Las Villas Taqueria – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Upon learning that a new Mexican restaurant named “Las Villas Taqueria” would be launching in Rio Rancho, the bilingual lexicologist in me didn’t immediately ponder the menu. Instead, my ruminations were of the translation of “Las Villas,” a Spanish term with several meanings depending on context. I pondered whethr the restaurant was named for small towns or settlements or for luxurious country homes, both translations of the term “las villas.” Then again, “Villas” is a common Spanish surname. After a superb meal with my dear friend Bill Resnik, I came to the conclusion that “Las Villas” is actually a diminutive form of “las maravillas,” or “the wonders.” That’s wonder as in “a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration caused by something beautiful or unexpected.” I had not expected for Las Villas to be quite as good as it was. Las Villas had its grand opening on 11 October 2025. It occupies the very high turnover space which most recently housed Whiptail and before that Banana Leaf. Visionaries (residents of Rio Rancho) have long surmised that one of the reasons tenants don’t last long at the space is because there is no direct entrance or egress. in fact, if you didn’t…
