We enjoy gathering with friends at the Lava Lounge and then continuing conversation at Rudy's. The two stars are for the food. Most frequently it is at an uneven temperature and definitely not"Mexican". The speed of service and the super friendly host would make this a five star review but I'm in it for the taste. Just not happening! read more

The food is really fresh. It's off from local vendors. Great ambience very nice and clean. And the staff is fun read more

Rudy's Tacos - This is one taco and then this is half of taco salad I but the food is so fresh garden fresh locally grown wonderful place to eat - Mexican Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

See all

Stop what you're doing and go to Rudy's ! I had the large ( accent on large), combo platter, and it was delicious. The lettuce, cheeses, and tomatoes were cool, crisp, and fresh. The beef, rice, and beans were hot and savory. Appearance is key and it was all presented well. The place is unscrupulously clean; there is always someone cleaning or sweeping the dining room. Rudy's has an atmosphere and menu that fits a family outing, or a group of friends out for some good food and conversation. The service too is as good as the food. I ordered iced tea, and there was always a friendly offer for a refill. read more

I came here and ordered the enchilada trio it was horrible a giant cheesy greasy mess I couldn't even eat it because it was crammed with grease all at the top I would say avoid the enchiladas stick to the script and order the tacos or something else I probably just ordered the wrong thing I will be back and try the tacos or something but the enchiladas were horrible and they put the rice and beans together in a container that didn't make sense to me lol read more

Food is okay and just that, okay. It feels like they've become a little lazy over the years. I've also found the prices to be quite a bit higher than necessary. They do have a a neat little board that shows their locally sourced ingredients but...it's not exactly up to date. I've worked for one of the tomatoe suppliers on the board and they haven't bought from him for a few years. Overall, it's going to be a consistent meal with decent, quick service. Just wish they weren't so spendy. read more

Just not feeling it. took the family and spent almost $50 on some not great tex-mex food. Service (what there is) was poor, and it felt more like eating tacos in a pool and spa store than a restaurant. While the food may be local, local does not equal well prepared and/or delicious. I will try it again, but the first visit was a dud. read more

I love Rudy's Tacos! The decor is fun, the food is great. I've been coming here since I was a child. Staff is very friendly. Highly recommended! read more

I visited here awhile back but decided to write a review today. I thought the serving sizes were good, and the prices weren't too outlandish. The food seemed pretty authentic for Mexican. Not absolutely outstanding, but it was certainly good. The atmosphere was a little dirty, congested, and didn't bring a great vibe, however. Besides that, all my friends and I enjoy it. read more

You have to go to Rudy's Tacos. They always provide great service and food is always cooked properly. I recommend any kind of taco and waffle fries. The waffle fries are amazing. The chips, cheese dip, and salsa are fantastic. There are other business's located outside the restaurant. Go now! read more

Been to Rudy's many times. The service is usually pretty good and the tacos are awesome. The food is very expensive for what it is, but you get what you pay for. My only other complaint would be that their hot sauce that comes on the side tastes like water and isn't even remotely spicy. Overall I would recommend trying it out! read more

If you go expecting traditional Mexican you'll be disappointed, but they do make fantastic American tacos. Fresh, local ingredients and food made the way you would make it at home. Tasty, filling, fast, cheap, funky decor, pleasant staff. Not fast food tacos, but good, hearty, Americanized Mexican food. read more

Slightly pricey, but the food is always fresh and delicious. I've eaten at Rudy's over a hundred times and am always up to go back. Their beef enchiladas are a favorite of mine. I really love the eclectic mix of retro kitchen tables and matching chairs and the strange marionettes hanging from the ceiling. read more

We were told we had to try this place and we were pretty dissapointed. The food was relatively expensive for what it is, and taste of their meat is poor. I had a taco and bean and cheese burrito. The ground beef in the taco tasted like bad school cafeteria meat and the rice in my burrito tasted like Uncle Ben's spanish instant rice. Service was good however. I think part of my problem is that it is Southwest style Mexican food when I am accustomed to southern California Mexican. read more

Very cool decor and first time I have seen so many marionette's in one place! Don't be put off by the mini mall type entrance, once inside you will find a well run local business. Order at the counter and your food will come to your retro table quickly. Must dine in Waterloo, great beer selection (draft and bottles), amazing salsa, quality food and friendly staff. I'll be back! read more

Visited with a friend. Parking lot had one spot left, and a line 10 people deep, but it didn't take that long... Ordered the Rudy's Platter-it was HUGE and cheesy. The shredded beef or pork was SO GOOD! The ground was flavorless... We also ordered chips and guacamole which was DELISH! Margaritas were strong and tasty! read more

Simply one of the most unique dining experiences one can have in the Cedar Valley. Great beer hall and lava lounge at the entry--and best beer selection in Eastern Iowa. The food at Rudy's is prepared with local ingrediants to the extent possible--a supporter of the local foods movement before it became trendy. Portion sizes are huge so be mindful of what you order. This is a great locally owned restaurant, a Cedar Valley institution. read more

Fun happy hipster taco joint run by some really nice people love it thank you for always treating us so beautifully I will miss you.

