El Ranchero

My husband and I have been regular visitors to the Bloomington restaurant for a few years. Food is good and has always been priced right. We have only placed two «to go orders» in our history as regular customers with them as we usually go inside to eat. The first time I placed a «to go» order a few months back I was disappointed at the added charges and small portions we received. On Friday 6÷3÷16 I decided to give them another shot and placed a «to go» order again. When I got home, the two tacos we had ordered barely had any meat, lettuce and maybe a teaspoon of grated cheese. It was a pitiful order to say the least for over $ 12. They were basically all shell. I had also ordered tomatoes and sour cream at a extra charge, which were not on the tacos. I called them back and explained my disappointment and I was told to come back in and they would give us another taco. I live in the next county and was not about to drive back in for a taco and told her this. I told her it would be a few days before we could get back in there to do anything. Monday 6÷6÷16 we went to eat there hoping they would make it right. I explained to the waiter, who has waited on us many many times, what happened and showed him a picture I took with no reply. I was shocked as he was not hearing or listening to what my actual complaint was about the tacos as he kept telling us that it’s just more expensive for take out orders and that he remembers not charging us for sour cream at previous visits, etc etc… just not hearing my current concern about my food order or lack of. He asked if the person I spoke to took our phone number when I called and I said no because she did not ask for it. I did tell her my name. The waiter made us feel undervalued as regular patrons of the restaurant. We have always had good waiter service, laughing and joking with them when we go in to eat as they know us as regular patrons. We ordered the exact same order as we did on the poor take out order we had complained about thinking they might adjust it in some way out of courtesy to us, but in the end, the waiter just brought us out the bill at full charge to pay. We didn’t receive any I’m sorry we messed up your order. Most places would say, «oh let me fix this for you to make it right» to keep their regular patrons happy so they will keep coming back. What they have done is the opposite. I won’t be returning.

Where to start!
They allow random dogs (who have been verified to NOT be service dogs) to come into the establishment and eat of the table and sit on the seats. The dogs literally eat right off the same plates that are served to other customers. When this information as well as the laws that pertain to such situations was brought to the managers attention all he said was «well they are my best customers so its ok» They could not get our order straight and brought it out plate by plate over a 20 minute period. Call my crazy but I like to actually to eat with the people I came with. The seafood was undercooked and the chicken was overcooked. The employes spend their time in a large group speaking poorly of various customers in another language. Being fluent in the same language I was able to understand that they were calling one customer fat, one kid ugly and one wife sexy while making sexual remarks back and fourth about her. Sadly enough the manager was the one with the worst behavior of all.
Obviously I wont be returning again due to the poor food quality and LACK of service.

Love this place and the staff… we go there about 3 –4 times a month. Fast, friendly and the food is consistently good and plentiful. Marteen and his staff are a happy bunch. Usually not crowded and prices are very reasonable. Probably the nicest Mexican restaurant in town.
This location used to be the MCL/​Gray Bros. until they went out of business.
Negatives? Some of the booths are starting to show some age and you get to see a lot of soccer on several big screens… but those are not so much complaints as they are observations.

The Chili Colorado was flavorless. Just cayenne pepper hot. I enjoy Thai hot but this was miserable. Diced potatoes in the rice. I’ll have the double carbs. Beans were fine. Standard marg mix with little tequila. One and done here.

I’ve been here twice this year and I really, really enjoy this place! The menu is huge, and the food is delicious, fresh, and hot every time. I’ve even had the cook bring the food out to me directly after cooking it. I’ve ordered burritos, chimichangas, and chili rellanos and all are very delicious. And unlike most Mexican restaurants, their rice and beans are actually fresh and hot.
The restaurant itself is very clean and pretty expansive. Service is great, too. We are quickly served at all times, whether it’s asking if we need more water or if we want additional food. The prices are beyond excellent, too. We always have leftovers. Honestly, this place is great. Please give it a chance because you won’t be disappointed!

We love this place!
We always get the enchiladas rancheros with chicken! Fantastic!
We’ve never had to wait, always receive quick and kind service.

The food was over cooked and the staff was very slow. Waited a long time for silver and water. Then when we ordered we were told that appetizers could not come out before the meal because the restaurant was too busy when there were only a few booths taken. Would not recommend el ranchero.

I’ve been here several times. I usually get chile rellenos, a favorite of mine. Before, it seemed ok. We returned. Tonight, it was very much more: meh. You can tell you’re getting microwaved food. Then under the heat lamp. Plates come out hot. Flip the table. Flavor wasn’t bad, just not as exciting as before. Chips are fresh and hot, salsa is good. Don’t know about the drinks. Service is good. Just: not exciting at all, and nothing to write great things about. Not terrible, just not fabulous, leaning towards the two-​star side. There are plentiful choices, and admittedly we were on the cheap side of the menu, which is extensive. Perhaps you get what you pay for.

Best salsa out of any restaurant/​jarred salsa I have ever had. I get cravings for it. So peppery and full of fresh cilantro… yum!
Now that the only reason I come back s out of the way, I gotta say that the service and quality of all other food is poor. Yep. The salsa raised mg review a star.
Every time I come, my order is wrong. I try to get t fixed but only get flack from the wait staff. It happened on my birthday and I screamed across the restaurant like a crazy person. I said, «it is my birthday and I think I’d know if I ordered it like that or not. Send me a different waitress and don’t come back to this table.» I have never been so ticked at a waiter in my life. They actually argue!!!
And all for food that I’d better elsewhere… I’m going elsewhere.

The staff was quite friendly and attentive. The food was hot and good. I went for lunch and the prices were great. The food was seasoned and not just hot. The only real downturn was that I didn’t like the salsa.

Best thing I can say about this place is that the food doesn’t completely suck.
Otherwise, terrible experience. The wait staff were far too busy watching soccer replays and dancing in the front lobby to bother with silly things like drink refills and clearing dishes (which I ultimately just handled myself). While our food was prepared and delivered very quickly, everything tasted the same (i.e. no seasonong at all) and was quite dull. There are definitely far better joints in town. Don’t waste your money here.

While this isn’t as good as the other place I frequent in Bloomington, it certainly wasn’t bad. The chips were warm, but I thought the salsa needed some more heat. I ordered a grilled chicken breast with onion, green pepper, and tomato that came with beans, and guac on the side. I NEVER leave a Mexican restaurant with leftovers, but I had more than enough for lunch the next day. Dave got a combo platter which was delicious. and huge. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck here. I would recommend checking it out, they seemed to have pretty good drink specials and a nice atmosphere. I loved the mural on the wall.

This place is pretty good. The service has been better than average, and the food is pretty good. Probably not as good as Casa Brava, but worth going to occasionally. The parking is wonderful! I like the quiet spacious ambiance. Overall, this is a relaxing place to grab some food.

Knocking it down a few stars because of false advertising. Went back recently and was excited to see they got a liquor license and margaritas were on the menu. The second I ordered one, however, it was clear to me that they must only have a beer/​wine license. My «margarita,» while served in a salted glass, was obviously one of those malt-​liquor versions of a margarita that taste like something 19-​year-​old girls drink at frat parties. It tasted like youth and regret. This would be okay had I been warned. Alas, I had to spend $ 3 I could have spent on real beer to find this out. I also learned that the weirdo magician dude is hired to be there once a week and, I’m sorry, he just makes the meal awkward. Food is still relatively good though.

* For a Mexican place in Bloomington, it’s not bad *
La Charreda, La Torre, El Norteno, Casa Brava and more Mexican restaurants are popping up in Bloomington these days. One of the newest editions, El Ranchero just opened their place next to the poor man’s Hooters, Show-Me’s.
Fortunately unlike the food next door, it’s not too bad. Coming from SoCal, I do get cravings for some decent Mexican and El Ranchero does the trick. Good chips and salsa, good carnitas, and relatively cheap prices. You won’t leave poor or hungry.
If this were in San Diego, I’d go with three stars as it’s pretty run of the mill, but for Bloomington, it’s a good place to go to get your Mexican fix.
So stop on in and tell them «Qué onda güey «!

El Ranchero — the Bloomington edition! Below is my original review of the Ellettsville location — and it pretty much holds true for Bloomington. Funny thing is that it’s on the outskirts of town, so it’s probably just as difficult to get to from downtown as Elletsville would be! :) But for a good local Mexican joint, you still can’t go wrong. My favorite, and there are plenty to choose from in Bloomington.
Might add that the space is pretty large and modern compared to the Ellettsville location. Televisions, high ceilings, and more make it a modern building with Mexican décor. But it’s really about the food. See below for the details — they apply here just like E-​ville. Not sure about the AYCE, need to look into that!
Ellettsville review:
4 stars is relative, but as far as local/​traditional Mexican places go, it deserves it. I took my kids (6 & 3) for lunch, and they’re the ultimate salsa judges and they loved it. Newly remodeled, nice staff and service. Great food. Now my fave Mexican place in the Bloomington area. If you’re visiting, it’s a bit of a drive so stay in Bloomington… but if you’re willing to head toward Ellettsville it’s worth the extra 10 minute drive. Had a fantastic burrito, and the aforementioned chips and salsa were delish. Looking forward to trying the all-​you-​can-​eat Tuesday special for $ 7. — they better watch out!!!

Oh, where do I even begin? Granted, Bloomington lacks good Mexican restaurants, but this place is beyond awful. I was excited for horchata, but was offended by the powdery, watery beverage infused with industrial-​strength cleaning solvent that arrived at our table. The chips & salsa were fine, but my husband couldn’t look past the puddles of oil that seeped out of his burrito dinner (my meal was equally oily). You can get better Mexican cuisine by dining at a fast food joint like Moe’s or Chipotle, at a much cheaper price. Please spare yourself the heartburn and nausea, and look elsewhere for Mexican food! Please!