El Rancherito — Restaurant in Toronto

I went to have dinner with friends recently and I have to say I was rather disappointed with the way the owner of the restaurant handled a situation in which I almost swallowed a rock while eating there. While I was eating one of their chicken dinners, I felt the rock in my mouth while eating the beans and spitted out the rock. Thankfully I didn't bite into it. I didn't even bother taking a picture of it because I was confident that the situation would be handled professionally after communicating it to the owner. However, first the owner took a very long time to even acknowledge what happened even after the server communicated it to him. He had a very poor attitude when we had to again bring it up to him and acted as if I had brought the rock with me to get a free meal. He even said to us, "well I'm not the chef" (LOL). He then denied even seeing the rock (which was a lie), asked if the rock was hard (lol), said that had never happened before and twice commented that I had almost finished the plate before seeing the rock which I find absolutely ridiculous for him to say this as obviously the rock wasn't the size of the entire plate or of a piece of chicken for me to have realized right away. The least he could have done especially after his horrible attitude and lack of professionalism was not charge me for the meal which he only did because I brought it up but that was the second time he mentioned I had almost finished the plate LOL. Do better owner of...

El Rancherito is a fantastic spot to experience authentic Colombian cuisine. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm hospitality and a lively, colorful ambiance that feels like a little piece of Colombia. The décor and music set a festive and cozy atmosphere, perfect for family gatherings or casual meals with friends.

The food is the real star of the show. Their bandeja paisa is a must-try, featuring generous portions of perfectly cooked meats, plantains, rice, and beans, all served on a traditional platter. The flavors are rich and hearty, making it a great dish for those who want to indulge in authentic Colombian comfort food. The ajiaco soup, with its creamy broth and tender chicken, is another standout that captures the essence of Colombian home cooking.

Their selection of tropical fruit juices, like lulo and maracuyá, are incredibly refreshing and complement the meals perfectly.

Service is excellent—attentive, friendly, and always ready to explain the dishes if you’re unfamiliar with Colombian food. The wait staff makes you feel at home, and the food arrives promptly and fresh.

Overall, El Rancherito is a must-visit if you're looking to explore traditional Colombian flavors in a warm and welcoming setting. The authentic dishes, generous portions, and excellent service make it a top choice for anyone craving...

I got the Carne Asada, thinking that it would be comparable to the same dish at other places. But despite being more expensive, it was not even half as good, very disappointing. The portion was very small, not much salad and no veggies. The rice was just regular parboiled rice (lile the cheapest you'd find in a supermarket) which tasted quite bland. The meat was one giant piece that was not tender or easy to cut at all. It also didn't have any particular taste, I could've prepared such a steak myself at home. Below the meat, there were baked beans, which also tasted like they came from the can. The plantain was alright.

But overall it was disapointing. Both with regards to quality and quantity, this dish was maybe worth 11$ but definitely not 22.

For comparison: At La Bella Manague, you get tender and juicy steak pieces with an outstanding and recognizable taste, plenty of avocado and other veggies, fresh salad, yummy plantains, all for only 20 bucks. And it's high quality food in a portion that leaves you pretty stuffed.

I'm definitely gonna go to El Rancherito again, even though it's only a 5 minute walk, simply not worth it. I'd rather go to a place that is further away but actually...