At first, Rock’N Tacos and Tamales seemed off to a rocky start.
For a new restaurant, the fast-casual “Californian cuisine” eatery located in the Market Place Shopping Center had a noticeable number of items on the restaurant’s wall menu board blacked out. And a counter worker also confused us - and our food order - during our first visit.
Before we get into that, we’ll share a few basics about the joint that employs a cartoon Hawaiian shirt-wearing surfer shark named Rocky as a mascot. The order counter is up front, but a chair situated clumsily in the entryway with a sign directs traffic to the left by the menu board (it lists appetizers, salads, quesadillas, fried and grilled fish tacos, flautas, burritos, burrito bowls, tamales and kids selections), before heading up front. Place your order, get your beverages (fountain soft drinks, tea, Hi-Cpunch, Mexican soft drinks, all $1.99-$2.99) and then have a seat - at a regular table, bar tables or window counter.
They’ll bring you your order. Or something like it.
What we requested seemed simple enough: two a la carte Rocky’s Street Tacos ($2.59 each), one beef and one chicken. And then a Two Tacos Plate of the Baja Fish Tacos for $6.59 (plates, it says,include two side items).
So, we expected two street tacos, two fish tacos and two sides, right?
Instead, we got six tacos, two fish tacos and no sides.
Que?
Wait, this is “Californian cuisine.”
Dude?!
When we questioned the worker, she maintained the order was correct, insisting the “a la carte” street tacos come three per order although that’s not specified by the menu (muddling the matter further: The restaurant sells a separate Three Tacos Plate next to it on the menu for $6.59). But, according to our math (in the confusion, I didn’t get a receipt), it appears we were charged for two a la carte Baja Fish Tacos (rather than charged for the desired two-taco plate with sides).
Furthermore, we felt misinformed when it came to the Queso Blanco appetizer ($3.99). Asking if the portion would be enough for two women to share (it most certainly was), she said no. So we ordered two, and then had too much left over.
At least we served ourselves drinks and there was no way for that to be complicated. Wait, no. When we inquired, the counter worker claimed there was no sweetener for iced tea. But then she mysteriously produced a few Splenda packets.
Our order might not have been accurate, but almost everything was acceptable, save for the mushy fried Baja Fish Tacos that despite a sprinkling of cabbage and “our original white sauce” had little flavor other than fishy.
The Queso Blanco was creamy and agreeable, if a bit mellow for our taste (some shots of spicier sauces from the salsa bar helped).
As for the street tacos, the taste of the chicken and beef was fine but the beef was tough, not tender. There was “an awful lot of cilantro on them,” remarked my friend, who asked me to do a teeth check.
A second visit went more smoothly, with everything - Ceviche de Camaron appetizer ($5.99), Shrimp Spinach Wrap ($7.99) and a Pork Tamale Plate ($6.49) - arriving as ordered. Well, mostly. The wrap came with an unexpected side of fruit. If the tamales featured potato slices and green olives, as mentioned on the menu, they went undetected.
The ceviche of diced shrimp, tomato, cilantro, cucumber and onion topped with avocado slices, served with lime wedges and a few chips, was tasty although it was difficult to share from the petite elevated bowl(served on a plate curiously wrapped in foil). Which is also to say the portion, when compared to others we’ve enjoyed at other area restaurants, also was petite.
My friend reported her shrimp wrap with shrimp, fresh spinach, roasted red pepper, avocado slices and cream cheese in a tortilla (choice of spinach, jalapeno, cheddar, chipotle, white or wheat) was rather bland although the shrimp and cream cheese were supposed to be seasoned. The side of fruit - cantaloupe with mango and grapes - was a nice surprise.
The meaty tamales, topped in a red sauce, were tasty although very soft, as was the side scoop of poblano rice. A smoky side of ranchero black beans rounded out the plate (tropical rice, a citrus salad and pinto beans are other choices).
We didn’t sample dessert choices ($3-$3.50) that include pina colada cake, pear upside-down cake, flan and the “highly recommended” Chocoflan.
Some cerveza might have eased any service snags and food flaws, but Rock’N is alcohol-free. For a margarita, one could go to the other side of the shopping center where La Casa Real - also serving tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc.- has a full bar, not to mention dinner hours. Rock’N closes at 7 p.m.
Rock’N Tacos and Tamales Address: Market Place Shopping Center, 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday Cuisine: “Californian cuisine,” featuring tacos, burritos, quesadillas,◊autas, tamales and burritos Credit cards: MC, V Alcoholic beverages: No Carryout: Yes (501) 812-3461
Weekend, Pages 36 on 03/21/2013