I haven't lived in the Quad-Cities since 2012, but I have the urge to educate those who are new to the area (and Yelp for Mexican Food) or accidently think Rudy's Tacos is a good idea. First of all, let's pretend that this restaurant chain fits the category of "Mexican Food," should I feel sorry for the patrons who have absolutely no idea what "real" Mexican food tastes like? Or should I congratulate the group who owns the Rudy's Taco chain for completely manipulating the Quad Cities area into making a successful restaurant chain that serves the blandest Mexican food I have ever had? The food is boring, banal, and completely lacks any discerning taste. It can only be described as if you were grocery shopping and you had a very limited budget and you were in the mood for Mexican food. The meat, cheese, vegetables, all of these simple ingredients taste like as if someone went to the "poor section of town" grocery store and bought products that were rejected by the main grocery stores and are close to the expiration date. I only conclude to my fellow Yelpers that Rudy's Tacos is clearly the winner for being "The most inauthentic, water-downed sauce and cheapest ingredients thrown together by teenagers and employees who don't give a damn," restaurant. If you ever decide to visit any major city in which I have enjoyed the authentic taste of Mexican food (Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles), you will see a vastly different taste in what most people with a palate would consider Mexican cuisine.
(1)
Patrick T.
This place was cool, we just stopped for drinks on the roof top patio! It was awesome Great Margarita's and brews! We had 3 the waitress was super nice running up and down stairs to get our drinks! Very positive and fun! It's over looking a softball field so we enjoyed watching a game, you can also see and feel the Mississippi River which is like a block a way! But with that come some bugs so beware of a bite or two if you want to enjoy the rooftop patio! We did!
(4)
J. K.
Standard Tex-Mex fare. Server helpful when I inquired about the tamales (my fave Mexican food) he said they were the only thing not made on site. So I changed my mind & had the Wednesday evening special -- burrito, taco & enchilada platter for $2 less than usual price. Unlike many sit-down Mexican restaurants, this one doesn't give you chips & salsa right away: You have to pay extra for that. But that might be what helps this place keep its prices quite reasonable. Full bar available. Beer on special that night: Dos XX Amber, $3 a bottle. Fast, friendly service. This Rudy's is the original one, our server told us.
(3)
Stephanie B.
Not so great food and they will charge you for every add on. The hot sauces on the table were so watered down, they weren't hot. The waitress was slightly rude and seemed a bit annoyed to be taking care of our group.
(2)
Greg G.
The food is ok. I think the prices here are a little high. I have been to many mexican places that have much higher quality food and for much cheaper. The quality of service was also lacking. If you are going to command the prices you do for average Mexican food, then you better compensate it with stellar service. I think the atmosphere is good with nice surrounds and with it being in the Village of East Davenport, it makes for a nice destination. But, they really need to coach the staff (or just replace them) with people willing to provide A+ service. And, put a little more effort into the food. The tacos don't need a half a bag of shredded cheese per taco. It was too much. I also think complimentary chips and salsa would go a very long way to keep people coming back. The name "Rudy's Tacos" implies, cheap Mexican. The cheap should be in the price, not the quality of food.
(3)
Bart K.
Normally I start to write the review after I leave but since the wait staff is so rude and inattentive I am left with plenty of time to write the review. First we sat at the table 20 minutes into the visit still waiting for the drinks we ordered. Second, the food took forever and we were not offered drink refills as we waited. I got up and filled two drinks at the drinks station nearby. Others seated near us did the same. The food was mediocre at best, but given the lousy service it was the high point of the visit. The waitress was pleasant and friendly when it came time to deliver the check. So, she knows how to be nice when she wants to be. I don't see why I would ever return. Adios Rudy.
(1)
Deb W.
Great times! The cantina is a completely fresh vibe, great local beer & food. Great addition to the village, Rudy's is really putting in the work to create a new space. And it works. Go.
(5)
William P.
