El Rodeo — Restaurant in South Portland

Nothing sizzling about the soggy fajita beef that I got at this place. It was more the consistency of the beef with broccoli that you find at a Chinese restaurant. It was a lunch special, but they also skimped and served it without any guacamole, which is somewhat essential to a good fajita.

The street corn was disappointing, with a mushy consistency as though it had been reheated in a microwave.

I had recently had a frozen empanada from Maiz that I got at the South Portland farmers market, and it was far better than anything that was served at El Rodeo. My friend's meal was tolerable but just as uninspired. Great Mexican food is an exhilarating rush, whereas mediocre Mexican food that has been prepared without passion or care is a real letdown. It was edible, but not in any way uplifting. A microwave meal from the grocery store would have been at least as good, and a better deal.

The restaurant ratings here can be hard to understand, but certainly Guerrero Maya down the street is far better, as is El Corazón Casita on the other side of town. Taco Trio is probably the best-known local institution, but in recent years it has been hit or miss, at times suffering from a similar case of the Soggies; I hope that it will regain some consistency back at its original location.

Most of the staff here is friendly, and the restaurant is colorful with some fun equipment, like an old food cart. The salsa was good. I would try it more in order to get a better feel for it but I really don't want to go back.

It did not help that there was unpleasant right-wing cable news commentary blaring from the TV close to me. This apparently because someone had asked for this and I reckon because El Rodeo, like America itself, could be a backsliding democracy! (Or in any case, I did not have a vote in the matter!) I mean, who wants to listen to annoying talking heads while eating their lunch? Not me. The political views of the server were fine and only mildly annoying, although perhaps a little bit baffling for someone who works at a place like this. Then again this is the modern era, and I think that few would suggest that it is one that will ever be remembered for its rational logic!

This was not the worst Mexican food that I've ever had, but there was nothing...

Ita a long one this time, so here goes. I enjoy the atmosphere here, spacious, not too loud, but not a quiet place, booths and tables to choose from, dark wood furniture gives it a warm kind of feel, I like that it does not feel modern. Outdoors is my favorite, open spacious, picnic tables or some smaller tables and chairs, umbrellas and the lights make it festive and the music is usually not too loud.

The food: I like the Tacos Dorado, de Birria, street and american, the Chile verde was good, steak was good, can't say on the fajitas-havent tried them out, but every dish I have tried has been yummy. Spicy where needed, but not over the top, some dishes seem a little heavy on the salt, but I like that. The refried beans are even good, and I rarely will eat them, they had a good consistency, some bean chunks, not total mush, and not overly spicy or salty, well seasoned.The food was a good temperature and very flavorful.

My only trouble has been with service, they forgot us outside this time and we had to go in to get our check and to go boxes. I'm pretty relaxed with the wait staff when I go out, but it had been more than 20 minutes since we had seen our waiter, and the place was not very busy. We only saw him once after our food came out. It took a long time to place the to order and there was something lost in translation. I ordered a side of fries for the 3yr old and I got re"fried" beans instead. The kids meals say they come with fruit, but they did not. They come with rice and beans also, but both kids meals came out missing the rice, so I asked for it to be brought out. My daughter ordered the enchilada kids meal and got a burrito. Lastly the tacos meal ordered came with rice and beans, but there was none, there were just two tacos alone on the plate. The other two meals were as described, no issue. It was a disappointment this time, but we will go again because the food is just so tasty. Usually the service is attentive and much speedier. Hope they can do...

I’m utterly disappointed and so devastated to write this because, in the past I have had nothing but, good things to say about El Rodeo however, the past two times I have been there have completely shown me how far down things have gone. The last time I ordered take out ( and I always added a tip ) I came to pick up and staff was friendly, food given to me. When I arrived home my order of churros were missing. I called and explained to the receptionist that, my order of churros was not included and that, I had paid almost $7.00 for them. She said, “ Oh okay let me check.” “ Okay yeah, you’re right.” “ Sorry, so, like we can just credit it back to your card.” I said, “ Okay how?” “ Well when we aren’t so busy I can have my manager credit it back.” Not convinced I said, “ Okay Thank you.” I waited a day, two days, two weeks and never received the credit back to my card. Skip ahead now to a month later. I was really craving El Rodeo’s food. I have always loved it! My boyfriend placed a to go order. He was told it would be ready in 20 minutes. When he arrived 25 minutes later it was not ready. Okay it happens. Sometimes restaurants get busy but, 40 minutes later he is still waiting for the order and it is not ready. Finally he is given the order 45 minutes after it was supposed to be ready. When he brings it back to our hotel room there is no salsa for the chips. Also no dipping sauce for the Tacos de Birria and no utensils which we specifically had asked for. Leaving us eating our meals without sauces and with our fingers.I am beyond disappointed and will not return to this restaurant. Please if you do order here, always check your order before leaving and don’t rely on the receptionist to credit your money back for the items you did...