El Ranchon
3416 W McGraw St, Seattle, WA, 98199
El Ranchon Menu
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Address :
3416 W McGraw St
Seattle, WA, 98199 - Phone (206) 281-9233
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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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Abby S.
Such a great place! Food was great tasting, flavorful, and fast. The staff was very friendly and made sure we were well taken care of. We will be back!
(5)Emiko K.
This was a favorite back in the day but I just came back here after many years and the price really shot up. I suppose that gave a bad feeling in me cause it was such a good reasonable price before. I almost feel like they're taking advantage of the fact that people who live in magnolia are a bit more wealthy. Basically, I would go somewhere else for Mexican food! My Personal Restaurant Rating Key One star: the food was bad and I had a negative experience. Two star: I had a more negative experience and would not come here again but the food was good so I may. Three store: everything is good except one thing. Example-the food is good, the price is more reasonable but the atmosphere is lacking class. Or the food is good, the atmosphere is good, but they over charged us. These three stars are actually my favorite types of restaurants to go eat at if the reason is due to the atmosphere because they are usually delicious and reasonably priced. Four stars: Everything is great, food, experience but the price may be on the upper end. I would not recommend this first to Obama unless he didn't like my five stars. These are restaurants you can take your boss or your mother-in-laws to impress them. A bit fancier than my three stars, hence I don't often eat here unless there is an occasion for it or there is a groupon that gives me a bit of a discount! Five stars: I would recommend this to Obama. The price may be on he upper end.
(3)Shelsie P.
I couldn't say enough good things about El Ranchon. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is comfortable and cozy, but it's truly the exemplary service that sets the restaurant apart. I've been to the restaurant a handful of times in the last year, and after my first two visits, the waiters and staff all remembered me by name and my food preferences without even having to be reminded. Every time I go in I feel like I am a part of their family. The delicious food and margaritas are just an added plus to the experience that is El Ranchon. I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone and it has definitely become a group favorite. Thank you again, El Ranchon, for reminding me what great service and food really is.
(5)B W.
I'll be back. They deliver predictably good and authentic quality food in a familiar and comfortable environment.
(4)Heather K.
This place is mediocre - really disappointed me here. The food is similar to Tex-Mex style. However, it's fairly flavorless. Also, dishes are about $12-$14 so it seemed a little expensive. I got a vegetarian burrito & the Spanish sauce on top was totally flavorless - very bizarre. My date got the chicken mole enchiladas and said they were OK. Mole was kind of watery & very peanut-y. Service was fast, there seemed to be a TON of regulars and there was no wait. Also vegetarian friendly.
(3)Kimber D.
Ordered Enchiladas to go and they didn't give me any sauce. None. So they were just greasy and cheese. So I called to let them know what happened and they offered to give me extra sauce next time at no charge. Ummm, no thanks. Plus ordered an order of quacakole. They charged me $9 and it was exactly 4 bites. Sweet, Like 2 bucks a bite. Food was gross. Mgmt / Owners couldn't care less that I spent $25 on take out and threw it out. Won't be back again.
(1)Bernard S.
Fantastic place to dine. I have been a regular fir over 20 years. The owner And staff are excellent. The food menu is wonderful. Bernie
(5)Emily J.
We miss this place, as we have moved from Seattle. I did want to update my original review, since we came here many times while we lived in Magnolia. This is a true neighborhood restaurant - the staff will recognize you and you will recognize them, because they are all long-term (we lived there for 8 years and there seemed to be almost no turnover). It's kid-friendly and everyone seems genuinely nice and happy all the time. The food is solid, but go for the local vibe and great experience every time.
(5)David F.
I'n the 5 years I've lived in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, I never tire of eating here! My wife and I had our first date there, brought our daughter for her first birthday there, so this place has a lot of sentimental value. The staff get to know you well and treat you like family. I've never had a bad meal or service there. There is an off menu item I order that I recommend asking for. "Tacos Raul" (named after the owner): two steamed corn tortillas, carne asada, raw chopped white onions, and cilantro. Be sure to ask for a side of lime slices to squeeze into it. I'm hoping this will become a regular menu item! The drinks are excellent with a lot of great margarita flavors available.
(4)Annette L.
I have visited this restaurant many times over the last 15 (or so!) years. My family and I love it. The food is wonderful, the atmosphere neat and clean and very authentic Mexican (with a picture of Jesus over the door :-)). But really, it is the family of employees that really makes it. They are so warm and friendly and make you part of the family, too. All of the food I've tried here is good, but it's the salsa verde that I love the most!
(5)Andres A.
Incredible. Very authentic & the service was excellent. I couldn't find anything wrong the place.
(5)Kylie I.
