From Dishwasher to Founder, Built on Scratch
Juan Sanchez arrived in America from Mexico at fourteen with nothing but a drive to work. Eleven years later, he opened El Rodeo in South Portland — and Maine's never eaten the same since.
El Rodeo | Our Story
From Mexico to Maine
Juan came to America at fourteen, not speaking English, fully expecting to go back home after a few months. He never left — and Maine is better for it.
Learning Every Station
He started as a dishwasher in his brother Ramon's Ohio restaurant, then worked every kitchen station before returning to the front of house as a busboy — just to understand the whole picture.
Scratch-Made, Every Single Day
When Juan opened El Rodeo in 2013, authenticity was a daily checklist: chips fried fresh, guacamole made from scratch, sauces like mole and ranchera built in-house.
Four Locations, One Standard
What started near the Maine Mall has grown to four locations — South Portland, Scarborough, Brunswick, and Lewiston — plus a food truck, El Rodeo GO. Every single one runs on the same founding rules: fresh ingredients, honest cooking, no shortcuts.
Maine's Mexican Home
Guests who've moved here from Nevada, Texas, and Mexico itself say El Rodeo is the place that makes them feel back home. One local kid put it best: "El Rodeo is a nice place to go for a family dinner." Hard to argue with that.
