Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe

First, I have been going to «Mosaico» for years, before they moved to this location. They used to be one of the best Mexican restaurants in a town famous for them. It’s interesting to read all the rave reviews from tourists. If you want to get helpful reviews read the ones from people who live nearby. The staff is great and I have nothing but love for the family that owns it. If you have time talk to one of them. They have a great story — it’s the true American Dream. But they’ve been living off the past too long. The food has simply declined — not sure if its food quality or preparation but I now dine there when I visit my parents — who live just around the corner — out of habit and convenience. But there’s much better fare available just a few blocks away.

Teresa’s opens at 7am for breakfast and they close at 9pm, so they are available for all three meals. We went for breakfast and had a good meal. They were busy but no wait. They had a large selection of breakfast items, which was nice.
The service was great. We were promptly seated and drink orders taken. Because the waitress had several other tables she did not get back to us right away. We were not in a hurry so it was no biggie. We ordered and received our food in decent amount of time. The food came out hot, I like my hot food hot. Presentation was great. I ordered Huevos Devorados. Flavor was good, but not as spicy as I prefer. They do serve a small bowl of salsa to add if that was your preference. I did not try the salsa and it has been awhile since I had been for lunch, so I am not able to comment on it’s flavor.
They were getting even busier when we were finishing so it took a bit longer to get our check than I would have liked. Overall, great meal and happy to return for another one.

Amazing views and the food is delicious! We especially love the homemade flour tortillas. We try to come here every time we are in Tucson.

Attitude when; water was the only beverage ordered. Attitude; when I asked to serve the soup before the entrée. One entrée was hot and the rest barely warm, one was cold on a hot dish: Why, because everything was ordered at the onset and kept warm. Do you have any idea what it is like to be served a cold chile relleno on a very hot plate? It is a cold relleno on a hot plate. After I complained, it went away only to return moments later after visiting the microwave: do you know what happens to chile relleno that has been cut, then microwaved? All the cheese runs out. The taste of things was good, but bad service can make good things seem bad. Too much attitude! No tip for that! Is this the best Mexican food in town? Maybe
because Tucson makes eating out very scary!

This is a fun classic Mexican restaurant in town with a fantastic view of the Tucson city lights from atop the hill! Honestly I go here for the view as my primary reason, the food second. The margaritas are delicious as you would expect and come with a nice salty rim and tasty tequila. The food is good but not great. It’s your typical American Mexican style with lots of cheese. Nothing is too spicy so this is a great choice for families with kids.

I almost always order one of the burros in the Christmas style. Can’t go wrong with the burros. Their salsa is very good. It is a comfortable place with good food. Service can miss the mark occasionally but I think this is a wonderful place.

Great mexican food. Huevos Rancheros was excellent. Good flavors, good healthy food selections also. Nicely decorated with their namesake mosaic tables. I’ve been here twice for lunch in the last two weeks and food was very good each time.

Rude, inattentive, and wouldn’t seat a group when two tables were next to each other in different sections. So sad to see a nice place change to terrible service.
Will no longer eat here.

Great huevos rancheros! Fresh tortillas and chorizo. The only think I didn’t like was the coffee, tasted a bit burnt.
Cool looking place with a good view of the city.

This place is practically across the street from us, so I often forget about it, but it is a bit of a hidden gem. The décor and slightly hidden location are nice, the tortillas are fresh and made in house. The huevos rancheros are some of the best in Tucson, and the breakfast burritos and salsa are also to die for. We need to come here more often, maybe for dinner next time… the service is good, and it’s very authentic. The one thing I didn’t enjoy was being asked by a lady sitting outside to donate to a charity as we were trying to read the specials the board outside. There’s a time and a place for this, and I don’t think this is one of them.

Hinestly the best Huevos I have ever had. So good in fact I ordered one to go so I could eat it on the plane. The salsa is flavorful and the ranchero sauce is good enough to eat with a spoon.