Being from an area that is laden with authentic Mexican food, I have definitely gone through Mexican food withdrawals since moving to Seattle. Taco Bell and trendy bars with modern, Americanized variants of Mexican dishes have never done it for me. I stumbled upon this place near my neighborhood and I was so excited to have that family restaurant atmosphere with fresh chips and salsa served right away. I ordered the enchilada lunch special -- it came with a decent-sized enchilada (I chose ground beef), rice, and beans. It was plated similar to every other family Mexican restaurant: rice on one side (though a bit overdone and soggy, had a great flavor), enchilada in the middle, and beans on the other side. I understand that it's not really "pretty" presentation-wise, but I never really came to expect that of a Mexican restaurant, so I can't find it in myself to knock off a star. Everything tasted wonderful and I look forward to trying more items on the menu. The staff was very friendly, the service was prompt, and the food reminded me of home. While a little bit on the expensive side, I have to remember that I'm in Seattle, and not at a taco truck back in the middle of nowhere, like I'm used to. I would probably not suggest it for folks specifically seeking something new or trendy, but for those looking for that traditional, home-cooked goodness and a personable staff, El Ranchon is just a delight! I would definitely recommend this place to my fellow Mexican food fiends, and I very much look forward to coming back!
(5)Anna G.
A Magnolia favorite. The service is excellent and personalized, and it's a restaurant aimed at families so groups and young children are encouraged. Food is consistently good, and the portions are so big that you always leave with tasty leftovers. Their fajitas are probably the best thing on the menu.
(5)Keri A.
This is a neighborhood restaurant with a City best quality menu. I wished I knew of it earlier. My family is from Texas and this is how I like it. Only a few places in Seattle make it on my list in this category. It was a welcoming atmosphere with great service. Only wish it was in my neighborhood.
(5)Olivia G.
This place is great the food is good .. but the service is fantastic. Great little charm in the heart of magnolia.
(5)Micheal A.
El Ranchon is a North American style family Mexican restaurant. Why the five stars? They do it exceptionally well. Best chips and salsa in the city. They also provide fresh pico as well as pickled jalapeños and carrots. Great menu with fresh ingredients. The lamb on the menu is fantastic. Soaked over night in lime juice this dish is a must try. Very friendly and attentive staff.
(5)Mac O.
Service was excellent Food was OK. The chicken in the tortilla soup was really dry but the broth was really good. The chicken in the kids tacos and the enchilada was much more tender. Overall a tad overpriced for the food served. Still not a bad place if you are craving Mexican food and you happen to be in Magnolia.
(3)Stephen S.
Food is standard mexican fare. Being from Arizona this is a little different than what I'm used to. Most menu items include rice,beans your entree choice covered with cheese. Now that's not really a bad thing, but almost every menu item I have ordered here is presented in the same way. Not much originality to offer here, but if you are hungry and have a love for Mexican food definitely come here. The owner and his staff are a delight, and they seem to love interaction between customers and the staff.
(3)Jeffrey S.
My favorite American-style, Mexican, sit down restaurant in the area.
(4)Mark K.
Great place to take the family for dinner, or to go with friends. The staff is so, so friendly and make you feel like a regular, even if you aren't. The food is consistently excellent - we go hear a ton and the family always comes away full and happy.
(5)Jeff H.
Service is amazing. Food is even better. Jalapenos and cheese for an appetizer. Tacos al pastor and fajita burrito for our entrees. Cadillac margaritas to top us off. In the end...our new favorite restaurant. We will be returning. I think you should try it as well!
(5)Keith G.
Old review stands. I just had to add that the last time we went it, a very nice old dude was wandering around playing Mexican folk songs on a guitar. It was five bags of awesome and made it really really fun to be there.
(5)Rachel J.
Disclaimer: I'm from Los Angeles where good Mexican food is everywhere. So, to me, El Ranchon was average, over priced and more like a tourist trap than an authentic Mexican restaurant. If you're from LA, stay away, or you will be angry.
(3)Amanda B.
I have been here with groups and one on one with a friend. I have always had a consistently wonderful time here. The staff are friendly and attentive, the chips and salsa are fresh and light, and my go-to, the Pollo a la Crema is a fantastic mix of veggies, cream and chicken. I recommend this restaurant to my family and friends all the time.
(5)D B.
You other reviewers are freaking insane. "Best mexican in Seattle."??? Please don't let this be true. Cafeteria-like food. This is as "authentically Mexican" as Pizza Hut is "authentically American." The service was fine.
(1)Z Z.
Great food. The staff is very nice. Nice, comfortable feel to the place.
(5)Lisa M.