If there was a restaurant hell this place is it! My epic bad experience was after having partial knee replacement and was able enough to get around on crutches. Well my husbands best friend grew up with this restaurant and said we had to try it! 1) The waitress spilled my pop all over my stitches! and then didn't apologize just walked away quickly! I flipped to put it mildly. 2) Those puppets hanging everywhere from the ceiling have probably never been dusted and that dusts falls into food and on dinners. Gross! 3) Really REALLY expensive for not great quality. Everything just looks like throw up on a plate no matter what you order and the food is frozen..The freezer case is being doubled as a pick up bar. 4)It's so GHETTO it hurts. The only good thing is the totally separate bar in the same building THE LAVA LOUNGE that this place uses to get all their drinks from. 5) A restaurant that isn't able to serve their own alcoholic drinks and RUNS over to the nearest bar to get them! Come On Seriously! read more

Great Mexican cuisine with produce and sauces made by local providers, and always fresh. I have never seen food that seemed processed. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Wonderful original homemade sauces, clean facilities, and a price that doesn't break the bank on cost. read more

Good food, fresh ingredients and a nice staff and atmosphere. I would definitely recommend it unless you're on a tight budget as it's on the pricey side. read more

I really don't know what all the fuss is about this place. It's very popular & I'm not sure why. First the food is typical Mexican. I've been there 3 times thinking maybe it will be better next time. The food is always cold. And for the quality of food I think it is too expensive. The people working are very blah... There are hundreds of marionette Mexican puppets hanging from ceiling which is cool & unique but they have been there so long you can see the layers of dust on them. That can't be good while hanging over your food can it? read more

One of our family's favorite restaurants anywhere. Good flavors and ingredients, exotic beer menu, fun atmosphere.

Best Mexican food in town, glad to see them using local vendors, friendly staff, great selection.

Best gringo food in town! This is not an insult - it means that Rudy's has tasty and mild food made with locally produced ingredients. This is the place to bring friends who might be hesitant about food that goes way beyond meat and potatoes. Awesome chips and the amazing "Barry's Salsa" are the ideal starter. Order the microbrews made across the hall or the freshly made margaritas at $4!!!!! Try the Taco Grande with the amazing home made green chili made with roast pork loin- to die for. read more

We were passing through Waterloo and found this on yelp. The food was excellent. I had Rudy's platter combo and it was wonderful. They use all local vendors for the product and proudly display it when you come through the door. We will be back again. read more

If you want grossly overpriced, poor quality iowa-mex this is the place! I paid $12.50 plus tax for 3 chicken tacos which were completely devoid of flavor. No rice or beans. No guacamole or sour cream. No cilantro. The sad thing is authentic Mexican restaurants with really good food at half the price of Rudys are available locally and yet for reasons I can't begin to fathom people still keep this establishment in business. read more

Rudy's gives you so much food so sharing is a good idea! And it is delicious! The little puppets are so creepy but really fun! Not my favorite Mexican food but it is a nice change to some of the other local places. read more

Disappointed. Rudy's has been in this city for as far back as i can remember. Been here a few times more than a decade ago. Never was aware of the price list until this time. Kind of surprised prices were so high... extremely high once we actually received our order. It appears to be a lot because the plate is filled with lettuce. Confused how they get away with such obscene prices after all these years.... let alone, have "regulars." The server/order-taker was nice and seemed to do her job well. Oh, and the lemonade tastes like the fake powder stuff. Sad, sad. read more

This is my absolute favorite place to eat. I really miss being able to go since I moved to Wisconsin. You need to open up a branch up here so I can get my favorite food! read more

Very interestingly decorated restaurant. Good food and fast service! I would definitely visit again.

Fresh local food... need i say more? Go there, befoer stop at the lava lounge for a drink.

it's one of my favorite places in town. Don't go here thinking you are going to get authentic Mexican because you aren't. This is American Mexican. The food is good and sourced from local growers. You will pay more but you won't leave hungry. read more

I've been here a few times because some friends want to go. The portions are small for the price, and the food is just ok. This is certainly does not taste like authentic Mexican food. If you like toned down flavor and still want a taco, this may be the place for you. read more

The food is okay. Not bad. Just not as flavorful as I prefer. We regularly meet friends at Rudy's, so the location is great for us. I am also aware of an incident when a person with a service dog was discriminated against. I hope they've educated their staff since then, but that incident alone will keep me from ever giving them 5 stars. read more

Yes yes yes yes. Great food, relaxing atmosphere... If you don't mind a bunch of puppets hanging from the ceiling.

There is nothing here that isn't amazing! The supreme chicken taco salad with jalapenos is particularly delicious. But really, you can't go wrong here! read more

Great margaritas and chips and salsa in the Lava Lounge - be sure and stop there on your way in. They use all local ingredients and fresh flowers when in season from locals as well. Good food, just don't expect authentic Mexican. Service is always fast and friendly! read more

I'm sorry but I do not understand why people like this place. It's in a sketchy, weird little "mall" (i.e. One building split into multiple stores). The lady taking orders looked miserable and was rude, jut stared out at people with a look of disdain and hate while they were eating. Paid $17 dollars for a lunch....$17! I could not tell which was an enchilada and which was a burrito-one was filled with just ground beef and okay...one was filled with beef stew that was disgusting. No Mexican flavors, no taco seasoning, just tasted like some nasty ass crock pot beef stew in a tortilla. The taco was okay. Rice and beans smelled weird. The squirt bottle of "salsa" on the table tasted like ground up tomatoes and water-obviously NO other flavors put in there. This was a complete waste of money. You'd be better off getting tacos literally anywhere else. Even Taco Bell or Taco John's would be a better way to spend your money. This was disgusting, flavorless, EXTREMELY overpriced, bad vibe, bad experience in every way. Go literally anywhere else. read more

Rudy's Taco is an awesome place to eat!!! If you are looking for large portions of Mexican food, Rudy's Taco is the place. The food is extremely good!!!! Just be ready to eat because the portions of food served with each order are large. If you love Mexican food and you leave Rudys hungry, it's your own fault. read more

Rudy's is not a dress up, fancy place but it has great food! They use as many local vendors and ingredients possible, and that makes everything taste better! Even my hubby, who doesn't like Mexican food, likes Rudy's...and the grands love, love, love their cheesy fries! This is a clean, well run place with friendly staff and yummy food; give them a try! read more