By Kiya McClenton

Rodeo Cafe is a western-themed diner with Latin American breakfast and lunch options. First opening in Mira Loma, California, the store now has over five locations across southern California. I recently had the opportunity to enjoy lunch at the Rialto location, and I was delighted with my experience!

Located right across from Rialto High School, Rodeo Cafe offers affordable meals to teens and families who may not have the money to spend on extravagant places, but still want to enjoy delicious food in a welcoming setting. The establishment upholds high cleanliness standards, with employees constantly cleaning and straightening up the restaurant as they attend to customers.

With a friendly greeting from the host, I was seated at a window booth and promptly given a menu. As I reviewed the menu, I decided to go with one of their burgers, which are all topped with fresh vegetables including a tomato slice, lettuce, pickles, Thousand Island sauce, and a 1/4 Kobe beef patty, along with side choices of fries, onion rings, homemade soup, or a green salad. I selected the Beach burger, which is also topped with bacon, avocado, and cheddar cheese, a side of fries, and a strawberry lemonade.

My meal was served by my amazing waitress Amairani, who provided quick and efficient service and was very attentive to both myself and her other guests. The burger meal was a very pleasing choice to go with. The patty was cooked well done and juicy, with fresh vegetables, crisp bacon, and Thousand Island sauce to enhance the deliciousness! The fries were cooked to a lovely golden color, giving them a tasty crunch. With its freshly chopped strawberries, my lemonade was the perfect flavor to wash everything down with.

One of the first things that stood out to me was the open-kitchen concept in front of their bar seats. Without the wall separation, guests can watch as their food is being prepared, which is comforting to those who may be skeptical about an establishment's food preparation.

After my meal, I asked my waitress Amairani and the manager Jose a few questions about the establishment.

From what they shared, I learned a lot more about Rodeo Cafe's growth. The first location was opened in Mira Loma in 2008, with Rialto being their third location opening in January 2020. With the global pandemic taking place shortly after opening, the establishment provided temporary outside seating for limited amounts of guests until regular dining was brought back.

Jose stated that the diner's Western theme came from the owners' love for Western films and figures like John Wayne. He also shared several popular items on the menu, such as the Rodeo Burger, which includes a 1/2-pound Kobe patty topped with melted cheese, grilled onions, and crispy bacon. Another popular meal is the chilaquiles, which includes the choice of red or green sauce and topped with cheese and sour cream; this meal is only found on their special menu.

With the restaurant's growing popularity, the Rialto location has been notorious for having limited parking spaces. This left many guests parking in the empty lot beside and behind the building. To solve this, part of the dirt lot was recently converted into an extra parking space for guests!

Jose states that the employees pride themselves in having high ratings and great relationships with their guests. The establishment has maintained a 4+ star rating since opening, as well as attracting many notable guests, such as the members of the Mexican regional band Fuerza Regida.

Overall, the food options at Rodeo Cafe can appeal to any guests of any age. Whether you have a taste for something sweet or spicy, a large meal, or something quick and small, you will be sure to get served great quality food by kind employees at an affordable price!

The Gem of the Inland Empire