El Rodeo Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • A la Carte
  • Tacos
  • Quesadilas
  • Mixed
  • Chicken
  • Burritos
  • Pork
  • Enchiladas
  • Seafood
  • Fajitas
  • Steaks
  • Vegetarian
  • Side Orders
  • Kids
  • Beverages
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for El Rodeo

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • A la Carte
  • Tacos
  • Quesadilas
  • Mixed
  • Chicken
  • Burritos
  • Pork
  • Enchiladas
  • Seafood
  • Fajitas
  • Steaks
  • Vegetarian
  • Side Orders
  • Kids
  • Beverages
  • Desserts
  • Greg S.

    Prior to moving out of the midwest 8 years ago, I thought all Mexican food was the same. I soon learned that there are major differences between red sauce heavy mexican food of my youth and more of a minimalistic southwestern green chili mexican. If you dig sauce heavy midwestern kind of Mexican, El Rodeo is a very strong option. Food is tasty enough (never been disappointed), prices are on the cheaper side and the ambience is fun. Stil pining for a southwestern option in DM. Once you have had good green chili, you question how you consumed any Mexican without it.

    (3)
  • Jessica A.

    We stopped here for dinner while in town for a few days. It was about 6pm on a Friday night and just beat the rush--the place filled up fast while we were eating I am pretty impressed--it's very clean and the decor is nice. Hubby tried the dinner special, daughter got the kid's taco, and son ordered his usual chicken strips. I'm a vegan and just ordered some guac to go with the tortilla chips. All of us enjoyed our food--DD reports that the taco tastes exactly like the one at her favorite Mex restaurant at home. The food is good but two things really stood out. The price for the food was amazing and the service was fast, efficient, and friendly. We were in, seated, fed, and ready for a check in about 35 minutes without ever feeling rushed or unwelcome. This place is a well oiled machine!!! The whole family was happy. Definitely stop by!

    (4)
  • Brenda V.

    Outstanding, authentic Mexican food. The restaurant makes its own Chorizo in house! Fajitas are excellent! Great beer selection.

    (5)
  • Alakea K.

    I ordered rice, chips and salsa, and guacamole to go. The chips weren't anything special. The salsa tasted old like it had been in a can in the refrigerator. The guacamole tasted like onions. It was puréed together. I only gave one star because the rice was particularly good. I'll never go here again.

    (1)
  • Michael P.

    We got off I- 80 at Clive to get to our hotel. Hungry, we wanted to eat, hit the pool and relax after dinner. EL RODEO was in walking distance. Walking into a hopping place we fretted about getting Within 10 mins we were seated with crispy tortilla chips and a picante salsa. Our orders drinks and meals taken quickly and our food came very soon after ordering. Our server was very attentive. The food was devoured by all the member s of our party. I highly recommend El Rodeo. STOP BY AND ENJOY!!

    (4)
  • Charlie T.

    Wow, don't know what happen to this place but it officially has gone down hill. We have ate here for a long time. We liked the food the way it was before. Now they are putting chunks of onions and peppers in Spanish rice and in everything else. It's gross! We will not be back fore a very long long time.

    (1)
  • Andre O.

    One word: meh. I felt like I was bothering them from the moment I walked in to when I paid my bill. Less than spectacular food served on very hot plates. Paying my bill resulted in me waiting for the cashier to take a break from totaling up receipts. In the middle of posting my bill someone came to ask about catering and get attention turned to that person (makes me wish o would have signed the receipt "batman" before leaving since she was no longer posting attention). There are other Mexican restaurants in the area. So far one remains my favorite and it's not el rodeo.

    (2)
  • Jennifer N.

    One of the best Mexican places I've been to in a while. Super fast service. Great prices! $7.99 for dinner combos. Their cheese dip with spinach is so good and comes with little "eggrolls" filled with chicken or beef. I highly recommend it! The monster margarita is gigantic. I'll be back!

    (5)
  • Kristyn M.

    I'm not a regular with Mexican but when I go I have my simple favorites. We had a group of 6 and sat right away after the lunch rush. The Margarita special was good and the wait staff was on top of it. No one at the table had issues with food. They loved the chips and salsa. I always get the white cheese to dip my chips. Yum. Mix the cheese and salsa and you are set to go. I can't do the hot stuff so it was perfect. I heard that this is the best one of the three. Bill was a little slow but that's just tine for food to settle.

    (4)
  • Jennifer W.

    El Rodeo has been ... And will probably always be my go to for Mexican in Des Moines. I came in today around noon. It was hoppin'. I branched out from my usual fajita quesadilla and ordered shrimp tacos with sol. I always get the queso dip too. The salsa had a little more heat today than usual which I didn't mind at all. Good stuff!

    (4)
  • Tim H.

