Cowgirl Kitchen

While exploring Rosemary Beach and walking around with the family, we decided we should stay there and eat lunch.  We decided to grab a bite to eat at Cowgirl Kitchen.  I had read several positive reviews of the place, so we thought it would be a good choice for a causal lunch.  The restaurant was packed on the afternoon we visited, but it was a beautiful day and we chose to sit outside rather than wait for a table indoors.

Cowgirl Machita Dip

This little diva enjoyed the sidewalk dining

Several appetizers sounded promising, but as usual, we couldn't pass up queso.  Two different versions of queso were available, but we chose the Cowgirl Machita Dip and it was top notch.  The queso blanca had chorizo, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and green onion.  This might just have been the best queso I have ever had in Florida and I highly recommend it.

Pulled Pork Tacos with Caesar Salad

Not wanting to get too full after eating the queso, my wife and I both ordered tacos with a side Caesar salad rather than a heavy meal.  I had the Pulled Pork Tacos, which were topped with cole slaw and my wife had the Drunken Shrimp Tacos.  The pulled pork was okay, but I actually liked her tacos better and enjoyed the spicy chipotle salsa and shredded cheese.

Drunken Shrimp Tacos

They also have a kids menu and the little one gave a thumbs up to the mac n' cheese and chips.  Our waitress was attentive throughout and was very accommodating to us.  This location at Rosemary Beach is in a beautiful area with lots of shopping in the area.  Another plus about this restaurant was the price, which was much less than a lot of other restaurants in this tourist haven.  We really intended to go back and try their dinner menu, but regrettably, we didn't have the opportunity.  

Cowgirl Kitchen
https://www.cowgirlkitchen.com/rosemary.html
Livin the Good Life Rating=3

Mesa's Mexican Grill

Mexican food option are very slim on the West side of McKinney, Texas.  A popular Mexican restaurant in Prosper, Mesa's Mexican Grill, recently opened up another location in McKinney.  Since the day it opened, it has been busy each time that I drove by the restaurant.  My family and I finally decided to brave the crowds to try this restaurant.  

When our waiter brought out the chips, salsa, and black bean dip, we decided to also order a side of queso.  The queso was very basic and tasted just like the cheese that would top nachos at a middle school basketball concession stand.  I wished I would have went with the queso blanca instead of the traditional queso.  Although the salsa was decent, I actually preferred the black bean dip to the queso and salsa.

Chips, Salsa, and Black Bean Dip

For my entree, I ordered the Platillo Cortez, which came with a chicken enchilada, a brisket taco, guacamole, rice, and beans.  Of the items on the plate, I liked the chicken enchilada the best.  It was packed with finally shredded chicken and topped with a sour cream sauce  The brisket taco had onions and green peppers, but the brisket was very tough and chew.  The guacamole, rice, and beans were pretty basic and not noteworthy at all.

Platillo Cortez

My wife ordered the El Rey, which came with a cheese enchilada, a beef taco, and a pork tamale.  I sampled a bite or two of each of these items as well and was equally unimpressed.  The food wasn't bad, but it was nothing that you wouldn't get at any other run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant.

El Rey

I didn't necessarily hate the food here, but it certainly failed to impress.  The service was much better than the food, even though the restaurant was busy while we were there.  They also have a kids menu and my kids enjoyed the kids nachos and the kids chicken strips and fries.  If I am in the mood for Mexican food close to my house, I will gladly pass by this place and dine at the Rosa's Cafe that is just a mile down the road.

Mesa's Mexican Grill
http://www.mesasmexgrill.com
Livin the Good Life Rating=2

Arnie's Barn

My view while eating at Arnie's Barn

While visiting Big Cedar Lodge, it was recommend that we visit Top of the Rock.  Since the golf course and nature area was just down the road, we drove up there around lunchtime.  Although there are a few restaurants to choose from at Top of the Rock, only Arnie's Barn was open for lunch.  Arnie's Barn is a Mexican restaurant that is housed in a 150 year old barn from Pennsylvania that was dissembled, transported, and reassembled at Top of the Rock site.  This historic barn also housed the pro shop and overlooked the beautiful driving range.

Interior of Arnie's Barn

Being creatures of habit, we started with the Wood Baked Queso.  This dish was made with a blend of Mexican cheeses, house-made chorizo, charred peppers, charred onions, and topped with cilantro and queso fresco.  The first taste of this queso, sent my taste buds to their happy place.  Despite it having a different texture from most queso I have had, the flavor was fantastic.  Not to be outdone, the chips were good as well.

Wood Baked Queso

For my entree, I ordered the Braised Short Rib Enchiladas.  These enchiladas were rolled in corn tortillas and topped with Chihuahua cheese and a roasted tomato chipotle sauce.  Much like the queso, the enchiladas were muy bueno.  The braised short rib was cooked to tender perfection and the roasted tomato chipotle sauce had just enough kick to please this Texan.  The dish was also served with refried beans, toasted cumin and green chili rice, and Mexico City street corn.  All the sides were great, but the corn was my favorite of the three.  

Braised Short Rib Enchiladas with refried beans, rice, and Mexico City street corn

My wife had the Carne Guisada Tacos that included the same three sides.  She loved her meal as well and the one taco I tried was very good, but not as good as my enchiladas.  The kids enjoyed the quesadillas and quickly polished off their meals.

Carne Guisada Tacos

I must say that I was pleasantly surpassed at just how good the Mexican food was at Arnie's Barn.  This meal was probably the best Mexican food I have tried outside of the American Southwest.  The service was grade A+ and the setting inside the old barn was very unique.  If you are in the mood for Mexican food (and in the area), I would highly recommend a visit to Arnie's Barn.

Kid's Quesadillas

Arnie's Barn
http://www.topoftherock.com/Page/Dining.aspx
Livin the Good Life Rating=4