This is the kind of Mexican food that people who have never eaten actually good Mexican food like. So if you're from a place where you don't have a lot of authentic Mexican options like Iowa or the East Coast, El Rodeo will probably suit you just fine. Also, their basic margaritas tasted like something you would serve to teenagers for free at a local carnival in the Mid-West. Like Baja-Fresh soda mixed with a splash of bottom shelf tequila. On the bright side, the wait staff was friendly, prompt service and there is a good ambiance, great for families and kids or watching a sports game at the bar (provided you stick to beer). read more

It was entertaining to say the least! We wanted some good Mexican food so we looked up Mexican restaurants in bend and this came up. We def will not return! First thing is the salsa. Yuck is what comes to mind. Taste like out of the can enchilada sauce. After being very unimpressed with the salsa we decided to just share a nacho, thinking that couldn't be messed up. We were terribly wrong. The ground beef nacho tasted like a can of chili with some cheese and chips. It was gross! We sat in the bar area and wow! We spent most our time wondering what kind of drug they were passing from the bartender , to our waiter , then to the other waiter and back again to our waiter. We are pretty sure it was meth they were frequently going back to the office for. The only thing we did like about this place was the entertainment that the staff provided , thinking they were stealthy! read more

Stopped by El Rodeo on a business trip and ordered a chicken burrito with a grande margarita. The waiter and waiting staff was awesome and very friendly. The burrito was a little on the small side for the price, but it did come with rice and beans. The margarita was delicious, and very strong. Only negative on the margarita, was that they gave me a blended margarita in a warm glass, so the ice melted quickly. Salsa and chips were delicious and they kept them coming, i will definitely be going back when i visit Bend again. read more

This place is at best sub par. Chips were gross, salsa was nasty and way to much chili powder. And the entrees were not good . Maybe this is good food in central Oregon, but was probably the worst Mexican food I've ever had. There was 5 of us and know one finished even half there food. Wouldn't recommend. Customer service was fine and no complaints there. read more

I just finished a veggie burrito at El Rodeo. Best I've ever had! Loaded with mushrooms, peppers and celery as well as the standard black beans, rice and cheese, and topped with a generous helping of guacamole. The sun screen filtered just the right amount of sunlight to make our outdoor dining experience comfortable. Only downside is the heavy traffic on 3rd. read more

Service was incredible. Waiters were attentive but not annoying. They all had great attitudes and were quick to get anything we needed. Food was great too and came promptly read more

Robert G was right. It's been really bad lately. Used to be amazing. Maybe it's the quality of the food they use now idk. Not gonna go back till things go back to normal. read more

Lunch outside yesterday. Great servers, taquitos were great, the kids got huge portions and for them tasty rout beer is key. My daughter enjoyed her taco salad, guac, and a chip-dipping slaw of sorts. Curious lack of local beers, but we would return for sure. read more

Normally the food is extremely excellent. I understand that Time are hard, but the food is not what it used to be. My stake was so tuft that my teeth had a hard time. My wife dinner was way over cooked bacon wrapped shrimp was was so tough you could've bounced it off the plate. I say we will go back again one more time and hope that it's improved this was 5/26/21 read more

Hey, this is really good Mexican food! I had the Asada Burrito on the Lunch menu and it had all the right stuff from the rice, steak, sour cream and guacamole. Iced tea was spiced and good and service was quick and friendly. Place was clean as was restroom. If you like good chips and salsa, you'll like them here! A "Will return" place! read more

Thank you, Yelp, for guiding me to El Rodeo! What better resource to use when you're out of town? I may have turned my cousin on to a new Mexican restaurant in Bend. They seated 11 of us for lunch in a comfortable booth. Chips and salsa were brought to the table, and I ordered up a bean dip as well. The dip was really good, but I was secretly hoping for something along the lines of what Old Mexico in Santa Rosa serves up. And now that it's been 8 months since i started that review, I'm going to wrap it up by saying that the chicken tortilla soup was outstanding, as was the service. We all enjoyed our food, and next time I'm in Bend, i'll vie for a meal here! read more

