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El Rancho Mexican Restaurant

4.3 (246 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Order El Rancho Mexican Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

El Rancho Mexican Restaurant Photos

EL RANCHO MEXICAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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Carne Asada

We first visited El Rancho about six years ago while vacationing near Ocean Grove with our kids, and we've been trying to remember the name of this lovely spot across from the train station ever since. We finally made it back -- and it was just as good as we remembered! I had the carne asada, which was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly (so many places tend to overcook it until it's like cardboard, but not here). My wife ordered the chicken torta, generously layered with lettuce, crema, and all the right fixings. Both dishes were absolutely delicious. The food is not only tasty but also reasonably priced, and the warm, cozy atmosphere paired with friendly service makes the experience even better. We're so glad we rediscovered this gem -- still a favorite after all these years!

Coffee & Tres Leches Cake
Sophie K.

Best Mexican food I've ever had. Super authentic. It was my first time in Long Branch and a coworker recommended this place. Absolutely did not disappoint. Chips and salsa aren't free but food is fresh and made to order. They have Jarritos soda which is a plus. Tamarind is my favorite. We started with some chips, salsa, and guacamole. The guacamole was so good we asked for more, and our server told us that they ran out of avocados! Bummer, but at least you know they're making everything from scratch. I had cheese enchiladas in red ranchero sauce. It came with refried beans, Spanish rice, and a little salad. Delicious. We finished with coffee and a tres leches cake to share. Perfect from beginning to end. If we're ever back in the area, we will definitely return.

Don't split fajitas, they'll charge double!
Erin L.

WARNING: EXTRA CHARGES IF YOU SPLIT FOOD I'll give 3 stars because the mole enchiladas were really good But some highway robbery happening here. We asked to split the steak fajitas, hoping to save a buck, and instead charge us $9 extra! They didn't warn us at all that they were going to do this! Also, not even adding extra food- pretty sure they gave us the same amount for its regular price. We would have chosen different things, just tell us! Also, they charge another 3% for service charge if you use card. Just incredibly insensitive to not even say so when charging customers. I used to really like this place but won't be coming back

Chicken tacos on corn tortillas
Esther P.

Nice and clean food was very good. After a day at the beach this place didn't disappoint. We ordered the steak tacos on corn tortilla, chicken with corn tortillas, shrimp quesadilla. I can't remember the other dish with cheese. It felt like we were eating from a street truck in Texas lol. The hostess was very nice and accommodating. The chef visited our table and was very nice. The place is small with a few tables, beautifully decorated outside and inside and feels like you're in Mexico. Price was just right too. We look forward to coming back.

Churros

The food here is amazing, it feels like it's made out of genuine love. The torta bread was toasted so well, and the fries were delicious. The nachos combined well with the sauces we were given and each one tasted amazing with tolerable spice. Not to mention the churros, I'm not sure what was inside but it tasted like some kind of caramel filling and I loved it. The flan was beautifully presented with a cherry on top and I admire how the workers here put their best effort into their work. The horchata was also very delicious, it really stands out from the rest because it's made well. The inside is very cute, there's Spanish classics played inside and it doesn't seem too crowded. It's a nice little restaurant I would love to go to with friends. The whole aesthetic and environment of this restaurant excels at looking like a genuine Mexican restaurant and there's nothing better than going to a restaurant that embrace my cultures food. Overall my experience here was fantastic. I'd love to mention and appreciate the two hard workers I met at the restaurant yesterday, Aracely and Reina. Reina served us and Araceli cooked the food. They both did a fascinating job enhancing my experience here by interacting and talking with us. I love this place!

Cute exteriors
Reema M.

I'll keep this one simple, we visited El Rancho after a hot beach day. We were seated immediately, place wasn't very busy. We ordered a number of items, for vegetarian options we ordered Guacamole, chips, tacos and Fajitas. The food was really good, flavorful and delicious. We really enjoyed the food. The only minor comment is on the server, she was professional and prompt but seemed to be in a rush, asked us like 4 times in 7 minutes if we were ready with our order, would have appreciated a little bit of time. But overall enjoyed the food, would recommend to anyone looking for a Mexican restaurant in the area.

Steak Burrito!!
Ej M.

