El Rodeo
147 Western Ave, South Portland, ME, 04106
El Rodeo Menu
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Visit below restaurant in South Portland for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in South Portland for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in South Portland for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
147 Western Ave
South Portland, ME, 04106 - Phone (207) 773-8851
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Diane P.
Have now visited this place multiple times and have met the young owner, Juan, several times. He is always eager for feedback and is working to get it right. On a recent Saturday night, decided to try something different...I am a guacamole addict and am happy to admit it....wanted some but not the huge tableside version. I am happy to report that for 3.99 you get a nice cup of the same homemade guacamole, very creamy with a little kick. If you want it customized, tableside is still the way to go but this is very yummy as a starter with chips while you scan the menu. I had fajitas on my mind and had to have them.....these are some of the best I have ever had. I wanted chicken and steak so we got the combo. You can order it for 1 or for a few bucks more, a shareable size for 2. Nice chunks of chicken and steak, sautéed with carmelized onions, peppers, and tomatoes. I asked about the seasoning because it was very savory...Juan admitted it was mom's recipe and the carmelization of the onion,pepper and tomato are all that is needed. I was seriously scraping my fork across the now cooled cast iron skillet and wondering if it would be too embarrassing to lick the plate. It comes with flour tortillas or corn if you prefer. A nice side of the refried and garden greens with sour cream and salsa. ...fold and enjoy! We were told that a new menu is in the works....and here is a sneak peak...they will have shrimp ceviche. For any who haven't had it, it is summer on your tongue. Traditionally, it is a raw fish, scallop, or shrimp that is "cooked" by a chemical reaction in a strong citrus broth....this shrimp version I had the privilege of sampling is made with cooked shrimp. The tomato, onion, cilantro, salt, pepper, and spices are just right and the lime/citrus has the classic taste of a fresh made item. As always, the Margaritas are cold and refreshing. There are some menu items that need a little tweaking and as I mentioned before, Juan is always open to constructive feedback and suggestions. I love that fact. Imagine going to a restaurant and being able to suggest to the owner how a little change to a dish can make a difference and actually have them listen.....having only been open for a little over a year, this place still has growing and perfecting to do. At least it isn't another chain where change takes an act of Congress and you get your food the way it comes, not necessarily the way you want it. Worth a trip just for the guacamole......
(5)Alex G.
Walked in on a Sunday evening, knowing that the choices in the area were limited. This is a huge restaurant, with dozens of booths and tables and numerous servers moving quickly around. Immediately we were provided complimentary (warm) chips and salsa, which were fairly tasty and had a deep cilantro flavor. Could have been a bit thicker - and they should have filled the small bowls -- but overall an acceptable salsa service. Table-side guacamole was freshly made and fun to watch, and it's terrific to have a place in the area that still does it. Fajitas (with soft corn tortillas, as we requested) were well made and not oily - flavorful and served piping hot. Side order of the chile relleno was the table hit; so good we ordered another! Certainly, this is an Americanized version of a "Mexican" restaurant, designed to satisfy the typically weak American palate. However, we found the menu items we ordered to be well above average and thoughtfully made. I'm now a believer in this place, and I'm looking forward to coming back!
(4)Eunice E.
Yeah, I don't really care that it's "not authentic" (it IS Portland, after all -- not exactly the Mexican food capital of the world). I simply care that the table-side guacamole exists. Do yourself a favor and GET IT. It is fresh, made to a bespoke level of spicy for your dining pleasure, and just plain ol' delish. Plus, how fun is it to see someone smash up some avocados in front of you? I ordered something a La Mexicana from the lunch menu, which was tasty and had a nice Scoville-worthy kick to it, but all I can think about (and remember with clarity) is that guac. Mmm. Guac. We ordered one for our table of five, and it was enough for us to enjoy it as an appetizer. If you have a larger party, you may want to put in two orders. Trust me, this ain't my first rodeo. Overall takeaway? Get the guacamole. Enjoy.
(4)Charlene M.
Wonderful service, food came out extraordinarily fast and was delicious. Fresh, table side made guacamole is out of this world! Turned my husbands bad mood right around when he saw his ginormous burrito! Will definitely be returning!
(5)Donna F.
Excellent meal with super fast service! Our waiter was a bit annoying but the food made up for his corny remarks. I had the haddock Vallarta which was very fresh; husband had a huge beef burrito which was amazing. Unlimited salsa & chips is also a plus. Definitely coming back!
(4)Steff D.
