Mexican Night at R & F Restaurant.

R & F Restaurant

149 East Center Street (Route 491)

Monticello, Utah, 84535

Phone: (435) 587-2440

Serving Breakfast, Lunch& Dinner

Wednesday is Mexican Food Night

Parking lot full, parking on the street stretches from the corner and past the restaurant, patient patrons sit or stand inside the entry way waiting.  That’s right, it’s Mexican Night at the R & F Restaurant!  Locals plan on this special night of dining, tourists are very lucky they were directed here, or just stopped in.

 

Ray and Fana Arballo, with the help of Gen Atencio, have been serving up their version of diner comfort food for nine years now; but Wednesday has always been the special night.  Fana admits that they tried doing the specials twice a week, but then it just was not very special anymore.  Knowing the fresh made, stupendously delicious Mexican delicacies were only available once a week is what the locals enjoyed most; the planning to go out, and looking forward to it.  Families, couples, even solos greet each other cheerfully; catch up on local and county news.  Fana works her way around the tables greeting everyone, asking everyone is doing, are they enjoying the food.  Ray likes being back in the kitchen, but took a moment to come sit with us and talk about R & F.

 

Ray and Fana were both born and raised in Monticello, Utah.  Being of Mexican descent (Ray’s mother is from New Mexico of Spanish/Apache descent; his dad from East LA, but originally Mexico), this trio know how to do it up homemade and authentic.  All meats are purchased locally through Blue Mountain Meats; Utah’s Own products are delivered via wholesalers Nicholas and Company; potatoes are pure Idaho born and raised.  Tortillas are cut up and deep fried for the chips; or lightly deep fried to get the shape for a taco, then finished up on the grill.  Salsa, served with the chips, is freshly made.   Clean, pure taste of the tomatoes, onions and chile peppers comes on strong, with medium heat that makes the back of the tongue do the cha-cha.

The Smothered Burrito is a good one pounder packed with shredded beef or chicken, or ground beef.  While both the red and green chile sauce (medium heat) are delicious on their own, I particularly enjoy the “half and half” or “Christmas style” which is a generous topping of both sauces.  Sides are Spanish Rice, Refried Beans; moist, flavorful, and the garnish of chopped lettuce and tomatoes simply adds more texture and flavor.  Sour cream is by request.

 

Combo Meal

The Enchiladas are topped with melted cheese which makes a delicious meal even yummier!  As I stated before, the Tacos are finished up on the grill and packed with meat, freshly chopped lettuce and tomatoes.  Make sure to ask for more of the salsa that came with the chips if you want to punch up the flavor combinations even more.

  

Sopapilla, a deep fried tortilla that puffs up, comes with each meal, along with a packet of honey.  I always make sure to leave room for this treat!  Along with the Mexican specialties, R & F offers its regular menu as well; a salad bar packed with fresh vegetables and dressings.  Homemade pies are available featuring cherry, blueberry and apple.



Salad Bar

R & F Restaurant; friendly owners and staff, welcoming atmosphere, comforting food at reasonable prices.  Oh, for Pioneer Week, veterans will be offered meals at special discounts; so make sure to ask about this.  Thank you for serving in the military and protecting our country.

 

Mary Cokenour

 

 

 

Dos Amigos, Mexican Fast Food, Kind Of.

Dos Amigos

861 South Main Street (Located inside Shell Station)
Blanding, Utah, 84511

Phone: (435) 678-2991 (Main Number for Shell Station)




Originally, Taco Time resided inside the Shell Station in Blanding and Monticello.  After being taken over by the 7-11 Corporation, Taco Time was to be replaced with Dos Amigos; Blanding opened, but Monticello did not.  It has now been one year, so it was time to try out this new Mexican restaurant which is basically Mexican "fast" food of sorts.



Chicken Taquitos
 

The shredded beef, sweet pork and chicken are cooked up fresh each morning; while the vegetables are chopped and diced fresh as well.  However, several of the items, such as Taquitos and French fries, are purchased frozen; tortillas are also purchased in bulk.  Each order is cooked up as needed, so no premade items are sitting under a heat lamp all day long.  The menus are written on chalk boards over the counter; read them well as there are several choices on how you want your food cooked...plain, smothered or loaded.





Chimi Plate

The Grande Burrito and Chimi Plate are bursting with your choice of filling; the Tacos have just enough to keep the tortilla from falling apart in your hand.  All come with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes; sour cream, guacamole and dressings are considered extras.  Now while we're used to burritos and chimichangas being deep fried, these were rolled and put through a rolling heat unit.  Therefore, it's recommended you get the smothered version for added texture and flavor; plain just doesn't cut it.  However, if you want something really different, order the Rolled Taco Plate; three tacos that are stuffed, rolled, then deep fried; now this is good stuff!  The Spanish Rice has a slightly spicy flavoring and is moist, while the Refried Beans are firm and served with melted cheese on top.

Grande Burrito - Smothered



Crisp Taco Plate

Taco Salad

Booths line the window side of the building for dining in, but your orders can easily be boxed up for picnicking in the park.  The staff are friendly; smiling while taking your order, or helping you decide what would satisfy your appetite the best.  Do not be dismayed by the idea of Mexican food being served out of a gas station; you might just be pleasantly surprised.











Mary Cokenour