Best chili, Rellenos I agree, we go there quite often! Always excellent service, never have to wait very long in the margaritas are delicious read more

We were super excited to find some good Mexican food in Bend and went here on a recommendation. Service was great and everyone was friendly but unfortunately after that they fell short. Prices were definitely on the high side for the quality and mine was over cooked bordering on burned. The food didn't sit well for either of us which isn't normal for us. A little disappointing but there were a lot of regulars which makes me wonder if it could have been an off night. Either way we most likely won't be back and our search for good Mexican food in Bend continues. read more

El Rodeo - Carne Asada - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Great Mexican food! We came to visit with family from San Diego and all 4 of us LOVED the food and service. They were quick to seat us outside and came through with solid chips and salsa. They were also kind and the margaritas were perfect. Will definitely be going back again soon :) read more

My fiancé and I ate lunch here on a Monday around noon. We were seated right away and our server brought us chips and salsa. I ordered the super burrito with chicken and my fiancé had the el rodeo special. The food was amazing! I think this was one of the best Mexican restaurants I've eaten at in a long time. If you are in the area I highly recommend stopping at El Rodeo. The portions were so big we took the rest home for dinner that night. Amazing service and amazing food! read more

yummy in my tummy. coming here again for sure bro. so good and i loved the food it was so good cuz i was hungry yum

Authentic Mexican Su Casa food. Good veggie options. My wife and I love the enchiladas espinaca(spinach). Salsa is fresh as and can be purchased. Treat yourself to El Rodeo and rustle up some good grub. read more

I arrived here on a Tuesday night, and the place was slammed. I asked the hostess for a booth, but she said she didn't have any places for me that weren't very large tables. She suggested I sit in the bar, at one of several flimsy, two person-seat tables. I didn't want that. I ended up just sitting at the bar itself. That worked alright, because the bartender was a very dedicated, quick, hard-pressed man who did his absolute best to pound out as many drinks and orders as he could, as fast as possible. He took my drink order quickly, and then my food order soon thereafter. I ordered the chile Colorado, with a side of cheese and tortillas. The food came out quickly, and was actually quite good. Nothing spectacular. The rice had been cooked in a pot earlier, and kept warm, but the meat seemed freshly done. The tortillas were nice and the cheese was obviously fresh grated. In fact, I'll probably bump this up another star to four stars. After my initial annoyance at the hostess, the service and food were quite good. My seating arrangement not so much. Still, this was a very good Mexican joint right in the heart of Bend. Good deal. read more

Having lived in and around the Coachella Valley in Southern California and having always enjoyed Mexican food, when I moved to Bend, Oregon in 2012 I couldn't find any good Mexican food. I tried many places here and was always disappointed. I had heard of El Rodeo but never tried it until a few months ago because I figured it would be a disappointment as well. Well, I was wrong. The food is very good, and the staff very friendly as well. Is El Rodeo my favorite Mexican Restaurant of all time? Nope, I have had better in SoCal. But it is real close to a tie to several of my favorites of the past. And as far as Bend goes it is in my opinion the best in town. If you are looking for good Mexican food in Bend, Oregon I suggest you give them a try. read more

We were a group of 7. So, the wait was a little longer for our large group but we found it well worth it. The food was delicious and fresh tasting. Price is a great value. The El Rodeo steak is absolutely delicious.. like butter! A must have! Great price margaritas!! I found the cheese dip a lil watery but besides that everything was spot on. We would definitely recommend and return! read more

Very good Mexican food, fast service, ice cold beer. I had spinach enchiladas which were delicious. Definitely a local place, not a hipster or trendy restaurant. When you're looking for traditional Mexican food this is the clear choice. Back in Bend and have been to El Rodeo twice! Still great! read more