A good friend brought us here while we were in the Quad Cities. Being from Denver, we have great access to great Mexican cuisine. Denver is a Mexican food mecca. Rudy's is lacking only in the spice category. This is sadly a regional malady, so I can't fault them for it, too much. The service was great. That may have been because we were with Harry, and Harry seems to know everybody in this town. The prices were fantastic and the kitchen was prompt. I had a combination plate, she had tacos. The tacos were on par with any I have had in nearly any city. Kinda hard to mess up a taco. The combination plate was well prepared, it just lacked heat. Oh, it was plenty warm, fresh from the kitchen and all. But no real spice to any of it. I tried the picante sauce on the the table to perk it up. However, I found the picante to be the mildest stuff I have ever found! it was like V-8 juice which has only had a jalapeno waved over the top of the bottle. I may be barking up the wrong tree. Harry tells me that the stuff I eat would scare these folks. But damn, where's the pain?! A little spicy kick would earn them another star.
(3)
Jenn C.
This is only related to mexican food in name, but it's the first place I eat at when hitting the Quads. Best cheese fries in the whole world.
(5)
Heather W.
My 10-year old and I had lunch here the other day. The cheese melted over the enchilada caused it to positively swim in grease. My son, an adventurous and well-rounded diner who delights in enchiladas, beans and rice from several other Mexican restaurants in town, literally took one bite of each, looked at me with plaintive eyes, and asked if he could please not eat any more. One taste of them and I knew why...the rice was bland and dry to the point of almost tasting gritty. The beans were also very bland. We had ordered chili cheese fries which came highly recommended by friends. Again, the cheese made them really greasy, but if I can convince a now skeptical child to try it again, the chili by itself would likely taste quite good. The guacamole was ok, but seemed really processed, and perhaps not made fresh as other restaurants do. Our order did not all arrive, but a quick question about it (no itemized ticket, just a credit card receipt) and a very cheerful staffer straightened it right out. My son liked his smoothie, but I noticed it was more like a virgin daiquiri, so more like an icee than a smoothie. The parking was available both on-street and a lot to the rear.
(2)
Courtney L.
I lived in Texas for a few years so this isn't really a fair review. It was the best Mexican food I found in the quad cities...
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
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.
Palazzo Z.
I haven't lived in the Quad-Cities since 2012, but I have the urge to educate those who are new to the area (and Yelp for Mexican Food) or accidently think Rudy's Tacos is a good idea. First of all, let's pretend that this restaurant chain fits the category of "Mexican Food," should I feel sorry for the patrons who have absolutely no idea what "real" Mexican food tastes like? Or should I congratulate the group who owns the Rudy's Taco chain for completely manipulating the Quad Cities area into making a successful restaurant chain that serves the blandest Mexican food I have ever had? The food is boring, banal, and completely lacks any discerning taste. It can only be described as if you were grocery shopping and you had a very limited budget and you were in the mood for Mexican food. The meat, cheese, vegetables, all of these simple ingredients taste like as if someone went to the "poor section of town" grocery store and bought products that were rejected by the main grocery stores and are close to the expiration date. I only conclude to my fellow Yelpers that Rudy's Tacos is clearly the winner for being "The most inauthentic, water-downed sauce and cheapest ingredients thrown together by teenagers and employees who don't give a damn," restaurant. If you ever decide to visit any major city in which I have enjoyed the authentic taste of Mexican food (Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles), you will see a vastly different taste in what most people with a palate would consider Mexican cuisine.
(1)Patrick T.
This place was cool, we just stopped for drinks on the roof top patio! It was awesome Great Margarita's and brews! We had 3 the waitress was super nice running up and down stairs to get our drinks! Very positive and fun! It's over looking a softball field so we enjoyed watching a game, you can also see and feel the Mississippi River which is like a block a way! But with that come some bugs so beware of a bite or two if you want to enjoy the rooftop patio! We did!
(4)J. K.
Standard Tex-Mex fare. Server helpful when I inquired about the tamales (my fave Mexican food) he said they were the only thing not made on site. So I changed my mind & had the Wednesday evening special -- burrito, taco & enchilada platter for $2 less than usual price. Unlike many sit-down Mexican restaurants, this one doesn't give you chips & salsa right away: You have to pay extra for that. But that might be what helps this place keep its prices quite reasonable. Full bar available. Beer on special that night: Dos XX Amber, $3 a bottle. Fast, friendly service. This Rudy's is the original one, our server told us.