    Had to wait before someone would knowledge me. I finally got a table but the waiter (Rigio) was rude and short with responses. Slow down and talk to your customers. Food got to my table way too fast. I'm worried. I was right. The tamale was dry, the beef enchilada was good. It was nice and big with a god taste but the taco ......I'm not sure what that was? Why is there a pound of cheese underneath it? I heard the fajitas are great, maybe I should should've gotten those?

    (2)
  • Dan L.

    We went to El Rodeo because it was convenient, and because I had been thinking about Mexican food all day. Dinner was, in a word, great. My combination dinner included a couple of outstanding tacos and a burrito that was excellent. The default salsa was very mild and rather sweet, but tasted very good. Still, I wanted a spicier salsa and when I asked it appeared almost instantly and seemed to be solidly habanero-based. I liked it, but others might want to mix the two. The Margaritas were more than acceptable too. We went to El Rodeo because it was within walking distance. Next time we are in the Des Moines area I think we will go to El Rodeo because we liked it. And did I mention that out tab was under $29 for two full dinners and two drinks.

    (4)
  • Robert B.

    El Rodeo is currently my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Des Moines area. Good food, quick service, and low low prices. Also a good atmosphere and the ability to handle a large group at the last minute. The food is certainly not avant-garde, but it's well prepared and delicious. Give this place a try. You'll like it.

    (4)
  • Kristina O.

    Once we got seated ... The food was awesome!! Way more then I could eat. My husband had the especial fajitas... They were fabulous!! Highly recommend !!!

    (4)
  • Steve G.

    I have been here in several occasions. Once when they were slow and once when they were extremely busy. Both times I have had excellent service and my food came out minutes after ordering. May I recommend the choripollo. Homemade chorizo on top of chicken and covered in queso!

    (4)
  • Mike B.

    It was easy to get in and out without any trouble, and the food was less than desirable. The folks I was with seemed moderately satisfied with their food, however, I ordered a simple taco salad that was 95% lettuce. A little meat, a half of a slice of a tomato, and a whole lotta salad...

    (2)
  • Margaret G.

    The world needs more places like El Rodeo. Here's why. 1. The food is good. very good. My mom and I split the chicken quesadillas and the nachos. The quesadillas were stuffed with melted cheese, chicken, and stir-fried veggies. The veggies were a unique add-on to the standard dish. The nachos! Oh the nachos! Some of the best Ive ever had. Covered in melted cheese, generous portions of guacomole, sour creme, lettuce, chicken, beef, and onions, if it weren't for my stomach feeling like it might burst I may have asked for more chips to scoop up each and every bit. Towards the end the bottom chips were a bit soggy, but nothing soupy and still just as delicious 2. The food is cheap. Our bill came to less than $20. I saw $15 margarita pitchers on the menu. Count me in. 3. The service is quick. 4. Atmosphere is welcoming, clean, and a perfect place for a family hangout or a cheap date alike. If these 4 reasons won't convince you, you crazy!

    (4)
  • Erika H.

    Definitely a family favorite! Stopped in last night for a quick dinner (needed to be in and out in less than an hour) which was no problem! My staple item is the Chicken flautas, definitely the best in gown! We were able to eat dinner and dessert well within our timeframe. Staff is always friendly and on top of it!

    (5)
  • Josiah J.

    Delicious steak, rice, beans and sautéed onions peppers. Clean & classy with very nice service. Very positive experience!

    (4)
  • Pattie S.

    Bleck!!!! Super bland. Should be served in a hospital with lime jello. Won't go back for more punishment.

    (1)
  • Vanessa H.

    DISAPPOINTED. I ordered the Acapulco Enchilada which consisted of one cheese, one shrimp, and one "crab". The sauce, the cheese and shrimp enchilada were good BUT!! That "crab" one which was not indicated on the menus as being imitation Krab was a huge let down. Our food came quickly which leads me to believe it was microwaved. I ordered a margarita, also a let down it came from one of those slurpy machines and tasted medicinal almost ban-aidie. The only good thing was our very nice waiter and that's why they have two stars.

    (2)
  • AF W.

    Not bad, kind of bland. Have never been charged for more salsa and chips but they did...oh well. Good margarita. Went back, waiter not friendly. Food ok. Paid our bill asked if the margarita special was everyday. All she said was I charged you wrong price no special with coupon on margaritas. You owe two more dollars. Oh we'll.

    (3)
  • Doug S.

    I've been coming here at least once a week since they opened 7 or 8 years ago. Never had a bad meal, always good and quick service at affordable prices.

    (5)
  • Jeff C.

    A good choice for casual Mexican food. Lots of variety. Reasonable prices. Very quick service.

    (4)
  • Erica H.