I just left El Ranchon, and while I'm in the throes of food ecstasy I thought I'd go ahead and finally write them a review. I'll preface this review with saying that I'm a born and raised Texan who's half-Mexican, so let's just say I know a thing or two about good Mexican food. Seattle's achilles heel is Mexican food - there just aren't many good spots to get Mexican food like I remember it growing up. But thank God we moved to Magnolia because I would have never thought to try El Ranchon if it weren't for our relocation to this neighborhood. This place is pretty legit. Closest to the Tex-Mex I remember from home as I've gotten in the past 4.5 years of living in Seattle. In fact, it's actually better than my favorite places from the lone star state. My husband and I have tried a couple of different dishes here, and I just had a combination chicken/beef fajitas for dinner. I would say the fajitas are the best I've tried so far, especially considering how well they season the meat. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a whole lot of seasoning on them because it's Magnolia (older population that leans toward blander food), but damn was I wrong! My husband goes a little deeper down the meat hole (get your head out of the gutter) and gets their chorizo and carnitas. The first time we went there my husband couldn't make up his mind, so our server said "let me make you something nice" and came back with a sampler of the 3 most popular meat dishes for dinner. Let's not forget how amazing their chips and salsa are, too. Very nice and spicy salsa with chips that (thank God) are not super greasy. They're JUST right. The food in and of itself sells me on this place, but what makes it that much better is how wonderful and funny the staff is. Everybody seems so cheery and playful, and you get that as soon as you walk in the door and are greeted. A super lovely bunch of people - very attentive staff. If you grew up down South like myself and miss how awesome the Mexican food is at home, then make the journey to Magnolia to try El Ranchon. It's a nice journey down Tex-Mex memory lane without having to shell out the airfare to actually go back home. Thanks, El Ranchon! See you guys soon. :)
(5)Janeane B.
Omg I just love this place !!! I have been here 5 times now ..... Best dang food and OMG the drinks are wonderful .... I was going to write a review then but I didn't until tonight . I love it here !!! The service is wonderful they are so friendly and caring and OMG I love the food !!! And the drinks are out this world they aren't chintzy with the alcohol !!. I would recommend this place to everyone I know. I will be back for sure. And also I love the guy that sings there..... wonderful voice he has !!!!
(5)Jessica M.
Well hello Magnolia! If you happen to be craving chips and guacamole, this place hits the spot. The stars of the menu were the Pork Carnitas (under House Favorites) and Chicken Mole ( under Pollo dishes). Believe me...the menu is huge but we were very happy with our choices. The Pork was amazing...I cannot describe how juicy and savory this pork was. It was served with pinto beans, rice, and tortillas. I didn't even mess with the tortillas because the meat was so good on its own. The hubs said the Chicken Mole was good too, but I didn't want to trade so I never took a bite:) This spot was a bit crowded on Friday night. Lots of kids of all ages and quite loud so don't expect it to be a romantic dinner! But overall a solid Mexican restaurant.
(4)Martin A.
We love Abraham... he is ALWAYS so welcoming to our family. He makes us feel so special. If you sit and observe him, you will see that he figures out a way to make new and "the usual" customers feel special. This gets new customers to come back and keeps repeat customers coming back. Excellent carne asada, salsa, guacamole, and chorizo, Great margaritas.... thanks Abraham!!!!!!
(5)Deborah J.
This place has pretty good Mexican food. While it's not my favorite or even second favorite, it is still very yummy. This is a well established Magnolia area restaurant where lots of neighborhood families come, I haven't been here enough times for the people who work there to know me by name, however they do know many people who walk through the doors. That's how you know it's good, people are coming back frequently enough to know their name, just like the "Cheers" theme song. Food is priced about average for what you're getting. The waitstaff has always been friendly. The water could be filled more often but that's not something I could give one less star about. If you're in the area check this place out.
(4)Brooke W.
Really great little place with awesome chips and salsa (actually spicy salsa! Woo!) and burritos. Oooohhhh the burritos are very good.
(5)Corina C.
I'm used to good ol Texas Mexican food and often complain how hard it is to find good Mexican food here in the NW. I LOVE El Ranchon, when I lived in Magnolia we ate there at least twice a month. The food is fantastic, and the service is awesome! I moved to Issaquah about 8 months ago and I have been back to El Ranchon twice.
(5)Charlie H.
Best Mexican food in Seattle. I have been going with my family for years and the service at "The Ranch" is always top notch - very friendly people and very fast service. The food has been consistently good over the many years we have been going and we have never had a bad experience. .
(5)Katie H.
Abrahams! as my mom calls it because we are now on a first name basis with the owner. :) The family that owns and runs this place is just that- a family that makes you feel one of them. The salsa is the salsa to compare all other salsas to. The mole is divine and queso dip is great enough to get me to cheat with dairy :) Best family dinner place and celebrate a birthday :)
(5)Georgie M.
