I saw the guy pour salsa from a departing group back into a bucket I assume was filled with salsa.

Had the lunch special and it was outstanding! Chile releno and sauce was very flavorful and delish! Definitely be back!! Highly recommend

I've eaten here several times during my stay in Galesburg. Each time I've had very good authentic food with good service and all in a nice atmosphere. The Margaritas are great. I'm sorry that my time in Galesburg is coming to an end. I'll hope to visit again soon so I can come back and enjoy more great Mexican cuisine. read more

Food was incredible, server was fast, nice, and accurate, great atmosphere! Will absolutely be back!

It looks like a place in the ghetto but when you walk in you will be seated fast and nice servers the food came really fast and it is amazing read more

Unfortunately, I'm a horrible judge when it comes to Mexican. I've traveled quite a bit and have had some of the best. This place, not even close. I started with a glass of Sangria. It was tasty; however, it tasted as if it was poured from a bottle. Unfortunately, I wasn't even offered a glass of water.... I ordered Tacos Mexican Style. As it was prepared that way, the quality was lacking; chicken was dry, salsa was extremely mild and even the tossed salad didn't come with any offerings of a dressing... Be very wary when you dine here! read more

The food was good... the guacamole was wonderful, BUT...we ordered a carry out with double order of fajitas with steak, chicken & shrimp and received $5 worth of grilled onions, green peppers and $4 worth of meat!! Felt ripped off in a big way! $40 wasted! read more

Our go to place when we are home! We love Alan's special and have never had a negative experience. Thank you!!

Food is fair, not spectacular, beef in taco / burrito is rather salty, husbands beef in fajitas over cooked. Chips are not fresh / not of good quality. Cheese dip is excellent. Service was terrible. Waiter was inattentive and at times a bit rude it seemed. This was 1st visit since we're new to the area, and will be the last. Not impressed. read more

Four of us went to enjoy an evening out. What started out as a great meal ended with a night in the bathroom vomiting. 2 out of 4 of us got deathly ill. We concluded it had to have been the chicken. The two who got sick had chicken while the two who didn't get sick had beef. read more

GOOD STUFF! I have been to countless Mexican places like this all over the USA.. Sort of dumpy but colorful. Run by a family. This was no different but I thought the food was above average. The salsa was great but could have had more spicy in it. Margaritas were good but a little on the small side, Served in a glass the size of a martini glass. The guac was good and the fajitas rocked. I'd go back here anytime. read more

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Yet another restaurant review based on a trip I had to take for my bro. Okay on another night of nothing to do or nothing to eat we decided to stop by here and eat. Tired of American greasy food we had to have something culturally different and we found El Rancherito. Let's just say we were surprised by the prices, the taste, and the service. Again, our waiters could see we were not from around here so they helped us out with where to go and what to do around the area. The salsa was pretty good, it seemed like it was made fresh, and the chips were hot. The margaritas we ordered were so-so. I ordered the fajita nachos, and even though the presentation wasn't good, the taste was. The fajita seasoning wasn't overpowering, the chicken was juicy, the chips remained crisp, the cheesy was oozing and gooey, and it was topped with the usual suspects. Plenty of parking the night we came in, so there is nothing to worry about. read more

The service here is ok, I always seem to have to wait a good 5-10 minutes after I ask for a refill to get it. The food is terrible here. They have an extensive menu and I've tried 5 different dishes and have not liked any of them! The flavors just aren't there or if they are, they are not very well executed. I ordered flautas, a typical Mexican rolled up taco in a corn tortilla that is fried. It is a very simple dish, and the plate I got was a rolled up taco in a flour tortilla that wasn't fried all the way through. The tortilla was soggy, the filling was mostly onions-hardly any chicken- and the taco was unrolling in my plate. I was NOT happy. read more

Today on our way to run some errands we decided to stop by and try this Mexican food restaurant we had never been there before but our food was delicious we really enjoyed it can't wait to come back again it's an 11 stars out of 10 read more

I really like this place, food has always been good! Drinks are reasonable but Service sucks!! I tip accordingly and I'd think they'd get the hint My bill is usually 75$ if not more!! I'd consider myself a "frequent " guest but apparently they don't recognize that! My patronizing is becoming less and less bc attention to guests is lacking! I am not a demanding person as I have nothing but time....retired! So I hope this review impresses upon them the importance of Good Service because good food helps but service makes for many repeat guests! read more

An unexpected experience. Was actually on my way to another restaurant with my friend when I saw this place. Kind of non-descript looking Mexican restaurant on the outside, but nice decor on the inside- colorful and festive. Cozy little booths and also larger tables if you are with a group. We found the service excellent and the food decent. The Margarhitas we had while we were waiting for our takeout were nice also. I had the 'Chicago Style Burrito,' and I enjoyed it. Spicy marinated pork, with ref. beans, guac, sour cream, and added Jalapenos per my request. I asked for a takeout menu but all they had were full sized printed menus and that's what they gave me when I asked. Now that I have a copy of their full menu I feel I will return sometime. They have a pretty wide-ranging menu I look forward to exploring. read more

I used to love coming here as a child. Some friends and I went for dinner the other day. The service was terrible. Our waiter came to take our order and rushed us through out the whole process. The last person to give their order was having trouble deciding. Our waiter asked "are you ready" and before my friend could respond he said "he's not ready" and walked away from our table! Other waiters brought our food and our waiter watched a soccer game the whole time and then at the very end came and took our plates. We even had to go up to the counter to ask for things! We eventually stopped a waitress and told her that our waiter was awful. She apologize and said it has happened before. Also stating "I would report this to my boss but that is my boss". Never coming back! read more

okay, I have to give a shout out to Miguel and my guys at the ranch. This is the best "family" place to go for dinner, although my wife complains that they don't have diaper changing stations in the bathroom...I just plop the kids on the table 'cause you know, who cares. the food is usually always good, but Miguel is the man for service! I enjoy him and his company and there's a couple other guys who do us right. This is the best Mexican joint in town, but I'm not giving it 4 stars 'cause the chips have been stale a couple times--definitely can't stand stale chips! read more

Standard Mexican American fare. Recommend "Allen's Special." Very friendly, prompt service.

