Want authentic Mexican food in Palm Desert? If so, el rodeo cafe is the perfect place for you. As soon as we came in the staff told us we could sit anywhere we would like and brought out chips and salsa right away. It offers indoor and outdoor seating and the inside is very clean. I got a burrito and it was huge. I loved all the flavors in it and they paired it with salsa, guacamole and sour cream. This was the perfect place for a quick and delicious lunch! read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Pollo burrito - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Very good queso fundito excellent tacos. Very clean A definite do again. Chilli rellano yummy too read more

When I say you will need a gallon of water - I'm not joking. The salt in this food is overkill. Not to mention the food is SO expensive. They charge for chips to go even if you are sitting there and waiting for food to go. This place is just not good, plenty of other Mexican restaurants . Better quality and not as expensive. Customer service could be better also, smile people! read more

I've been coming here for about 5 years now. This place always has great service, super clean, great chavelas and the food is soooooo good. The shrimp cocktail (my fave), bacon cheeseburger (no joke), sopes and hardshell machaca tacos are my go-to meals. I usually get everything a la carte because the servings are very generous. Give this place a try, you won't regret it. read more

La comida el lugary el servicio son exelentes todo el tiempo lo recomiendo y mi plato favorito son los chilaquiles no ocupo esperar hasta poder ir ala ciudad de mexico o a que mi mama los cocine pork hai son igual de ricos y picocitos read more

Best breakfast burrito I have found in the city. I will be back next time I come in town. Currently being remodeled so can't recommend ambiance but the carry out made up for it. Delicious! read more

El Rodeo knows-Chile Rellenos are best in omelettes. The eggs are already fluffy to begin with and they engulf cheese stuffed poblano peppers, which is how you know they do it right. The beans rice and guacamole serve as little pops and crisps for the spectacle that this wonderful dish is. It's massive mountain of delsih and you won't be left unsatisfied, you won't be left needing anything except a bed to cradle your glorious food coma, and as far as Mexican food goes, I can't say a whole lot of places in Palm Desert can match up with this. read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Chile Relleno Omelet - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Food here is excellent, I love the chili verde burrito Not very big restaurant but very yummy food. Give them a try I'd be surprised if you didn't want to go back. Staff friendly They close much later than stated on yelp. FYI At little FYI. The guy that owns it used to run Keedy's a desert staple for many years. Was glad to see him :) read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

The food and the price was great! I had the Carne Asada Tacos! I came at night and they did not have enough lighting. I will definitely will be back! -Sammy (Riverside) read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Carne Asada Tacos! - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

See all

Best chorizo breakfast burrito I have ever had A must go place Great service Ari was a amazing server to read more

Wonderful Mexican food. Great service. They recently doubled the size giving a much more open feeling. We eat here often and are never disappointed. read more

Love this place!!! Hands down the best chilaquiles I have ever tasted!!! The staff, chef, owner and new interior is amazing!!! The salsa verde is incredible! Such a great little cafe. read more

My husband and I wanted to try this place bc it's always crowded. So yesterday, we decided to order some takeout and give it a whirl. The food is very average. Not sure why it's always crowded. Nothing special and some things that need improvement. For me, that would land this place 3 stars, but I give it 2 bc I called the order in and they said "10 min". I couldn't get there for 20 min and then I still had to wait another 10. So it was 30 min. Additionally, they aren't enforcing guests to wear masks as they enter and the people who work there are wearing the masks below their noses. It's not something that would stop me from going but it's not helping me give them more stars. The ambience in there seemed not great too, so I wouldn't go back and dine in. read more

Came into El Rodeo Cafe for lunch. It is in a small strip mall, just off of Hwy 111. The restaurant is not that big, I can see there being an issue if you were a large group. They have four or five 4-seaters in the middle of the room, and six 2-seaters. You can sit anywhere, there are menu's on the table, a server takes your order, and then you pay at the counter when finished eating. The service was friendly, however a little slow. Our female server was busy; busy doing a lot of things behind the counter and in the kitchen, just not busy checking on her tables. We had to go up and ask for refills on our drinks and extra napkins. We wanted extra salsa too, but gave up on that. The food came out pretty fast. And it was delicious. It was, however a bit pricy for lunch. I ordered a ground beef taco and cheese enchilada combo, and my friend had the two cheese enchilada combo. The red enchilada sauce was great. The rice and beans were yummy. So was the salsa. The chips were hard and a bit stale. Overall, the food would have me trying this place again. read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

See all

Food is authentic and good. Been going there for past two years and it is now my favorite Mexican restaurant.