El Ranchon is a wonderful local Mexican restaurant in Magnolia. Our family have been coming here once month for almost five years. The family that runs the place is very polite and offer great food at a reasonable price. Their drinks are tasty and very generous, while the wait service is very good. Just go already. Enjoy!
(4)Haley A.
It's rare when you find, the quality of hospitality matches the quality of food. This place exceeds in both! Food is absolutely delicious and the staff is fun and friendly. Strongly recommend!
(5)Bob D.
El Ranchon serves very good food at a good price. Aside from many of the typical Mexican Family restaurant staples, I would suggest the Lamb Shank or the Pork Carnitas - Both Excellent! I also like a Mexican restaurant that serves huevos all day long so they get a big plus there. Abraham and Elba and gracious and hardworking owners. They and their staff have always made me and my family feel special in their restaurant. For those that complain about this place for this that or the other, I would suggest you lower your standards a little. Maybe you'd be better suited at Cactus with the other snobs in Madison Park. It's Magnolia; there have never been many restaurants here and thirty years ago, your choices were Gim Wah (still disgusting) GG's (a smoker's lounge with a restaurant and the Hickory Hut. This restaurant is what I would expect for a family Mexican restaurant and I will continue to keep coming back. Keep up the good work!
(5)Amy L.
(2 weeks ago) My sister, daughter & I were out getting mani/pedi's just down the street from a place we had found on Yelp. We looked for a place to have lunch afterwards on Yelp as well and found El Ranchon within walking distance & we all like mexican food. It was a mistake. We should have read more reviews than we did. The food was flavorless & bleh. The male server was rude & made it seem as if by coming to this resturant we had interrupted his afternoon and then he made sexually charged comments to my sister & daughter. If I could rate this resturant with negative stars, I would. No reason to ever patronize this establishment again.
(1)Mirabelle T.
I am new to the magnolia neighborhood and saw that this place had 4 stars. So i thought i should try it. I've must of order the wrong thing here because people had given this place 4 stars. I ordered the 3 beef taco meal and I actually think Taco bell would have been better. I spent way too much money on bland & greasy Mexican food. The beef tacos were so oily it soaked through the tortilla. The rice & beans had no flavor. It probably was out of the can. Again, Taco bell would have been better. And taco bell is not real Mexican food. However, the staff there was so nice & considerate. I maybe willing to try a burrito there because they were so nice. But it make take me a while & a desperate situation to go back there.
(1)Bob J.
Plenty of decent food served in a friendly atmosphere. Seattle is not known for Tex-Mex, so lower your expectations and you'll be just fine. Good overall value. Family friendly.
(3)Lauren D.
Coming from Austin, finding decent Mexican food is pretty hard to do. I found El Ranchon to be satisfactory and hit the spot I was looking to hit. While a glowing review below about the Tacos Al Carbon led me to order those, I wouldn't recommend getting them on corn tortillas unless you want to eat them with a fork. The fajitas were good and I'd probably opt for those next time. Having a bit of the munchies, we were really hoping to have great chips and salsa which they did pretty well at. They served a choice of decent salsa and pico de gallo. Mix the two together and you've got a pretty good thing goin. They serve Pepsi products for those of you who are wondering. This plus solid chips and salsa has earned them another visit from me. The prices are a tad bit high but I'm still comparing things to Austin prices so they're probably about average for the area.
(4)Kelly W.
I've gone here since I was a baby and I've never had a single problem here. The staff is always nice and the owner always treats me and my boyfriend like family when he sees us there. I don't eat wheat but they have plenty of options with corn tortillas which taste delicious rather than dried out and bland like I've had other places. Plus, it's always fun to see people have birthday dinners there (it involves polaroids, a sombrero and lots of singing)
(5)Killian R.
