El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

Well let me just start out by saying the restuarant business is a tough one, anyone who has been in it should know that. the trick is how do you make everyone happy??? It's not possible, so just keep up the good work! The staff and the food are great, and i think it's a great place!!

THE name should be EL Rancid Mexican Restaurant! I have had better mexican food out of a Wal Mart freezer.

Comments (1)

youcantmakeeveryonehappy - 07/04/09
well next time go to walmart.

My first choice, always.”
El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

DonCarlos
Union, Mo
Several years ago, we had a Mexican restaurant come to our little town and it has now become a favorite of many in the area.

El Ranchito is a Mexican restaurant just a block off of the city square in Union, MO. Many people in the area eat there several times a week just as we do, just because IT IS so good. It also happens to be the first place we eat at when we get back from our many Mexican trips we take.

They have an extensive menu of all of the usual favorites and also typical lunch specials. Food is served hot, fresh and in what seems to be just minutes. This place is my idea of fast food. Fine Mexican beers and tequilas, domestic beers and mixed drinks are available at reasonable prices.

Several menu favorites are:
Camarones "ala diabla" or "mojo de ajo" (hot spicey shrimp or with toasted garlic).
Carnitas (succulent pork tips).
Taco de carne asada (steak tacos).
Chili colorado.
Tortilla encrusted talapia with coconut shrimp.

My wife's favorite is the Sopa de pollo. A very large bowl of shreaded white meat chicken, rice, vegatable and diced avacado in a moderately spicey broth. My mother loves the chili rellenos and my father's usual is the chicken enchiladas with a bowl of guacamole on the side. It is sometimes very hard for me to decide what to order, so I leave it up to the waiter. They bring me something they would eat or a special item they may be trying out.

Beto (my pretend Mexican brother) and his sister Caroline are usually in charge. Waiters/managers Joe and Travis started out as waiters years ago and now run the place when Beto or Caroline are not there. Service if fast and correct, and for us regulars, often our favorite drinks appear on the table almost before we seat ourselves. Jessie is a new waiter and fills in where ever needed and does a heck of a job.

Prices are modest, portions are large and the quality of the food and drinks is excellent. Wether you drop in for a quick bite or linger a bit over a large top shelf margarita you know you will be back again because this place can't be beat.

So if you find yourself in the area or traveling to or from the Lake of the Ozarks on US 50 be sure to drop in and treat yourself to a wonderful meal and see what keeps all of us regulars coming back week after week.

Chuck N.
aka DonCarlos

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member