Rosalinda’s: not the same old Mexican place
If you’re like me, you’ve probably driven by Rosalinda’s Restaurant dozens of times and never even known it was there. Located within walking distance of campus, this little Mexican restaurant is hidden in an old strip mall behind the Little Caesars on Pleasantburg Drive.
My friends and I went for dinner on a Wednesday night and practically had the whole place to ourselves. Low lighting and the sound of Spanish coming from the kitchen made it obvious that this was not another cookie-cutter, Americanized Mexican restaurant.
Our waitress immediately brought us tortilla chips and a spicy, homemade jalapeño dip–a nice alternative to the usual salsa served at most Latino restaurants.
We were all a little shocked when we first opened our menus–the prices ranged from $9.25 to $18.95 for dinner entrees. We were in luck, though–every night from 5 to 7 all entrees are two dollars off. Still, $7 is a lot to pay for a quesadilla, which is what most of us ordered since it happened to be the cheapest item on the menu.
I generally do not associate seafood with Mexican cuisine, but Rosalinda’s is famous for its shrimp. I decided to go with the house special–shrimp and mushrooms.
Only one cook was working in the tiny kitchen, which was visible through a large window. Our food was out in less than 15 minutes, however, and while we waited, our waitress brought us the soup of the day–zucchini cream–and regularly replenished our chips and jalapeño dip. Each entrée also came with a small salad that was served on the plate with the meal.
The shrimp and mushrooms were marinated in a spicy, homemade broth. Several tree peppers added an additional kick–and the waitress made sure I did not eat them. “Most people think they can handle them,” she said, “and a few have tried. They learned their lesson.”
The shrimp were fresh and succulent, the quesadillas and enchiladas juicy and flavorful. The portion size, however, was not as large as one would expect considering the high prices. My total, minus tip, was $14.65. If you are looking for something cheaper, try going for lunch instead–all entrees are $5.95 and come with iced tea.
Rosalinda’s felt more like a home than a business. Everyone from the waitress to the owner was extremely friendly and polite. All the soups, salads and sauces were homemade and authentic. If you are tired of the same old Mexican, Rosalinda’s Restaurant is truly a breath of fresh air.
What you need to know
Where: Off Pleasantburg behind Little Caesars
When: Lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday
Bottom Line: Authentic Mexican may be too pricey for some tastes. Try lunch instead of dinner if you’re looking to save.