One set of my parents love Mexican food, so after doing a little shopping at the Maine Mall, we decided to try El Rodeo (mostly I demanded that we check it out because I had heard about the table-side guacamole - and being a total avocado fiend - I wanted to see what this was all about). La buena... + The never ending bowls of chips and very cilantro-y salsa. + The "Late Night Happy Hour" which is from 8 to 10pm and includes $3 16oz draft beer, $5 well drinks, $5 margaritas, $5 nachos. + The speedy turn-out with food. + The table-side guacamole. It's really what is most awesome about this place... you choose your heat, whether you want cilantro, and whether you want onions. It comes in this ENORMOUS vat and is EXTREMELY delicious (you know what makes it extra delicious? That you got to watch it being made so you know exactly what's in it, who touched it, etc.). I could have just eaten this for a meal with a margarita and been entirely satisfied... as a matter of fact, I regret not just following my instinct and doing this in the first place. La mala... - The building is enormous and feels impersonal like a generic Americanized chain. There's no personalization or intimacy here at all. As a matter of fact - no matter what aspect of this place I'm describing later down the road, "generic" will always be my go-to descriptor. - The draft beer options are EXTREMELY limited. - The table-side guacamole probably won't be made entirely to your specifications. We asked for a bit of heat and no cilantro. Instead we got a bit of cilantro and absolutely no heat. I blame this on (segue)... - The staff we dealt with seemed like they hated their jobs, they hated us for being there, and they hated themselves, too. The apathy rolled off them in waves; when customers have to do your job for you (ask for waters, peel the stickers off the lemons that came in the waters, remind you which drink/dish belonged to who, tell each other which plates were scorching hot so we don't burn ourselves because you forgot to, etc.), you are doing something wrong. - The two meals I tried (my own, which was a vegetarian taco salad; and, someone else's spinach quesadilla) were HUGE disappointments. The taco salad was swimming in liquid from the vegetables, there was no cheese or beans, there was no seasoning, there was no flavor. Truth be told, I only ate a few bites before giving up on it and just eating the rest of the guacamole. The spinach quesadilla was overly spinachy and entirely bland - I also found it sopping wet, as well. Talk about SERIOUSLY underwhelming food. This is a place for families who want big portions of familiar "Mexican" food (the stuff they probably make at home out of a box); but, it's not a place for Portlander's with a discerning palate who've come to expect a bit more from their cuisine. Would I come back though? 'Chup. I still LOVE the table-side guacamole. Coming here with friends for the "late night" margarita happy hour deal and some of that 'cado dip (all for a whopping total of $13) seems like a bargain!
(2)Johnny G.
So it looks like there are some mixed reviews. Our family had a great Mexican dinner. The service was fast and efficient. The food was fresh and tasty. We only visited the restaurant as a result of an offer from Maine's half price online outlet.com .
(5)Gary B.
It was a ghost town here at 8 pm on a Friday night. The service was excellent but the food was way too expensive for what you get . First the good: We were greeted warmly and sat immediately ( again there were maybe 10 customers in the whole restaurant) the chips and salsa were fantastic and plentiful. Now the bad : Everything else . Our food took almost 40 minutes to come out and it seemed microwaved and tasted bland and salty all at the same time. To top it off the portion to price is way off . I came here about a couple of years ago and it seems I should of just stayed away. I'm sad because I thought I was going to like this place . Asked the person I went with if they will come back and she said only for drinks and chips and salsa. Me too I'm afraid.
(2)Rachel W.
Yummy Mexican food. I am a Mexican food connoisseur and while visiting the area ate here with my dad. The chips and salsa were good, needed some salt for my liking, but I have a tendency to salt food prior to tasting :-) I ordered the shrimp chimichangas, which were excellent!! I couldn't even start in on the second one. I wanted the rice and beans, however my dish came with the beans only. They added a side of rice at no extra charge. I'll definitely be back!!
(5)Ryan C.
Seriously Yelpers...how do none of you know the difference between Authentic Mexican Food and Tex-Mex (I can understand Mainers making the mistake...but CA and TX)? El Rodeo (along with Margarita's and On The Border) is a Tex-Mex restaurant. I have had the privilege of eating at El Rodeo since I was 12 years old. How you ask?...El Rodeo opened its first location in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (which is where I am from). I was lucky enough to get to eat their awesome food when I grew up. Low and behold the first location that they have outside of central PA is...South Portland, ME. Awesome!!! El Rodeo has awesome Tex-Mex fare and drinks. The chimichanga and fajitas are fantastic!
(5)S S.
First visited this place a few years ago when it first opened. Let's just say that, like most new joints, they had some kinks to work out. Well well well! We decided to give it a second shot today and, how should I put this......incredible, WAY! Table side guac is the tastiest, freshest indulgence I have had in a very long time. Burrito and enchilada for my main course had a rich flavor profile and tastes as if I am visiting a Mexican Grandmother who is cooking for people she loves. Our server, Christy, is a dream. Extremely attentive, super friendly, and compliments the tremendous meal we enjoyed. Live music on Saturday with a beautiful acoustic guitar; the perfect background! Go go GO! You will be glad you did!
