Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Rojoz head chef Fortino Neri Cervantes offers loaded wraps and a fresh fruit smoothie.

Wraps, smoothies make for tasty blend at Rojoz

By Suzanne Cristallo

"Talk is cheap," says Ed Wong when describing the food at Rojoz in Saratoga. "Come down, be adventuresome and try something different."

He and his wife, Shirley, just opened the restaurant on Prospect Road at Lawrence Expressway. It features two popular food concepts: wraps--a variety of ingredients tucked and rolled in a tortilla--and smoothies--fruits blended with juices and yogurt or sherbet.

The Wongs are the first to own and operate a Rojoz franchise. Rojoz was established by Palo Alto resident Edmund Routhier, who also founded the corporately owned Rock'n Tacos chain.

Rojoz differs from its sister company by offering a variety of international fare beyond ethnic Mexican food. It serves freshly prepared rice, beans, sauces and salsa made from scratch on the premises. "I guarantee the freshness of our food 100 percent!" Wong says.

Wong, 48, left his hometown of Los Angeles for Los Gatos 12 years ago, attracted by its beauty and proximity to beaches, snow skiing and cities. He describes his new restaurant with the same enthusiasm he feels for his home surroundings.

In particular, he endorses the Best of Pesto chicken: grilled chicken rolled in a spinach tortilla with Spanish olives, pine nuts, fresh sugar snaps, diced tomatoes and feta cheese, topped with pesto sauce spiked with garlic, basil and walnuts and served on a bed of aromatic jasmine rice.

There is also a Chinese chicken salad wrap and a Baja Californian wrap with chicken or steak.

Wong describes the smoothies as "a piece of heaven." Typical is the Fruitlicious--a blend of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and bananas with fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Wong is busy promoting his smoothies and wraps--especially the vegetarian ones--at open houses held by local athletic clubs. He says he sets up a sampler table where the health-conscious can learn about the healthful aspects of Rojoz food. He also is willing to pack up his blenders, steam tables and ice chests and cater office parties, banquets and family occasions on the customers' premises.

The 20 kinds of wraps average $4.95 apiece, but for $1.35 more, the combo meal includes a side of Aztec rice, homemade black beans, chips and a soda. A children's menu offers Mini Beany and Cheesy wraps for $1.49. For the curious, this week's special at Rojoz is a Caesar salad wrap with chicken for $5.35.

Rojoz Wraps and Smoothies, 18562-A Prospect Road, Saratoga. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 777-8226.

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