If I could give them NEGATIVE STARS, I would. (Why, God? Why do you curse me with these terrible restaurant experiences?!?!) Went there for my friend's birthday party. Everything was going good until my vegan friend Amanda tried asking about what she was ordering. They didn't even understand her questions about what was in the beans. The waitress just kept repeating the words "Whole Beans. Whole Beans." Very helpful. Amanda and I both ordered drinks with free refills. We were at the restaurant for more than 2 hours and did not receive a refill the entire time. But they were very quick to offer refills to those who were drinking margaritas or beers, who would need to pay for their refills. I ordered some tostada (open faced taco) from the "light appetite" menu. The fact that the plate was still enough for a small elephant did NOT makeup up for the fact that it was DISGUSTING. The shredded chicken was bland and mushy, like it had come from a can. There were no spices to speak of. The iceberg lettuce (blech) was piled high on my plate, but it was barely even green. It was that gross pasty white lettuce that is nothing but crunchy wilted water. Then the tomato wasn't diced or sprinkled evenly, it was actually just a large flat slice of tomato. One single tomato slice on a pile of lettuce. (Aren't I painting a lovely picture??) The guacamole had a gray tint and did not taste any different from the rest of the pile of crap on my plate. I ate about 3 small bites and stopped. I did not touch my plate for about an hour. No one came around to ask if we were enjoying our meals, so i had no chance to send it back. The chips and salsa were pretty good, but they stopped refilling them after they brought out the entrees, even though it was obvious that both Amanda and I had nothing to eat and were just sitting there (Her beans tasted like meat, and she never got a definite answer of the ingredients) At the end of the meal, the waitress asked if i wanted my plate boxed up. I said no thank you, I didn't really like it. She did not say a word and walked away quickly. I was charged for the meal anyway. I would have even settled for half off, since i ate some chips and salsa. I was at a birthday party, so i didn't want to be the bitch who rained on the parade. So i paid for it, no tip. The total on my receipt was 12.10. then i look at my bank statement today, and it says i was charged 17.10. That means they felt over charging me by 5 dollars was adequate punishment for me hating their terrible food and service and not wanting to tip. Awesome. I called the restaurant and the owner said I could bring in my bank statement and show him and we could fix it, he mentioned some sort of problem that has happened before and he wants to "find out whats going on." I am not paying 2.25 for a 20 minute bus ride to get 5 dollars back. DIE, EL RANCHON. DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(1)Alice C.
Seattle is not Los Angeles. Seattle does not have Mexican food which you could shoot yourself in the foot over. However, there are Americanized restaurants which do a superb job while supplying good food quickly, and at affordable prices. This is one of those places. When I came here last, it was the Magnolia mommy and daddy rush, and despite three kids spilling their sodas, two birthday parties, and general dinner time rush, my food came out so quickly it was scary. Prices- I think that theyre pretty average for a sit down place. My dish was about 11 bucks, (DISCLAIMER: yeah, a little spendy, but Im also a college student, and anything more than 8 bucks is spendy in my book right now), but when you think about the average price per dish in most restaurants, thats not above average. Total price for 2 sodas, appetizer, and two entree's was about 35 bucks. With leftovers. A good place to bring most people- theres things for adults, kids, picky eaters, and last I checked, theres a sizable vegetarian menu...
(4)J J.
Aw, yeah. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant! Yum freakin Yum. Their ingredients are fresh and the service is great. I adore their quesadillas dinner platter, and wish I was eating one right now!
(5)Patrick M.
This has been a regular haunt of mine for years. The staff are the best and make you feel very welcome. Food is great and the bacon wrapped shrimp are my choice for my "cheat day".
(5)Elty P.
Love love love the chips and salsa. I actually crave the salsa-- it has great flavor and maybe more black pepper than other salsas? Not sure what it is but it so yummy! Great neighborhood spot. Friendly, quick service and the staff knows pretty much everyone who comes in!
(5)K B.
LOVE the staff here. We've been in a few times, and the staff always seem to be enjoying themselves, know everybody and are friendly and warm, cracking jokes and swinging by tables to chat. The food is decent, pretty standard, but it's the staff that keep me coming back. We walked in once to order take-out, and they still sat us at a table, brought us water and chips and salsa while we waited!
(4)Jerry L.
This was a pleasant surprise and I love surprises. We were hungry for good TexMex and this place hit the spot. The salsa was great and the margaritas were tasty. We ordered the We ordered the Tacos el Carbon and it was yummy. I would definitely come here again. The service was good and fast with a family friendly atmosphere.
(4)Graham E.
Good food and great service! The secret is Chillies Ranchon fried Jalapenos with salt and lime juice AMAZING!
(4)Mark T.
Our family loves El Ranchon. Our favorite is the jalapeno chiles appetizer. Doused in lime juice and not too spicy. yum. Great for kids, the portions for adults aren't too huge as they can be at other mexican places. We couldn't ask for more in a family place.
(4)Doug C.
I'm not quite sure how to describe the decor for El Ranchon, but it's a pretty decent option for Mexican food. The inside of the restaurant is a mix of booths and tables with a red/white color mix and an, um, interesting mash of paintings along the wall. But my bemused observations were interrupted by the quick server. He appeared with a smile and whisked out margaritas, beer and a soup appetizer. The appetizer was great and the bowl was probably the size of my torso. It's almost a meal in itself. At the same time the obligatory chips and salsa came out. I liked the salsa here; it had a little extra spice to it with real chunks of tomato. After the soup and chips, I was pretty much done, but figured that I'd have to try the chicken enchilada anyways. Like the rest of the meal, it was also well done, but it's almost an impossible amount of food for one person. I'm going to call that a good thing.