I loved the tables… the are unique and stunning. They have a lady making tortillas, and the day I was there she was not wearing gloves. I am sure she has clean hands but that is a health code violation. That day I was with exceptional company, and the food was good.. I LOVE green corn tamales… but this is TUCSON and I live in the southside. I have had better, in my «stomping ground». Its an ok place to take tourists…

We attended a group dinner for about 35 people last night, and the setting, food and staff were very good. Partner and I will very likely be back to try this restaurant in the more normal setting.
We had the Machaca Tacos, Seafood Tacos, and my cousin had the Mole. We all really enjoyed our food. My fish tacos were much better than average with fresh fish slices (not breaded), traditional cabbage, fresh flour tortillas with a dollop of good guacamole. I would have preferred the guac on the side, but I devoured the tacos in say, 4 minutes. Partner and cousin raved about the beans, which mattered to me, because we 3 grew up eating a lot of them, so I trust their opinion. They ate them too fast to let me try them, unfortunately (for me). Partner is a tortilla wonk, so he admitted he probably watched the tortilla maker make tortillas for a good two minutes.
Our service was surprisingly good for the amount of people in our party. The entrée deliveries and special requests were delivered in a timely manner, although we had to go to the bar ourselves to get our alcoholic drinks. Admittedly, it was a tight situation, space-​wise.
The restaurant is nice, much larger than I expected with a nice view, but access to it is a little difficult because of the road construction right now.
We usually look for a signature dish or two that sets a restaurant apart, but we didn’t have a chance (hectic family function) to really go over the menu. I did spot Alfred’s Plate, but it seemed like a LOT of food, so I passed for this visit.
We’re glad the dinner organizer decided to hold the function at Mosaic, because we’re definitely going back for more.

I went to this place with a fair amount of anticipation based on feedback I got from friends/​family. My horrible experience started immediately when the hostess took my party name down. I stood at the hostess station for a good 10 mins waiting to put my name in for a table, only to find out that the hostess was standing next to me the entire time. She said that I had to request a table. Normally at restaurants you are greeted and welcomed by the hostess, apparently not here?
After waiting an hour and taking notice that several groups, who arrived much longer after we did, were being seated I asked the same clueless hostess how much longer it would take to be seated she replied «oh we can seat you now if you want?» Um yes I would like to eat today! She never called my name despite the fact there were tables open. I can’t see the rationale behind that?
Once we were seated we had no silverware, none of the complimentary chips/​salsa and offered no drinks. We were given water with no ice and the waiter stormed off and came back 10 mins later asking for our orders. Skipping over many other horrific details we waited for over an hour for our food and after speaking to the manager she offered absolutely nothing to make it right! Never going back to place and advise everyone to steer clear!

I come here strictly breakfast. They are famous for their Huevos Rancheros, which are good, do not get me wrong, but my famous item on the menu are the Huevos Divorciados, they are delicious. Most orders come with a side of tortillas and wow! that right there is the best part. Their tortillas remind me of my grandma, they are SO good and they are being made on the spot.
I like their food since their cuisine is as authentic as it gets. I am an animal of habit when it comes to this place but I landed on that one item after I tried most of their menu, so your choice will be a safe bet.
The owners are always there and they are so nice and attentive.
When I lived in Tucson I was there every Sunday morning.

Off a recommendation from my dads nurse (Allison) at Banner University Medical Center, we came here and enjoyed every bite. It felt like it was a dinner and show because we truly enjoy the watching the woman who was making homemade tortillas.
The atmosphere was amazing along with awesome service!

Teresa’s Mosaic Café is alright.
The first time I went here was for lunch after I trained a colleague on some new software. About a year ago.
She raved about this place, and it was right up the street from the office.
Our server was attentive, even during the lunch rush. Our drinks always stayed full.
I ordered the two chili relleno plate. The breading was soggy, and there wasn’t a whole lot of flavor to be found.
The salsa that folks mentioned was blazing hot in their reviews was anything but. It reminded me of Mild Pace.
Decided to come back and give it another go in September on my way back into Phoenix.
Another great server, but couldn’t make up for the lackluster food.
Went with the three machaca taco plate on crunchy shells.
Swing and another miss. The meat was flavorless and a lot of grease. And the salsa was also weaksauce, again.
Most recently, I stopped in a third time on my way back up from seeing a client in Benson.
I remember someone mentioning that the Huevos Rancheros were out of this world, and that you must add Chorizo.
Ding ding ding– Ladies and Gents, we have a winner!
So what if it isn’t breakfast when you’re in? You must order this!
The ranchero sauce had amazing flavor without overpowering the dish, the chorizo wasn’t greasy, the corn tortillas were crispy on the bottom.
Don’t forget that flour tortilla that comes with this meal — They’re freshly made on the tortillera (?), right before your eyes.
And I must mention, the salsa was on FIRE during this visit. Had to resist dumping it all over those eggs!
I’m going to give TMC three stars, simply for lack of consistency.
Cautiously optimistic my future visits will be like the last!

