Edgar Mendez (left) serves Gavin, Ashton and Hayley Price of Bay Village at Westlake’s El Rodeo Restaurant. (West Life photos by Larry Bennet)

Try south of the border dining at El Rodeo
By Cynthia Schuster-Eakin
Insights
Published Aug. 1, 2007

Diners hungry for a change of pace from traditional meat and potatoes fare should check out El Rodeo Mexican restaurants. These authentic restaurants will transport you south of the border without having to venture far from your own backyard.

El Rodeo has locations in North Olmsted and Westlake, as well as in Mentor on Cleveland’s eastside. The Westlake eatery is the latest addition to the locally owned small chain. Once you walk through the doors of the Westlake El Rodeo, you would never know you are in the Savannah strip shopping center on Detroit Road. The place is colorfully decorated and outfitted with brightly painted carved furniture crafted in Mexico.

Hugo Aceves, manager of the Westlake El Rodeo.

A friendly staff member will escort you to your table and promptly take your beverage order. Fruit-flavored margaritas are a house specialty. They are available by the 12-ounce glass ($5.24) or by the pitcher ($21.99). The restaurant also serves Mexican soft drinks and imported beers like the hearty, dark Negra Modelo.

The extensive menu lists a description of Mexican dishes, in case you are not familiar with some of the fare. House specialties are recommended, because they are prepared with an authentic, mild flavor. There is hot sauce on the table, in case you like your food extra spicy.

El Rodeo’s offerings start with appetizers such as nachos, cheese dip and guacamole, as well as six different homemade soups. There is tortilla soup, chili, black bean or pinto bean soup with pico de gallo, Mexican chicken soup and bean soup flavored with bacon, onions and chopped cilantro ($4.99).

Diners can order ala carte, selecting a single item or mixing and matching menu items to create their favorite meal. Combination dinners include a side order of beans. A combination dinner offering a beef burrito, crunchy beef taco and beef enchilada for $7.49 is a bargain.

House specialties include pollo loco, or grilled chicken and plenty of spicy chorizo sausage smothered in cheese and combined with beans and rice. The dish also comes with warm flour tortillas and a salad for $11.29. Camarones al mojo de ajo is shrimp in fragrant garlic sauce with rice and guacamole salad ($12.99). Mole ranchero is pieces of chicken in red mole sauce served with light rice flour tortillas ($8.29), while pollo tapatio is grilled chicken cooked with pineapple and melted cheese ($8.49).

Fajitas Texanas — sliced beef, chicken and shrimp stir-fried

Fajitas can be made with steak, chicken, shrimp or a combination, stir-fried with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes in a sizzling skillet. Fajitas del mar are made with shrimp and scallops, while fajitas picantes are spiced up with the addition of jalapeno peppers or tangy sauce. The menu notes that Mexican food is best when served piping hot. Your server will warn you not to touch your hot plate until it has been out of the kitchen for a few minutes.

Vegetarians will definitely feel welcome at El Rodeo. The menu lists 10 different meatless meals from which to choose. Steak fanciers will like the beef ranchero, a t-bone topped with El Rodeo special sauce (12.99). There is a children’s menu for the youngsters, with all selections priced at $4.19.

Lunch specials are available between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. The Speedy Gonzales, with one taco, one enchilada, rice and beans for $4.99, will get you back to the office in plenty of time for your next appointment.

El Rodeo is open daily for lunch and dinner. The restaurants are wheelchair accessible. Major credit cards are honored. Carryout is available. Phone the Westlake restaurant, 30610 Detroit Road, at (440) 835-6935. Call the North Olmsted eatery, 23135 Lorain Road, at (440) 686-1250.