Rodeo’s Mexican Grill Spices Up Lovettsville
It’s official—residents living in the German Settlement no longer have to leave town for an authentic Mexican meal or a quality margarita.
Rodeo’s Mexican Grill opened its doors in the former Lovettsville Pizza & Subs location off South Loudoun Street last Saturday after less than four months of renovations, drawing a packed house nearly all day long, including visits from Mayor Nate Fontaine, several Town Council members and Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin).
But the most enjoyable part of many patrons’ experiences wasn’t simply feasting on the Mexican food, but enjoying the upbeat Mariachi music played by a five-man band—a sight the town that contrasted with the traditional Bavarian music usually featured in town at Oktoberfest and other community events.
The restaurant is owned and operated by Mexican immigrant Victor Juarez, also the owner of a local painting and drywall business, andAdan Valdez, the owner of Frida’s Mexican Restaurant in Dillwyn. Named for the traditional Mexican rodeos that Juarez hosts at his Lovettsville-area home each spring, Rodeo’s doesn’t have a most popular dish. Instead, Juarez said all the menu items are flying out of the kitchen, noting that one customer ordered one of almost everything on the menu the other day.
During the grand opening, which lasted only six hours, Juarez went through 14 bottles of tequila when making margaritas. Since then, he said business has been just as busy each day. To make that point clear, he said a few customers came in for lunch one day, then back later with their families for dinner. “[Residents] love it so far,” he said.
The opening of Rodeo’s comes a little more than 10 months after Chuck Blough closed Lovettsville Pizza & Subs after almost 24 years of operation.
Fred George, the owner of the building, said Juarez agreed to open the Mexican restaurant in the spot earlier this spring, after initial interest from the owner of Leesburg’s Los Tios Grill.
For now, the restaurant is open every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Juarez said he’s working to determine which day is the least busy so that he can close that day for a mid-week break.
Rodeo’s Mexican Grill was packed most of the day with patrons and a Mariachi band during its grand opening last Saturday. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
A guitarist in a five-man Mariachi band serenades a packed Rodeo’s Mexican Grill last Saturday during the Lovettsville restaurant’s grand opening. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
Two violinists in a Mariachi band serenaded a full house at Rodeo’s Mexican Grill last Saturday in Lovettsville. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
A Mariachi band serenades a table of two during the grand opening of Rodeo’s Mexican Grill last Saturday.[Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
A five-man Mariachi band serenades Rodeo’s Mexican Grill’s patio diners during the restaurant’s grand opening last Saturday. 
A cook at Rodeo’s Mexican Grill prepared food for dozens of customers during the restaurant’s grand opening last Saturday. 
Lovettsville Mayor Nate Fontaine and his wife, Lizzy, and two kids, Austin and Grace, enjoy their first meal at Rodeo’s Mexican Grill. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
The Rodeo’s Mexican Grill bartender mixes up two margaritas during the restaurant’s grand opening last Saturday. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
Rodeo’s Mexican Grill owner Victor Juarez stands alongside his kitchen and wait team during the restaurant’s grand opening last Saturday. [Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now] 
[Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now]
pszabo@loudounnow.com