El Rodeo East — Restaurant in Richmond

This is not the El Rodeo I remember from my Earlham College days! Just passed through town for dinner with my hubby on our way to a friend's wedding, and let me say if I could give a 1/4th of a star I would but I just have to say a few things. Starting with the host, he didn't properly seat us down and sat us in cramped corner near a big family, throwing our menus because he himself couldn't fit there. He sat us here despite it not being busy at all and a lot of open seating. Our waiter took 10-15 minutes to get to us. Although he was fast he didn't really check on us nor give any real customer service. When the food did come... the salas and chips could use some work. The spice was barely there for the salas and tasted watered down like it come from Walmart nearby. This included the queso (obviously watered down Blanco Velveeta). We ordered chicken enchiladas and burrito marino which was decent but lacking in flavor. Yes it was hot and fresh, and ok, but it wasn't what quite Mexican food. My husband being from Southern California and I, myself having lived there for the last 6 years know this was not what it is!

Burrito had broccoli in it Spanish rice tasted like it came from boxed instant rice like Uncle Ben's or some other brand with ketchup poured in for color. No spice, diced onions, or peppers. Just bland.

The owner should really look into improving this place but it seems like they only respond to the 4 or 5 star reviews of the locals. I know that a lot of the demographic they serve in the area, mostly small town folks, have never had authentic Mexican food or exposure to Mexican culture, and don't know any better but this is a sad introduction. Sadly this place does a disservice to true, authentic Mexican/TexMex cuisine. Only redeeming quality here was the margaritas which you may have to drink in order actually enjoy the food. I've had great authentic Mexican food far away from the border states so it is possible, but the owner just needs to do better and not be lazy when it comes their business. Any Earlham alumni who came to either of their locations a few years ago, this place is not what it used to be, you're better off wasting your money some where else with better food and service, or...

El Rodeo is a Richmond restaurant legend. The food is mostly a fusion of twentieth century North and Central Mexican traditions and Midwestern casserole cooking. Cheese and lard coat beef and chicken and often shrimp, usually in workman-like piles. The salsa is just mild enough for most Midwesterners, but still flavorful on chips that are thin and crisp, with oil and salt. Guacamole is mild and portions are generous.

The men and women who keep El Rodeo running are wonderful people. They treat customers with genuine care. They do what they can to make you happy. And they know their restaurant is great and that they can make you happy because of it.

Somewhat recently they moved from a small location to a large, new one across from the old. It seems everyone I talk to loves the new place. And I'll admit, it has done away with the pernicious wait times that were the bane of dinner at the old El Rodeo. But I miss the charm of the old one, with its hole in the wall Corona stand quality. With its everyman art and lack of separate space for the staff to hang out, this Mexican restaurant staffed entirely by Mexican familymen and women somehow felt like the most traditional Midwestern place of all. They're still great people running a great restaurant, and I'm happy they're making money hand over fist while keeping prices low and quality high, but it has lost that little bit of what made it perfect.

The men and women at El Rodeo have figured out how to make a Mexican restaurant in a small Midwestern town into a huge, enduring hit. They bring an over-the-top style of Mexican cooking and borrow the guiltiest of Midwestern culinary pleasures to make for the ultimate comfort meal.

In keeping with ultimate culinary comfort, portions are more in line with modern Midwestern traditions than Mexican ones. In almost a decade and a half of dining at El Rodeo, I've always made sure to leave with a box full of leftovers for the ultimate late...

So went here with my family as we are in town for funeral. Was expecting a decent place considering the 4.5 stars but honestly not a single one of us was able to find a redeeming feature.

Ordered the fajita and it was prob the best dish but the meat was tough and not sure what the veggies were except the onions because everything was mushy and brown. Sister ordered a salad but didn’t enjoy it, father had some chicken dish that had pineapples but tasted very bland. The tacos were underwhelming and not even sure what the last dish was since it was basically refried beans from a can.

The server was very rude as well. Didn’t offer us drinks after we asked for water to start. Asked questions about some items and he was clearly upset with us. Example my brother asked if the guac is made fresh or not and he said ok 1 guac. We tried asking if it was fresh again and he said yes made this morning but when it came it was clearly from a factory made with something that made the guac florescent.

I highly recommend not coming here and take yourself to even chipotle as the food is a million...