After driving all day, I just wanted a drink and some comfort food. This was close to the hotel and had better ratings than the other two Hispanic food places in town. I ordered the house marg (always a good barometer of a place), and they brought out a nice chalice and some chips and salsa while I looked over the menu. Chips were warm, salsa was spicy and cool - perfect temperatures! The dining room is mostly multi-top tables scattered in rows. Families, couples, and other groups were scattered around. There was a sports team of 9-12 year-old boys and their families eating at one long double table which was a bit rowdy, but not overly so for that age. Didn't really bother me, but I have lived through that age, and had kids that I'd take out as well. I've been to louder fast food joints on a late Spring Saturday night. The bar service person was friendly and answered my questions about different food combos. I eventually selected the birria tacos, and they came out in maybe five minutes, hot, and accompanied by a nice bowl of soup/sauce for dipping. I dove in and forgot to take pictures, it was so good. If you've not had birria before, it's a meat cooked in broth. Then the meat is placed in a partially cooked tostada, folded and grilled. Think a taco with warm ingredients, instead for cold items put into a cooked shell. You dip them in the liquid the meat was cooked in, kinda like an au jus sandwich. It's great! Birria is originally from Jalisco, MX, (home of ranchero music and tequila, so they know something!) and was made from goat, because the Spanish gave the peasants goats. Stewing made the tough meat better. But now it's usually beef. I'd definitely return if I were back in the area. I was here to celebrate a family birthday. It was a nice way to end a tiring day. read more

El Ranchero - Chips & salsa and a large marg. - Mexican Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

The customer service here is always amazing. The food is always good. This is my go to place when I get off work and want Mexican food. The process of the food is super affordable and the quality of the food is amazing. The margaritas are good and they are affordable as well. read more

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Everyone smiling and polite, lunch menu solid , enchilada and taco rice and beans Huevos rancheros w beans and rice over the top This place is very nice Cheese dip well above average too We will be back !!! read more

So there are at minimum 8 Mexican restaurants in a 3.kile span on this road. We chose this one because it was next to the hotel and went AGAIN 2 days later because we were craving the chorizo and cheese freshly fried potato wedges topped with fresh pico. We also had the fajita plater, the birria "pizza" , biŕia tacos, and enchiladas topped with steak. Everything was delicious, fresh, and $7 LARGE mugs of Mexican draft beer. No, the steak was not chewy, yes the food was well seasoned, yes the birria broth was amazing. We did have Mexican at another location but it was not as good as El Ranchero. read more

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Good: was able to sit a large party (20+) Chips and salsa were good. Others at the table spoke well of the margaritas. I ordered street tacos, carne asada, they were okay, kinda dry. My wife order the same and she came away with the same impression. Overall, just decent Mexican. read more

After the last experience at this location it just made me have to go again.The food I was had was hot and fresh including them chips they gave me with the salsa.The food was too salty or anything but was seasoned correctly.The service was pretty good, I was welcomed when I first came in and was sat down pretty quickly.The people that worked there were pretty nice and very kind people.The bathroom did need some attention but other than that it was a great experience and would recommend if you're going by yourself or in a group. read more

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This has become my me and my fiancée's new favorite place to eat. The food's delicious, the ambiance is great, and the servers and hosts are always kind. We had Ramone serving us today, and every time we get him, it's a delight. He's always smiling and checks up on us often. read more

Found on Yelp, since restaurant we wanted to try was closed down. It worked out too, staff was nice and the food is great. They bring out a salad bowl size of salsa. Thicker chips , got a #48 and a 52 with cheese dip. Total came to about $35 inside is basic has music playing and tvs on. Wife got the #48 got a taste of her's and next time we are in Auburn these will be our stop and I will be ordering #48 read more

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Just finishing a great meal at El Ranchero. Was impressed by the wide variety of choices on the menu. The staff was courteous, attentive and very fast. Would definitely recommend a visit here. read more

4.5 star review! Ordered the #43 deep fried chicken chimichanga substitute the shredded chicken for chopped/season chicken for an extra $1! Total game changer you'll thank me later!!! The portions are huge so you will definitely be leaving with a to-go box! My husband ordered the #32 chicken burrito also substituted the shredded chicken for chopped. Delish! Service was good & everything came out quick, hot, & fresh! Only complaint was that my margarita was very bubbly (almost like seltzer water was added to it which was strange tasting) I mentioned it to the waitress and the bartender came to our table to ask specifically what was wrong with it. He corrected it & I'm very happy with what he brought back the second time. The restaurant is well played out; plenty of room & it is clean. Will return again soon & highly recommend! read more

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This place is incredible! They have massive soda cups (got me a Diet Coke), a lively and colorful environment, rainbow chips, and I would love to be at the pool party next weekend with that group of college kiddos (happy birthday to whoever that was). They listened and did not add any jalapeños to my nachos (see the photos down below). The soda is very scrumptious and they give plentiful of sour cream. The quesadillas are delicious and the tortillas are soft and sweet. They were quick, and the wait was not long at all, despite it being cinco de mayo. read more

Extremely good food and fast friendly service. Highly satisfied with our experience. Huge lunch menu portions were surprising! read more

El Ranchero - Quesadilla and Burrito with rice - Mexican Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

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Huge portions amazing staff and food! Love the Al pastor tacos!! Our server Karly was outstanding!! Owner also came by and asked how the food was. This is the way to run a restaurant read more

