Last night my wife and I found ourselves in Bee Caves and stopped into El Arroyo for some dinner. After we were sat on the back patio, we waited for 10 minutes at our table without a single person stopping by to great us, take a drink order, or even bring us some chips and salsa (most Mexican restaurants in Texas have the chips and salsa out to your table almost as soon as your butt is hitting the chair).
Looking around, it looked like everybody on the patio was getting the same negligent service that we were. I had very little hope that our service would get any better even if/when somebody did finally come by to acknowledge us.
So we got up and left (after a very weak apology from the manager on the way out). I let him know that it was our first visit to El Arroyo. And would be our last.
We were still jonsing for some Mexican food, so we headed west on Hwy 71. And that’s when good fortune stepped in.
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We’ve lived out in West Austin near Bee Caves for about 9 years. I’ve driven by the non-descript, obscure Rosie’s Tamale House hundreds upon hundreds of times. ( 13436 W Hwy 71, just past the Backyard in Bee Caves).
Not once have I ever stopped in to try the food. And I love tamales.
Well this time, I suggested that we give it a try, so we turned into a crowded parking lot and went inside.
Rosie’s Tamale House has been in the same location since 1973. I doubt very much has changed in that time, including the decor. There are two large and open dining rooms with old tables and chairs scattered about.
A wall of old photos and newspaper clippings indicated that Willie Nelson is a frequent diner (Rosie’s is on the way to Willie’s ranch out in Spicewood).
We sat down and had our chips and salsa in front of us before we could even open the menu. The salsa was the first hint that we were somewhere “different”. It wasn’t a chunky sauce filled with cilantro and onions and peppers like most places. Instead it was a thick red tomato sauce with plenty of kick.
I ordered an iced tea and my wife a glass of water. And that’s when I noticed that there was not any beer or liquor on the menu. Looking around, it hit me that Rosie’s was the rarest-of-rare special places in Austin — a full service food restaurant that was BYOB.
People were bringing in their own coolers full of beer. A table next to us broke out a bottle of Captain Morgan’s spiced rum and a liter of Coke and started mixing cocktails. Several tables had opened bottles of wine. A table further back had brought in their own blender to make frozen margaritas at their table.
We ordered the guacamole and queso dip, and then two dozen tamales (only $7/dozen) and a large bowl of charro beans for dinner.
Within moments two heaping plates of fresh, homemade tamales appeared on our table. They were mildly flavored (I prefer mine a little more spicy), but they were outstanding.
Oh, and that BYOB thing? We’re going back next weekend and inviting a group of friends. We’ll bring in our own cooler of Tecate and a bottle of good tequila to help us wash down several dozen more homemade tamales.
When we were paying at the register (bring cash or your check book, Rosie’s doesn’t accept credit cards), my wife commented to the owner that every thing was nearly perfect except for the lack of flan for desert.
He offered her one of the homemade pralines on the counter — which was “wow” good.
All-in-all, the food was fantastic, very inexpensive, and the service was outstanding.
Rosies has not been at that location since 1973. They actually where in a building right on the corner of 71 and 620 and it used to be the biggest weekend hangout of the Bandidos biker gang for many years. It was truly the best of Austin back then as suits and jeans truly mixed. The other take out Mexican restaurant right across the street was affiliated with Rosies as well. Pretty much the same food.
[Editor --- Tim, thanks for the correction. I assumed that Rosie's had been in the same spot since 1973, but that was based on the sign up front that said something about "since 1973".]
Left by Tim on March 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm