El Ranchero Mexican
21 Sturgis Corner Dr, Iowa City, IA, 52246
El Ranchero Mexican Menu
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Address :
21 Sturgis Corner Dr
Iowa City, IA, 52246 - Phone (319) 358-2121
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Ashleigh G.
The meal was delicious, wait staff was very attentive, and our food came out freakishly fast! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to people. The only complaint was the fried ice cream wasn't that great. Don't get me wrong it was good but I'd go with the flan next time!
(4)Ethan V.
My experience at El Ranchero was pretty indicative of a visit to any Mexican restaurant. What sets this particular restaurant apart from the rest is that Monday through Friday they offer a very delicious Lunch Buffet. The food was mad delicious and the margarita I got was barely $2. There's a sign on the front of the building self-proclaiming the restaurant as "Iowa City's Hidden Treasure" - there might be something to that, but not enough of something to prevent our weekly treasure hunting club to not continue.
(3)Josh G.
One of the best Mexican dishes I have ever had. Service was great and humble. The VIP rewards card they offer is an awesome deal. Margaritas were strong and delicious. Will be coming back.
(5)Lisa E.
When I moved to iowa city I tried alot of different Mexican places to determine which would be my go to place. This one has the right mix of price and tasty food. Particularly their pulled chicken is EXCELLENT. I also love a good Chile relleno and this place has it going on.
(5)Casey J.
Service is prompt and friendly. Atmosphere is relaxed. Had a quesadilla and Chile Colorado. The beef is chopped into small pieces. Not fatty or stringy. Nice smoky flavor along with a reasonably spicy sauce. Beans and rice were decent. No complaints. Not a bad place to go for some sit down Mexican style food that won't break the bank. I'll return.
(4)Mark J.
This is the wife and I's go-to Mexican restaurant. The staples for a Mexican restaurant - Good chips & salsa, good rice/beans, good margaritas. Do a few things and do them well. Beyond that you need a few excellent signature dishes that are unique. I haven't found anything to match their Choripollo. I can't really speak to authenticity, but I don't need to experience my food anthropologically. Consistently amazingly fast with plating entrees. I will admit better margaritas can be found, but get there on a happy hour night and the import bottles are a great price. Great value and excellent consistency.
(4)Jason A.
Don't believe the hype. This place was bland and boring. They do not serve shredded beef, only ground beef. It tasted like most everything was out of a can. The lunch buffet seemed to be popular with the working folks in the area, but did not look very appetizing.
(2)Rianna R.
I ate here a few days ago with a couple of friends, and it was terrible. I have no idea how this place stays alive between Los Portales and La Michoacana Taqueria both are literally blocks away. Food was all very dry, bland, drenched in cheese, tortillas tasted old and could not be folded without falling completely apart. The only things I can say that were acceptable were the service and the chips and salsa. The restaurant claims to be authentic, but after eating real authentic food (from my boyfriend's mexican grandmother), this place just tastes old, bland, and offense to anything that is truly authentic mexican food.
(1)David D.
I'm not sure where these negative reviews are coming from. I've been eating there on my visits to Iowa City for over 6 years now, and have never had a bad meal there. (And I am pretty picky about my Mexican food!) Their Margaritas are some of the best you will find in a Mexican Restaurant (and pretty potent!) and the service is always good. I met a couple of friends from the Des Moines area there today, and they loved it. We had the chicken fajitas and chimichangas, and all was delicious. The fajita quesadillas are awesome too. I'm not sure what they spice their chicken up with, but it is delicious. Sorry Lucy G, but I do not agree with you about Los Portales a block away. That place has horrible margaritas. They are sickeningly sweet, and burn your mouth. I don't remember the food, but I also don't recall being impressed with it. We discovered El Ranchero back in 2006, when we asked someone from Iowa City where there was a good Mexican Restaurant with good margaritas, and El Ranchero came highly recommended. You will not go wrong here!
(4)Dave Z.
Definitely not authentic Mexican food. It's been watered down and blanded to satisfy only the most boring of diners. Somehow the crazy decor is supposed to trick me into thinking I'm eating actual Mexican food. Even the margaritas are cheap tasting and overpriced. Go there if you can't stand to eat anything spicy with original flavor - you'll be guaranteed not to stumble upon it at El Ranchero.
(1)S J.
This is pretty close to authentic Mexican food....at least as close as your going to get in the middle of the mid-west. I've always enjoyed my meals here. The enchilada combo platter and the super burrito are amazing. The chips and salsa they make are above reproach. The service is always excellent. The staff are friendly and speedy. Even when the place is packed (which it is quite often) you rarely ever have to wait for service or your food. One of my favorite spots that I will most likely always continue to frequent.
(4)Todd M.
I bumping them back up to three. The food is back to being above average.
(3)