La Bamba
Where: 1257 S. U.S. 1, Rockledge, across the street from its old location. There also are locations at 1817 S. Washington Ave. in Titusville and in Largo.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Call: 321-637-9607
Other: In addition to Mexican classics and lunch specials, the menu includes several kids’ meals for $3.95.
La Bamba in Rockledge moved recently to a new location across U.S. 1 from its old one, and it’s a big improvement, with better seating and much better parking. The food remains quite good, with lots of pleasures and a few surprises when a friend and I visited recently. The food is rooted in Mexican traditions of the Guadalajara area, as the family that runs the restaurant is from a town called Union de Tula, as our server/manager was happy to tell us. The service is so friendly here, it feels like home.
We started with the de rigueur chips and tangy salsa, which for fun comes in a small bottle so you can add it to the bowl yourself. We also ordered the fresh, tasty guacamole dip ($3.75). My friend got the delicious tortilla soup ($4.95), with chicken, tomatoes and the zing of cilantro, and the pleasing “Real Mexican tacos” ($2.25), with your choice of meat served on a corn tortilla with onions and cheese.
I got the molé enchiladas ($8.25), stuffed with chicken and covered with the traditional sauce; it was sweet and savory and altogether yummy. I chose black beans as a side, and they were great, though we heard another customer raving about the refried beans, too. Among the beverage choices for $3.95 are sangria, wine and non-tequila (but still alcoholic) margaritas. The latter aren’t terrible, and taste a lot like margaritas at restaurants that go heavy on mix, but they lack that texture and flavor I look for in a “real” margarita.
We wrapped up with dessert. The flan ($2.95) was rich and redolent with cinnamon. But the really decadent sweet was the chocolate chimi ($3.95). It’s all gooey, warm chocolate, nuts and caramel — yes, it’s a warm Snickers bar in a tortilla, and it’s sinfully good, especially with the accompanying scoop of vanilla ice cream.
La Bamba, which also has locations in Titusville and Largo, serves dishes with care and taste. Check it out.
Contact Kridler at 321-242-3633 or www.ckridler@floridatoday.com.
What other people are saying...
LILLYPEPPER from BREVARD - September 14, 2009 at 7:41 PM
lA bAMBA IS THE MOST DISGUSTING MEXICAN RESTAURANT RESTAURANT PLACE I HAVE EATEN ,THE FOOD WAS NOT ONLY COLD BUT HAD NOOOOO FLAVOR AT ALL .THE PL...
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