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Rose Canyon Cantina feels like
another world... (
continued from above )
Rose Canyon Cantina, named after the winding road that leads to it, has a
menu with a combination of Mexican and Southwest style cuisine. But before you
can decide what to order you have to choose where to sit - the cantina room
with bar, the dining room with comfy-looking booths or the amazing patio that,
in spring and summer, can mean a two-hour wait. On the bright side, however,
the cantina has a full bar with tasty margaritas and quite the selection of
tequila.
What doesn't seem to fit the menu is the Beardslee Burger, named after the family
that first owned the eatery. The burger is the same famous burger, from the
same secret family recipe, which has been sold since the place first opened
in 1956.
The menu offers traditional Mexican-Southwest fare such as spinach enchiladas
with a mild green sauce and jack cheese and the chili verde stuffed with sautéed
pork and that mild green sauce. Also recommended are the halibut and salmon
entrees that are each served with complimentary mango or pineapple salsa.
As simple as it may seem, one of my favorite things on the menu is the Macho
Nachos. What separates this particular nacho dish from others is that the chicken
is shredded incredibly well and placed under a thick bed of refried beans, jack
and cheddar cheese and a pile (practically) of fresh guacamole and sour cream.
Another favorite is the meat-free tortilla soup, packed with corn, peppers,
carrots, onions and black beans. The portions are very generous; even the small
cup of albondigas soup bobs with plenty of Mexican meatballs. But a group of
firefighters known to frequent the eatery order the 50/50, a combination of
both soups.
The fajita-style chicken salad has some of the fixings of a fajita: lettuce,
Mexican rice and avocado. The vegetarian tostada salad is a bit more robust
with black beans, corn, chunky salsa, cucumbers and olives and is served on
top a homemade tostada then covered with avocado dressing.
The spinach salad has shrimp sautéed with a real Southwestern orange,
garlic and chili kick, and has cheese and black beans. The salad is topped with
warm cider vinaigrette and (the best part) comes served inside a warm crispy,
fresh baked shell.
Canyon or not, the eatery is no exception to the Taco Tuesday tradition. Tacos
are $1.50 from open to close and include carne asada, carnitas, chicken and,
recently added and quite popular, the ground beef taco. What's more, the taco
deal isn't limited to the cantina and can be ordered from anywhere in the restaurant.
Rose Canyon Cantina has been many things to many people over the years. What
started as a locale for burgers and fried chicken later became a famous spot
for beer-guzzling bikers. During the time the eatery was known as Senior Lico's
- about 25 years - it gained a following among locals for its amazing view and
good food.
For two longtime regulars, John and Melanie Cox, it's become their business.
Saturday will mark the first year of the couple's ownership. Luckily for us,
they decided to keep the cantina open and have continued to serve cold margaritas and hot chimichangas. Because,
as you may discover, Rose Canyon Cantina is really a rare old find in a part
of the county that seems so new.
Rose Canyon Cantina & Grill
Where:
20722 Rose Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon
(949) 766-6939
Cuisine: Southwest-Mexican
Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday
Credit cards: Major credit cards accepted
Price range: $4.95 to $23.95
Kid friendly? Yes
Parking: Lot
Reservations: Yes
What to wear: Casual
Smoking: No
Full bar/wine and beer: Yes
How's the service? Friendly
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