Standing amidst Torrance’s edge with a coupon book in hand, junior Megan Fitzpatrick and I surveyed our surroundings. After being denied usage of our coupon at Habanaros, due to a name change (originally Cilantro), I “Yelped” cheap Mexican restaurants, and 0.1 miles away was Rosa’s La Cabana on Hawthorne Boulevard. We immediately went, since we were on a budget and ravenous. In my haste, I accidentally drove past the place so hastily pulled into a spot on the street. We backtracked and found the eatery nestled innocuously between an optometrist and a candle seller.
Entering the humbly sized restaurant, we were immediately greeted by bright ambience and a friendly waitress who let us choose our seating, as we were eating at that dawdling time too late for lunch and too early for dinner, so the place was practically empty. Once seated, chips and salsa instantaneously materialized before us and somehow disappeared just as quickly. The chips were delectable, seeing that they were not too salty or greasy, however the salsa was a bit disappointing- being analogous to mildly spicy tomato sauce.
Once we began perusing their extensive menu, it took us a while to finally agree on splitting Rosa’s special and a guacamole appetizer. The waitress was affable, and gave us many options while we tried decide the order’s details. The special was two burritos and a salad, with options of beef or chicken for the burrito, while the guacamole appetizer had multiple sizes and various topping options. We finally settled on two chicken burritos (one wet, one dry) and a half guacamole appetizer with cheese and meat sauce on top.
Soon after our conversation began, the appetizer came in its green and gold glory. Taking the first bite, Megan exclaimed, “Am I in heaven?” and I shortly concurred that we must have been. The melted cheese and fresh guacamole, paired with the crunchy chips and sprinkled meat sauce lead us to conclude that this dish is the ultimate guilty pleasure and comfort food in any distressing situation.
Before we finished this ridiculous amalgamation of a dish, our burritos came, and the waitress kindly warned us that the plates were extremely hot. Of course I still touched it and pretended otherwise, but at least I secretly knew that they were not lying. Once my pride was quietly mended, I dug into the hefty burrito and decided that this entire restaurant would securely fall in my list of guilty pleasure places. The burrito was bursting with refried beans, chicken, and cheese. It was not only scrumptious but it was also incredibly filling. Noting our sated appetites, the waitress did not bother asking if we wanted to see the dessert menu, then gave us the bill which came out to around twenty four dollar for two meals and an appetizer- very decently priced. In the spirit of fall, they kindly gave us some cinnamon mints and we walked out contented with a fulfilling food coma. A walking distance from Dapplegray Elementary School, Rosa’s Cabana is a perfect place to try, because not only is it delicious, but its welcoming service is also sure to brighten up any day.