El Rancho Viejo Mishawaka — Restaurant in Mishawaka

The manager of this place doesn’t know what the word 'entree' means. He claims 'entree' is an “appetizer” , lol. My friends and I have really like this place’s food for a long time but I regretfully say I am not coming back to this place anymore. We had two coupons. Coupon number 1 was: BUY 1 ENTREE AND 2 DRINKS AT REGULAR PRICE GET 50% OFF 2ND ENTREE. Coupon number 2 was: BUY ANY 2 ENTREES AND 2 DRINKS AT REGULAR PRICE GET A STARTER FREE TO SHARE! This evening, my husband and I ordered one Taco De Tripa dinner and one Leon Special, which means we ordered two entrees. We also ordered Pepsi and Pina Colada, which means two drinks as well, thinking we could redeem Coupon number 1 since we fulfilled the condition of that coupon. Before ordering, we showed our coupon to the man serving our table, and he said to use the coupon when we got the bill. The server was a gentleman, so we didn’t get suspicious. But to our utter surprise, after getting the bill, when we showed the coupon, the manager came and told us that 'Entree' means 'appetizer', and since we didn’t order two appetizers, we couldn’t redeem that coupon. Needless to say, he was kinda rude and arrogant. On the same evening, my friends tried to use Coupon number 2. They ordered according to that coupon’s condition, but the restaurant charged 50% of the price of the appetizer, which was supposed to be fully free. Yes, that manager wasn’t convincing again. I am a food lover, and I have tried almost every well-rated food place in South Bend, Granger, and Mishawaka. When I write a review, I try to ignore small, ignorable mistakes by restaurants, but this time I couldn’t help myself. I felt scammed by this restaurant. It’s not about a few bucks (probably $7 or $8), it’s about a restaurant being honorable and honest. My friends and I will refrain from going to this place. If you don’t want to be scammed,...

El Rancho Viejo in Mishawaka serves up a slice of Tex-Mex cuisine in a vibrant and festive setting, making it a solid choice for those looking for a lively dining atmosphere. The restaurant checks many of the boxes for those craving traditional Tex-Mex dishes, with a menu that, while predictable, delivers on flavor and quality.

The drink selection at El Rancho Viejo may not break new ground, especially when compared to the more inventive offerings available at other local establishments. However, the traditional margaritas stand out for their execution—simple, inexpensive, refreshing, and well-suited to complement the spicy and robust flavors of the menu.

We opted for a later dinner and noted a sense of urgency in the service, as the staff seemed keen to prepare for closing despite our arrival a comfortable 90 minutes before the end of service. This did impart a slight rush to our meal, which might detract from the overall dining experience for some.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the tableside guacamole. This dish was a standout, showcasing the quality of ingredients and the culinary skills of the staff, and went well with the provided tortilla chips. It was both a visual treat and a delight for the palate.

Service was notably efficient, with our waitress managing to be both swift and attentive. The food itself arrived promptly and was well-prepared, hitting the mark for what one would expect from a reputable Tex-Mex restaurant.

In summary, while El Rancho Viejo might not offer the most innovative menu, it provides a dependable and enjoyable dining experience, especially highlighted by excellent traditional dishes like their fresh guacamole. If in the Mishawaka area and in the mood for some Tex-Mex flavors, El Rancho Viejo is worth considering, particularly for those who appreciate a quick and lively...

Giving 1 star because this restaraunt used to be our favorite. We are regulars and have always had a great experience previous to a few months ago. I'm not sure if they changed owners, management and staff including cooks or what. A couple months ago I walked out because they started charging an upcharge to use a card for payment. Not everyone keeps larger amounts of cash these days Tonight, my husband stopped on the way home, and let me tell you......I have never been disappointed in the taste here until now. I'm typing this as I try to get this meal down. I'm going to eat it because I refuse to waste money, but let me tell you this is horrible The chips taste like they were fried in old motor oil. The queso cheese has no spice to it. I could have melted a block of cheese myself and it may taste better if I did The quesobaria (pardon my spelling) is rubbery and so greasy I had to grab a hand towel cause a napkin wasn't cutting it. The consume for the baria is watery and tasteless, with a thick skimming of orange colored grease coating the container. The rice was hard The burrito (steak and shrimp)was a nice size but had no flavor or seasoning so it was truly disappointing since I paid extra to add the shrimp in. I miss the old house manager and hostess too. Where are they?...