Since opening just over two weeks ago, Gorditas Doña Rosa has been serving up gorditas and freshly-made Mexican food at their new location in Globe.
Gorditas Doña Rosa is truly a family venture. Calling Globe-Miami home since 1983, the Ortiz family has gained local popularity for selling their gorditas at the Angel Perez Wings of Hope car show in Miami for the past 10 years.
Their success inspired the family to open a restaurant in the building locals once knew as Jerry’s Restaurant.
“Making a restaurant is like flipping a quarter,” says owner Adolfo Ortiz. “You have to make the customers happy. You try and you try.”
The restaurant had a few hiccups in the first week, which caused a delay in opening and an unexpected closure, but now that the registers are up and running and the food is stocked, staff are eagerly serving the community. Their sign has been ordered and the staff are adjusting to the business.
“We take care of the workers and the crew watches each other,” Adolfo says.
The initial menu is in Spanish, but they have created an English-language version that will be available soon. In the meantime, the staff are more than willing to explain what the dishes are.
The English translation of a gordita is “little fat one.” It’s made from a thick masa (dough) patty that is split open and stuffed with savory fillings and is fried, baked, or steamed.
“Since we were kids, my mom always made gorditas,” Adolfo says. “We decided we’re going to make the restaurant after her. Sometimes she comes in and makes them.”
The restaurant also offers tortas, which are Mexican-style sandwiches. The Ortiz family, originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, hopes to bring something different to the area while also serving classics like burros and tacos.
The recipes were developed by Adolfo’s mother and another cook who has been helping.
Adolfo points to the “pollo” (chicken) gordita as his favorite. The chicken is boiled in peppers, cilantro, tomato, and potatoes, which gives the dish its flavor, he says.
When the Ortiz family acquired the building, it was in poor repair. They spent about a year cleaning it, fixing leaks, and doing repair work on the roof. Adolfo has a background in construction and excavation, so they’ve been able to do much of the work themselves.
Adolfo said the dream of opening a restaurant was really his brother Jesus’ idea, who has supported the endeavor, along with their brother Miguel, who is also cooking in the kitchen.
“Our whole family has worked in restaurants since we got here,” Jesus says. “We wanted something our whole family could be a part of.”
Jesus has been working in the food industry since the age of 13, starting out as a dishwasher at Irene’s.
As for what makes it different from other restaurants in town, “We’re working on that,” he says. “What really makes a difference is the gorditas. We’re trying hard to keep everything homemade and made fresh.”
“We ask that the public is patient because we are still learning,” Adolfo adds. “We are doing our best and we hope you like it.”
The Ortiz family is continually trying to make things better, because maintaining a successful restaurant is their ultimate goal.
“We hope it stays for a long time,” Adolfo says.
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