(5)Misty J.
It wasn't an aweful meal, but I left very dissatisfied. It had an unfriendly environment, not the workers but the place in general. The food appeared tasty but it's one of those places where after a few bites your stomach drops you can really taste the oil and you feel sick the rest of the night. I won't be going back.
(2)Deni T.
I have a mixed review. They have a sister Restaraunt in Carlisle, PA which I have been to and was told it was the same family who was opening this one. We went opening week. The food was delicious, however, the servers outnumbered the customers by 5:1 so we had overly attentive service. That being said, out server couldn't remember what drinks we had for refills.. No biggie. Our next two visits there was something wrong both times... My husband ordered ground beef for his chimi both times and got sirloin. I asked for no cheese and got cheese (lactose intolerant). We ordered apps that never came but were charged for them. That said, the food is really good. It's not a typical chain place. I have friends who go here and love it and have never had an issue and know some of the servers.
(3)Jason B.
This place isn't meant to be an authentic Mexican resturant, it's meant to appeal to the masses by the mall. If you go in with this mindset you will enjoy this place. Service: great, got a booth ASAP and our server was very friendly. Food and drinks came to the table quickly. Drinks: if you order a large...you get a small fish bowl. The large beer is 32oz for 7$ and a large margaritas are 8$ and totally worth it. Food: very healthy portions not crazy big or small. We left feeling full but not stuffed. The food tasted really good was very happy. Atmosphere: simple, quiet and welcoming. With the drink sizes and prices this would be a great place to get a drink, some nachos and watch the game. For 40$ you get a great meal, good service and a couple huge drinks. I will be going back
(5)Karen R.
I had read other Yelp reviews and heard good things about this El Rodeo from friends. While in South Portland we decided to try this out. I was very pleasantly surprised. The food was far better than other Mexican restaurants in the area and the menu options were extensive. We started with jumbo margaritas and guacamole made fresh at our table. We were able to select the ingredients and the spiciness. It was great..and the warm tortilla chips made this even better. Even with all the menu options I was talked into customizing my burrito so I could have carnitas. It was amazingly good. The cheese sauce was simply to die for...I could barely finish half! The service here was spectacular. You can tell they truly love and take pride in their job, service and food. We learned that many of the servers moved here to work at this restaurant. It really says a lot about the dedication of the staff...this is something you do not see often! Our entire family loves Mexican food and we look forward to bringing the kids here to check it out!
(5)Sahra L.
Great food, perfect margaritas. John, our bartender, was an amazing server and made incredible drinks. He knew the menu and graciously offered suggestions. The food came out quickly and was delicious. Great place, great service! Highly recommend!
(5)Ramon S.
The food tasted great and fresh really amazing service and good drinks. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Evan M.
Best food ever I have been there 2 times and I get a steak and cheese. It is the best. If I could I would give it ten stars.
(5)Juiana L.
Terrific location for a good Mexican restaurant, El Rodeo offers wonderful menu options and excellent customer service. We enjoyed the great presentation of the Pacifico beer and the table side guacamole preparation. My entree was a simple taco salad, but I was delighted when the chicken filling was obviously cut from the bone and flavorful. Others who celebrated their birthday at our table enjoyed the flan with candle and being crowned with a sombrero! Five star rating for this restaurant is based on the excellent location, right on the corner of Western Ave in South Portland, and the variety of well presented delicious menu options. Mexican fare in South Portland Maine has to be complimented, especially when the food is as good as it looks!
(5)Jeremy N.
I went there on Cinco de Mayo and it was packed. The staff were running around but did a great job handling the large crowd. The location and restaurant layout are really good. Plenty of parking. The food I had was good but I saw a lot of things that I wanted to try. I'll definitely go back when I'm jonzing for mexican food and try some other dishes.
(3)Lauren T.
I love margaritas and Mexican food. That's all there is to it. I decided to try this place after seeing several reviews from my yelp friends. It's simple food, quick and friendly service, and very strong drinks. I went around 11 am on a weekday. It wasn't very crowded and I was seated in the bar area. My waiter was very talkative and helpful with suggestions. I ordered a large, lime margarita and it packed quite the punch. (But for almost $10 it better be) Chips and salsa were provided free of charge and I ordered a small cheese dip as well. It was good but nothing special. For my meal I ordered the steak and shrimp fajitas and they were delicious! Cooked perfectly with peppers and onions, served with the usual sides of rice, beans, and guacamole salad. The prices were very reasonable. I noticed several signs for late night happy hour specials and I'm sure I will be back to take advantage of them!
