Tia Rosa Taqueria closes its doors in Gilbert, following in footsteps of short-lived Chandler sibling

Tia Rosa Taqueria, one of three recent spinoffs of Mesa’s popular Rancho de Tia Rosa, has closed in Gilbert.

Rancho de Tia Rosa, a Mesa institution for the past decade, embarked on an aggressive expansion in 2010, announcing additional sit-down Mexican restaurants in Gilbert and Chandler, as well as opening the fast-casual taqueria at Gilbert and Baseline roads that February.

The Gilbert taqueria was the project of Nic Sirrine, son of Tia Rosa owners Dennis and Lizabeth Sirrine. Sirrine spent the past five years managing Rancho de Tia Rosa and graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 2007.

Sirrine says the taqueria’s closure was part of a reorganization after a divorce. He’s still doing catering, and promises “something new coming soon” at another location.

Rancho de Tia Rosa’s Chandler restaurant at Germann and Dobson closed last year just four months after opening. The Gilbert restaurant at Higley and Guadalupe remains opens.