I recently learned about Orange County’s walking trails. They often traverse scenic country parks featuring picturesque waterfalls and panoramic views from mountain vistas. After hiking Peter’s Canyon in Tustin, my daughter and I worked up an appetite and decided to go to Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill and try their lunch express.
We were happy to learn that Rodrigo’s is a full-service restaurant. This allowed us to be seated and quickly relax after our hike. I quickly appreciated the Mexican decor, with bold colors accentuating the white interior, decorated with striking wall hangings, plants, and decorative pottery along the comfortable booth seats. Regional Mexican music added to the ambiance.
Their tequila cocktail selection is creative, focusing on margaritas using premium agave spirits such as Cristalino Maestro Dobel Diamonte. The Regalo de Dios (gift from god) is a smooth mango-flavored margarita using 1800, Cointreau, and Giffard Mango Syrup brightened with a splash of lime. The one that caught my eye was the Mezcal a la Antigua, their take on a smoky Old Fashioned.
The lunch express menu is a bargain at $11.99, with some selections including rice and beans. Two shredded beef tacos are topped with a mountain of iceberg, cheddar, and jack cheeses. The tacos arrived with a generous amount of refried beans and rice. The taco shells were crisp and not greasy, and the beans tasted as if they were scratch-made.
The Chicken Fajitas arrived piping hot and nicely seasoned. They include a choice of warm flour or corn tortillas. We scooped some fajitas into our tortillas and added salsa fresca, sour cream, and chunky guacamole. The taste paired nicely with our cocktails.
We agreed that our favorite entree was the Rigo’s Special. The shredded beef in the flautas was moist and had a pleasing crunch as we bit into them. Flautas can sometimes be dry, and Rodrigo’s smothered them with a tasty chile relleno sauce, exciting our taste buds.
I was surprised to see the number of desserts available: Churros with abuelita spiced chocolate sauce, Galetta con Nieve, and Kahlua Fudge Mudd Pie with coffee ice cream, chocolate fudge, flan, and French Vanilla Ice Cream topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
Galleta con Nieve (cookie with ice cream, $8.99) is a warm, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla bean ice cream and drizzled with dulce de leche sauce. The cookie was crisp on the outside and nice and chewy on the inside. The warm cookie, creamy ice cream, and dulce de leche sauce made for a delicious taste experience.
The lunch express menu is a good deal and is available Mon – Fri from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Hour is Mon – Fri, 3 – 6 p.m., with $6 domestic drafts, margaritas, and bar bites such as chimichangitas, nachos, and potato skins. Should you become a regular, download their app, as they offer frequent rewards and bonus points on holidays and limited-time offerings.
If you’re attending an Angels game or an event at the Honda Center, consider stopping by for a happy hour or pre-game dinner with margaritas instead of eating unexciting stadium food and being appalled at the prices. Rodrigo’s is an easy call since it’s only a five-minute drive from both venues.
Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill, 1230 E Katella Ave, Orange; 714.633.0330; rodrigos.com
Other locations across Orange County and the Inland Empire.