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    El Ranchito

    3.7 (44 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican, Salad
    Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    EL RANCHITO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Not much pork under there!
    Richard P.

    I thought I was going to post an "Update" to a previous review to this spot I have been frequenting for a couple years. Sadly for them, but more realistically for readers, I had never written a review in better times. In fact, since my first visit, both the food and the service have gone down hill. Today I encountered a completely apathetic group of four hosts who had no enthusiasm or charm. And my meal was a shadow of previous offerings. While the slow cooked pork in my Chile verde was quite good, the portion size was laughable and just covered in tomatillo sauce that was way too tart. In a town full of good Mexican eateries, I would remind the folks here that they're not doing the customer a favor by providing good service and quality food at a reasonable price.

    Bryan S.

    I used to live in Topeka back in my college days.... The area has exploded with new business... So I rate 5+ stars! Yes this place does white cheese dip the RIGHT way. (As if I'm a professional chef) the family loved it. Ordering was easily done online and lightning fast it was ready. Short walk across the street from hotel.. Still hot when I got it back. Had fajita taco salad and it was delicious! Mask life was in effect. & It was posted at the door..+2 stars The crew got me a margarita as I waited for my order to finish up!!!! A generous amount of chips came with our order. Ordered large cheese dip & had plenty to share. Their house salsa was flavor packed and the heat was there!!!.. Yummo. This experience was pretty delightful & delicious. +5 stars I will go back for sure. They get a phenomenal review from me. The staff is friendly & delightful as well. Keep up the good work. My monies were well spent! Respectfully, Bryan Yukon, Oklahoma

    Chicken Fajita
    Sergio T.

    We came with our family to try out the local Mexican cuisine. This is mediocre Mexican food that lacks true authenticity. The salsa given to us with our stale chips literally tastes like pizza sauce. It's like they borrowed the pizza sauce from their neighbor "Pizagel's" for their salsa. The entrees are fairly priced and are okay. I've been to other Mexican restaurants that stuff their chimichangas with more meat for the same price. The staff are friendly and responsive to our requests. The margaritas are strong and good!

    Chiefs Burrito!! Beef burrito with rice, beans, avocado, & sour cream, smothered w/queso blanco, yellow queso, & red sauce! Go chiefs
    Madeline H.

    We love El Ranchito! Their food is always good and the service is always fast! I have been coming here for years and have never had a bad experience yet.

    Fajita chicken quesadillia. Tasted as great as it looked.
    Jay G.

    Another Mexican restaurant in Topeka? Yes it seems. One afternoon my usual spot was packed so it was suggested we go here. If you grew up here you'll remember this place as a Pizza Hut back in the day. The building sure looks like a PH building and a few fixtures (for the jr sleuths out there) still have the Pizza Hut logo. You won't find pizza here but you'll be happy to find really tasty wonderfully fresh Mexican dishes. They have good Mexican beer and tequila selections, also Fanta orange on tap! The lunch specials are a good deal, dinner sized dishes but a few bucks less. Lunch specials are Monday-saturday till 3pm. If you are getting something to go these guys do it right, hot food, a bag of warm chips and salsa. If you need it to go this would be a top spot in my book.

    a refrigerator with a sign on it

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    9 years ago

    The worst I've had in last 10 years If I could give it a minus 5 stars , I would. I have never had any worse.

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    10 years ago

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    The Wheel Barrel - The Kansan... INCREDIBLE

    The Wheel Barrel

    4.5(344 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    •$$

    This review is for lunch at the bar for two on a Saturday in mid-August…read more service: Elizabth B. was our waitstaff and she was great. Very professional and prompt. Place was packed, but she didn't miss a beat. bar: Outstanding beer list, including Hop Butcher (Chicago) New School Hawaii Vibes IPA. Their tap list includes a style for everyone's interest. Big emphasis here on cocktails. Elizabeth put together a stunning Cosmo ($10!) for my wife. food: My wife's half Baja Turkey and soup-of-the-day, Chicken Noodle, with chips ($12) was outstanding. My half Not Your Mama's BLT and tomato bisque with chips (also $12) was equally fantastic. details: This is a relatively small restaurant with choice of inside, outside, and bar seating. Of note, the host also seats the bar, it's not open seating at the bar. There was a 20-minute wait at 1pm on a Saturday. Street parking outside in NOTO. There is a 3% surcharge if you pay with credit card.

    This is an interesting spot in Topeka. I'm not that familiar with Topeka but there's not a whole…read morelot there except the capitol of Kansas. Searching out food gets interesting. The one question I have is why is it called The Wheel Barrel? I know a wheelbarrow, a wheel of cheese, a wine barrel, but I haven't figured out the name yet. If I make it back, maybe I can ask. The Wheel Barrel serves grill cheese/sandwiches and soup. I appreciate the concept and in this situation keeping it rather simple yet with some good selection for sandwiches and soup. I got a special wild rice and chicken soup with a half Baja turkey sandwich. It's a half and half for $12. I thought both tasted very good. I didn't eat quite all of it but I'd say it is a normal meal. Not a huge serving. I think most people would eat this in one meal. I think if I'm back in Topeka, I'll have to go back and do the traditional grilled cheese and tomato bisque! It was a busy lunch time meal. A nice size crowd was there. Service was still pretty quick. They have a rustic decor which is sort of like a wheelbarrow and a barrel. It's on a block that seems to be trying to add some art and culture to Topeka and I appreciate that a lot! If I'm back over that way, I'll stop back in and if definitely recommend it in Topeka.

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    The Wheel Barrel - Dinner

    Dinner

    The Wheel Barrel - Great pretzels!

    Great pretzels!

    The Wheel Barrel

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    El Ranchito - mexican - Updated October 2026

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