As many of you know, last month St. Louis bid a sad adios to downtown’s El Borracho—one of my favorite Mexican-themed watering holes. The closure, while heartbreaking for me, can only be good news for neighboring Rosalita’s Cantina (1235 Washington, 314-621-2700), a downtown Tex-Mex spot that celebrates its one-year anniversary later this month.
Rosalita’s is flashy. Their festive sign couldn’t hold its own on the Vegas strip, but it certainly lets Washington Avenue know what’s up. The décor is equally as decadent with a huge wrap-around bar, illuminated bottles, lighted walls, medieval chandeliers, and exposed brick. The designer possibly has the hots for a Moravian star supplier, because there are no less than 20 of them adorning the bar. Anyone who’s been to Pink Taco in Los Angeles will understand “the look” Rosalita’s is shooting for. That, with a sprinkle of From Dusk ‘til Dawn biker bar the "Titty Twister" (sans vampires, of course).
Happy hour (3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday) is the best time to come pricewise; drinks are cheap ($3 wells, $4 margaritas) and apps are $3 off. Some of their apps are meals unto themselves—the nachos could “feed a family of four” (the server’s words, not mine), and the Grilled Tostadas & Pork Carnitas were too filling for us to finish. Guacamole, which comes as a gargantuan portion, is only $2 during happy hour. Cheaper than Cherokee Street!
