

The chips were also delicious.

Keep up the great...

The restaurant itself caught our attention over everything else in the strip mall. but upon entering it suddenly felt very cramped and confined (And im talking pre-caronavirus spacing). If it wasn't 94° we probably would have eaten outside on the concrete. All of the booths were taken. And we were sat in metal chairs that were so uncomfortable we decided to get our food to go. Our waitress was great and noticed something was up when we changed our minds about eating in and offered for us to sit in the lounge. (thank you!) Which was loads better than the chairs but even with the lounge however I couldn't help but feel claustrophobic anywhere in the restaurant. (I might mention grew up near Philadelphia and frequently shopped and ate in Reading Terminal market)

As far as our food was concerned? It was frankly disappointing. Ill start with the good. The rice and sides were all fantastic, the tortillas were fresh. And veggies for the most part all had a proper fresh snap to them. Someone knows what they are doing in the kitchen. I did find an entire scallion with most of its root still intact in my dish which I felt was a little odd, but not meal ruining in the slightest. It was the meat quality where our meals were lacking. While well seasoned and cooked, felt of sub-par quality and were overall more tough than enjoyable. For $20 a main I don't think im crazy to expect the steak to be strip not skirt. Then again ...caronavirus has really played havoc on the meat packing industry.

The other thing I'd say is the take out containers are not vented so the tacos do get a little soggy.

Overall... I wouldn't feel Im missing anything skipping Rosa next time and heading elsewhere in...