El Ranchon Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Elma

The dips were dang good so Im glad I got up and asked them for some chips to go with them despite the two girls collectively coming to our table 4 different times before taking our order. I'm surprised they didn't notice.

Asked for a sweet tea. They said "coming right up" and then gave me an unsweetened. I asked what happened and they said they don't do sweet as if they couldn't tell me that when I asked instead of "coming right up". I think that experience was meant to foreshadow that I must lower my expectations when eating there. The price was really good compared to like every other resturaunt here though so I really should have expected all of this and considered the price to portion quality.

Got the sample platter. They seemed upset I asked for chicken option on everything but wanted beef for the nachos (as if the order was too hard for the cook to fathom)

I suspect the beef was more expensive for them to buy.

The chicken tasted off, the food was kind of greasy and I actually had to dab it with a multiple napkins. They were hesitant to give me any, and I was still pushing up grease later that night.

They were clearing our table before we even finished eating, but didnt like cough or ahem loudly when we stayed to catch up with our long distance relatives so that was nice.

I'm sure this place tries and im sure they have their good days too but when I was there, the most authentic thing about it were the portions per price, the melted cheese on the nachos, and the dips (which made it worth the visit)

It wasn't enough for me to give my visit an above average rating, but I think their service was 5 stars and filled with consideration albiet not totaly for my sake, and would likely be the reason why I would return.

Im not a klingon so I'm glad they weren't like butt heads but i do perfer a more direct style of communication. Perhaps next time my experience...

We stopped in for lunch today. Our first time. Our new neighbor, that moved from Elma, said it was her favorite. It did not disappoint. They're right there on the main drag downtown Old Town Elma.

My wife is a Mexican food junkie and she loved it. Our host brought chips, water and two salsas. One was like a vegetarian ceviche and a nice salsa hot sauce. They were both good. A bit spicy but not bad and I'm a weenie for spice. The ceviche styled one was very good. The chips put me off a bit, not a regular restaurant chip. I don't think they were boughten. I mean, I can't imagine someone buying tortilla chips in a Mexican restaurant. Still good, just different from your usual restaurant chip.

The wife had a chalupa and enchilada. Both Mexican restaurant staples and prepared just right. Ground beef and chicken. The ground beef and chicken were both excellent. Not over seasoned. You could still taste the chicken. You could still taste the beef wonderful flavors.

I went with a chicken chimichanga. My chimichanga was amazing best I have had in the harbor. Hot and crisp, yet tender inside. Billow of steam when forked into it was fun 🤠. The beans and rice were again not over seasoned. Beans were creamy and the rice was light and fluffy.

I would go as far as to say this is all around the best Mexican we have found in our time here in the harbor. We will definitely be stopping it again when passing through Elma. Scratch that. We will be making the drive from Hoquiam on a...

The service, quality of the food, and value were all excellent. The restaurant itself seemed tired and worn, but if you're looking for good food with humble settings you won't be disappointed. The highlights: Chips were warm, salsas tasted homemade and fresh (on the spicy side, but flavorful). I ordered the chicken taco salad. The only greasy part, and I wouldn't call it greasy as such just fried, was the yummy deep fried bowl that it come in. The chicken was spiced nicely. It also came with beans (no rice). You can choose one of: guacamole, dressing, or sour cream, anything more than one of those will cost extra. I did come with cheese, but mine had so little it hardly seems worth noting (just what you see in the photo. The produce was fresh and tasty. My husband had a combo lunch with beef and it was DELICIOUS, maybe a little oily but the meat tasted very fresh and spiced just right. We will...