Las Rocas Postres y Taqueria, 2106 Division Ave S ~ 2/21/20

We didn't think there were any Mexican restaurants in town that we haven't been to at least once but we found one today, and it was a great find. The entrance is off Andre Street where street parking is available. Christmas decor was still up :-)

It was counter service so we stepped up to check out the menu. It's a good sign of authenticity when goat and tongue are on the menu. Oddly, hamburgers, hotdogs, and fries were also on the menu, added for obvious reasons I suppose (kids, American tastes). 

Besides the usual items, they also specialize in fruity beverages - a lot of them - and claim to have the best coffee in town.

There was one woman working behind the counter and another in the kitchen, and no one else was in the place at the moment. Our food arrived fairly quickly and looked beautiful. One veggie taco and a bean burrito - both chock full of vegetables, queso, and rice. (This burrito puts Butch's bean burrito to shame, fyi.) Both were flavorful and delicious. Hot sauce is on the table so you make it as hot (or not) as you would like.

Our second platter was a tongue taco, a shrimp taco, and a steak gordita. We don't know if they make their own tortillas here but they sure seemed fresh. The tacos were top notch but the steak in the gordita was overly salted. Other than that, the food here is wonderful, each entree nicely balanced and combined with plenty of fresh vegetables.

It's not a cozy space but rather utilitarian. More tables would fit in the space but we're guessing a lot of their orders are take-out. There's one TV playing and we had to move out from under it due to the volume.

You will have to hazard your own guess as to maximum occupancy (find the sign :-) ).

While we were eating, a man came in and started talking to us, incessantly, and it became quickly clear he was a panhandler. That was a first for us in a restaurant. After about 3 minutes we told him we didn't want to talk any longer and he did an about-face and walked out immediately. He and the woman behind the counter greeted each other when he entered so he must be a regular.

Standing at a counter perusing a menu while someone is waiting to take your order always adds a little pressure to ordering. So if you go, pay attention to the extras and order the traditional chips and salsa that are brought out automatically in full service restaurants, because it's a tradition :-) Would we return here? Absolutely! Next time you're around Burton & Division, stop in for some excellent food!

El Globo Restaurant, 2019 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids ~ 3/21/18

We discovered a Mexican restaurant we had never been to so today we ventured in. It wasn't clear if it was just counter service because there were a lot of people clustered in the back by the counter. But we took a seat to find out. Soon enough a friendly server brought us our menus along with a small serving of tortilla chips, salsa, and two sauces, one slightly hot and the other a delicious mysterious avocado concoction.

Wednesdays are $1 Taco days, yup $1, so it was busy. Most people came in for take-out but there were a few other booths occupied. Unfortunately, one other couple sat behind me and every time he leaned back, our shared booth wall pushed me a couple of inches forward.

The restaurant is long and fairly good-sized with booths along one wall and tables filling up the rest of the space. The decor is simple and the walls are covered with large paper posters. It's all tasteful.

Being Taco Day, it's what we had to go with: steak, pork, and tongue.

And Gorditas being a favorite, we had to try one of those, here along with a chicken taco.

We added sauce to all of them, the chicken was slightly dry without it (and the sauces were great), but the ample cilantro, fresh tortillas, and all of the other ingredients made up a fantastic lunch. And don't mind an occasional typo. It won't take away from your enjoyment of the food.

Our bill had to be paid back at the counter where everyone was picking up their take-out orders. There is also a back entrance which opens onto a city parking lot which we used. Parking is limited on Division at this location so just park behind the building. Service was great with a very friendly and informative server, and the place is clean, including restrooms.

Depending on when you come, especially on a Wednesday, you may have a wait. But if speed is what you want, you can always head to Taco Bell. If you want delicious tacos, this place will be worth your while.
 
 

Taqueria Maravatio, 1100 Chicago Ave SW

Today we drove on a whim down Grandville/Chicago Avenue to see if we could find a small, unknown, local restaurant ~ because we love doing that. We happened on this place straddling a corner at Chicago Drive and Godfrey, across from Holy Name of Jesus Parish on Godfrey and a McDonalds on Chicago Drive.

Aztec or Mayan art decorates portions of the six-sided building but around back it's plain with the parking lot and two entrances.

When we walked in it looked like it was counter service and we did the awkward looking-around-trying-to-figure-out-the-place-thing with the locals staring at us. But we spotted a woman waiting on a table so we grabbed two menus off the very large counter and took a seat.

The place holds about 11 tables/booths wrapped along the exterior wall which is lined with windows so everyone has an outside view, except for this table for two. And there's a big booth down at the end.

The kitchen is open from the counter view and we spotted two men working there. The one and only server was continually cleaning when not waiting on customers. And the place is spotless. When I later walked into the Ladies' Room I saw washing your hands instructions in Spanish and English, along with the old washed-the-floor water. Well, at least it was washed.

We were quickly served chips and salsas, green and red, and both with a nice kick.

Water took a bit longer to come by and unfortunately arrived in large styrofoam, lidded cups. But the food did not disappoint. We selected from a simple two-page menu, complete with a hamburger with yellow cheese :-)

We each picked two tacos and a gordita. Steak, Chorizo, and Barbacoa tacos, and steak Gorditas. There was absolutely nothing to complain about. Fresh cilantro, plenty of limes, and other vegetables accompanied our food.

And most importantly, the tortillas are made in-house and that was obvious. This place rivals San Jose Taqueria and should definitely be visited. We needed to go back to the counter to pay, and that took a while on the old cash register. While I was waiting, the cook put a huge bowl of soup/stew on the counter and I asked our cashier/server if that was for her. She said it was and it was a concoction of meat and vegetables and soup, and she hadn't eaten all day. It was steaming hot and looked delicious! Hey, that wasn't on the menu...

There are two TVs back to back but nothing was playing, just a low-key music soundtrack. Decor consisted of a picture of John Paul II and a painting of a pope with Mary. But with all those windows, there isn't room for much more.

The tables are numbered by a taped up paper number. Not so classy but whatever works.

There were crazy locks on the way out, modified during the day by tape.

There's not much internet information available about this place but it looks like it used to be the El Kiosco Tapatio Restaurante. What is was before that we have no idea. It looks like it was some sort of fast food chain. But this is a lovely reincarnation of a unique building and an obvious local favorite from what we observed. Freshly prepared food in a clean, local restaurant with house-made tortillas - what more could you ask?