This is your average American Mexican restaurant. You can expect to pay between seven and $15 for an entrée which includes rice and beans usually. The California style burrito is my boyfriend's go to meal because it's huge and covered in white cheese sauce. I like the four enchilada plate which comes with one bean, one cheese, one chicken and one beef enchilada. My absolute favorite though is the Pollo loco!! It comes with a good serving of veggies, A pounded out chicken breast or two and rice on the side. Also guacamole. The margaritas are weak and sugary but pretty cheap depending on which night you go. I did have to wait for a table here last time I tried to go on a Friday night. This hasn't happened before but it wasn't surprising based on the good prices and the consistent quality of the food. The service is usually pretty good chips and salsa come right away and the food only takes 10 to 15 minutes. read more

The chips and salsa are the best I've had at any Mexican restaurant that I've visited. The salsa isn't spicy and has the perfect amount of fresh cilantro. The chips are hot and delicious. It's hard to not get full before the actual food arrives! The food they serve is consistently good. The price is fantastic. The servers are friendly. The chocolate chimichangas are dreamy. Never disappointed with this restaurant! read more

Great food and service clean this is where I go to get my Mexican food salsa is really good

Great food. Fast service. Best Mexican food in Athens area. Clean dining area and restrooms. Waitresses and waiters are very nice and always in a good mood. One of our favorite places to eat. read more

Gran Ranchero is our GO TO Mexican choice. Be it for a night out together or a lunch date with the bestie. I've never been happier with service and the food! read more

gran ranchero is the absolute best place to eat!!! i love it 100%, the service,the food, the price & the quality!!!! 10 out of 10 for sure!!! *******bad news everyone********* gran ranchero is on the verge of closing down!!!!! :((((( they have become behind on their rental fee's for the building, and therefore, may close down!!!! they need your help!!! id like to set up a *fund* for them, and help raise the money they need, to keep in business, maybe even more, to keep them going strong for as long as possible!! they deserve it and have earned it!!! please contact me asap to help me make a difference, as soon as we can!!! i see alot of you, have come from all over, even out of state, to eat here & have great things to say!!!! help spread the word! help raise money!!!! email me whenever about this!!!! we need to do something, asap!! mrseast0507@yahoo.com thank you, lacey (athens,oh) read more

Gran Ranchero - This is only one of SO many pics, taken of myself and family, at GR ;) Its my FAVORITE place to eat, EVER!!! Absolute BEST!! - Mexican Near Me - Athens, Ohio

I would simply rate as a average Mexican restaurant. Next time in town I may go back or more likely to try a different one

very bland and tasteless.the table and chairs were filthy.salsa tasted and looked like purreed tomatoes except tomatos would taste better.ordered the texas fajita and asked for extra tortillas,never got the extra tortillas. this was our second visit and will never repeat. read more

Another more recent addition to the Athens restaurant lineup, Gran Ranchero opened in February 2010 as the second franchise of a restaurant based in Parkerberg, West Virginia. Owner Emanuel Morales, one of five owners of the chain, told reporters he opened his second restaurant in Athens after so many people drove from there to Parkersburg just for the food. I'm convinced this place has attracted quite a following, but I'm not sure I'm about to join the flock. Gran Ranchero definitely has a following. There were quite a few families and older couples that stopped in during my meal, and It was very unusual to see such a refined demographic for a new restaurant in this town. I can easily see this place having its own special audience. For those in Athens who are new to the restaurant, though, don't be afraid. It's worth a venture. read more

Exceptional nachos, best I've had in a long time... the queso that they use is delicious and unlike your typical "American" nachos. We ordered ours with chicken but they would have been great with just cheese. As it was, once we finished that appetizer we had to fight our stomachs on the entree. Huge portions, excellent guacamole, and almost no wait despite seeming pretty busy tonight. Our waitress didn't seem to speak English very well, or maybe he was just shy, but the service was prompt and couteous. I will skip the preach margarita next time and just go with lime... tasted okay, very strong, but the lime ones I was seeing go out looked better. We will definitely be going back to Gran Ranchero again! read more

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. Large portions, great food , excellent service, and inexpensive. It's got it all.

