Cheap, quick, and authentic. I went on a Tuesday night and, BONUS, the enchilladas were on special AND margaritas were two-for-one. My boyfriend is one lucky guy, because I am officially the cheapest date ever! I'll definitely be coming back next time I have one of those nights when I don't feel like cooking, but just want a casual meal somewhere. read more

This is one of our favorite places to go for lunch during the business week. We usually have a group of 3-10 people and are there at least 2-3 times per month. The favorite of our group is the chicken chimichanga. At least one person will order that, guaranteed. My favorite is the burrito del rodeo. Their cheese enchiladas are tasty, too. I love this place much better than Don Pablo's. If I ever get to choose restaurants, I go here!! The lunch specials enticed me to try other things on the menu. The only thing I did not like is their water. I think it came from Mexico!! Just kidding... their tap water is lacking... it tastes very chemically treated. I don't drink soda, alcohol or other beverages... and so when I order the tap water it just tastes so weird that I usually end up ordering a sprite just to get the taste out of my mouth. I do love their chips and salsa. They aren't my all-time favorite (actually, chipotles lime-salted chips are my favorite chips, and Chevy's has my favorite all time salsa). But they know me well enough to know I want my own bowl of salsa :) Also, be ware on your birthday, my colleagues took me there and they put a HUGE sombrero on my head and sang for like 10 minutes. I didn't like that... Overall, a huge 5 stars for the quality of the food relative to the price. YUM!! Even their rice is moist and tasty, unlike most restaurants that have their mexican rice dry... read more

Standard Mexican fare. The stand out was the queso dip. I wouldn't say there was much out of the ordinary here nor was it a disappointment. It fulfilled my need for Mexican food and that was good enough for me. read more

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I am still a fan of this place and will continue to come here because the prices and service are great! Lately it does seem that the food hasn't had the same amount of love as it once had, but with that being said its still 10 times better than Don Pablo's up the street and the closest good Mexican that I know of is Guadalajara in Rogers. I think this is one of those places that makes certain items extremely well and other tend to be more bland. I've had excellent luck with their chimichangas and their carne asada tacos. Heck it's worth it to just come here for happy hour and have a few drinks and some chips and salsa, the happy hour deals have to be one of the better deals in Maple Grove, but don't hold me to that because I haven't been everywhere! Although I am no expert on Mexican cuisine (working on it) this place still gets a solid 4 stars from me! read more

El Rodeo - Chips & Guac! - Mexican Near Me - Maple Grove, Minnesota

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Eat there all the time, good food, portions, atmosphere and great friendly people. lived in Phoenix for 10 years - this is the closest you get to SW taste in MN. Not sure what some of the other reviews thought was missing on the menu - but it looks like every other place I went to in Phoenix and NM. I will take the homemade chips and salsa anytime. Being MN there are a lot of folks who complain about pepper on mashed potatoes being too spicy - just ask your server to make it authentic If you are looking for a place to take your family or friends - good food, lots of it, great drinks and all at a reasonable price here it is in Maple Grove. I give it 4.5 stars - because you can count on quality and low price anytime. This is a place where people will know and remember your name. Great supporter of local schools. read more

I met a friend for lunch who works in the area, and he said for the price it can't be beat, so we tried it. He was so right! We each had entrees (I had fajitas that were really tasty) and we each had a margarita (on special for $1.50!) and our bill was around $15. You can't go wrong! Although located in the boring Maple-Grove stripmall-apolis, it's cute inside and a pleasant surprise. read more

I don't know. I might have just had a bad first time experience here, but I can't justify giving it 3 stars (2.5 stars seems perfect). This is one of those Mexican joints every suburb seems to have serving okay Mexican food. The misses: -we came in a large group (10 people) and they had issues bringing our food out at the same time. Like- it took 5-10 minutes to bring everything out. -I had the Rodeo burrito, which actually tasted good, other than the very cold section of it. The beans and rice were solid, though, and everything tasted like the Mexican you can get on Eat Street (which most likely pales in comparison to establishments closer to the border... #minnesotaproblems) -The stomachache after. Ugh- I don't know what it was, but it was not good. It wasn't anywhere near the Bridesmaids Argentinian restaurant level... But still. I'd like to leave a restaurant full and content, not with stomach grumbles. Other than those things, the staff was super nice, the atmosphere was kitschy in a Mexican restaurant, Corona flag, Breaking Bad mariachi kind of way, and the prices were great. Also- you can't hate complimentary chips and salsa (unless it's Chili's). Not saying don't go here- my lone experience just wasn't the best. read more