(4)Roger R.
One of the best Mexican places outside of Cali that I've found on the east coast. Very authentic food. Staff is very courteous and professional. If your interested in good alcoholic drinks their bartender is awesome. He is experienced and makes the drinks on site and doesn't use the premixed stuff from the store. The guacamole is made right at your table if you ask. Food is very reasonably priced for the amount you get. If you've lived here all your life and think that Taco Bell is where the Mexican food is at, give this place a try. I think you'll quickly give up the fast food white-Mexican food.
(5)Dani C.
The first time I ate here it was AMAZING! Everyone in my party of 4 was highly satisfied. The birthday boy even got a shot of tequila! I raved about this place for weeks! I returned multiple times after and the quality seemed to be deteriorating... The portions not as big, meals missing ingredients, and orders not being correct. It appears that the waiters command of the English language determines what you will get. If you say "no mushrooms" you will indeed get mushrooms.. Also the bills have had extra add ins that were never ordered.. I am not sure if this place is going under and they are trying to score a couple extra bucks or what? I'd suggest trying it once- but you've been warned!
(3)Sarah H.
In general, I'm a fan of El Rodeo - we eat there frequently (our latest favorite thing to do is to go at 11:30 when they first open for brunch on a weekend - they have great huevos rancheros and an egg scramble with chorizo!). But this review is about how amazing they were last night when we had a big party there. A colleague has recently been laid off from the organization where I work and so we threw him a "thank you and appreciation" party. Juan, and his staff allowed us to reserve the entire left side of the dining room on a Tuesday evening, removed some of the tables and chairs to provide more standing room, worked with us to cater two waves of appetizers, and provided us with three servers to take care of the 75+ person crowd and individual drink orders. I think we were a particularly well-behaved and conscientious group (many of us are event planners, and I think most of us tip well), so that probably helps. The food selections were great, the happy hour drink specials applied to our big group, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and the whole event was great. So, if you need a place for a weeknight event like this, do consider El Rodeo!
(4)Jared P.
Excellent food!!! Best Mexican in town by far!!! The bar and drinks are great and I love their bartender he's awesome!
(5)Sue S.
Guacamole is excellent and you know it's fresh since they make it in front of you to your liking. The staff were friendly, service was good and the food was really good. It was our first visit - will def go back. Reasonably prices too.
(4)Meg R.
For its category, El Rodeo is awesome. El Rodeo is really a Tex-Mex restaurant. They don't have anything significantly unique, but the food is great and the staff is friendly. The margaritas as fish bowl sized and not overly sweet like many chains. During happy hour they are only $5. Unless you have a major aversion to avocados, go for the guacamole cart. Literally they will come over to your table and mix it up fresh and customize at your request for $8. Guac and a margarita could easily be dinner in itself. Next up was the house quesadilla with chicken. It was a little wet, but the flavors were great and everything was seasoned very well. It came with rice and that was really the only thing I didn't like about our meal. Service was great, we stayed for a very long time after paying and weren't rushed in the slightest. The staff even offered us more refills on our drinks and chips and salsa after we had paid. This place will become a regular spot.
(5)Logan S.
My husband and I ate lunch at EL RODEO recently...We were very impressed with both the quality and quantity of the food at an inexpensive price....The menu was extensive, and the portion size was large and yummy...The expression not to judge a book by its cover rings true here...The outside of the restaurant is ordinary-looking, but once you enter the dimly-lit restaurant you feel relaxed....I recommend trying the lunch specials...I am a Vegetarian and was delighted with their many vegetarian dishes....The vegetarian taco salad that I ordered was delicious....I am looking forward to trying other dishes on the menu soon...
(5)Mary S.
My fiancée and I were unaware this place existed and we come to the area at least once a month. Guess since it's not on the main drag we totally overlooked it. The salsa and chips were ok but the guacamole made up for that. The guacamole cart is wheeled over to prepare the best guac I have ever had. Side note: I've tried lots of different guacamoles. Anyways, it was worth the 8 bucks since it's about 2 avacados worth and delightful. The main meal was great too. I got the fish taco which was baked fish unlike margaritas where they fry it. Even though it was a healthy version it was far superior. My fiancée got the Pollo Adodo which he stated was better than the other two family owned Mexican restaurants that we frequent. Overall, awesome experience. I noticed some of the not so good reviews were a few months or more old and wonder if that is due to them still working out the kinks food wise and waitstaff wise. I would give it a try even if some of those older reviews make you think otherwise. Check it out. It's worth your time, money, and full bellies.
(5)Aaron P.
