Taqueria El Rodeo

Checked this place out with a friend. I was in the mood for some tacos. I wasn’t paying attention and ordered the Birria, I was thinking Beef but it was actually Goat (chivo), it ended up being pretty tasty but I wouldn’t order it again just because I am not a huge fan of goat.
My friend ordered the Enchiladas Suizas. They were delicious! oh my god probably some of the best Chicken Enchiladas that I have ever had. The chicken is spicy, which I love, and I ordered a couple to go for mom, she loved them too. I can’t wait to try other things off the menu and its pretty inexpensive.
Keep in mind this place is a ghetto little hole in the wall so don’t be expecting the Taj Mahal, I hate when people go to places like these and complain about it not being like a 4 star restaurant… duh, anyway, I love these places because they always end up having the best Mexican food, tasty and simple. The only thing I didn’t like was that it was hot and there was not much circulation, if this place would invest in a fan it would have five stars. I will definitely be back but it will be to go.

Awesome place. Step in to a dark place that looks like it hasn’t been updated in over 30 years. But sure the hell smells good and they have a great menu, so I’m excited. Ordered the birria de chivo and a bottle of water. Out comes the chips and salsa. Perfect grease on the chips and the salsas are delicious. Perfect heat and earthiness. Getting even more excited.
Out comes the birria de chivo. Looks and smells amazing. Basic and very spicy with huge chunks of meat and bones. Wish I had tweezers with me to get all that marrow out of those bones. Broth is very impressive. Probably the spiciest I’ve had and just perfect. Take those spongy corn tortillas and sop up the rest of the broth. Great place. Can’t wait to come back.

If you want handmade corn tortillas and spicy chile verde this place is worth trying. Food taste like a abuelita cooked it. It is a very casual with plastic table clothes… and the food is authentic. I want to try the birria de chivo on my next lunch visit. Sketchy neighborhood but safe enough across from Hoover High School.

Searching for the right hooker on El Cajon Blvd sure can make a person hungry. If you find yourself on ECB, east of the 15, then Taqueria El Rodeo (
,
) will definitely satisfy your appetite if Mexican food is your preference. Sure, the exterior looks pretty run down (much like the hookers in the area) but once inside you’ll find something quite delicious (unlike the hookers in the area).
Once inside, you’ll notice a counter with two red phones (
). No, these are not to be used for American Idol voting or to request songs on Jammin’ Z90. These are to be used for calling somewhere south of the border — which I did. I called a Latin television network and politely axed if they could please show more «shaking culos» and less severed heads during their nightly newscasts. There must’ve been a problem with the line as I suddenly heard a dial-​tone.
Oddz-​N-​Endz: An Asian girl came in (who appeared to be having a conversation with herself) and asked a question to the woman behind the counter in perfect Spanish. Fantastico! I went on a Sunday once and they were shockingly out of pollo asado. I ran out of there like Napolean Dynamite and sobbed uncontrollably next to some guy with no teeth. He asked if I needed a hug and if I had any change — I answered yes and yes. This place is cash only. There’s an odd map on the wall (
) that, I think, details an impending invasion by Mexico. The woman behind the counter was very nice. They also have two video games: «Ms. Pac Man» and «Shoot That Honky.» I may be mistaken about that last one but they definitely have two of them.
This place passed my Three Burrito Test with flying colors. I’m not at liberty to say which colors but they were flying. Everything was perfect and cooked when I ordered it.
Breakfast burrito # 97 —
Carne asada burrito (with beans and cheese only) # 83 —
Pollo asado (with beans and cheese only) # 36 —
Despite being known as «Caca Face» by the majority of the taco shops in S.D. County, they all know that I mean business when I walk through their doors in slow-​motion with «Bad To The Bone» playing in the background. Taqueria El Rodeo is bad, bad not as in good but as in great. Don’t blame me if everything else on the menu sucks — just like the hookers in the area.

I was working late and this place was close by. It was either this or the one a couple blocks down. My students said this one was cheaper, so we went. I always order the standard: carne asada burrito. One of my students ordered rolled tacos. It looks liked it’s family owned. The woman was very nice. One of the best things was hot, freshly made tortilla chips.
The burritos here are big! This meat was tender and tasty with just the right seasonings. My student offered me a rolled taco and it was still crispy even though it had a generous amount of guacomole on it.
This place is simple and quick and a no frills kinda place. We were one of two tables inside. The woman smiled at my feeble attempt at Spanish.
Student #1 «Ummm, Mr. H. maybe you should stick to English.»
Student #2 «But even that he can’t do well!» (laughter)
Me «Oh, U so fawny… Shut –up…You understand that, don’t you?»
(more laughter)

The name says it’s a taqueria, but I don’t come here for the tacos– El Panson up the street a block is much better. Some of their other dishes, like the bisteck ranchero, are decent but nothing to get excited about.
I pretty much come to El Rodeo for one thing: the pozole. I benchmark all other attempts against their version. I don’t know how they get their pork to be so tender, but it’s really delicious. The broth is moderately flavored with herbs, neither overpowered with any particular taste nor watery. I’ve tried to replicate it at home and can’t get it right. A big steaming bowl of pozole is perfect comfort food on a chilly evening. They provide a decent selection of fresh condiments (chopped onion, cilantro, cabbage, and a small avocado if you’re lucky) so you can customize the soup as you eat. Get some warm tortillas to go with it and you’re set.
The atmosphere is casual and a little bit kitchy. There’s a big painting of Mexico noting the locations of battles in their war with France. You may want to bring earplugs in case the kids are playing with the video game machines, which are always turned up damn loud.