El Rodeo is awesome! Great outdoor music, great food, staff even danced with us to the music! They are great, definitely our new favorite spot to grab a bite and a margarita pitcher. :) read more

Best Mexican food in Bend - Colorado burrito is my favorite.. owners are amazing.. great place every time

Mexican food is about family and good food. This place has both. Good salsa and cabbage slaw with the chips. Very attentive staff and food comes out hot. So rodeo is a can't miss. If you come in on your birthday, you will also get a birthday serinade from Javier! Ole! read more

El Rodeo - Chicken and Steak fajitas...best in town! - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Went here after seeing the raving reviews and I was kind of disappointed, let me tell you why. I ordered the el rodeo camarones which has: shrimp, sautéed in butter, garlic, and white wine, with mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. Served on a bed of rice and finish-baked in Monterey jack cheese. What I received was shrimp in a tomato based sauce, with onions, carrots, celery sitting atop a mount of cheese with Spanish rice hiding underneath. It was a confusion of items and I didn't realize it until I started eating it. It wasn't bad in regards to overall flavor or quality of the shrimp but the mixture of veggies chosen and sauce was just not what I wanted. There was also so much cheese underneath that I couldn't take any out and every bite was a glob of cheese. My partner ordered the Mar & Tierra, carne asada, shrimp, beans, rice, guac, the works. Even threw in some grilled green onions upon request. My partner enjoyed his meal by eating it all. He thought the $23 price was fair for the amount of food and quality. Overall I think it was a poor choice in the entree that I chose and would come back to try something else on their menu before making a decision to not come back. Definitely worth a try. read more

My favorite mexican restaurant. I have never been disappointed. Mara y tiera is amazing so are the margaritas and the service, also the owner is a super nice guy. Went there again yesterday first time out in a long time. Food was ok the rice was crunchy and our server was cranky read more

A strong service start and a solid ending almost offsets the total lack of service during the meal. The server was a nice chap, got me water and a beverage, and was prompt in doing so. He checked on me to see if I was ready to order and gave me time when I needed it. When I asked for recommendations he didn't say much. I had the mole enchilada. After he took the order I was served within 3 minutes. Something seems wrong when supposed fresh made food can be ready so fast. The rice was fine, the beans runny but both were fine. The mole enchiladas were outstanding. The chicken was nice chunks well cooked. The chips and salsa were very good. When I was done the check was presented with a little desert chip with strawberry and whip cream. Very nice light treat. If the server had checked on me even once after the meal was served and if the beans weren't runny and if it took a few minutes longer to prepare the meal this place would be 5 stars. Good service, tasty food , fair prices. I'd come here again if I went to the same places twice, but I don't. read more

El Rodeo - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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We ordered take out since we were vacation with my dog. Very fast service! Food was great, but would've been better if we could've enjoyed the atmosphere and a margarita! Gave 4 stars because hostess made me order side chimichanga and then a side order of rice and beans. Two people ate for $38, which is more than I think it should've been. read more

Our favorite Mexican restaurant for 20 years - we've NEVER had a meal that wasn't delicious and Javier makes a lip smacking Margarita. Tell him it's your birthday and see what happens- love that guy! Hot plates with large portions in a timely manner- you won't leave hungry. If you have room for desert try the fried ice cream. read more

What a deliciously fun experience. The atmosphere is wonderful and I love the natural planters and greenery everywhere. The food did not disappoint. Salsa is very flavorful with just the right mix of tomato, onion, garlic, and chili and the chips were warm. I had the fajita burrito with charbroiled chicken and my husband had the albondigas. We were both very satisfied (and we're conisours of Mexican food). Service was prompt and friendly. We didnt expect much and walked away pleasantly surprised! We'll be back.... oh, and this was not the margarita's talking. read more