(4)Katie S.
I looove El Ranchon. I started going to El Ranchon years ago when my brother was living on Magnolia, it was always good mexican food back then. I am now living on Magnolia and find myself going there whenever someone wants to go out to lunch/dinner. My mom likes to come treat me to lunch, so we tend to go to El Ranchon at least once or twice a month. We've gotten to know the owner and he is a really nice guy. He got to know us quickly and immediately offers us sangria when we walk in the door (of course we love it and order it everytime!) It's so nice to be recognized and taken care of! The food is tasty, affordable, and not greasy like other mexican places can be. It's a small place, so sometimes it gets crowded, but other then that, I have nothing to complain about. No matter what you ask for, everyone who works there is nice and takes care of you. I really appreciate the great service, the great taste, and just the general ambiance of the place.
(5)Justin H.
This place is the best restaurant in Seattle. After moving from San Diego I've been craving a California burrito. Every time I go here I ask them to make this custom burrito and they always deliver. The service is amazing. My wife and I used to live in Magnolia but recently moved. It had been a couple months since we'd been there and yet they still remembered us and asked where we'd been. You have to love a place that pays that much attention to their customers.
(5)Morgan L.
Came here with my boyfriend for lunch. It was pretty DAMN GOOD. By far *the* best chips and salsa i've had! I give them 5 stars for the chips alone. They were warm, crispy... and all around damn good. They were on top of their game with these chips. I hope hope hope they are always that good when we come here. I also really liked my meal, the chicken had tons of flavor (not too salty) but the tortillas were so-so. The chicken fajitas were so damn good without them tho! My boyfriends flautas were really good as well... juicy chicken and crispy edges. The service was spot on. This restaurant eased my stressful day. I walked out feeling like I couldn't wait to go back. Btw: We almost ordered the queso...but it said it was land o lakes...which ive had that type before... did not like it. I think La Palmera in mill creek or everett have the best...its addicting. Downfall: I wish they didn't charge so much for sides like sour cream and a single taco was $3bucks!
(5)Dan D.
We live in Magnolia and used to eat there regularly, but haven't been in a long time. The food is merely adequate, but the location is convenient, and the service is quite good. One of my favorite mexican dishes is a chile relleno, and is my usual order when I eat Mexican. The ones at El Ranchon taste as though they've been made well in advance, and are warmed after an order is put in. The last one I had seems mildly refrigerator cold. The refried beans are nothing to write home about, and the same could be said for their rice. Not the worst Mexican food you'll find, but certainly not the best. One reviewer commented about the Chiles Ranchon, and I couldn't agree more -- I never fail to order a plate when we go. That said the place does a booming business, driven largely, I suppose, but it's captive Magnolia customer base. It's a great place to go with the family, and if you don't get there early enough, you'll wait a while to get in. On the plus side, the chips are hot, the beers are cold, the staff is cheerful and friendly.
(3)Alexander N.
When I go to El Ranchon (frequently), I always hope that the food takes a while to come. Why? Because the free chips and salsa are the best you'll ever have and they keep (very politely) bringing you more while you wait. Anyway, the food does come, and while the chips stay on the table you'll be focused on the massive platter of hot Mexican goodness resting before you. I recommend anything with the shredded beef and/or the chili rellenos. The margaritas are good too and you def. get your money's worth i/r/t the amount of tequila therein. :-)
(5)Crystal O.
Solid but not earth shattering. I'll give this place one huge concession, they are consistent. Our kids remember coming here and the candy basket since they were wee tikes. I've been requesting queso on the menu for a long time. When I see it and ask for it they are sold out. Good sign? I'll be the judge of that! Being from a queso culture in Austin, TX I knows and loves me my queso. It will now have to wait for my next visit as I now live in the bay area. Food is consistent but margaritas are WAY to sweet.
(3)Graeme G.
I actually don't think of El Ranchon enough when I want Mexican food. It's actually quite good, and that's tough to find in Seattle. You will not be overwhelmed with the decor, but the staff is very friendly, food seems authentic, and it is very family friendly. Great place.
(4)bob b.
The owners of El Ranchon and their entire staff is like my family for over 2 decades. I feel that no matter who is on duty - be it for an early lunch or a late night dinner - my favorite restaurant to go to. They offer a great menu of beek, pork, chicken, fish you name it - they do it. For me, they get to know you and remember all your special little requests/preferences. They go out of their way to provide friendly customer service and feature a great selection of cervesas and tequilas. They are appreciative of everyone's business and if given the opportunity will earn your loyalty.I suggest communicating with them if you're not happy- because there aren't many restaurants around who really are concerned with customer satisfaction to the extent that they are! Try them - tell them "coach" sent you!
