Review: Rodeo Table’s bold Tex-Mex theatrics make a strong case for return visits

The backstory

Despite its quiet entry into the scene and its random location, Rodeo Table isn’t a scrappy passion project that accidentally found itself in a basement. 

The concept is backed by the Food Innovators Holdings, which is also behind concepts such as unagi speciality restaurant, Man Man and Tendon Kohaku.

Opened in December 2025 in the Mint Museum of Toys’ basement, Rodeo Table positions itself as a “hidden” city-centre find, layered into a space already rich with nostalgia. 

If you’ve never been to the Mint Museum of Toys, it is home to over 50,000 vintage toys and collectables, spanning the 1840s to the 1980s, sourced from more than 54 countries — believed to be the largest of its kind in Asia. 

At the restaurant, a bull’s head anchors the room (a nod to the name, we suppose), while liquor-lined shelves and bold, vintage-style posters line the walls, echoing the museum’s retro spirit. 

Warm lighting softens the space, while a playlist of current pop music keeps the energy. 

On the floor, there’s a good mix of bar seating (ideal for a glimpse into the kitchen) and communal tables, lending the space an easy, social vibe, but because the dining area isn’t the largest, it’s best suited for smaller parties. 

Beneath all that history, Rodeo Table leans into its own cultural mash-up, serving up Tex-Mex comfort food with Japanese inflections.

This runs through the menu, from tacos filled with yakitori tsukune and bulgogi beef, to a  Tokyo jambalaya (S$23) that reimagines the Louisiana staple with Japanese curry rice, and a sunny-side-up egg.

The menu is broad enough, for those who might not be in the mood for strictly Mexican fare, offering burgers (from S$20.80) and side-order skillets (S$13.80), too.

Drink choices include frozen margaritas (S$18) and mojitos (from S$12), and a tight lineup of classic cocktails — exactly what you’d expect of a classic Mexican spot.

Our verdict

Rodeo Table works best when it leans into balance rather than bombast. 

Its tuna avocado tartare (S$6.80), for example, is a refreshing counterpoint to the usual perception of Tex-Mex as heavy or grease-laden — clean, creamy and well-proportioned, you could easily order more without feeling weighed down.

Rodeo Table’s concept also excels with theatrics without tipping into gimmickry. 

The fajitas, flambeed tableside with tequila, are undeniably dramatic, but the dish holds its own, proving that there’s substance beneath the smoke — a quality that carries through most of its menu. 

Where Rodeo Table feels most considered, however, is in its group-dining approach. It serves up customisable taco sets (S$28.80), complete with housemade tortillas and a range of add-ons, encouraging a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) format that works especially well for groups. 

It’s a familiar format with bold seasoning and just enough Asian notes to stand out in a market saturated with straight-shooting Mexican concepts. 

Simply put, Rodeo Table is less about textbook authenticity and more about atmosphere, shareability, and recognisable flavours with a twist — you’ll have a fun night here, without a doubt. 

What it’s good for

Rodeo Table’s intention for its diners is clear — this is a place built around abundance. 

Portions skew generous, and the monthly promotions are designed to keep things buoyant. When we visited, it was 1-for-1 frozen margaritas by the glass — a rotating perk that changes each month — and it immediately set the tone for the evening.

We started with the strawberry and mango frozen margaritas (S$18 each). The strawberry leans more tart than saccharine, a sharp, almost citrus-forward sip that cuts neatly through richer plates.

The mango, as expected, is rounder and sweeter — the safer pick if you prefer your cocktails less intense. What impressed us most was how well the margaritas held up even if you took a while to get through it. 

We opted to start the evening with the baby buffalo chicken wings (S$12.80 for 10 pieces) — also known as B.B.C.W on the menu — with the spiced dried seasoning, one of four flavours, of varying spice levels, you could choose from. 

It was notably the only dry rub among the options and said to be the most popular, as shared by the crew.

The dish is served as split wings, so in terms of food volume it may seem less, but since the portions here are priced accessibly, with the 20-piece option only a few dollars more at S$20.80, upgrading would be a feasible option if you love your wings.

Now, for its taste: Dry-rub wings are often less forgiving — without a sauce, less-than-satisfactory seasoning, and lacklustre fry technique have nowhere to hide. 

Thankfully, at Rodeo Table, the spice blend delivered a steady heat that tingles rather than overwhelms. It is also layered with pepperiness and a faint tang, addictive enough that it keeps you reaching for the next piece.

