Family from former Rosa's Mexican Restaurant takes over kitchen at Fiesta Topeka

It's no surprise there were long lines Wednesday afternoon outside the Marlo Cuevas Balandran Activity Center for food at the Fiesta Topeka.

Word had spread that the Barron family — members of which once operated the legendary Rosa's Mexican Food — were making their signature burritos and queso at the fiesta. Customers were eager to fill their bellies.

"It's very special," Gina Barron-Jaramillo told The Capital-Journal while working the kitchen. "When we gave up our Rosa's restaurant, we thought we would do something to help our parish."

Rosa's closed in 2008, but Barron family members continue to serve cuisine as they have since 1957 through such smaller cafes as Mijo’s Cafe & Eatery, operated by Abraham Barron.

A return to Oakland

This wasn't the first time the family has taken over the fiesta kitchen.

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Deborah Ortega, Fiesta Topeka chair, said the family last year brought Rosa's food for a whole week and knocked it out of the park.

"They had to close in the middle of the week because it was too much," Ortega said. "The public wanted the Rosa food, so they had to restock."

Members of the family were on hand to help cook the two speciality items — the Suicide Burrito and chili con queso.

Other menu items that will continue to be served throughout the Fiesta include tacos, burritos, enchilads, tostadas, tamales, beans and rice.

For Lois Herr and James West, it was all about Rosa's.

The couple had bonded over the Barron family's food in the early 1990s when West took Herr on their first date to the restaurant when it was still on S.E. 6th Street in Oakland.

"Lots of times you had to wait outside to get in. Always crowded," West said.

The consistency of the food was a big draw for West. He said knowing what you’re always going to get —and it always being good — was what drew them back.

"We were sad when they closed up," Herr said. "We hope that maybe they can come back."

The Fiesta continues through Saturday. For a full schedule of live entertainment times, go to the Fiesta Topeka website or follow its Facebook page for updates.