(5)Spencer D.
You can't really go wrong with this place. It's a standard, better than average Mexican restaurant. Don't compare it to Californian Mexican food, but for Seattle, it's not bad. We like the salsa because it has good flavor and it really is picante... it usually makes most of their dishes a little better. It's also a great loud place for kids...which we love for our 2 year old. We also like it for take out when we're a little tired of Chinese or pizza. Nothing like some Mexican food and a cold beer for a stay at home movie... I'd say it's worth the trip if you live in Magnolia, Ballard or Queen Ann... Any further than that and there's probably better options out there. Staff is friendly and caters to all. Large dinner for two is about $25.
(4)Mips P.
The nicest people on the planet are serving the worst Mexican food on the planet. Only go here if you need a place where your toddlers can make a gianormous mess without a huge guilt trip from the staff. Did I say, these people are saints? They are. I feel terrible writing this, except the place is packed with families paying for overpriced Taco Time. So they'll be fine.
(2)Sara W.
I love El Ranchon. It's super close to home and just about the friendliest place in Magnolia! My husband and I eat here pretty often, and always get the same thing. Tacos al Carbon with chicken, and Tacos al Pastor with pork. Both dishes are fantastic and full of flavor. Always more than I can eat since it includes sides of beans and rice. I've had their chimis and the chicken enchiladas, but since discovering the Tacos al Carbon that's all I order. Margaritas and strong and tasty too! If I drink 2 of them, I'm pretty damn buzzed when I walk outta there...and no, I'm not a lightweight by any means. The place is usually packed with families and kids, so it can get a little loud. Not a big deal.
(4)Joseph M.
Decent family style Mexican. Doesn't give you an authentic/traditional experience or use any remarkable ingredients, but the flavors are fine and the portions are big.
(3)Nadine W.
Located in downtown Magnolia, El Ranchon has a great atmosphere and is very child friendly with bright colors and easy to manage family style booths. The food itself, however, is just OK. My biggest problem with it is that it is especially heavy. There are better quality Mexican restaurants in Seattle but if you live in Magnolia, this restaurant is convenient and descent choice.
(3)tina m.
Good news: the chips and salsa are rockin', and the rice and beans are super yum. If only the meal ended there... Bad news: everything else! Super yuck. So surprised this place gets reviewed so well. The chicken tastes canned (mush and kind of watery). Had a bite of the chicken enchilada and ewwwww. That was more than enough. The taco looked disgusting and the tamale was way too sweet and didn't really taste like a tamale.
(2)Jean-marc L.
The service is what makes this place good Aberham (the owner ) always makes you feel like a guest in his home with a hand shake and even a good hug when you've been gone too long. the drinks are stiff and the food is great! my fav is the bacon wrapped shrimp deep fried and topped with cheese.
(5)David M.
As others have mentioned, the menu here is pretty standard, but everything seems to be prepared well. My wife had chicken fajitas and I thought the chicken was particularly tasty. I ordered a combo that included a cheese enchilada, which was quite cheesy - I can't believe I'm saying this, but I could have used some more enchilada sauce (or maybe I'll get chicken next time). Service was great. This place has moved above Luisa's and Jalisco but remains below Rosita's on my "Mexican places that all have the same menu" list. Good Shirley Temples, too :)
(4)Me H.
A not so bad Mexican place in Magnolia of all places. Good chips and salsa - Check! Good service - Check! Good Sangria - Check! Good dry shrimp fajita burrito minus bell peppers - Check! The place was great; we walked in and were greeted with a "Hola muchachas!" I heard the Spanish and a smile came over my face. After finishing my burrito and sharing a carafe of Sangria the smile was still on my face as I walked out the door. Note to all your Southern California's here this place does not compare to good Mexican food like you're use to, but compared to other sit down Mexican food restaurants you'll find in Seattle this place was good. A place I'd happily agree to go back to again.
(4)Eugene C.
I grew up in Magnolia but now live in North Seattle. I still make my way back to Magnolia just to eat at El Ranchon. Great chips n salsa, great staff, great atmosphere, and GREAT Tacos al Carbon!!!! It's sooooooo good.
(5)Susan H.
We stumbled upon this delightful restaurant by accident, and are so happy we did! Good food, good atmosphere and great Queso! Service was prompt and very friendly making us feel right at home. We will definitely return anytime we need a good queso fix!
(5)Suze M.
My boyfriend and I like this place for their super friendly service, laid-back atmosphere, and consistently good food. It's not the best I've ever had, but it's always reliable. The chips are always fresh and hot and the salsas are tasty. I've never been disappointed.