In town doing some work for a couple days..... happened to find this place.. Walked in and was greeted by two very nice young women, I told them I had never been there before. They gave me a very friendly Welcome. I asked what they recommend I order. One of them said her favorite was the shredded beef enchilada with spicy verde sauce..... they also recommended the Carnitas taco and Carne asada as well. I got a combination with exactly that along with rice and beans. #1 the enchilada was freakin Amazing..... #2 the carnitas was Super Fresh and Tasty..... #3 the Carne asada was top notch #4 the different salsas they have were very delicious as well..... The food was nice and hot even after having transported it back to my office a few miles away. Nice experience with excellent service and Very Very Awesome food! Thank you very much! read more

Greeted by friendly wait staff host Place is clean. Service was quick We had huevos ranchero with salsa verde green sauce which was spicy good. Fried eggs a were cooked perfectly, came with rice, beans and tortillas. Very good dish about 16 bucks. Michalada was okay. Very authentic. Many many local Latino patrons. read more

I had two tacos Al pastor and they were delicious. There was a generous helping of marinated meat with onions and cilantro on top. I also got the churros with caramel sauce and they were good. The churros were nice and crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The caramel sauce was super thick. read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Churros with caramel sauce - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

See all

Outstanding service and the authentic Mexican food hit the spot! The heuvos burritos were the BOMB! 5 star experience.

Good food and probably the best green salsa I've ever had. Warning: it is spicy! They make good, iced cold chavelas!

Food is authentic and delicious. I've been coming here for over 10 years, and it's definitely one of my to go spots for mexican food. It is expensive compared to other mexican restaurants, and they do charge for every little thing.. including to go cups. They do not offer the best customer service. read more

hidden gem of the desert! the tacos are delicious and the rice is my favorite!! must try if you are in the area! read more

Very good food! The food was quick and the workers were very kind . Very nice environment with locals who visit the restaurant frequently and was talking highly of the workers and food!! Wish to visit again soon! read more

After getting sick from eating there last Sunday afternoon, all I can say is go somewhere else! Servers have an attitude toward "certain" people and make rude comments in Spanish about them, thinking they won't be understood (wrong!). Food was run of the mill mediocre, rellenos were frozen-Goya brand from the grocery store-not fresh, and served undercooked/cold in the center, chips were stale, and their salsa was watery and bland. Menu prices are fairly high, and they also "upcharge" you if you want meat in the enchiladas on combo plates, or eggs with Chilaquiles, not to mention charging $6.50 for a Pacifico beer...SMH... Go somewhere else and get a decent meal for a lot less $$$... read more

The green Chile Verde enchelaquidas were out of this world very tasty & spicy . The flavor was outstanding. Came here from the yelp reviews. They did not disappoint. The tacos de Tripas we're prepared extremely well. read more

See all

I had a great experience here when I came in for lunch and a drink. I ordered the egg and chorizo burrito, fries, and a chavela. Prices were very fair and the quality of the food was really good as well. My drink was delicious! Burrito was nice and greasy and just the perfect size! I could tell the fries weren't fresh, but they still had a nice crisp to them. Service was good too. Would come back on any occasion. read more

See all

I am sad. It seems that almost everytime a small family owned restaurant expands, the recipes change. The first thing that happened is I treated a coworker to breakfast. We ordered the chillaquiles and two drinks. Bill was $70. We were actually charged for chips! Today, I decided to go back and get the nachos, one of my other favorites. When I opened them up back at the office, I noticed they looked different, but no big deal. The big deal was that they were without flavor. The meat was tender, but tasted boiled before it was put on the grill to give it a browned color. The amazing green sauce was totally different also. No zing. I don't know if there is a new owner now, it's possible, the ladies that I have seen for years were no where in sight. The service was still friendly and fast, but the food was just so MEH. I do remember driving up and being surprised there was parking because before, at lunch, good luck finding a place to park. Today there was plenty of parking and not too many people eating. Another warning sign. I already miss the original El Rodeo Cafe, they were wonderful but I'm holding out hope they will return to what they once did so well, again soon. read more

First time here! The food is delicious! Very authentic Mexican food i would definitely come back! And i definitely encourage y'all to come try it out! You won't be disappointed read more

I looked at the menu, looks reasonable. Ordered 1 taco al pastor and 1 carnitas sope. Order arrives, unreasonable, disappointment follows. The portion to price ratio is a bit off. (I posted a pic of a taco next to a 5 dollar bill) $2.75 for this taco with a sprinkle of meat. I've had many tacos and this is called taco flaco. 3 stars if they just do the average, cost, portion, flavor, service, but they missed on the portion. That puts El Rodeo Cafe at 2 stars. read more

