Why drop a memorable name like Macho Nacho? That's what I asked myself when I heard about the blues bar at La Quinta Inn & Suites changing its restaurant's name to Ron's Place at La Quinta. Turns out, it's more than just a name change -- it's a restaurant overhaul.

"We wanted to make it more than just a hotel restaurant," says Christopher Ray, executive chef at Ron's Place. "We're doing almost everything from scratch. We want to give people in Rochester a good reason to come and eat here."

For those who liked the combo of Southwestern fare at a blues bar, don't worry -- they're keeping the Mexican-inspired flavors, but with a new twist. "There's now Minnesota foods twisted into the southwest flavors," Ray says. "Our walleye burger uses our own fresh-ground walleye meat mixed with chorizo sausage." Other examples are the walleye cakes (in lieu of crab cakes) made with a roasted corn salsa, or duck tacos.

The kitchen at Ron's Place is open 11 a.m. to midnight every day, with later hours for the bar and live blues music every Friday night. And they now have a lunch buffet on weekdays, along with their long-standing Sunday buffet.

Ron's Place at La Quinta is at 1625 S. Broadway in Rochester.

Mexican food in Wabasha

Speaking of southwest flavors, Loco Gringos Cantina opened in Wabasha on Tuesday. Owner Michael Murray-John also owns Vinifera in Wabasha. "I would call them absolute polar opposites," he says of his two restaurants. "We want to give the community some choices, and we're hoping for bar, lunch and weekday patronage."

They're going for authentic Mexican fare, with their own carnitas (slow-cooked pork shoulder), carne asada and chorizo. For many of the regular menu dishes, like tacos, burritos and tostadas, they're offering a choice of American style, with shredded lettuce and cheese, or Mexican style, with cilantro and onions. They have more than 50 types of tequila, and even offer special dishes for delivery or carryout.

Loco Gringos opens at 11 a.m. every day, closing later on weekends. After the kitchen closes around 9 p.m. each night, they have a late night $1 taco special until close.

Loco Gringos is at 170 Pembroke Ave. in Wabasha.

Pumpkin pizza

Get these pumpkins before they turn into ... well, pizzas. This month, Nick-N-Willy's Pizza is offering Halloween pumpkin pizzas for take-n-bake, dine-in or delivery. By themselves, they're $11.99. Buy a large signature pizza, and your pumpkin pizza is $5. Come in Halloween weekend (Oct. 29-31), and the pumpkin pizza is free with the purchase of a large signature pizza. Rochester has two Nick-N-Willy's, located at 1340 Salem Road S.W. in T.J. Maxx plaza, or at 2571 Clare Lane N.E.

Kimberly Van Brunt is a Rochester freelance writer. Send restaurant news and tips to her at life@postbulletin.com. To read more about good eats in the area, go to PostBulletin.com and click on the Great Taste blog. Next week, fast food is on the menu.

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