This place opened up and was pretty unknown, now, a year later, there is a wait! Ouch! Now its packed with families, and folks even eat at the bar. Beers are great, you can get a 32oz draft beer for about 5-6 bucks, and the combo meals are $7 (two tacos, rice, beans, and unlimited chips and salsa). The prices are great, the food is solid, and a party of two struggles to spend $25 WITH booze! The tacos rock, and the service is F-A-S-T! Its pretty good food, better booze, and a nice, clean place read more

We came to El Rodeo because we've heard great things about it. It was okay. Nothing to rave home about. If you live in Plymouth, you're better off going to El Azteca. Bigger portions, cheaper prices, & better seasoned. Whenever we go to a new Mexican restaurant, the hubby & I always order our standards so we can compare among other Mexican restaurants. Hubby got a chicken burrito & I got chicken flautas. The chicken my flautas was pretty bland. If I hadn't been sopping it up in salsa, there wouldn't have been much flavor. I will give them props for their servers. They LOVE kids & were cooing at our 7-month old. read more

Only OK food,but the restaurant was clean with fun decor. No option for corn tortillas, which I prefer. While we were there my uncle was celebrating his birthday. He was serenaded by the staff while wearing a large sombrero. They sat a complimentary dish of ice cream in front of him and at the end of the song, the server grabbed his spoon, brought it to his mouth, as he opened his mouth, she smeared the ice cream on his upper lip and nose and walked away. He was shocked, we all were, not having seen this before. I think he was really embarrassed, I would have been. read more

I used yelp to help select what to order, this was my first visit. Yelp sucks so I picked the items people had a problem with. Boy are Yelpers wrong. The food I had was truly authentic and fresh. Seasoning was done right and the service was walking briskly to serve the masses. This is one of the best first impressions I have ever had. read more

El Rodeo - First drink at El Rodeo - Mexican Near Me - Maple Grove, Minnesota

I come here over lunch a lot because the food is good, chips and salsa rock, and it is good, fast service. Unfortunately I haven't drunken at the bar here, so I can't say anything about the alcohol. Every time I come here the service has been great! The food comes out fast during the lunch hours. Even when it is busy, I can't remember a time where we were waiting for the food in one of those awkward "um, so yeah....where do you think the food is?" type of moments. The prices are awesome too. Come and get a good fast meal and keep snacking on those chips n salsa! read more

We wanted a non-chain Mexican restaurant. I'm so glad we chose this one. The food was excellent and plentiful. We ate on the patio. The Margaritas were strong. The price was right. The chips and salsa were endless. This place was really hopping, so our service was pretty slow, but we didn't mind. We had time to kill. The happy hour special provided two Margaritas for the price of one. They messed up our order a bit (mine was missing the cheese sauce, and my wife's order was originally wrong... they brought her what she ordered, but one of the items was different than what was promised). All of that didn't matter, though, because we so enjoyed our food and the friendly service. My seasoned beef burrito and chicken burrito were both excellent. The portion sizes were good. My wife was unable to eat all of her chicken enchiladas. In decent weather, the patio is nice. I was surprised how little you heard the nearby road noise. read more

Slow service, especially for lunch, but the food was amazing! Don't stop if you are in a hurry, but so stop in. read more

We went to El Rodeo this evening for dinner and frankly were disappointed. The service was awful. The place wasn't busy at all (less than 50% of tables were in use) and I had to go ask for a server after waiting for 15 minutes. Not only that but for everything else we needed after the initial order I had to go to the bar to ask for it. The food was a mixed bag. I had a chimichanga and it was pretty good but my wife's burrito was decent at best and 2 of my 3 kids complained that they didn't like the food. The price was alright if the food and service would have been passable. We won't be going back. At least Don Pablos down the street is a known commodity. read more