(3)Stephanie B.
Not so great food and they will charge you for every add on. The hot sauces on the table were so watered down, they weren't hot. The waitress was slightly rude and seemed a bit annoyed to be taking care of our group.
(2)Greg G.
The food is ok. I think the prices here are a little high. I have been to many mexican places that have much higher quality food and for much cheaper. The quality of service was also lacking. If you are going to command the prices you do for average Mexican food, then you better compensate it with stellar service. I think the atmosphere is good with nice surrounds and with it being in the Village of East Davenport, it makes for a nice destination. But, they really need to coach the staff (or just replace them) with people willing to provide A+ service. And, put a little more effort into the food. The tacos don't need a half a bag of shredded cheese per taco. It was too much. I also think complimentary chips and salsa would go a very long way to keep people coming back. The name "Rudy's Tacos" implies, cheap Mexican. The cheap should be in the price, not the quality of food.
(3)Bart K.
Normally I start to write the review after I leave but since the wait staff is so rude and inattentive I am left with plenty of time to write the review. First we sat at the table 20 minutes into the visit still waiting for the drinks we ordered. Second, the food took forever and we were not offered drink refills as we waited. I got up and filled two drinks at the drinks station nearby. Others seated near us did the same. The food was mediocre at best, but given the lousy service it was the high point of the visit. The waitress was pleasant and friendly when it came time to deliver the check. So, she knows how to be nice when she wants to be. I don't see why I would ever return. Adios Rudy.
(1)Deb W.
Great times! The cantina is a completely fresh vibe, great local beer & food. Great addition to the village, Rudy's is really putting in the work to create a new space. And it works. Go.
(5)William P.
A good friend brought us here while we were in the Quad Cities. Being from Denver, we have great access to great Mexican cuisine. Denver is a Mexican food mecca. Rudy's is lacking only in the spice category. This is sadly a regional malady, so I can't fault them for it, too much. The service was great. That may have been because we were with Harry, and Harry seems to know everybody in this town. The prices were fantastic and the kitchen was prompt. I had a combination plate, she had tacos. The tacos were on par with any I have had in nearly any city. Kinda hard to mess up a taco. The combination plate was well prepared, it just lacked heat. Oh, it was plenty warm, fresh from the kitchen and all. But no real spice to any of it. I tried the picante sauce on the the table to perk it up. However, I found the picante to be the mildest stuff I have ever found! it was like V-8 juice which has only had a jalapeno waved over the top of the bottle. I may be barking up the wrong tree. Harry tells me that the stuff I eat would scare these folks. But damn, where's the pain?! A little spicy kick would earn them another star.
(3)Jenn C.
This is only related to mexican food in name, but it's the first place I eat at when hitting the Quads. Best cheese fries in the whole world.
(5)Heather W.
My 10-year old and I had lunch here the other day. The cheese melted over the enchilada caused it to positively swim in grease. My son, an adventurous and well-rounded diner who delights in enchiladas, beans and rice from several other Mexican restaurants in town, literally took one bite of each, looked at me with plaintive eyes, and asked if he could please not eat any more. One taste of them and I knew why...the rice was bland and dry to the point of almost tasting gritty. The beans were also very bland. We had ordered chili cheese fries which came highly recommended by friends. Again, the cheese made them really greasy, but if I can convince a now skeptical child to try it again, the chili by itself would likely taste quite good. The guacamole was ok, but seemed really processed, and perhaps not made fresh as other restaurants do. Our order did not all arrive, but a quick question about it (no itemized ticket, just a credit card receipt) and a very cheerful staffer straightened it right out. My son liked his smoothie, but I noticed it was more like a virgin daiquiri, so more like an icee than a smoothie. The parking was available both on-street and a lot to the rear.
(2)Courtney L.
I lived in Texas for a few years so this isn't really a fair review. It was the best Mexican food I found in the quad cities...
(3)