    All factors considered, this is our favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Fairly traditional Mexican food, nothing overly fancy, but the options are tried and true...and CHEAP! We've tried others, and always return to our standby. The chips and salsa are tasty - and plentiful. For some reason other El Rodeo locations just aren't as good at this one. The service is speedy, speedy, speedy - once you order, you have but a moment to try and consume the rest of your chips and salsa before your piping hot plate is in front of you! The margaritas are pretty good (I think they slip horse tranquilizers in, or something...I'm always giggly after just one!), but personally I don't care for their other mixed drinks. I ordered a pina colada once and was sorely disappointed. Overall, we love El Rodeo in Clive - we can't get enough!

    (4)
  • Diane A.

    $15 Margarita Pitchers....cheap tasty food, good portions, great waitstaff...what more can you ask for?! Most definitely a fan! =)

    (4)
  • Dennis T.

    It's Mexican, it's good, it's fast...

    (3)
  • Jim H.

    We stopped in for a quick snack as we were driving by. The tacos were a great value - good taste, good price and good service. This is a very easy stop for food in Des Moines along the I80/I35 corridor.

    (4)
  • Trisha J.

    Worst Mexican food ever. Go some place else.

    (1)
  • Jeff M.

    Food wasn't bad - nothing to write home about but wasn't terrible either. Their "spicy" salsa was much better than their regular salsa, but had to ask for it. Drinks were great - and their Monster Margarita was just that - not bad for $12. Their menu had lot of choice, but everything was rather traditional. The highlights of all our meals were the shrimp enchiladas - pretty flavorful. I'd stay away from the cheese enchiladas though - something tasted off.

    (3)
  • Eric L.

    Consistently good food, very inexpensive prices, and generally good service. This is our go to Mexican restaurant.

    (5)
  • Brian G.

    Solid Mexican food ... A bit bland and unoriginal ... No mole sauce here. But very good service, reasonable portions and good prices.

    (3)
  • Kris D.

    Best of all the Mexican restaurants in town. Very traditional menu, food is cheap and very good. Service is always attentive and fast.

    (4)
  • Michelle B.

    I would like to give it no stars but it will not allow me to rate it with no stars I will not be coming back here. We are the only ones in the restaurant. The waiter was more interested in talking to the girl at the register it seems about something he was not happy about ? I don't speak Spanish but he was more interested than that then seating us. Then it went down hill from there. Attitude: could care less about customers , had to ask for him as he sat us and never came back. Then a gentleman dressed in a t shirt yelled for him which he still took his time to get to us and get my husbands drink order at that point we just ordered as we didn't know if he'd come back. Then the food was cold inside but hot plates that he didn't warn us about. The burrito that I had did not take good at all. My husbands order was wrong. We will definitely NOT be back and will NOT recommend it.

    (1)
  • Teresa M.

    I've been here before and it wasn't bad. This time, not so much. There was a huge group of people when we got here and they hadn't even ordered their food yet. A bunch of women and some kids, so I'll try to give them a few stars as there was only 3 people working. First off, let me say the cashier is not the friendliest. She doesn't say hi or even tell you the the price when she's ringing you up. She didnt say s single thing to us when we got here or when we left. You're the first person I see when I walk in, try to leave a good impression. Anyways, it took forever for the waiter to even come by, when he finally did about 20 mins after we got sit down we ordered our drinks and then he brought them back. Fine, he came back about 10 mins later to take our order which took so long I wanted to just pay for the drinks and leave. When I did get my food, I ordered a taco salad which half of my hamburger was cold and I didn't even get any shredded cheese on it and my shell was burnt. My husband ordered the same and didn't get any cheese sauce and got all hamburger and wilted lettuce. We did order a chicken taco and it wasn't to bad. My soda tasted just like combination no flavoring but I paid for it and honestly at this point I ate my cold salad and was annoyed at how long it was taking. The waiter also forgot our silverware. I'm the type of person who likes the waiter who took my order, to also be the one to serve my food. This was not the case so the person who brought our food thought it all went to one person and barely understood English. We just told him to put it on the table and we would figure it out. When we asked for the ticketed it took about 20 mins just to get the waiter to bring it. I understand that you could be short handed or the table of about 15 women could be a handful but this place could do a lot better. It needs an update on the interior to the point it made me want to leave. If you've ever watched kitchen nightmares with Gordon Ramsey then you know what I'm talking about. I may try again on another night but it will be awhile! Oh, they do give you free chips and salsa!!

    (2)
  • Jenni S.

    I just moved from Chicago so I'm used to authentic Mexican food. I ordered the flauta plate. It was like a Mexican monte cristo. Not crispy like flauta is supposed to be...more flaky & pastry-like. The chicken inside was sparse and there were more peppers inside than meat. I know that everyone cooks different ways but i didn't care for it. At least if it was tasty Id come back. It was pretty bland.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

    Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

El Rodeo

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