Los 3 Amigos
When I first entered Los 3 Amigos, I was most struck by what I didn’t see. There’s none of the kitschy ornamentation one often finds crammed into Mexican restaurants. Instead, I was greeted with tasteful decor spaced throughout a conspicuously clean interior. A small bar sits in the back corner, and televisions hang sparingly, providing the option of entertainment without forcing the space into feeling like a sports bar.
As the owner Osman Rodas told me, “To be successful, a restaurant has to be clean in every way—and have great service and food.”
He should know. Osman has worked in the industry since he was seventeen years old, holding virtually every position possible on his way to owning his own restaurant. Together, he and his wife Leah have over a quarter of a century in the business, and they apply the lessons they’ve learned in that time at Los 3 Amigos. “We’re here practically every day, working with our employees,” Leah told me.
For just under a year now, they’ve been bringing their brand of Mexican cuisine to the folks of Tiftonia. Leah related how happy they were to be in Lookout Valley, with familiar faces returning time and again for favorites and new items from their constantly expanding menu.
I tried a couple of their newer items during my meal. The obligatory chips and salsa were excellent—the salsa had just the right amount of heat to keep me coming back for more. The cheese dip was pleasantly thick and creamy, as it should be. (Sadly, a lot of places offer a thin, watery concoction instead.)
So new it has yet to be added to the menu is the House Guacamole, with huge chunks of avocado complemented with minced onion and jalapeño pepper, tomato, cilantro and lime juice. It was fresh, light and fantastic. (You can ask them to load up on the jalapeño if you like things a bit spicier than most.) Just ask your server if it’s not on the menu by the time you stop in!
For an entree, I had the Pollo Rico, recently added to the plethora of options on offer. The dish certainly lived up to its name. Sautéed peppers, onions and tomatoes are placed atop a well-seasoned chicken breast, then smothered in the aforementioned fantastic cheese dip. Alongside flavorful rice and creamy refried beans, it was an impressive plate of food and had just about everything you could ask for.
If you’re not an adventurous eater, your best bet at Los 3 Amigos might be Monday nights, when their crunchy tacos are only 75 cents! With beer specials on offer as well, it’s a deal that’s hard to beat.
New items on the menu aren’t the only things the Rodas family is adding at Los 3 Amigos. Soon diners will also be able to have a margarita or another cocktail with dinner, as a liquor license should be on its way shortly. Though the details haven’t quite been hammered out, there will also be happy hour specials once the full bar is up and running.
With Los 3 Amigos turning out to be such a success, the owners are expanding their holdings. Their new restaurant, Casa Amigos, will open in Fort Oglethorpe later this month. If you want a preview, look no further than Los 3—the new kitchen staff is even training in Tiftonia!
The new location doesn’t mean Los 3 Amigos will be getting any less attention. In celebration of their first year in business, Osman and Leah are throwing a full-scale fiesta on Saturday, October 13.
The anniversary party will feature $2 bottled beers, 10% off the full menu, and 50% off of appetizers! All are welcome, and it’s certainly worth a drive from anywhere in the area to get a discounted taste of the fantastic flavors of Los 3 Amigos.