Tijuana Roadhouse - from Hard Hat Report

[Rene]

Tired, beat and having worked very long days recently, hubs and I needed something for dinner that was easy, relaxing and nearby. Cedar Park restaurants close pretty early and we were dreading the thought of one of the chains around here where we would be treated like cattle and doomed to mediocrity. We had heard nothing about the Tijuana Roadhouse but were interested to see what it was about... checked their website and they were offering free chips and queso with a coupon that we printed from the site.

The appearance from the outside seemed rather hopeless but we ventured in. There were only a few diners but we were greeted immediately, asked our seating preference and were given a fine booth. Very affable server showed up quickly for our drink order - a couple of beers... served promptly, ice cold bottle and frozen glasses. Those glasses were so cold and thick that they kept the beer cold from start to finish. I was surprised to find an "ice floatie" in my glass when I finished mine - that's how cold it was, which is how I like it.

The queso appetizer, for which we used the coupon, was of the yellow cheese like substance variety which is not my favorite but is my husband's. I have to say that it was one of the more tolerable ones of this type that I've had. Hubs thought it was very good... bits of tomato, onion and pepper. I kind of liked it which is a big surprise as I strongly prefer the white cheese type.

For entrees, he had chicken tacos and he liked them. I tasted them and they had good flavor. They came in lightly fried corn tortillas with beans and rice. The rice was odd and I didn't understand it with tacos - but I don't really like rice at all. Hubs thought it was interesting.

I ordered a standard cheeseburger after the aforementioned affable server assured me that they are very good. I asked if they would cook to my preferred medium rare and she assured me that they would. Well, they did... and it was very good. The beef was flavorful, pink and juicy, the medium side of medium rare but I like that just fine in a burger. The veggies were the standard lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. All tasted fresh and I was happy to see three slices of tomato for a change - tomato that was not green or hard or mealy. The french fries that they offer are steak fries, which I dislike, so I had a side salad with a chipotle ranch dressing which I believe I was told was made in house. The dressing was very nice. The salad (iceberg, a little spring mix and chopped tomato) overflowed the small bowl and was nothing special but it was cold and crisp.

I hope more people in this area will give this place a try. The owner and his staff are very eager to please and put out a very decent product from my one experience. I think that if Jardin Corona (across 183 from Tijuana) and Moonie's (boring gray burgers) can flourish here, Tijuana should have a pretty decent chance.

I know this is a very long post but I want these guys to get a shot. I was exhausted and starving and left with a very positive feel about this place. Give it a try - heck, a cold beer and the queso app with coupon would be a great happy hour stop.

[amykragan]

Rene,
Thanks for the detailed post. I'll have to give this place a try.

[Rene]

Amy,

Please keep in mind that it's not high end at all. I don't want you or anyone else to be disappointed. I thought by the JC and Moonie's reference that would be clear.

Thanks!

René

[amykragan]

I actually love Jardin Corona. Their chicken breast stuffed with cheese, bacon & mushrooms deep fried and covered in queso always makes me happy

[Rene]

We like JC, too (we went almost every Monday for several years)... and hubs loves most of the chicken breast dishes, particularly the pollo tequila and pollo encebollados. However, I think the rest of the menu, while tasty, is rather standard stuff and I'm not sure I would consider it a"destination" place or make the trip to JC if it were not convenient - just like I rarely drive to Fuegos, but if I am near that area I feel I must have their fish tacos. That's what I was trying to get across.

I like JC's chorimigas for breakfast and the standards Tex-Mex appeals to me when I'm in the mood for that, which is only occasionally these days.