Ok, so last night I met a few folks at this place. I was indifferent at first, but then i saw the Menu.
As a Mexican American from California, I see that there are two types of Mexican Restaurants in the south: Restaurants for non-Mexicans (i.e. White people) and Restaurants for Mexicans. You can tell by the Menu; if the menu has a bunch of combinations, then it is the former, and if the menu is a la carte, then it is the latter.
The big difference between the two is that at the for Non-Mexicans Restaurants is that the food mostly tastes like ass and there is generally a lot of cheese to make up for flavor. These restaurants generally, though not always, use canned beans, sour cream and sometimes even yellow cheese ( a la Taco Bell). They also have somewhat nicer interiors. Some can be decent, like Cantina.
Tacos El Ranchero is definitely not a restaurant for non-Mexicans. don't be fooled by the less than stellar decor, this is not a downtown dining experience. The food however, is superb. I had Chicken tacos de "tinga," chicken in reddish sauce. You can also have Chicken de "tinga" on tostadas, fried corn tortillas, which tends to be their more traditional role. The "tinga" here is amazing, better than my moms (which is saying a lot) and better than any other "tinga" I've had. hands down.
I also had a Torta (French inspired Mexican Sandwich, mexican meat and toppings in a french bread. Think Banh Mi or even Po Boy) de jamon (ham), which was delicious. Most Tortas in the US are made of Asada, or Carnitas, but in Mexico a Torta de Jamon is staple, at least in Jalisco, where my family is from.
lastly, have to try the original Mexican sodas. Most folks know Mexican coke is better than US coke b/c it has real sugar cane rather than fructose syrup, but dont sleep on teh Jarritos, various flavors, or the Mexican Fanta collection, also excellent. Lastly, try teh Sangria Senoral, grape drink that is actually non-alcoholic, but super Mexican. People in Mexico and here love that shit.
Im out. eat here and enjoy! read more