El Rodeo Cafe - $2.25 for this taco flaco. Not nuf meat. - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Went in on my lunch for some tacos. First time trying this place. Ordered 2 carne Asada tacos 1 tripa. When I got my plate they gave me 2 tripa tacos 1 asada taco so my order was backwards. I told the waitress my order was wrong. She said that was what I ordered but she did not write down my order to begin with. She seemed nice about making my order right and brought me back the correct order. As I was half way thru my first taco I noticed a small black hair on my plate. Couldn't eat after that. I got up paid and left. I Was too embarrassed to say anything since they had a full house. They noticed I left all the food I ordered behind, however no one asked how the food was. read more

Great food! Yelp is horrible because it allows people, like Belinda, to post a negative review after one experience even though she claims, in the same review, that she had many great experiences before (but failed each time to write a positive review). This place has an amazing green sauce! I get it smothered on anything I order here! Mmmmm! read more

This place is perfect. Traditional Mexican food in a quaint location. It had a great family atmosphere with everyone eating and chatting happily. The people who gave this place less than five stars are delusional. My son said his churro was the best he's ever had. It was homemade or from an amazing Mexican bakery. I had the Mexican steak and tow eggs and it was perfect. I don't feel greasy like when I eat other Mexican restaurants. We just moved in right behind this place and definitely will be back. read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

This is my fav so far here in the desert. The food is similar to the Mexican food we enjoyed back home in Texas. The micheladas are tasty. The place is small and the servers hustle because they are few so you may wait a bit for your order, but it's worth it. The green salsa is HOT and tasty. The tacos, breakfast, burritos, tortas, etc are all good. Best of all, it's been consistent; the food has been good each visit. read more

Best Mexican food in palm desert hands down. If you like a little heat ask for the green sauce with your salsa. Soooo good. I always get some to take home too. one of my favorites is the chicken enchiladas with green sauce and sour cream. Everything is good. The stuffed peppers are great. read more

Mexican food, authentic, great Mexican food, is in surprisingly short supply here in the Desert Cities. This is by far the best experience I've had pursuing this cuisine here, and the only one I would call 'great'. It is very normal, unpretentious food, and a small, unpretentious restaurant - but - the salsas taste like they were made five minutes ago by Madre, and even the beans and rice are abnormally delicious. A chorizo, avocado, and Monterey cheese omelet special was my choice in this first visit. Service was wonderfully happy and friendly. I'll be back. Perhaps tomorrow, lol. read more

El Rodeo Cafe - Chorizo, Avocado, and Monterrey jack omelet. Simple, Delicious. - Mexican Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Awesome cafe with fresh great tasting Mexican food. Fantastic staff with smiles and charm. Super cool spot read more

See all

Fresh, tastes home made. Quick service and delicious burritos and chilaquiles, outdoor seating is nice.

Great authentic Mexican restaurant, everything on there menu is delicious,have to try their green chili chilliquillies and horchata

Well beat me silly and call me 'Jose,' cuz I loves me some good Mexican food! Finding a place like this gives me joy. It actually makes me happy eating good food. "Eat to live" my rear-end. I say "live to eat" is wayyyy more fun. Hole in the wall to the hilt, El Rodeo Cafe has what many Mexican restaurants wish they had: Authentic AND great-tasting regional dishes that are so authentic I thought I'd need a sombrero to leave the place. How's THAT for stereotyping? Let's get to it. Fantastic food. All of it. If you like spicy the Tlacayos are out of this world and very different. A delicate, very corn-tasting (in a good way) masa with some flavorful meat and a beautifully spicy green sauce that has just the right amount of KICK. It's not for the purely "gringo" palette, but if you like spicy, this is THE sauce. Chorizo and eggs was sooooo good. It's rich though. If your stomach is in any way sensitive, you better be near a bathroom or carry a "Little John" with you with some wet towels and bags of ice. It's not the quality, it's the richness. This is pure, home-style chorizo. Tasty, pork-y and good. But don't be all "Forks Over Knives" with it because it is PORK bar none. Good stuff. Excellent tacos, excellent, fresh salsa. Good sodas. Tasty, authentic rice and beans. In short, everything you want in a real Mexican restaurant. Be advised, it's on the side of the street that's a little more "colorful" than the white-washed, hoidy-toidy galleries and chain restaurants across the street, but it's a world away in taste and authenticity. This is real Mexican food, not some "El Torito" Americanized version. So enjoy the fluorescent lights, sticky formica tables and unadorned walls, because this is the real deal. Pray that little places like El Rodeo Cafe never go out of business, because this is what home-style eating's all about. Solid! read more

Good Mexican food. Some outdoor seating. Recommended. The wait staff was very helpful. The inside is spotless.