Very rarely does one find a Mexican restaurant of this high-end class. Maybe in large cities like…read moreMiami, New York, or Chicago. But who would ever imagine that here in Christiansburg, Virginia, I was able to discover this gem of a Mexican restaurant. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And this El Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant located in Christianberg, Virginia is the perfect example. This Mexican Restaurant is in a class of its own. With an exclusive contemporary decor that gives an air of elegance and distinction, and an outstanding Mexican gourmet cuisine, one can say this restaurant is above the rest in classy ambiance and in perfected, high-end Mexican cuisine. From the time you arrive at this restaurant, and admire the beautiful contemporary architectural design of its building, which embedded in its design is the greatness of the majestic Mexican pyramids; and view the magnificent outdoor patio dining area surrounded by a fence of solid stones and containing elegant outdoor furniture appropriate for dinning; one can become aware of the uniqueness of this restaurant. As one enters the restaurant through its majestic entrance one uncovers a clean and elegant contemporary interior design made exclusively with quality materials, creating an amazing atmosphere of distinction, that will contribute to the excellent dining experience there. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review for a better sense of the restaurant's decor. We were greeted very graciously by the Host at the Host's station and led to our table which was actually a comfortable and elegant booth with granite table. Our server was soon to join us after the assistant server had brought us a basket of warm Tortilla Chips with a Red Salsa and a White one as well. We both ordered Iced water with a slice of lime to drink and a Steak Super Burrito. The Chips and Salsa, both the red and the white tasted delicious. And the Burrito tasted amazing. The pieces of steak inside was quality meat marinated with ingredients from a gourmet recipe and cooked to perfection by a knowledgeable and experienced Chef. Our server came by at the appropriate times to see how we were doing and refilled our water. We already had plans to go somewhere else for dessert but next time we will definitely try the dessert here for they looked nice in the photos of the desserts menu. I highly recommend this very unique Mexican Restaurant for an extraordinary dining experience like no other you've ever had.

Always great service and food! They're quick with the chips…read moreand salsa and drinks. I usually get a classic margarita in the rocks with a tajin rim for a little spice and it never disappoints. I've had the Arroz con Camerones and it was perfectly cooked and the shrimp was juicy still, not dried out like some places. Bar seating has TV's too so if you wanna grab a few margaritas or beers and watch some sports, it's perfect for that too!

Doesn't matter what you order off the menu. It's delicious. Great staff. Absolutely consistent, you…read moreget what you order every time.

Word of mouth is still the best way to find out about new restaurants that have opened in the area…read more Just yesterday a friend of mine told me about this new Mexican restaurant that had just opened last Thursday. So this evening, I headed towards the restaurant to be one of the first ones to try it out and review it. After being awarded the NC Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Santa Lucia Mexican Restaurant, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. The previous restaurant sign "El Toreo Mexican Restaurant" was still up. The new owners didn't even bother to cover it up. They just put a small vinyl banner sign under it that read "Santa Lucia Mexican Restaurant OPEN NOW!!!" Not too professional you would think, but the most important thing in a new restaurant is it's ambiance, its food, and its customer service. So I arrived to its parking lot in my Lexus and parked my car. The place was empty and I could see the employees looking out the glass door to see who just parked and was approaching the restaurant. It was me. When I walked in the Host gave me a warm greeting and asked me if I would prefer a booth or a table. I chose a booth. As he went away to call my sever while I looked at the menu, I also was observing the interior of the restaurant. It was clean and comfortable, with a minimalist decor. My server, Jasmin, a friendly Puerto Rican young lady, greeted me with a smile and asked me what I wanted to drink. I asked her if the bartender could make me a Virgen Mango Margarita. When it arrived it looked nice but tasted like water with mango flavor so I was not too impressed with their drinks. To eat I ordered a Fajitas Santa Lucia for one. While I waited I ate their chips with salsa. The chips were fresh and crispy and the salsa was just the right texture with the right ingredients. When the Fajitas Santa Lucia came out, they were sizzling hot, served on a sizzling hot skillet. They had grilled chicken strips, steak, chorizo and carnitas, along with green peppers and onions. On a separate plate, it had rice, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and refried beans. I missed the pico de gallo that this dish is mostly served with in top of the line Mexican restaurants and the scoop of guacamole. But the Fajitas were made with quality meats, and with a green salsa that they brought me, everything tasted very good. For dessert I ordered a Xango with a scoop of Vanilla Ice cream. It looked somewhat good, but the batter was soggy. It tasted like it was pre-fried or cooked ahead of time. When I asked for a glass of iced water, the water tasted bad, just from having a sip. This is something I can't stand in a restaurant, and I sincerely recommended that they get a water filter. This new Mexican restaurant has potential of becoming a very good one. If the owner pays attention to my informal recommendations in this review and takes action to implement my suggestions. I truly wish he / she does, because one of its best assets are its friendly and hospitable employees.

I ordered the carnitas lunch special to-go. Ordering was a breeze, and picking up was quick and…read moreeasy. I received a bag of chips and salsa; a full, hot to-go platter of perfectly cooked carnitas, rice, and beans; another full to-go platter of lettuce, guac, and pico; and still steaming hot corn tortillas. I don't usually tip for to-go, but I'm glad I did this time. I'll be coming back

Large portions of delicious, authentic mexican at a great price...need I say more? If that is not…read moreenough, the staff is friendly and the decor inside is fun and festive. My husband got the combo quesadilla which was STUFFED with veggies, steak, chicken and shrimp. I ordered the chicken burrito suprema and the chicken was chargrilled with tons of flavor. Their queso dip and rice are also so tasty. You get complimentary chips and queso. Lastly, margaritas are half price on Thursdays. This may be my new favorite place in town for big flavor for an amazing value!