Being Hispanic this is pretty basic Mexican restaurant but my friends aren't and they like it so I tag along especially because of the language barrier they usually have and I can easily fix. We went this last Friday and like usual this place is busy. Because it seems busy it takes a while to get anything even our drinks. I keep saying seems because once the big group of 12 people left the place got quite. But even when it came to our drinks we could see our waiter walking around, looks at us and you can see on his face that he had forgotten and now remembered that he has yet to bring us our water. My friend and I got a regular margaritas and honestly they were disgusting. I should know it's pretty much in my blood and I barely wanted to finish this watered down no alcohol plastic they have given us. Because the food was taking a while my friend was gobbling up the chips and salsa. I'm very picky with my salsa as well so when I tasted that it had a rather sweetness then the spicy or even mild that it was supposed to have I didn't eat much. When the food came it was all pretty good nothing to complain. I remember we had finished our meal around nine and let me tell you when it hit about 1 am my stomach was not happy. My friends would make fun that I had the bubble guts but I had the least worst. My friend started getting extremely tired so we cut the night short, I had no complains especially because I hate using public bathrooms but once we got back to my place she pretty much started throwing up most of the night and morning. We wasn't drunk at all to complain that it was the drinks but we are sober enough the next morning and still feel like crap to complain that it was most likely the food. read more

Ok, given its in Ohio in the middle of no where. Portion small for Mexican restaurant and salsa and food was a bit salty. If this were in NY where I am from it would get 2 stars read more

Unacceptable service. My friends and I went in expecting a wonderful meal and were left disappointed. One plate had a hair in it and when they "fixed" the plate all they did was scoop the hair out. Also, we had no silverware for 40 minutes and had to get our own. I asked for lemon multiple times and it was not brought out. Very upset and downtrodden. read more

My favorite Mexican restaurant in town!! I highly recommend heading to this one...margaritas are fantastic, food is tasty and the ambience is perfect for the little town of Athens...ENJOY! read more

I was very disappointed with the service. We ordered margaritas at $11.99 a pitcher and then they added $6 to the price because he thought I asked for Patron. I understand having a communication issue, but I can't understand not wanting to make it right with the customer. The food is ok, but I like Casa Lopez, 1/2 mike down the street, better. read more

Prompt, earnest service accompanied by fairly decent tasting food that is also generous in portion. These are the hallmarks of a sustainable restaurant in a college town. Had an enjoyable meal and visit here, so will definitely consider this for a return visit. read more

Good average Mexican food in Athens. I ordered the fajitas quesadillas. Not what I had in mind but it was ok. Chips and salsa was ok. Waiter was low voiced. Not very attentive. read more

This place is so good. Every time I come to Athens I've got to eat it. No complaints here. Can't say enough good things. Get the fajita burrito because it's really good. read more

This is the best Mexican restaurant in Athens! Their chips are divine and the salsa is fresh and delicious (tastes like home made). The portions are very generous so you will likely have leftovers to take home. read more

The California burrito is responsible for questionably the best Mexican dining experience I have ever had. The service was great and the food even better. My only complaint was that the perch had room for improvement. read more

While the wait staff service has never been spectacular, the food is on point. Good portion sizes always hot and fresh. The shrimp fajita burrito is awesome! read more

I'm a student at OU and I swear by this place. Probably my favorite restaurant on campus. The food is amazing, it's very affordable and you get unlimited chips and salsa - and they are AMAZING, seriously, I could eat the chips and salsa as a full meal in itself. If you get queso, it's great too! The servers are friendly, you always get your food really quickly and despite the fact that they don't have reservations I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a table even if it's a busy weekend night. They have good drink specials as well, and lots of vegetarian options. Overall, I've probably been here 10 times during my college career and everytime has been great, I'll miss it when I graduate. read more

Food is good but the service is on the rude side. You ask for items and the service staff rolls their eyes at you.

