Home > Des Moines Restaurants > Editorial Review > Editorial Juice Review: El Rodeo

If I had to pick one restaurant in Des Moines to eat at every day, El Rodeo would sweep my choices.

Three locations, $2 tacos, margaritas and cheese dip. The cheese dip is a blue ribbon- winner in my personal cheese dip-judging opinion. Theirs is among the richest and creamiest and has just the right amount of spice. Pacing yourself is important with the free chips and salsa at El Rodeo, so I usually go light on my dinner entree. I ordered a shrimp quesadilla a la carte. My boyfriend ordered the No. 16, a ground beef burrito and chicken enchilada with sides of rice and beans.

THE GOOD

There's plenty of color, seating and menu options at this restaurant. Free chips and salsa arrive at your table within seconds. Entrees, within minutes.

The shrimp quesadilla was loaded with medium-sized grilled shrimp and queso blanco, a Mexican white cheese similar to Monterey Jack. The plate was garnished with sour cream, lettuce and guacamole. The guacamole is fresh and smooth.

The burrito was a soft flour tortilla swollen by a mound of ground beef. Shredded chicken filled the enchilada. Both were delicious and mildly spicy.

If Mexican food isn't your thing, they also serve hamburgers and steak items.

THE BAD
For as fast as the server delivered our food, the bill didn't arrive until we reminded the waitress twice.

BOTTOM LINE
Don't go to El Rodeo without trying the cheese dip.