My husband and I ate here on Saturday for lunch. We sat at the bar and talked to the bartender,…read moreFreddy. Great guy! Loved the quiet atmosphere with dimmed lights. We ordered the grilled chicken burrito and spicy tacos. Our food and drinks came out quickly and everything was delicious with generous portions. Definitely recommend this place if you're in Floyd. It's located on the downtown strip across from the farmer's market. Nearby shopping is within walking distance.

Love the location and the ambiance of the restaurant is very nice. Reasonable prices on excellent…read morefood. Ample portions and decent menu selection with a children's menu to ensure even the most picky child will eat something. Service was very good and staff is very friendly. A family favorite for when we venture to Floyd!

Just had the best experience and lunch at Drifters! Haleigh Vaughn was our server and she and her…read moremanager went above and beyond to make our experience incredible. They even delivered our friend's gluten free meal separately from the rest with gloves to assure our friend of a gluten free meal without any cross-contamination. Great view, great vibes, great food!

Great Friday evening on the water…read more We sat outside right on the water and enjoyed a beautiful Friday evening. The ahi tuna bites were a 10/10--definitely the highlight! The Carolina wrap was a solid 9/10, and the white sangria was excellent. The Carolina pulled pork sandwich was good, but about a 7/10 for us. The tables are a little older and could use some updating, but the friendly staff and relaxing waterfront setting made for a really nice evening. We'd definitely come back for the tuna bites and sangria!

Big things come in small packages they say and this food truck brings the big flavors! The carne…read moreasada is so authentically delicious. Try it in a quesadilla and you will not be disappointed. The service is friendly and turns out made-to-order freshness in about 20 minutes. I'm so excited to have found this place right on the side of Route 40 by the 220 ramp in Rocky Mount.

We drifted off the beaten path to check out this place out traveling between Atlanta and Lexington,…read moreVA. It's a fair bit away from the Interstate, but I can tell you that it's worth the trek. When we got here for lunch, there was a line out the door and the smokers out back hard at work told us this was the place to be. We got served pretty quickly and found a table. The place is neat and clean with a decent amount of seating both inside and out. The missus had a brisket sandwich and I got the pulled pork with slaw, pinto beans and mac&cheese for the sides. The servings are HUGE and that smoke ring isn't just for looks. The meat was done perfectly with the smoky flavor and not dried out. I also tried one of their homemade sausages. Absolutely fantastic! Snappy casing with a filling that included creamy cheese hunks and a level of spicy that was just right. We pride ourselves in having high standards when it comes to BBQ, and this joint didn't disappoint! We've been to numerous BBQ joints including the famous award-winning Big Bob Gibsons in Northern Alabama and this place comes in well over that. We visited with the owner (Kelly) and had a great experience. The staff we interfaced with were both friendly and engaging. I would give this place 6 stars if I could. Highly recommended!

Yes--the main upgrade is adding the restaurant's no-frills character from your photo, sharpening…read morethe texture description, and giving the collards a more memorable moment. Here's the elite version: One look at Mama Jean's handwritten chalkboard menu told me this was a place that lets the food do the talking--and the fried ribs backed it up. The fried-rib special was the undeniable star. Topped with Buffalo sauce, hot honey, Gorgonzola cream sauce, Gorgonzola crumbles and green onion, these ribs were an absolute revelation. They were fried hard--the right way--giving the outside a satisfying bite while the meat remained tender inside. Sweet, spicy, tangy, creamy and savory, it was a bold combination that somehow worked beautifully from every angle. The pulled-pork sandwich refused to be overshadowed. The pork was moist, tender, well-seasoned and piled ridiculously high on a soft bun. This was a serious portion of properly cooked pork--not a sandwich relying on sauce to carry it. Then came the collard greens, which unexpectedly became the star of the sides. I expected them to play backup, but they had enough presence to stand beside the barbecue. The mac and cheese was good, but those collards were the side I kept returning to. Mama Jean's is not a barbecue spot you want to miss if you're anywhere near Roanoke. The setting is casual, the portions are generous and the flavors are unapologetically big. If the fried ribs are written on that chalkboard, don't overthink it--order them before they're gone. Top-notch barbecue

Always our go-to restaurant! The staff is always friendly…read moreand efficient, going out of their way to make sure your dinner is enjoyable. Food service is very fast and always great! When we are hungry, we know we can count on El Bronco's to provide quick seating, fast service and a great meal which is consistently good!

If you're anywhere near Christiansburg or Blacksburg, you need to get to El Bronco! It's easily my…read more#1 local favorite and a solid Top 5 Mexican grill for me overall. The vibe is incredible from the second you step through the door. The staff is so genuinely cheerful, and the rustic, country-bar aesthetic--complete with cozy wooden booths--makes you feel right at home. Plus, they've actually mastered the music volume! It's high enough to keep the energy up, but you can still totally hear your friends across the table. But let's talk about the food, because it is next level. Whether you're starving and need the Arroz Con Pollo or craving something lighter like their amazing grilled salads, the portions are always perfection. You'll leave feeling exactly how you want to: satisfied, happy, and already planning your next visit. Delicious food, great prices, and a killer atmosphere--what's not to love?!