The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by Robert Scheer

El Molino owner Armando Rosas presents his specialty, a Wet Burrito.

Taqueria's burritos whet big appetites

By Pam Marino

After 17 years of driving a truck for someone else, Armando Rosas was ready for a career change. He was also ready to be his own boss.

Almost a year and a half ago he bought El Molino Taco Grill, a small Mexican restaurant at The Marketplace shopping center in Cupertino.

"This is something I've always wanted to do," Rosas said. And along with Rosas are other members of his family, including his mother-in-law, a brother and, on weekends, his oldest daughter.

Rosas and his family create authentic Mexican dishes daily using all fresh ingredients. For instance, the salsa is made with big chunks of tomatoes and onions, and the chips are cooked on the premises.

They serve burritos, tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, fajitas, chile verde, quesadillas, tamales, chile rellenos, chimichangas, chile Colorado and flautas. They also make vegetarian dishes. Burritos are a popular item at the restaurant; one of the house specialties is the Super Wet Burrito, with lots of sauce, guacamole and sour cream on top. Other specialties include Fajitas Suprema with either chicken, steak or prawns, and menudo on weekends.

The daily specials are enchiladas on Mondays, steak quesadillas on Tuesdays, flautas on Wednesdays, tamales on Thursdays, tostadas on Fridays and Tacos Dorados on Saturdays.

Rosas sells tamales by the dozen for those who want to serve a large group. He also caters to any size group--"It doesn't matter how big or small," he said.

The restaurant is casual, with eating either inside or at the sidewalk tables. There's also food to go. Rosas said lunch time during the week is busy, with lots of employees from local businesses catching lunch at the restaurant. He said his dinnertime business is growing.

"It's a great location," Rosas said. "It's getting better and better as more people know we're here."

El Molino Taco Grill is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. El Molino is located at 19656 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, 257-1584.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, April 1, 1998.
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