I was hungry and we were in the area picking up something from someone off Craigslist. It's none of your business, don't be so nosey. The wife wanted Mexican food, I wanted pizza. We compromised and got Mexican. This place was closet. Big portions, food came quick, staff was friendly. Chips and dip, hell yeah. Thank you for feeding me, El Rodeo. read more

El Rodeo is yet another mid-level Mexican restaurant that has popped up in the suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With so many great Mexican food options in the city, I always feel like these places have the cards stacked against them. Chains like Acapulco and Don Pablo's serve good food and are usually within a short drive which makes it hard to justify eating average food at places like this. The location is certainly good. Much like El Azteca in Plymouth, El Rodeo is one of the only Mexican places around with one major exception--Don Pablo's right down the street. El Rodeo has a decent amount of space in their parking lot and a good-sized dining area. The decor is typical of this type of restaurant. Service is pretty average--nothing which stands out either good or bad. The food was good. I sampled about three different things and I wasnt displeased with any of it. The salsa was good as were the enchiladas. I keep hearing people talk about authenticity, but almost everything about this place was typical of every mid-level, independent Mexican restaurant Ive ever eaten at, nation-wide. Im not saying there is anything wrong with this place--it's good and Id probably eat there again if someone was adamant about going. But personally, Id rather have Don Pablos or Acapulco if Im going to have Mexican food in the suburbs. The one exception would be Pineda Tacos in Plymouth which is a new favorite spot of mine for a cheap lunch. I cant talk about Mexican/Latin American food without mentioning that the Twin Cities area has plenty of good options: Little Tijuana, Pineda Tacos, La Chaya, Masa, Cafe Ena, Barrio, Boca Chica... There are just so many choices that it would be hard to recommend El Rodeo over any of these. read more

The girls and I love to visit El Rodeo after our weekly book club meetings, and sometimes we can get a bit unruly. The drink specials are fantastic; strong, potent tequila in the margaritas and many other drink options as well. Agatha and Fran can get a little schnockered sometimes, and then Doris will take Agatha's car keys to ensure our safety when we ride home in her smart car. The staff is very, very quick on their feet and always attentive to our needs without being overbearing. As for the food, the cuisine is tasty and authentic and easy on the wallet. I would much rather visit El Rodeo and be seated almost immediately than visit Don Pablo's or other chain Mexican restaurants. The portions are massive, especially for us senior ladies that are trying to watch our figures. Too many burritos could result in us not fitting into those lovely new pantsuits on sale at Macy's. I will continue to visit this wonderful Mexican paradise for as long as I can continue to drive my Buick, or Agatha can drive her smart car. I just wish her late husband Franklin could have seen what an exceptional place this is, but unfortunately he passed away due to a skin infection years ago. read more

Food is ok, service is great, since when does a Cadillac margarita have orange soda? NEVER!! Do not get a margarita here!

We brought our group of 30 here for lunch for a birthday party, and the staff was MORE than accommodating. We all ordered from the menu and the food came VERY quick and not one order was incorrect. The food was all hot and delicious. It felt as if it was the same quality we'd get if there were just two of us dining. We were all very impressed. I'd highly recommend this restaurant for larger groups. 10/10 - will be coming back! :) read more

The food here has always been cheap and served relatively quick. I can't say that it's anything spectacular but at least it doesn't give me horrible indigestion like some of the other Mexican places I've eaten at. They have pretty decent drink specials throughout the week as well as a pretty good seafood chimi. read more

El Rodeo - Something's not right here... - Mexican Near Me - Maple Grove, Minnesota

El Rodeo is your pretty standard Mexican restaurant in a strip mall. Arrived around 515 on a Sunday right before the dinner rush. Seems to be a very popular choice for families with small children. The menu is pretty standard. I was disappointed no chicken mole or tamale entree, but there were plenty of other items. About 25 different combinations of burritos, tacos, chulupas, etc. Servers keep chips and salsa flowing. Margaritas as tall as the Chrysler building. Portions were nicely sized as I was able to take half my quesadilla home. I had the Fajita quesadilla which was a nice balance of chicken to cheese. It didn't feel like 99% cheese and 1% everything else. The seating seems to get a little confused when they're busy. There's not a real obvious hostess stand and people seemed to get a little frantic about getting on the list. read more