Hands down — THE BEST green corn tamales I’ve had thus far in life are at Teresa’s Mosaic in Tucson! Yes, they have a full menu of delicious delights — but if you’re a Unilocalie Foodie (I know, redundant right?) and of you haven’t had a green corn tamale at Mosaic yet… then you have not lived!
Seriously, their green corn tamales made from scratch there in the restaurant are so good I could cry! In fact I’m tearing up a little even writing this review knowing that I’m in Seattle and Teresa’s Mosaic is in Tucson and it’s going to be a while before I get to come to town and visit. Why! Oh why?! Must these green corn tamales be SO good and yet so far away from me?
Okay — dramatics aside… These tamales are a must try if you’re in the area! Sweet but tangy, dense but soft and moist. The masa mix is heavenly — not quite dessert sweet but such a good sweetness level paired with the rest. I like to order a little sour cream on the side too sometimes to kick up the tangy contrast up a notch.
Other family favorites: cheese crisp, enchiladas verde, carne asada and albondigas soup.
The cheese crisp is another one of those Tucson famous delicacies… highly recommend you try it at Teresa’s Mosaic too. Light, flaky crust covered in cheddar cheese topped with roasted green chiles… Yes please! That side of sour cream you ordered, goes really well with the cheese crisp too!
The restaurant is beautiful inside and out! I love the southwestern architecture, the colors and the inviting feeling of «welcome home» when you step in the door! The tables and chairs are gorgeous — each mosaic table is individual and a unique work of art! The waitstaff are friendly, very attentive and efficient. On all my visits over the years– the food has always come out fast and hot and my water glass was never left empty! A+
Family friendly place — but they also have a good selection of drinks. I tried the Prickly Pear Margarita this week and was pleasantly surprised. Just like the wonderful green corn tamale– the Prickly Pear Margarita was the perfect mix of sweet and tangy with some kind of citrus sugar around the rim of the glass. And it was pink! A++

I have heard that the food at the Mosaic Café is good, and finally got the opportunity to try it for myself today. We arrived around lunchtime, and while they were very busy, there were plenty of open tables and were seated right away. The busboy brought us over chips and salsa, and we waited for our waitress to take a drink/​lunch order. And we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, we flagged the hostess down when she walked by and explained we hadn’t been served yet. She said she would notify our waitress, and a few minutes later the same lady who had walked by us 10 times came over. There was no apology for keeping us waiting 15 minutes.
So, I am pretty pissed off, but we decide to stick it out and try the food. My husband’s menudo was very good, he said, but his Sonoran burro was nothing special. And for $ 7 it was really over priced. My cheese enchilada plate was really good, but there wasn’t a whole lot of food on the plate. The beans and rice were spread really thinly over the plate, so it looked like there was a whole lot more to the meal. For $ 9, it was was a ripoff.
Back to the bad service, we had to have the busboy refill our water and chips, and it took forever to get our check after we asked for it. I wish we could have given the tip to the busboy, because he was the only employee who seemed to be doing a good job. We won’t be back.

Been here over 10 times in the last 7 years. It’s the obligatory meal spot for my GF’s family when friends and family come into town. I’ve never understood why it was so popular. The atmosphere is great but apart from that, it’s just okay.
Not what I would call good or authentic Mexican food. Every time we come, I’ve never seen a single Mexican/​Hispanic patron. That’s usually my yardstick when it comes to ethnic food.
Last night was our last visit to this place. Waited over an hour and when we told the owner we had been waiting a long time, his response was to argue and justify his restaurant’s position and seating process. Service was mediocre, food was decent but really, the overall experience sucked.
So that’s it Mosaic. It was a family decision that we’re not coming back.

Paul es no bueno