This place is a gem hidden in long branch... I've eaten here twice and absolutely enjoyed my meals. The first time I had a steak burrito and it was absolutely delicious. Today I drove in from NY and stopped by. The moment I walked in I was greeted with friendly smiles. I ordered the steak tacos and they did not disappoint... You can taste the fresh ingredients and real steak...every bite was packed with flavor. The service is great, the food is fresh and delicious. I can not praise this spot enough. It's my new personal favorite spot to eat in long Branch.

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Photo of Holly C.
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2 months ago

OMG!! If you want some yummy food this is the spot!! Food coma at its best!! Don't walk RUN

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Silvia B.

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2 months ago

Great food great people love this place they do it right every time 85 characters is a lot of words but not enough to describe el rancho

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Silvia B.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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Silvia B.

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3 years ago

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Silvia B.

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3 years ago

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Silvia B.

Thank you very much Jonathan… we look forward to see you again soon….

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1 year ago

Amazing chicken tacos! The owner was also super friendly :) Would highly recommend to all.

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Silvia B.

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1 year ago

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Silvia B.

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1 year ago

I loved the pulled chicken Mole enchiladas. Very cute authentic decor and nice employees.

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Silvia B.

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4 years ago

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Christina O.

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4 years ago

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Silvia B.

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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Christina O.

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2 years ago

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Silvia B.

We appreciate you. Thank you

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2 years ago

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Silvia B.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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8 years ago

Helpful 5
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3 years ago

Terrible customer service. Horrible attitude from the hostess. Don't waste your time or money!!

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

The food and atmosphere was perfect! The chef was also incredible, she took care of our order and put heart into her food.

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2 years ago

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Christina O.

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4 years ago

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Silvia B.

Helpful 1
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9 years ago

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4 years ago

The cook came out and asked us what we liked and then made something special. It was so good... we're bring the whole crew back.

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3 years ago

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Silvia B.

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

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Christina O.

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9 years ago

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Silvia B.

Thank you Daniel very much. Hope to see you again soon !!!

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

Food is delicious and authentic. Service is slow but the staff are very kind and courteous. Very cute and space.

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Silvia B.

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3 years ago

Good delicious food and feel the food was fresh.. friendly service.. the dressing for salad was good

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Silvia B.

Thank you very much. Look forward to see you soon!!

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3 years ago

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Silvia B.

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4 years ago

Food was incredible . The steak burrito I had was a 10/10. Chef was awesome. Will be coming back

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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Christina O.

Thank You Sam! We look forward to serving you again.

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El Rancho Mexican Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

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La Valentina Restaurant - A dime cooked into my food! Nauseating

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My friends suggested this restaurant after a day at the beach. They spoke highly of it and the food…read moredid not disappoint! We called ahead to see if outdoor dining was available and it was. I was told that we did not need a reservation for 3 people. We were seated right away when we arrived. They have a very cute set up outside with a lot of tables and everything is spaced out. They gave us chips with a green sauce to start. The green sauce was pretty spicy but good. We also ordered guacamole and chips. The guac was pretty good and tasted fresh. I ordered beef enchiladas with green sauce. My meal was very tasty. Again, the green sauce was spicy but I like spicy food so it was fine. Everything was authentic and very affordable. The service was a little slow and it was not busy when we went. I would dine here again.

Ordered take out steak tacos - so yummy! Next time I think I'm gonna get the steak quesadillas…read morewhich looked baller cooking on the grill when I walked in. Let me put it this way, the interior is very "unique" or basically super authentic Mexican/Spanish style with a store in the back! I bought this huge bottle of Valentina hot sauce for $2.50. With the tacos my total bill was about $11. The main girl working there was a little abrupt but nothing to crazy. I do DEF recommend the food here if you like authentic Mexican. :) def get lots of the green hot sauce on side! P.S.- I downed the roasted onion and pepper they put on top of the tacos right away - so good but so spicy! I felt a little sick after but it went away. I think my stomach just hasn't had that heat in a while. Also, they had run out of guac(?). That was kinda lame.

