Rojas Mexican Grill & Restaurant-Carlsbad

Owned by Tomas Rojas in the 2700 Block of San Jose Blvd. $7-$15 Rating 3.75 -- Rojas touts "The Taste of Mexico" but in reality, the memorable cuisine here is originates mostly from the Northern States of Mexico with Chef Rojas' own touch in every menu item. If you are looking for a dining experience the really resembles Mexico's beloved taquerias and casas de bestek this will definitely do the trick. Open from 8am to 8pm, breakfast, lunch and dinner are available and well thought out in the menu.

Tacos de Alambre--$8 Four open face tacos served on flour or corn tortillas filled with beef and bacon chunks, cheese and green onion. The name literally translates 'wire blocks'. This is a favorite for many especially when topped with the award winning salsa at every table or the accompanying sour cream and whole made guacamole. Restaurants below the border don't buy, but rather make both flour and corn tortillas on site. This dish could only be improved by having that fresh ground corn tortilla served, but alas, even Rojas has fallen prey to the convenience of purchase, whereas I think patrons would gladly pay more for this delight. 1/2 orders are available.

Rojas Steak--$11 This grilled edition to the menu is delightful for the meat eater. A 6-8 ounce sirloin cut, topped with mushrooms, bacon chunks, and aromatic asadero cheese. This dish is complimented with charro beans and a delightful chili toriado [deep fried jalapeno served in a soy sauce] and whole grilled green onions. The combination here is time tested and every bite can be scrumptious and yet differ from the last.

Chicken Fajitas--$11 Hand trimmed chicken breast first season rubbed and then marinated before grilling to taste. [Done to Well Done] Served with grilled red onion on a sizzling hot flat iron platter. A generous portion here with the included addition of charro beans, small flour tortillas, sour cream and whole made guacamole. This dish could be improved again by offering a fresh corn tortilla instead of the American flour tortilla, and three instead of two. The patron can make this request. There are variations on this dish in the beef fajita, which is a skirt steak, or one can request the diablo sauce. Past attempts of the diablo sauce available a la carte, reminds this critic of something cooked in Chernobyl. On a scale of 10, with 10 being the hottest, this is 7-8 easily. Be Careful!

The service crews staffing this restaurant vary just as anywhere else supporting multi-shifts. Cooks, although trained by Tomas himself, cannot and do not perform as well when Tomas is on the grill. This is not fine dining per se, however, if one wishes authentic Mexican food with a personal touch, Rojas is the place. Without a doubt this place is definitely in the top 5 Mexican themed eatery's in SE New Mexico and West Texas. This restaurant earns the high rating of 3.75--