We frequent this spot for lunch. I've not stopped in for dinner. I was indifferent about it at first but it has really grown on me after a while. The place is clean, the serving sizes are good and the service gets you in and out in a timely fashion for lunch. They have a great selection of Mexican food. Pretty much all of the standards and then some done to their interpretation of the cuisine. It isn't the best Mexican food I've had by far but it is very reliable and satisfying. Other reviewers describe it as "mid-level Mexican" and concur wholeheartedly. However, I'd much rather go here than to Don Pablo's. The gratis chips and salsa are such a double edged sword; they are so good that you unintentionally fill up on them without some major restraint. The prices are right and the expedient service makes work lunches a breeze. Seems like they have a pretty good happy hour too. read more

What a great addition to Maple Grove. In an area that is saturated with franchised restaurants, it is nice to still have the small businesses that are family owned and operated. This is the first eating establishment we went to post covid, due mainly to the fact, we knew they were going to set high standards, and stick with them when it came to cleanliness. There is a cute patio that is fun to sit at with one of their delicious margaritas. The food is also delicious. The waiter brings out complimentary chips and salsa immediately upon seating. The fresh guacamole is top notch. We have tried everything from tacos to chile rellanos and it is always really good. Service is great, always with a friendly server who keeps water glasses refilled and chip bowsl full. Prices are decent and it is very kid friendly. read more

I came here with a group of six to celebrate a birthday and was incredibly impressed with the excellent service we received. They were quick and very attentive, and our drinks remained filled throughout our meal. Unfortunately, the food was not so excellent. Almost everyone in our group ordered a steak, at the recommendation of our server. Our steaks came out overdone and extremely tough. They were great about offering to fix us new steaks, but those also came out overdone and tough. I only managed to choke down about half of mine before I couldn't eat any more. Because of the great service, I would give this place another shot and try something else on the menu. Don't be lured in by the $10 steaks on Thursday nights, though... they simply aren't worth it! read more

Eaten here twice having the burrito loco both times. First time was awesome. Service was great and the burrito was well made and tasty. The second visit the service was not so good and the burrito was just thrown together. I'll give them another chance and if its bad I'm changing the review to two stars. read more

El Rodeo - Burrito Loco and fajitias - Mexican Near Me - Maple Grove, Minnesota

My wife and I decided to try somewhere new on a Saturday early evening. We were seated immediately, as I'd expect at 3:35pm, but there were plenty of tables full of people. (I took it as a good sign) The margarita menu was fairly expensive, so we went with the house margarita, which was still expensive, but we really wanted to try one. (I would never go there for drinks, just based on the steeper prices we saw) The margarita was pleasantly strong, thank goodness, so it seemed like a decent value. My wife ordered a sample platter, which was easily a large meal and it tasted great. I decided to attempt something odd at a Mexican restaurant, and ordered a 14oz Ribeye steak, with shrimp. I have ordered a 14oz steak at many restaurants over the years, and know that a full size ribeye is nearly an inch thick and takes up about half of the plate. I ordered it medium-rare. What I got, was a 3/8" thick piece of beef, cooked medium. It actually made me laugh when I saw it, because there is no way it was even 8oz. And my plate was about 300 degrees. (warning for people with kids, and possibly a slight exaggeration) Whatever the meat was that I ate, it tasted great because it was covered with some type of seasoning. I would in no way say I ate a 14oz Ribeye though. The shrimp was excellent. The cheese dipping sauce (extra charge per the norm) and the house salsa were all good. The house salsa had a decent medium spice to it. The waiter was kind and courteous, and we never wondered if he was ever going to come back. We may try this place again in the future, if my wife is craving Mexican food again. I will make sure I order something like enchiladas or burritos next time, to get a better gauge at how they cook their main dishes. read more