Yummy overall. I would like to see the chili Verde sauce to be thicker and the salsa a bit less hot but if that is all I have to say then you know the food was good. Portions decadent sized and the sides were very tasty, not Madeline's in Redmond but for a closer place definitely top ten. read more

Tasty chunks of beef in a just-spicy-enough red sauce for the Chiii Colorado. It's one of my favorite dishes and El Rodeo does it right. Fluffy rice - nicely spiced - and great refried beans. Love the fact they have Negra Modelo beer on tap; service is prompt and friendly; portions are good; and prices are fair. Nice family vib on a Saturday night. This was our 2nd visit and we'll be back. read more

When you think Mexican food, do you think, "I want the kind where they serve warm chips with red salsa and then bring out large, hot plates full of rice of beans"? That's this kind of place. If you like ordering by number ("I'll have the #13 combination - two burritos and a chimchanga."), yep, this is still your place. And that's cool. Look, generally I like something a little more authentic, a little less Americo-Tex Mex. But sometimes I just want the #13. The pros: Now a lot of these establishments are known for their crusty dry rice and Elmer's glue-flavored refried beans. (Don't lie. You tasted the glue in kindergarten.) But that's not El Rodeo. The beans taste like seasoned pintos, and the rice has a tomato flavor and a bit of bite. It's usually on the fluffy side to. Those are big pluses. Other big pluses are the chips and salsa. The chips have a strong yellow corn flavor, and the brownish-red salsa has the deep smoky flavor of fire-roasted tomatoes. Burritos, chile rellenos, tacos, and chimichangas are consistently good. There's nothing inventive or off-the-wall about them. They're about what you would expect from this kind of place--and better perhaps. The chicken mole is smooth and has less of a chocolate flavor than I've experienced, but a very good one. The lettuce, tomato, and guacamole are always fresh. The lettuce is remarkably fresh. I almost always find brown or mushy lettuce at some points at the places I dine, but never at El Rodeo. Finally, there aren't a lot of great family dining establishments in Bend. You got company? Take 'em to El Rodeo. You'll be welcomed by owners and servers alike, and you'll have elbow room, which is prime real estate in Bend. The cons: If you're looking for a Mexico City vibe or mad splashes of lime over savory pieces of piquant carne asada, this ain't your place, but you and the fam are vacationing in Bend and looking for chips, salsa, and a #13, you'll love it. read more

Old school Mex-American. Big servings, tasty food and good service.

Fave-rave for family Mexican food restaurant in Central Oregon. Carne Asada can't be beat. Multiple vegetarian options, too. Best service, too. Can't go wrong at El Rodeo! read more

Wow, wow, wow! Visiting from San Diego, this food is delicious!!! We thought we were in SD. Chili verde tostada, omg, delicious, can't get this in SD. Three traditional enchiladas, two cheese, one chicken, tons of melty cheese, we were so pleased at the authenticity of the food. Quick service, good value, locals, nothing fancy, just great traditional Mexican food. Loved it. read more

I was excited to try this place. Convenient location, got great reviews, good outdoor seating. The margaritas were great! But the food was disappointing. The plates were super hot but the cheeses inside weren't melted. The sauces were just ok. Meats a bit dry. I wouldn't try again, bummer!!! read more

I hadn't been at El Rodeo in a long time. Went for lunch today with friend. I had the taco salad with beef and it was GREAT. I will certainly be going back soon. Service was prompt. read more

Food and drinks were very good. I ordered the veggie fajitas that were listed on the menu at $14. When the food came the server brought my girlfriends food correctly however brought me steak fajitas. i informed him i ordered veggie and he brought me the correct dish after 10-15 mins. food was OK. i asked for no SC bc i have a dairy allergy but the beans came covered in cheese. anyway. the point of this review is because for so reason the server thought it was ok to charge us 19 for the steak fajitas i didn't order instead of the correct price for the veggie. disappointed and probably won't be back. read more

Sweet staff. Very polite. Very slow service.