"As far as Pioneer Square lunch options go, Rojo's should be at the top of your list. The small, bright restaurant is perfect for eating tortas with coworkers or grabbing a burrito to bring into a Mariners game. Pretty much every dish at this Mexican spot is fantastic, and all are vegan. The menu is similar to lots of other taco counters with options like carne asada and grilled chicken—only those proteins consist of plant-based substitutes made in-house. These alternatives are brought to life with excellent marinades and seasonings, and they might just convince even the most staunch meat lovers into believing shredded jackfruit is carnitas. Faux steak’s beefy texture holds up well when packed into a bolillo loaf spread with creamy refried beans, vegetables, and dairy-free sour cream. But it’s really the al pastor soy curls that stand out the most. Marinated in adobo, they have hints of sweet pineapple and pork-like salty charred bits from the grill. In an overflowing toasted burrito or on a pillowy corn tortilla doused in salsa, this stuff competes with some of the best Mexican restaurants in town. Meat or no meat. @infatuation_seattle We’d happily fight over a parking spot to get some of Rojo’s jackfruit carnitas and charred al pastor, and also because they’re one of our Best New Restaurants of 2023. #BNR2023 #Infatuation #InfatuationSeattle #RojosMexicanFood ♬ Good Ol' Mexican Tequila - Autohacker Keep scrolling for the food rundown Food Rundown photo credit: Nate Watters Al Pastor Taco Sweet and salty chunks of al pastor soy curls in a pineapple-y marinade, a hefty scoop of cilantro, and raw white onion are piled on top of a thick corn tortilla. Proceed to inhale these in multiples of four. photo credit: Nate Watters Carne Asada Torta You know when a sandwich has time to sit and soften in its foil wrapping only to become even better by the time you decide to unwrap? That's what happens with this torta—the creamy beans, vegan sour cream, juicy seitan,and thick-cut vegetables get cozy and become one delicious mess. photo credit: Nate Watters Loaded Burrito The burrito is Rojo's best dish—it's stuffed so full of guacamole, salsa, and sour cream that it looks like what would happen if a Chipotle employee let their intrusive thoughts win. Prepare to have leftovers for days. Chick’n Taco Unfortunately, this soy-based "chicken" is the only meat option we're not into. It feels and tastes like bouillon cube-flavored chewing gum that can be skipped. photo credit: Makena Yee Carnitas Quesadilla This ooey gooey quesadilla is what cheese-pull compilation TikToks are made of. (Wait, are we the only ones seeing those on our feed?) While there’s the slightest hint of a coconutty flavor, the cheese is salty, creamy, and tastes great when stuffed in a well-toasted tortilla with lots of carnitas. Just make sure to eat it hot and fresh—if you wait too long, it can get a bit sticky." - Kayla Sager-Riley