(4)Shelly W.
This has gone downhill. Everything seems like a sysco product. The salsa has even changed and gone downhill. Plus, well, we got sick from the carne asada. Not going back.
(2)Jane B.
We hadn't been here in a while, and the kids asked to go again. Most entree/meals are now priced around $13 - $14. That seems way too expensive for what you get - your entree and refried beans and rice. The kids meals were reasonably priced, and just OK. So, not wanting to spend $14 for my meal I ordered a taco salad for $10. I thought it would be like what I get at other places, some meat, beans, lettuce and fixings like salsa, guac etc on top. What you get for $10 is pathetic. I got a taco bowl with what seemed like canned chicken on the bottom (warmed up, but not fresh chicken and some of the "chunks" from the caned chicken were still in "chunks") and shredded iceburg letuce on the top. Then they give you a serving of regular old salad dressing. That's it. It was beyond bad particularly after I figured out that it was CANNED chicken. And a complete ripoff. Prices way too high for what you get for a family to eat out.
(1)Brad H.
El Ranchon is a great family establishment. I love their Americanized Mexican Food. The chips and salsa are very good, especially their pico de gallo. I love their enchilladas and rice. It is very heavy food, that is the one drawback. If you love heavy mexican comfort food, this is a great place!
(4)X X.
I'm quite surprised the reviews for El Ranchon are so glowing. I think it reflects on the lack of quality Mexican places in Seattle. The service is decent and everything tastes as it should. There's a standard menu and nothing really disappoints or excites. Prices suffer from that "Magnolia inflation" which afflicts all the area restaurants.
(3)Wendee S.
When I first moved to Seattle I lived in Magnolia and El Ranchon had just opened. We wandered in for a little din-din and I discovered the joy of mole'. I had never even heard of mole' before - it was recommended by one of the staff, so I had no preconceived notions of it's taste. I assumed it would be some sort of peppery sauce. Nothing prepared me for the heavenly chocolately-cinnamony-creamy concoction. The owner is super friendly and always remembers us and what I like to order. The little basket of candy to end the meal is charming. Nearly 15 years later I have no qualms about driving from my home in the Ranier Valley all the way to Magnolia just for some enchiladas en mole con pollo. Aww yeah.
(5)Kat B.
A great family restaurant. Friendly staff. Warm atmosphere. Plentiful free chips and salsa. Prices are a little high for what you get. I like the ranchon salad with guacamole as the dressing. Pair it with the chips and a cold beer and you have that tasty Mexican food fix without feeling like a blimp when you leave.
(4)andy t.
Shoot I thought for sure I'd get a "first" here but you Seattle yelpers are everywhere!!!! I think El Ranchon is a great family Mexican restaurant. It's not the best food in the world, but they cater to parents and kids, and treat everyone so well. AND...the carne asada is pretty darn good. I've been told the key is to order the fried jalapeno chile along with the carne asada and pile the steak atop the chile for a true culinary extravaganza. Es delicioso, mi amigos.
(3)Jim M.
Great friendly service. Food is filling, tasty and served quickly. Depending on the mood you are in, try these combos if you are super hungry, or if you are looking to avoid the mexican gut bomb dinner, try the Ranchon Chicken Salad or Carne Asada Salad. Also try the Sangria.....it's Abraham's special home brew, capable of washing down any high calorie mexican dish.
(3)Carey T.
Been there twice as its the only mexican in Magnolia. Too bad, because this place isnt that great. Small portions for a large portion price. Service is decent though. I had the carnitas taco combo the 1st time, and chicken fajitas the 2nd. Thier rice and beans are lackluster and the portions of sour cream and gaucamole are tiny! Save your money and go to Tequila's Taqueria or Azteca. booo!
(2)Robert F.
I personally am not an expert on mexican restaurants, but this is where I like to go near where I work. I love the Chili Colorado Burrito on the Lunch special.
(4)Jeffrey S.
A great family restaurant with authentic and tasty mexican food. Located down in the village it's absolutely worth a try. The service is really friendly and the atmosphere is also good.
(4)Michael B.
This is the quintessential neighborhood family home style Mexican restaurant with great food, service and prices. The staff is happy friendly, there's often kids running around but not in an irritating loud in your way manner, but in a happy festive outdoor gathering kind of way. The service is fast, there is always easy street parking but there is sometimes a wait on a couple of outside benches. But people often have their friendly dogs tied up out there you can pet and it never takes long. It;s a really happy place with great food.
(5)Amy G.
The food is really yummy, the prices are decent (although not as cheap as Mexican should be!), and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend the seafood enchiladas and anything with their mole sauce. The atmosphere is festive, and it's very family-friendly.
(4)