This is by far our favorite place in Athens, We came from the East Coast and were afraid we wouldn't be able to satisfy our craving for Mexican food. But I can safely say that hasn't been a problem since we found Gran Ranchero. The prices are extremely reasonable, the menu is VAST and the complimentary chips and salsa are fresh and tasty. They have 32oz beers for $3.50 and HUGE margaritas. The staff is friendly and fast. I'm happy to say that we've had to wait for a table the last two times we've gone (but no more than ten minutes tops) because this place is just fabulous and more people should be checking it out! read more

I enjoyed my visit for the most part here at Gran Ranchero, i enjoyed that the quantity of food you guys provide is more than enough to be filled up on, I also enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. Although I enjoyed these things I did experience some cons, being the long 30 minute wait for my food and the bathrooms not being in the cleanest conditions. read more

My friends and I decided to go on a Saturday night so it was kind of crowded. Although, this didn't bother us much since we are all college students and so was everyone else. The service was average as we had to ask for our drinks to be refilled. The food was good, not great, but it definitely worth another try! The atmosphere was very friendly and suitable for all types of people and kids. I encourage everyone to at least give it a shot. read more

Get the Ribeye!!!! - Great food, great prices, highly recommended! Huge Margaritas, and very large portions. Worth going!

The service was friendly and adequately fast. The menu is a standard American Mexican restaurant and delivered in that respect. Food was hot and tasted good for what it is. The California burrito is big enough for two people. read more

We have lived in Athens for a year and a half and have been here about 5 times. Each time we thought it was just adequate but is child friendly for our 3.5 year old. We will not be back after our experience tonight. First we were told that the restaurant did not have juice for our 3.5 year old although we had it each time before; our waiter argued with us and stated that he spoke with the manager and that indeed they did not serve juice. I went to the hostess who then stated that he must have misunderstood because they definitely had juice then brought us some. Then he obviously brought a wrong drink and insisted that it was correct. I went to the manager and he also stated that it was the wrong drink. The waiter again insisted it was correct then brought the bottle of the correct drink and stated this is the only alternative that they served....and it was exactly what was ordered; it is incredulous that he was arguing with us for insisting that he brought the correct drink when it was so obvious that it wasn't. Had the same sort of experience with one of the meals that was ordered. Food was fair. One would think that they would have the instinct to try and make the situation right but they didn't care at all. Overall, one of the worst dining experiences that I have ever had. And, I wish I could have given it zero stars. read more

This is always my choice for fast Mexican food. My family and I go here probably once a week for good service and good food. Not the best Mexican in Athens but probably the second best! read more

I've been all over Mexico. The food is authentic, it is just that I don't think it is anything special. The worst thing about my experience is that they didn't have my first 2 beer choices (nothing special, domestic stuff!). read more

Of all of the Mexican restaurants I've eaten at, this is by far my favorite. The price is fantastic compared to other places, and the food is wonderful. I've been eating here for years and have never had a bad experience (except for the flan, but that was the first and only time I've tried it so maybe I just don't like flan). read more

For a decade I lived in Southern Cal, and have eaten Mexican there and throughout Mexico, so it's not like I don't know what Mexican food is. I've eaten at little authentic taquerias and fish taco stands on the beach. I know the difference between that and fiesta style American Mexican food. This is quite decent fiesta style with nice service. We've been a number of times, never disappointed. I don't understand anyone thinking portions are small. I always have leftovers. The salsa is good, lots of cilantro, though not hot. If you want it hotter, ask for salsa picosa. I'm sure they have it (in fact, we've gotten it before, but forgot today). The Sopa Azteca is like a tortilla soup on steroids: packed full of chicken and rice, with a rich broth and toppings. The enchiladas verde are really good, filled with shredded beef with a generous portion of guacamole salad on the side. The carnitas are tender and nicely spiced. You can get soft corn tortillas and lime wedges come with a lot of dishes (love lime!). The lettuce is crunchy and fresh. I don't know what else you could want from a Mexican restaurant in small town Ohio. read more