Don’t forget to dab a wing in the accompanying blue cheese dip for extra oomph and savouriness — the healthier the dose, the better. However, if you’re averse to blue cheese’s pungency (don’t worry, we get it), the chicken wing’s dry rub is more than flavourful enough.

As we munched on the wings, I found ourselves instinctively keeping count along the way to ensure an equitable distribution between my dining companion and myself — always a good sign that a sharing plate is doing something right.

Of the eight single-serve taco options on the menu, curiosity led us to order a single tuna avocado tartare (S$6.80). 

It arrived as a neat, two-bite portion, with a sizable stack of ingredients on the soft taco. 

On paper, tuna and avocado may seem predictable, but in practice, the simplicity pays off, offering a fresher, lighter take on the typically heavy, meat-driven taco.

Meanwhile, the accompanying Saikyo miso sauce — made from sweet white miso — introduces a gentle umami without overpowering the fish, while the slices of radish bring a clean, peppery brightness.

Think of it less as a headline act and more as a composed appetiser — restrained and tidy, offering a lighter counterpoint to the other heavier tacos on the menu such as the carnitas (pork belly, S$5.80) and the bulgogi beef (S$7.80). 

The evening’s undisputed centrepiece for us, though, was the chicken fajitas (S$24.80), which Rodeo Table also lists as a signature. It’s one of four fajita options available on the menu, including pork and vegetable iterations.

The fajitas arrive on a sizzling skillet and are flambeed tableside with tequila. 

Though it’s done tableside, it is in no way a timid flame. It’s dramatic enough to draw glances from neighbouring tables and close enough to warrant a mental note to keep your hair out of flames’ way. 

Theatre aside, there’s plenty of substance. Once the flame dies down, you’re left with well-marinated chicken strips — enough for two — atop charred onions and vegetables. 

The seasoning here is bold and the subtle crispness on the chicken skin contrasts nicely with its juicy interior.

Don’t get too distracted by the flames and chicken, though — you still need to assemble your dish: You get four housemade flour tortillas — warm and pliable — with salsa, guacamole, lime, and sour cream. 

As we dug in, we picked up a faint, but noticeable hint of tequila, which helped cut through the meat’s richness and the creaminess of the condiments, elevating the flambe from pure spectacle to genuine flavour.

If anything, this dish is the Rodeo Table personified — where theatrics and well-executed, good flavours can coexist, and leave an impression that lasts beyond the initial flames. 

What it could improve on

With a menu that leans this heavily on generosity and shareability, it is inevitable that any misstep at Rodeo Table feels more pronounced.

And for us, that was the Korean BBQ beef nachos (S$19.80) appetiser. Conceptually, it ticks all the right boxes: Monterey Jack, shredded cheddar, bulgogi beef, sour cream, guacamole and salsa layered over tortilla chips.

In reality, it was a bit of a mess for us. For one, the portion felt noticeably restrained — especially in contrast to the more generous plates on our table.

Even for a small dish of chips, the amount of beef was lacking, and flavour-wise, it leaned more greasy than gratifying. 

The familiar sweet-savoury depth you’d expect of a well-marinated Korean barbecued beef dish — that gentle caramelised soy richness — didn’t quite come through, and the dish lacked character overall despite its promise of flavour. 

At close to S$20 for an appetiser, the value proposition for this dish felt weaker compared to its other menu counterparts, and unless either element — portion or taste — is tweaked, we’d probably grab more baby buffalo wings or tacos on our next visit instead of this.

That said, this single plate didn’t derail the broader experience we had at Rodeo Table, with the show-stopping fajitas alone justifying a return visit. However, we’d likely opt for a different protein next time, for variety’s sake, and the wings, too, at a hotter spice level.

Throughout our dinner, the ambience remained energetic without tipping into chaos, and we found the drinks well-balanced enough to hold their own.

Rodeo Table may not be flawless, but it’s got a good grasp of what works for the diners who want a little more — whether it’s those who want theatre, flavour, or the joy of assembling something delicious with their own hands. 

Our quick takes

Is it conducive to conversation? Yes. Even with pop music playing, it’s not too loud such that it is intrusive to conversations.

Is a reservation necessary? As seating is limited, it’s wise to make reservations, especially if you’re coming in large groups.

How to get there? Rodeo Table is an eight-minute walk from either City Hall MRT Exit B or Bugis MRT Exit C.

HungryGoWhere paid for its meal at this restaurant for this review.

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