If I had gone alone, I would have given El Rodeo a solid 4 stars, but my wife was not thrilled, so as a party, it wasn't a runaway hit. With the atmosphere, they're going for an upscale-ish feel, but it's a rather ordinary space with standard wooden booths and a chain restaurant-type setup (think Applebee's but without the chotchkies). This wasn't a problem for me; just a little strange. Our server was polite and on-the-ball, but pretty shy and not all that engaged with us. She did crack a smile a couple times when my toddler said "hi" to her, but beyond that she was stoic. The chips and salsa were good. We drained the salsa quickly, and they refilled it. We went for the fresh guacamole prepared table-side, expecting it to be fun to see it prepared, and have it be worth the $8. It was actually kind of...depressing?...to watch the person make it. This person, too, was stoic and detached, and instead of it being fun we sort of just talked and waited for her to finish. The guac itself was good, but could have used some more zest. Not worth the $8. My wife got some enchiladas, and they were attractive but bland. She thought the sauce was too sweet and was generally underwhelmed. I got the Fajitas Parrillada. and it was fantastic! It arrived sizzling and steaming. The tortillas were warm and chewy, and all the meat, veggies, and beans it came with were awesome. The rice, however, wasn't. It looked like it might have been a bit old and reheated or something. Not bad, just not great. My daughter got a kids taco, and it was on the small side, and served with the same meh rice that came with my meal. Again, underwhelming. So, as a party, it was a mixed bag, but I was super-happy with my meal, personally. I'd like to go back, but my wife doesn't feel motivated to do so. Maybe I'll give it another shot with someone else someday.
(3)Dave C.
I've been to El Rodeo twice now and both times the service has been below average. The waiters got our orders wrong, the food was average at best and the prices were too high for what you get.
(2)Hayley B.
Best Guac I've ever had (& I lived in Imperial Beach for 5 years). The Queso was tasty too (I'm an App kinda girl) Staff was great. Especially the sweet and friendly blonde. Great experience for my son, husband and I. Wish we lived closer. I'd go in for Guac weekly!
(4)Kendra E.
Food: 3.5 Service: 3.5 El Rodeo is the closest authentic Mexican food found in Portland, ME. Some dishes may be a miss but others are satisfactory. If you're skeptical about this place I suggest trying the fresh avocado dip (made in front of you!) and one of the combo plates listed in the back of the menu. You get the most bang for your buck. I'm originally from SoCal where carne asada fries and California burritos blow this restaurant to shame. But with the lack of Mexican restaurants in Portland, this is pretty decent. BEWARE: There was one incident where my friend had a portion of his food still cold/frozen.
(3)Michelle L.
As a person whose last name literally means "The White," I'm perhaps not the world's most qualified Mexican Food Reviewer. That said, this is a solid choice. I visited at lunch time and we had our pick of seats. We immediately received a hearty serving of chips and salsa. "Hearty serving" is going to be a recurring theme here in fact. My michelada (the best adult brunch drink, IMO) was HUGE. Literally 1 liter of michelada. I just kept sipping it, but it felt like the liquid level never went down. To eat: shrimp in a mojo garlic sauce for me. A bit pricey for lunch at, I believe, $14.99, but these were worth the financial hit for sure. The shrimp themselves were incredibly tasty, but what really stood out to me was the rice. Which is insane, I know, rice is rice right? Incorrect. This rice was something else. Vegetarians, I'm not saying this rice has pork fat in it, because I didn't ask, but this wasn't just regular rice. "Guacamole salad" was just that: some lettuce with a bit of guac on top. Meh. I'm not about to complain when everything else was tasty. The tortillas were the best tortillas I've had in Maine to date (an odd scale, I know, but it's what I have). The mall-adjacent location was what brought me here in the first place, but I feel a little bad for El Rodeo that they're out here in the land of chains. It also makes 1 liter drinks hard when you've got to drive. Still, I'll be back. Probably the next time I need to go to pay my respects to the Targets and Nordstrom Rack's of the world.
(4)Tim G.
Wait wait wait...how is this any less than five stars? From anyone? If you live east of Texas, then you're not accustomed to proper Mexican food. That's no big deal. But if you are from a border state and are now living in the northeast, you will immediately understand that EL RODEO IS THE CLOSEST THING TO AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD YOU'RE GONNA FIND! All of our dishes were fantastic. And authentic. The service was impeccable (lunchtime on Sunday), the wait staff all actually spoke Spanish, and the place was cheery and clean. This is our new favorite Mexican food place in the Portland area. And if you know what Mexican food really means, you'll probably leave with the same conclusion. It's not the Mexican we Southern Californians are used to...but it's the best we're going to find up here (which is to say, it's awesome).
(5)Bill S.
