Rosa Mexicano can't be beat for gluten-free Mexican food

I'm just head-over-heels-in-love with Rosa Mexicano restaurant. This would be the case even if they didn't have a gluten-free menu for my son to order from...but they do! My family went there last month after over a year since first visiting their DC location near the Verizon Center. Believe me, I'd like to go there monthly (at least), but our visits into the city are somewhat limited these days. And so many great "gluten-free friendly" restaurants now beckon. But Rosa Mexicano holds a special place in my heart. 

You can view their gluten-free lunch menu AND their gluten-free dinner menu  online, and suffice it to say, they both offer plenty of choices, even for any of your table-mates that don't typically like Mexican food (or don't think they do!). Note that this isn't your typical "Tex Mex" taco cantina. Rosa Mexicano is an upscale restaurant that specializes in the true flavors of Mexico, showcasing traditional dishes as well as some you're more familiar with (enchiladas). But everything has the Rosa Mexicano unique touch. 

 

If you're a guacamole lover, don't miss their tableside-prepared guacamole, served with soft, warm corn tortillas (in my opinion, ten times better than the corn chips they also serve, which are not gluten-free because they are fried in a shared fryer). I'm really the only one in my family who is a guacamole fan, and I swear I could have eaten the entire "for two" portion of the homemade guacamole if I didn't exercise serious self-control (and of course I was saving room for the next course!). 

I ordered the Enchiladas Suizas from the gluten-free menu, which were fantastic, and my husband ordered the Alambrea la Mexicana "mixed grill brochettes," also from the gluten-free menu. That was equally delicious: tender grilled cubes of beef tenderloin with sausage and grilled vegetables. (See what I mean about not just being your typically taco place...there's something to please everyone here!) Our 7-year old son wanted a quesadilla from the kids menu (which was not gluten-free), but we merely had to request that the chef make it with corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. Our server was fantastic -- scaring me a bit by not writing anything down, including all our special requests -- but everything was delivered to our table perfectly, just as we'd ordered it. When necessary, she checked with the chef on gluten-free questions we had (like the situation with the tortilla chips) and reported back to us. All with a pleasant "can-do" attitude and a smile on her face. 

The portions are very large here, and most (if not all) entrees are served with gluten-free Spanish rice and black beans, as well as other tasty little side dishes for sampling. If you have a Rosa Mexicano in your area -- and there are 9 locations throughout the country -- make a point of visiting them for lunch or dinner. You'll be glad you added this restaurant to your list of "safe" places to eat!