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Los Papagallos

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Coca-cola from mexico

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Omg!!! Thisss place!! Say you have a little piece of Mexico in Long Branch!!…read more As you enter it's very colorful, clean and clear!! The art on the wall make you feel as you've stepped into a cantina in the zona rosa - or the best taco place in your local area!!! The moment we walked in we were greeted and immediately attended. We ordered horchata - A BIG ONE!! Lol!! And it was very big- but very delicious!!! They also served chips with salsa verde and spicy red one too - which are made in the restaurant.- and ALL snacks are as well! We ordered the sopa de camarones ranchera , sopes, guarachas; ALL made to perfection and very generous portions !! The soup must have had 20 super big and fresh shrimp well seasoned and flavored- with diced onions, lemon and tortilla to season at your desire!! Sopes and guaraches delicious- with plenty of beans. Cheese, cream and chicken!!! Enough to take home!!! The menu is a bit overwhelming but I can tell with The dishes we ordered and the dishes that we saw other tables order - everything. I mean EVERYTHING is good!! :) Price - all for 36.00!! Can't beat that goodness for that price!!! Will be returning!! And you should try too!! Buen provecho!!!

I accidentally walked in here thinking it was the Valentina restaurant. Lol!…read more Since I was here and don't live in Long Branch (was on my way home) I figured I'd order something. I asked the girl working which tacos were the best here. I don't think she spoke much English which is completely ok, I unfortunately just don't know much Spanish! Lol She pointed to the cabeza taco aka head which is all good but I'd opted for the chicken (pollo! I do know that in Spanish) lol. So she took my order of chicken tacos I guess but I asked her to change to chicken tostadas. Of course once I went back to pick them up they had prepared both the chicken tostadas and chicken tacos which I paid around $18 for. SO MUCH FOOD FOR ONE PERSON! Haha. They were good but I think I liked the steak tacos at Valentina down the road better. The pulled chicken on them seemed a bit too rotisserie for my taste and the toppings were bland. Also not enough hot sauce! The positive side though is that this place IS super authentic and I'm sure won't disappoint on other menu items. :)

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Mi Lupita's Kitchen - Birria Tacos and what we called the "meat mountain" filled with the tastiest different types of meat and shrimp.

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4.5(95 reviews)
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You can tell this place is serving really good tacos just judging by the photos. We decided to give…read moreit a shot. It exceeded our expectations and ended up being my favorite tacos of all time. You have to order the quesabirria, it's tender beef tacos melted with cheese inside a pan-fried corn tortilla that you dip in broth. It's simply the best. Not the best start: there was no hostess at the front, so 3 parties stood there for 3-5 minutes even though there were multiple tables open. Once we were seated it was all good. We sat outside, ambiance was lovely with colorful flags and picnic tables and lively Mexican music in the background. Our server was flying around as the joint was understaffed, but it didn't even matter in the end because she handled it with grace and the food was phenomenal. Every server was so gracious. The kind staff and wonderful food and atmosphere made up for the minor delays in service. Overall it was a really lovely evening!

This was a small and casual spot that served a number of Mexican dishes. The service was well…read moreappreciated. I will describe what I had below as I went here on a food tour. I did have a bunch of their sauces and salsas. None really stood out except their green sauce, which was used sporadically. Birria Tacos - These were very good. The consommé was flavorful, while the beef was tender. The tortilla was crisp too even with the consommé added. Elote Corn - This was rather plain. There was only a crema and cotija cheese present. It seemed like chili powder was supposed to be added, but I did not taste or see any. The corn could have been cooked a little better too. Guacamole - This was tasty. It appeared fresh and paired well with the chips given. I really liked the texture of it too. Chicken Flautas - These were deep fried tortillas with chicken, sour cream, lettuce, and cotija cheese I believe. These were solid. The chicken could have been seasoned a little more, but the tortillas were crisp and held up. Choriqueso Con Tortillas Tostadas - This was melted jack and Oaxacan cheese topped with Mexican chorizo over toasted nixtamal homemade corn tortillas. The cheese and chorizo was excellent, with lots of flavor. It did not look the best but tasted good. The corn tortilla was either old and stale or just fried way too long as it was very tough to chew. It could have made for a great bite. Will I go back? Debatable.

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El Rancho Mexican Restaurant - mexican - Updated October 2026

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