This is about the 5th time I've been here with my technicians and every time it is fantastic! Got seated right away, staff is friendly and fast. I tried the Papas Doradas this time, mainly because I've never heard of it. It's potato wedges topped with bacon, chorizo, pico de Gallo and cheese. Very good and for only a low low price of 7.25. I also like to get their Pollo Feliz, chicken over Mexican rice topped with cheese. I recommend getting here right at 11 during Lunch before the crowd rolls in. Always pleased with the staff and service here! read more

El Ranchero - a bronze statue of a cowboy - Mexican Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

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Delicious food, great service, and reasonable prices. Visited while on a road trip. Chips and salsa were delicious. Portions are generous. Highly recommend. read more

Coming from Atlanta where a strong Mexican culture has fostered many good restaurants, our expectations were not the highest. Lo and Behold, this place rocks. Their guacamole can hold its own with Atlanta's best. The salsa has a nice cumin note. We ordered Huevos, burritos and tacos. Everything was really good. If I was nitpicking I might say that the spice level was dialed down for a typical American palate. Staff was extremely welcoming and efficient. Recommended! read more

food was shit, about threw up the guy taking order could barely understand us, the rice tasted old and the taco shells were crusty

The recipe is constantly different. Today I order Taco el pastor and it looks like dog food. It is not what is usually provided. The girl in the front is rude and never acknowledges the issues. Not going back. read more

El Ranchero - # 61. Tacos al Pastor - Mexican Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

we were travelling from Delaware to Montgomery and stayed at the nearby Hampton Inn. I am originally from New Mexico and grew up in Texas. I have tasted Mexican food over most of the US especially from Texas to California. I have not had any fajitas that tasted like that. The atmosphere and decor was good and the service was good to excellant. By the way, I did not finish my fajitas, just weren't very good to me. read more

This place has delicious, authentic Mexican food! There are 75 items (or more) on the menu, so get your appetite ready! There is also a long list of tequilas to choose from to add to your margarita or other cocktail. The servings are generous. The chips and salsa that are served upon arrival are delicious!! We'll go back for sure! read more

i have come here multiple times and have gotten the same thing every time. the shredded chicken nachos with jalapeños on the side or just not jalapeños at all, cause my boyfriend and i share them and he has an odd allergy against a lot of peppers. So most of the time we get the nachos we almost always have to go home re shred our chicken cause it's not cut or shredded even in the slightest and then by then reheat it. luckily they always give extra chips on the side cause the chips in the nachos are always soggy. well this time we got them, and they have jalapeños all over them so we had to drive all the way back, and ask them to remake the order since they made it wrong and also charged us for extra jalapeños even though we didn't ask? well they weren't nice at all when we asked for them to remake them but whatever, well we got home and they are the exact same nachos just with SOME of the jalapeños taken off that they could see and the rest hidden under some new cheese they threw on! My boyfriend didn't notice since it was hidden under the cheese until he started feeling his throat get all tingly and then he knew! read more

we stopped here on a roadtrip to gulf shores. the food and service was excellent. only wish they would have had or offered hot sauces with meal. we were both STUFFED! would eat here again! read more

Favorite Mexican place! My grand babies love going to get Mexican food with their Mamaw here ! Such a cool restaurant !

I cannot express how much better this place is than the other Mexican places in Auburn/Opelika. I've been to them all (multiple times) and El Ranchero has the most flavorful food. Best salsa, guac, and rice. Just be aware that their margaritas are STRONG! read more

We stop here when going to Chewlaca State Park and it never disappoints. Food is always fresh and tastes wonderful. Service is always friendly and fast. Highly recommend! read more

Phenomenal place! We go back at least one a month if not more! They are speedy with the service and get everything correct! We always order the tacos al pastor everytime we go. Highly recommend them! read more

Super friendly staff! I mean...this place feels family owned. The salsa was just the right amount of spice! Ordered the vegetarian fajitas. I don't think I've EVER had a dish come out so quickly. Super fresh ingredients, and perfect seasoning. And the place is spotless clean. Recommend if u r driving that way as it's right off the highway. read more

This is my new favorite Mexican restaurant in town! I got the quesabirria tacos and let me just say... mouth-wateringly delicious. The beef was so tender and flavorful, the birria consommé was delectable - even the tortillas were tasty! The Mexican rice it was served with was so light and seasoned perfectly. We also got a cheese dip and we couldn't even finish it because the portion size was so large! It wasn't soupy at all (a cheese dip pet peeve of mine) but thick and savory. The frozen lime margarita was amazing as well! The service was absolutely outstanding. I loved all of it so much I'm going back today, and I was just there 2 days ago. Thanks El Ranchero for providing the best Mexican food in town!!! read more

Came in after lunch and was here was maybe one family eating outside. Our waiter came and got our drink order and asked if we wanted cheese dip we said yes our drinks were out and cheese dip was out before we had any chips and salsa. We saw our waiter sitting with another employee eating. The girl and I made eye contact and she told our waiter something while still looking at me I assume about our table and he turned around and looked at me too. Finally the girl gets up doesn't wash her hands or anything and comes to our table and we say we need chips and dip. She still didn't wash her hands. She asked to take our order at this point we were figuring out if we were going to leave or not she immediately goes back and sits down and starts back eating. It's was a rude and pretty nasty experience. read more