I came here the other night with my daughter while we were in the area. It wasn't horribly busy, but I did wait 10-15 minutes to be greeted by a server (after I got up and asked lol). That was fine, as I know how it is sometimes when you're caught up with other guests. I ordered the camarones a la diabla, and my daughter had the kids enchilada. The shrimp were good, but maybe could've Been hotter. I was just excited, because it's my favorite Mexican dish, and I haven't seen a place with it since I lived in NC. I was also a little disappointed that they don't have the white sauce for chips, and the cheese dip was $5. When I was ready to pay, I waited another 5-10 for my server to take my card. Maybe it was an off night, and I will try again sometime to see if it's a better experience. ‍ read more

We didn't enjoy our recent experience that much and we won't likely go back. We like to enjoy a good restaurant for the price we pay. The food just wasn't that good, some of it seemed a little soggy even. Plus, the service was slow, so we didn't get to order another margarita, but that wasn't that disappointing because they weren't that good. We enjoy mexican food often and this just wasn't good enough to go back. Sorry, but I use Yelp for the honest reviews and like to be honest. read more

Went to El Rodeo on a Sunday evening during Mother's Day and the place was packed. Then again, this place is always packed. There was no wait and we were seated very quickly. I ordered the Enchiladas Mexicanas and my wife had combination number six which consisted of a taco, enchilada, beans, and rice. We also ordered tamales, which we usually order whenever we get Mexican food. My plate was filled with four enchiladas covered with sour cream and lettuce. I got one bean, one chicken, one cheese, and one beef. It was okay; it wasn't mind blowing. My wife had her plate which she devoured. The rice was really good. The tamales here were different. They were covered in sauce and cheese instead of them being wrapped. It wasn't bad. Overall, the service was standard and the food came out very quickly. It was pretty standard. read more

The food is okay, but it's certainly not authentic. My Mexican grandmother's food was WAY better. This place is your typical Mexican restaurant. It's basically the same food you get at other mid-level Mexican places. The food tastes decent, and you get a lot of food for not a lot of money. I would have ranked this with 2 stars, but the chips and salsa are good and they have good margaritas. read more

Can't tell you how great this little gem is.i wanted to lick my plate.the rice the beans spot on.i come from california and have been eating Mexican food my whole life.from Ft bliss Texas to San Diego. Including several towns in Mexico.and this place was by far the best outside of california. read more

I really enjoyed the cheap drinks and fun atmosphere. Didn't care much for the chicken enchiladas I ordered. Hardly any sauce. Chips were stale. Probably won't come back. read more

El Rodeo - Stale chips - Mexican Near Me - Maple Grove, Minnesota

Burrito Mexicano was good as were the chicken fajitas. The service was very good! The chips were on the verge of going stale.

Best Mexican anywhere around. Always fast, fresh & hot! We have been coming here for years & is almost the place we go to. They bring out your chips & if you order, be ready for the food to come fast. Reasonable prices & they have specials as well. Never had a bad meal either. Going there again now. read more

The food here is always been very good but the service has always been very poor. You always have to flag someone down if you want a drink refill or another beer. I can't imagine coming here at lunch time and being able to get back to work on time. read more

I don't know what happened to this place, but I discovered it a few years ago, went once, and remembered it being great. My husband and I excitedly returned last weekend and it was just ... Blah. It probably didn't help that my first stop was in the filthy, disrepaired (no i did not use that word correctly) restroom, which would make a porta-potty look like something from the Luxury Home Tour. But the chips were stale, the salsa tasted like it had soap or something in it, and our food was pretty much Taco Bell basics on a hot plate. The service was still friendly and prompt, but otherwise this place has given me no reason to return. And I'm still scarred by what I saw in that bathroom ... read more

Tried for the first time tonight, Cinco De Mayo... Pleasantly surprised by no wait and fast service with chips and drinks. Best house margaritas of any of the Mexican restaurants, great food and great service! read more

Good is good and service is good. But please be careful. Witnessed one of the team members go to the bathroom and not wash his hands. We left after seeing that. Do not know about you but I do not feel comfortable eating at a place like this read more

Outstanding carnitas! Good service, food game out quick. Chile relleno could use some more flavor as could the salsa but all in all a decent meal. read more