Visited 25.May. 2013 while in Galesburg to take care of family business (I'm from Galesburg, but have been gone 30+ years). Our party of 6 came in just before closing, and they accommodated us without any fuss. Had two of my favorite dishes, braised tongue and carnitas. The tongue was meltingly tender. The carnitas had a full pork flavor, tender with just the right amount of fat, and nicely crisped before serving. I asked for a margarita, not too sweet. When our waiter said they could not alter the sweetness, I asked for tequila on the rocks with the juice of 1/2 a lime. He gave me the best tequila they had, and it was just perfect. And to top it all off, I left my smartphone at the restaurant, and did not notice until midnight. We needed to get on the road the next morning far before they opened, so I called back from the road. Miguel Gutierrez texted back, and said he had found the phone, and would be glad to send it UPS. It arrived Wednesday, safe and sound (and even packaged in a cool SpongeBob Squarepants Yoplait GoGurt yougurt box! Cool!). Thanks so much Miguel! You saved the day . . . and fed us well. Give them a try . . . but remember not to leave your smartphone! read more

Really good surprise.we were traveling through Illinois and went looking for a Mexican restaurant for our friday night date night. I had a Colorado burrito and chili relleno which is what I always get as a first meal at a restaurant I've not been to before.both were good, but the relleno was surprisingly good. The staff could have been a bit more pleasant and the men's room was out of paper towels.otherwise they would have got a 5 star... read more

Best Mexican restaurant in town! I love this place so much I could eat here for every meal! Such a friendly atmosphere and food is always good and fast. read more

I love tacos the mexican way. We always come here for mexican food when in Galesburg

The service here is impeccable, maybe that's because the staff has come to know us. They start our dish when we come in the door (not really). Our favorite dish is the Lava Bowl--seafood--though they have a beef option. read more

Awesome ElRancherito Fajitas that I ordered. Spouse had 3 taco meal he says they were great with awesome flavor! Very happy with our Sunday lunch and the service was fast and fresh! read more

Leagues better than the more popular mexican restaurant in town, Jaliscos... not like that's anything to brag about. The margaritas here are great, especially on specials night cause they're cheap. The food isn't the best Mexican you'll ever have, but it does taste homemade, and not like it's just been microwaved. I went here probably 3-4 times during college and enjoyed it. read more

Excellent burritos and hearty traditional Mexican cuisine. I just had their Pollo Fundido (grilled chicken topped with cheese sauce, tomatoes, onions and cilantro, with rice and beans on the side). It was awesome! Very friendly staff and prompt service. read more

El Rancherito is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Great experience top to bottom. Service is friendly, food is cheap, meals are prepared very quickly. Don't miss out on their variety of frozen margaritas. read more

Best Mexican food in the burg! Great service, friendly and fast. Carry out available! Lunch and dinner specials!

Went here primarily for the $2 dollar margarita day and they are good. The first time they only had one flavor, but the second time the waiter let us choose what we wanted. The food is nothing to brag about, just typical of any Mexican restaurant. I just like the chips and Salsa and dollar margarita day. read more

I have gone here every year on my birthday. I love El Rancerito-- the salsa is amazing, the chips are hot and they refill it to your hearts content. The food is juicy and flavorful without it being overpowering, I love it to death. read more

One of our favorite places to eat in Galesburg! Fast, courteous service, and excellent food. We really liked the enchiladas and the tacos. The restaurant is very clean. The prices are more than reasonable. We couldn't believe that the food arrived just as we were taking the first sip of our margaritas! read more

I am a Mexican Restaurant expert, since I have eaten at way to many. This is a typical type Mexican Restaurant. Nice place to have a meal with the family. The salsa is good most of the time, but occasionally it may be bland. I usually request the real hot stuff and it is always better but be warned it is very hot. read more

Absolute favorite restaurant in G'burg! Friendly staff, fantastic food, great service! Lunch menu makes Fajitas under $10. Large varied menu at reasonable prices. read more

I love the place. My husband and I go there often. Great Steak Fajita's& I prefer extra salad with dressing instead of rice and beans, they have good service, pleasant staff and atmosphere, and my favorite of all are the Frozen Lime Margarita's without salt. read more

cheap margaritas, friendly service, and more food than you can ever hope to eat for around $7 a plate.

Nice clean place with good food and service. Not very spicy but pepped it up with hot sauce. We would go back if in the area again.

Since I moved from Texas the best Mexican food I have tasted has been from El Rancherito. The have Authentic Mexican food. Fresh food made daily. They make menudo, carnitas, tortillas, tacos, enchiladas plus more. read more

Service was prompt but not friendly. The food was just okay, very bland in my opinion. The decor looks like a crayon box blew up. The only way I think anyone gives this place a good review is if they have a few cocktails first to deaden their taste buds. read more

The food was hot and was ok but I have had better. The thing that turned me off from going back was one of the people at our table saw a waiter take a basket of chips off a table after the people left and dump it back into the bin with fresh chips. This was after we had already eaten or I would not have ordered anything except a drink. read more