We discovered this place on a friend's recommendation. We went in on a friday for Happy hour and though it was busy we got seated with in about 5 min. The atmosphere was great, the staff was friendly and the $5 margaritas are strong! The highlight is definitely the fresh guacamole cart made ready to order at your table. The food cam out quicker then expected -Which of course made us think -"great 3 day old frozen pre-made food -joy" but to our surprise it wasnt -and it tasted great!! The resturaunt was crowded but not load, great time -can't wait to go back with friends!
(5)Christine B.
Good food and drinks for the price. I've been here several times, both lunch and dinner. The fajitas are fresh and well-seasoned and the margaritas are good. The staff is very friendly. This is a good place for a reasonably priced night out with friends, good food and drinks, casual, relaxed atmosphere.
(3)Shane L.
I am going to be completely honest I was totally surprised by this mexican style chain restaurant in South Portland. We stopped on Independence Dat this year while the rain was coming down and the sun was not being friendly with us (I know I know nothing says Americana like eating Mexican food but, the family was a hankerin' so we went a eatin') The decor was clean on the outside with a large horseshoe bar to make the ambiance in the bar a friendly and inviting atmosphere and it seemed that the margaritas were flowing like a river but they were large and in charge. The bathrooms needed some assistance in cleanliness where former patrons did some bad things in there. But I think with the amount of people pouring in and the staff not expecting it on the fourth, they seemed a little understaffed. The booths were a little tight and with the amount of food that they served, I am surprised but the food is what helped to seal the deal for us. There is endless chips and salsa although the salsa is fresh and you can really taste the hint of cilantro, it wasn't chunky enough for my taste, was more like a watery yet tasty treat. The combo platter I ordered was divine and delicious. I got the enchilada, chimichanga and the delicious cheese quesadilla with a side of black beans and spanich rice. My wife dove into the lunch fajitas with both chicken and beef and she said it was delicious and my son dove into a grilled cheese (there is your americana) with a hard beef taco and some spanish rice. All of these items only rang in at about 32 dollars ... great deal ( with the below mentioned guac also ;)) The one great thing about this place i the curbside serving of the fresh guacamole. I am really picky with my guac and this was some of the best guac I have had. Packed with flavor and spice but still had just the right amount of chunkiness to give great texture. Waitstaff was very attentive for what he had to deal with and the amount of people pouring into his bar but he did the best he could. We will be back again on another day. Really good time here at El Rodeo.
(4)Cathy B.
Have been back 2 more times and El Rodeo still makes the grade. My husband and I each had a $5.00 Margarita, and a vegetarian entree...delicious! It is our "go to" place for Mexican food. Will try the table side guacamole next time.
(4)Michael O.
Donna P needs to revisit this restaurant. I visited and thought my Burrito was yummy and the guac (table side) huge and satisfying. Thanks El Rodeo, Michael Oberther clientcyclemarketing.com
(5)Tom P.
We ate here yesterday for lunch and we were quite happy with our meals. We ordered the homemade guacamole for an appetizer and they made it at our table. It was probably the best restaurant guac I have ever had. My wife ordered the lunch fajita and I had the taco/enchilada plate. Both were excellent. We split three small beers between us and the bill was only $38! Plus, we had extra guac to take home. You can tell that the food here is made fresh and not microwaved like your typical Mexican chain. The staff here is very friendly and efficient. We will definitely return. If I could give them 4-1/2 stars, I would.
(4)Emily B.
Before moving here 3 years ago, I lived in Alabama and Texas, where there are obviously countless authentic Mexican restaurants. Until recently, Portland had a complete lack of Mexican and barbecue, which made me oh so sad. Once the queso dip landed on my table, I knew this was the place I had been missing. They have everything I look for in an authentic Mexican restaurant - the music, the artwork, the polite waitstaff who speak spotty English- and of course, the food. I am now a regular and send everyone in this direction. If you don't like this place, you don't know Mexican.
(5)Chaise A.
Lunch for two = 25. Two fajita burrito plates and fresh guacamole! The food was excellent. I'd give 3.5 stars but there is not a 1/2 point system. They bring the guacamole cart right to your table and mix it up! Very cool unexpected treat! Service could have been a little better but it wasn't too bad for a family owned restaurant.
(3)Jimmy H.
Don't let the bright yellow and orange outside fool u into thinking this is a chain restaurant...they have a few locations and the food is exceptional Mexican! Freshly made guacamole table side. Beers are Huge and $5 goblets of margaritas for happy hour!!! Nice addition to the Maine mall area!
(4)Mike S.
I'm not a guacamole fan, but my stepson convinced me to try their table side guacamole. It was pretty darn tasty. The rest of the menu is good too. Burritos, chimis and tacos, all worth trying.
(4)Carol G.
