El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Norfolk

Good enough Mexican food, but not for anyone who cares about value. I’m a native Texan—not a professional critic, but I’ve eaten at enough good Mexican spots to know the difference.

Staff were kind, though a bit disengaged. Portions were generous, but the food itself was a 5/10 at best—more reminiscent of what I’ve had at a small town in the middle of Germany (not joking) than what I’d expect here. Just sayin'. At these prices, I expected more heart and passion in the cooking.

I left full, but not impressed. The food solved my hunger pains, but not much more. What really stung was the mismatch between price and plate—it left me questioning how Google ratings get so inflated.

If you’re fine paying above-average prices for average beans, rice, ground beef, and cheese, this place will work. But if you’re chasing the kind of Mexican food that justifies its cost, you’ll want to keep looking.

That's unfortunate...I was really eager to get some good Mexican food too.

Reply to response:

Thank you for your response—it’s clear you care about reviews. I respect that your restaurant has been around for 35 years; that shows loyalty and hard work. My feedback isn’t about wanting something free. It’s about balance: the prices charged versus the passion and care on the plate.

Right now, the food feels standard—beans, rice, beef, cheese—while the prices sit in the “premium” range. If the cost were lower, I’d call it fair. At this price point, I expected more heart and bold flavor.

Something has to give: either elevate the quality to match the price, or lower the cost to match the quality. Not doing so risks losing ground to other options nearby. Your reputation was built on higher standards than what I tasted, and I’d like to see that legacy shine again.

This isn’t a complaint, it’s honest feedback. With more care in the kitchen, your food could truly justify its cost and reflect the quality your...

I ordered the number 11 on the menu, burrito, enchilada and taco and a tamales from the add on menu. I also ordered guacamole. When my food came out, I asked the waiter what was it because I am looking at the exact same thing drowning in sauce. I asked where is the burrito. I was told the burrito has the flour shell and the enchilada had the corn. I told them how because both had the same filling. Apparently what made the difference between a burrito and an enchilada was a flour and corn shell. The taco was in a hard shell with a lot of lettuce and cheese. If I wanted Taco Bell I would have went there. Authentic tacos are made with soft corn shell unless requested something else. It wasn’t good just tolerable.(taco) The Tamale had so much masa,. The Tamale was thick and fluffy with little chicken meat, it reminded me of a Shepard pie with extra potatoes without the vegetables . After I study the guacamole for a while and tasted it, I had to add salsa and lime to help the taste. I told one of waiters the food taste bad and it wasn’t done right which he also agreed. I ask the manager to remove it from my bill and he told me he gave me a discount instead and then he outstretched his arm and pointed at the other customers eating and said you are the only one complaining no one else so I am only giving you a discount. I didn’t have the time to argue or pursue my refund. When you don’t know what authentic Mexican food taste like and be served anything, what will you have to...

I give this restaurant one star because the staff is very nice and friendly but i am SERIOUSLY in SHOCK to see this Mexican restaurant was rated 4 stars to begin with. This is the first time coming here. Figured 4.4 stars and typical Mexican food it must be great however very very much disappointed. My son got a quesadilla with rice and beans and an OJ. Beans were visibly put on a plate from a can sprinkled a little mozzarella and put in a microwave for 2-3 minutes and done. The rice seemed okay but the quesadilla was worse than a quick make up you can do yourself at home. The taste was so off my son literally threw it up. The camarones a la diabla i ordered were boiled in plain water and simply put on a plate and put some salsa on top. The shrimp themselves had NO flavor. I am a huge shrimp fan so these are not at all a good shrimp dish. The beans on my platter were the exact same as my sons. The piña Colada i ordered was just nasty i had to order a different drink, thought i couldn’t go wrong with coke, it was too watered down. Now i know machine cokes already come watered down but this was just 70% water 30% coke. My boyfriend got a taco, that looked and tasted worse than school cafeteria tacos. I’m absolutely disappointed and dissatisfied as a Mexican myself at the food this restaurant serves. Again, staff was very friendly and very nice but food is absolutely awful. DO...