Hours
| Saturday | 4–9 PM |
| Sunday | 12–7:30 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4–9 PM |
| Friday | 4–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3048 Atchison St, Riverbank, CA 95367
Phone: (209) 869-0196
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
El Ranchito Restaurant | Riverbank CA – Facebook
Authentic Mexican Cuisine at El Ranchito Restaurant
El Ranchito Restaurant: Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Riverbank, CA
Reviews
After 12pm mass decided to go down the street and try the food. Before entering the restaurant there was a horrible stench that smells like raw sewage which was my first sign to go back into the vehicle and go elsewhere. Second sign was not seeing a single native person eating in there. Once you enter it was very dark even though it was a sunny clear day. The decor was just Mexican blankets all over the ceiling and a huge Mayan calendar.
The food was alright. The safest food was the flour chips but the kids got burnt chicken tacos. The super combo plate had a tasty chili poblano but other than that underwhelming.
Unfortunately whoever prepared the pollo rostizado my wife ordered had botched it because the morning after she got food poisoning and even worse my son tried it and got sick too. Should have followed the signs and ended up paying a $90 tab which is too much for alright food.
I would highly recommend you visit El Ranchito:)
In talking to the manager I was told that the meat option is limited so they do not run out. We entered close to closing so I told him, I would understand if I was told you had run out for the day but to flat out say we don’t do it in certain items raised a red flag to me.
While they initially denied that the tacos and tostadas, which had a shredded beef option were premade they later answered in a way leading me to believe that they were. As I thought about it on my way home, the burritos and enchiladas only had 3 meet options as well even though others were available for other menu items. When it is all said and done, I am convinced they are selling us Jack in the Box style tacos where they make them, freeze them and deep fry them.
The ground beef Chimichanga and enchilada I ordered where not even as good as a Taco Bell Grilled Stuff Burrito or Enchirito. (Worth pointing out as well that the enchilada was supposed to be made with a flour tortilla, but it came out with corn. Another sign that they can’t make items as ordered.)
The two managers I talked to didn’t have a good answer. The women was at least nice about it but the male was rude. He insinuated I didn’t understand the restaurant business telling me how long they have been open. My history as a costumer at Mexican Restaurants has however taught me that that ordering an item you usually get to select one of the available meat or tortilla options.
El Ranchito survives on old school, long term regulars who go there out of loyalty. Good for them. For everyone else, just know there are better “fast food” options in which you don’t have an $80 bill and are expected to tip afterwards.
Was introduced to El Ranchitos a few years back by my second mom, Esther Fierros. Always a good time. Always a treat. They’re starting to get a little more on the expensive side, ($8.- per margarita, $20.- for chili verde. Wednesdays margaritas are $3.-. Not sure if there’s a window on that time)
If you want authentic Mexican and don’t care about the price, then El Ranchito’s atmosphere and food just might be the place you wanna visit.
If it’s Monday or Tuesday, or after 8:00pm, then I HIGHLY recommend San Jose Taqueria (fast food around the corner off of 108 and Oakdale Rd).
Full Disclosure: I am not related, nor friends with anybody at San Jose Taqueria, and am not getting paid in any way by them. They just have, in my humble opinion, thee BEST authentic fast food Mexican dishes, -at outstandingly low prices-, ($9.-for a chili verde burrito. For comparison, I work in Castro Valley, the Bay Area, and inferior burritos are going for ~$20.- bucks)
So as you can see, PRICE is very much on my mind. But I do know QUALITY when I see it. If you’ve got the cash, then -do- splurge yourself, like I do several times a year, on the quality, kindness and authentic genuine-ness that -is- El Ranchito.
They’re good people. They make authentic dishes that are worth the price.
Hugs~
Dean-O