My family and I have been here twice and both times the staff was on point, food was served very fast and everything tasted delicious. We do eat authentic Mexican all the time and we found this Tex -Mex very satisfying.
(5)Allison H.
I love Mexican food. I've had some great (Zapoteca) and some not so great (Margaritas) experiences. My dining experience at El Rodeo was bottom of the barrel. I'm not one to send dishes back and I'm not a very picky eater. After going through El Rodeo's humongous menu, I settled for beef chimichangas. From the moment the plate was set in front of me, I knew I was doomed. There was a single, wet, sticky looking little chimichanga staring at me, next to a salad with guacamole on it. Sometimes Mexican food can look messy, but turns out to be beyond delicious.... so away, I dug! Worst. Idea. Ever. The chimichanga (which was supposed to be all lovely and fried) had a consistency I'd never experienced before. Wet, chewy, sticky, salty with cold spots. Just flavorless watery beef inside. I immediately tried to scrape anything else into my next bite to try and make this edible. Some guacamole, full pieces of lettuce, the rice that was in broken, sticky bits... nope. The rice and chimichanga(s?) were clearly frozen, microwaved pieces of crap. (What Mexican restaurant can't even make fresh rice?!) I've eaten at chains... I've had frozen reheated items that were AMAZING compared to this. Maybe these were freezer burnt and very old? I don't know what they were doing back there but after exactly two bites, I told my sweet waiter that I needed to leave. When I was told he'd speak to the "chef" I almost burst out laughing. This was BY FAR the worst dish I've had at any restaurant and a slap in the face to Mexican food. SAVE YOURSELF! Taco Bell would be a better use of your money.
(1)Donna P.
Food terrible, management very rude. I will not be returning!
(1)Megan Q.
I have been here twice and have enjoyed it both times! They have many fantastic menu options including a vegetarian section. My favorite part so far has been the $5 (giant) margaritas they serve during happy hour! They don't taste overly sweet like most margaritas, leaving you with terrible heartburn. I can't wait to get back!
(4)Abdulrahman Z.
The only thing that's really good about this place is the fresh gauc! Everything else is mediocre. I got the chimichanga and it lacked flavor. I guess I have high standards for Mexican food because I am originally from Florida.
(3)Carolyn H.
We were very excited to try this new Mexican restaurant in the area. The salsa was good and so was the food. The enchilada sauce, black beans were very good. The food came out too fast to enjoy our drinks. That was ok since their margaritas were really bad. No flavor and maybe too much liquor. Couldn't really tell because they were tasteless. Service was very unprofessional We were looking for a nice evening out but nope.
(2)Elizabeth W.
Since we are both Mexican food lovers and from Texas we looked around Portland for something to satisfy. Now El Rodeo is clearly tex-mex but for the food and prices it hits the spot. I have had probably 100 guacamoles around the country but their table side made truly was good. I was especially impressed that the server asked what degree of heat we wanted and which ingredients we would like. Also the addition of hand ground dried chiles and spices. For entree choices my husband had the enchiladas with chicken and spinach. As others have said, they cook their chicken well and his dinner was delish. My enchiladas Mexicanes were more run of the mill. Either way, come in before 6pm for the $5 jumbo margaritas and do try this place. Love, a Texan.
(4)David V.
This place has the potential to be oh-so-much better. There are a few gems on the menu right now, but overall, the management needs to realize that it would be better to do a more limited menu exceptionally well instead of having an extensive menu of variable quality. I've tried 3 or 4 menu options on as many trips to the restaurant and only one option ever impressed me: steak/chicken/chorizo fajitas. This was a great preparation of some unique flavors, though I do think that the price for the "fajitas for two" option could be lowered to a more realistic point. What kept us coming back even after disappointing to average entrees was the fresh guacamole made table side. El Rodeo's guacamole truly is fantastic (and can be made to your particular level of spice preference). I just wish it was representative of the quality, freshness, and taste of everything else on the menu. Some of the staff are suburb while others seem confused or irritated by the process of service. We've experienced both, and it doesn't seem to correlate with the level of business in the restaurant.
(2)Robert S.
More Tex than Mex. Order was served incomplete. Cheesy rodeo music & ambiance. Margaritas need a boost.
(2)Julianne G.
I went for dinner one evening and was pleasantly surprised at the extra large menu of offerings. The restaurant itself was clean and bright and the service was quick and friendly. I ordered a combination plate of a taco, enchilada and chimichanga. There was certainly enough on my plate for two meals and I thought it was not only good, but an excellent value. There's a fresh guacamole cart that travels to your table and, for a charge (I think it was $7-8) you can have a heaping bowl of guacamole made right in front of you. I didn't try the guacamole, but several people I've spoken of it and it's something I'm definitely going to try on a return trip. One friend said El Rodeo was the best Mexican he's ever had and the guacamole was the most delicious thing he's ever eaten. I also ordered a large house margarita which arrived in one of those bulbous glasses that you find at On the Border. I don't think there's as much margarita as there appears to be. It was good, but I question how much tequila is actually in the beverage. Overall I was pleased with my experience and will return.
(4)Portland Girl K.
El Rodeo was a pleasant surprise today! The restaurant was impeccably clean, the staff lovely and attentive. Our waitress was happy to answer any of our questions. My companion and I both enjoyed a Cadillac Margarita. Delicious and not too sweet, just the way we like them. We opted to indulge and order the table side prepared guacamole. It was worth every penny! Spice, ingredients, all to our specifications. For lunch I chose fajitas, a mix of carnitas, beef, chicken and chorizo. He had the verde chicken enchiladas. Both were cooked to perfection and we had plenty of left overs. Nothing here was over cheesed, over salted or bland, too often the case with Mexican fare around Portland. This is not a gourmet restaurant and doesn't need to be. If you are looking for great, fast service and fresh, well prepared Mexican, head to El Rodeo.
(4)K L.
Authentic very good food. Maine needs a good mexican restaurant. This is fairly comparable to So Cal.
(4)Jess S.
Great spot for some quick Mexican. There's nothing fancy or unique on the menu, but the prices and the consistency make this a go-to place when we don't want to cook dinner! We are glad there's finally a place for some good, basic Mexican without having to spend an arm and a leg.
(5)Michael D.
I have to give the place the 5 star ranking! The tableside guacamole was suggested to me prior to coming so we started out with this. The young man making this in front of us was very nice and showed us his blend of making guac. Being guac fans we truly appreciated this. The end result - A giant bowl of fresh guac more than enough for 4 people. I would agree with other reviews that this is as close to authentic as I have seen in Maine and feel this stacks up against many SoCal restaurants. Upon ordering the waiter spent a great deal of time with us explaining the menu. He seemed to care tremendously about his job and wanted to make us happy no matter what! I proceeded to have a barbacoa burrito and it was fabulous. I had food to take home as well. If you are seeking a reasonably priced, high quality mexican dinner this is the place. One more thing if you like margaritas these are excellent and huge!
(5)Bees K.
We decided to try this restaurant on a whim, because we love Mexican and its not too far from home. When we first walked in there was no one to greet us, and it took a few minutes before someone even came over. We were finally seated and ordered 2 Hornitos Margaritas. It took at least 10 minutes before we got our drinks. After our drinks were delivered by someone OTHER than our server, our server came back to take our order. We ordered the table side guacamole (which we usually LOVE) as an app, then veggie quesadillas and steak fajitas for our dinner. When the young man approached with the fresh guacamole cart, I noticed that it was the same cart that was sitting out with ingredients UNCOVERED by the entryway (which I thought was just a display for advertisement). GROSS!!! Needless to say I didn't even want to try out of fear of getting sick. Someone needs to contact the health inspector this is very unsanitary. Our meals came out at the same time as the guacamole (sigh) and they left very much to be desired - sloppy and lacking flavor - my quesadilla even seemed to be made with some kind of fake cheese sauce. We were shocked when we received the bill - our margaritas were $14 EACH - "jumbo" and "premium" - while they were made with good tequila they were mostly mixer and not worth the money. Please save yours and don't eat here. Trust me, you'll be disappointed if you do.
(1)Joe A.
Live close by and wanted to try out this Mexican Restaurant....Now, I am not a complainer and i have never written a review , Boy, what a mistake it was to try this out....It was no doubt the WORSE Mexican food I have ever eaten...I ordered the #4 combo...ask for shredded beef instead of the standard ground beef....The beef was not really shredded, it was a chunk stuffed into the tacos as well as the enchilada that I ordered. You took a bite and the whole chunk of beef came out of the taco an laid all over my chin....The meat was so salty that I had to cringe as I ate it. The enchilada sauce and the salsa looked like in came out of a can...Now, when I order a combo, it usually comes with rice and beans...but no, not this place...so I asked the waitress for a side of both....Well, the Mexican rice was cooked in butter without any Mexican flavor and the beans were cold...the amount was probably a couple of tablespoons, but the price for these two sides (to my surprise) was 2.99 a piece...(For a couple of tablespoons)...My meal with tip and a diet drink came out to 23 bucks....This place makes Taco Bell look like a gourmet Restaurant....The service was good, can't complain about that....But the food, oh my God!...As a transplant from the West Coast, I know Mexican food.....I will never eat here again. Sorry El Rodeo, I give you 1 Star for the service.
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