El Rancho — Restaurant in Pere Marquette Charter Township

Me (and my wife) recent visit to El Rancho in Ludington, Michigan, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 was quite underwhelming. Despite the restaurant being extremely busy, the wait time for a table wasn't bad. The server was also very polite. However, the positive aspects of the visit ended there.

The complimentary salsa served with the chips was disappointing. We've visited their previous location a few years ago, and we recall the salsa being much better. This time, it was watery and bland, resembling a mix of ketchup and cilantro rather than a proper salsa.

We ordered simple meals – I had tacos al pastor with cilantro and a taco with chorizo and cilantro, while my wife opted for nachos. These are among the simplest dishes they serve, yet it took 47 minutes from placing our order to receiving our food.

The tacos al pastor lacked flavor (the meat wasn't flavorful at all), and the chorizo taco was overloaded with diced onions, which I specifically didn't want (when I ordered). I ended up not eating it and explaining, and it was removed from the bill. My wife's nachos were a real showcase of mediocrity. The majority of the chips were extremely soggy and not very warm, making the dish quite unappetizing. All the toppings were loaded into one spot in separate areas of the chips. It was very strange.

Overall, it was not a pleasant experience. The food quality has declined since our last visit (at the other old location), and the long wait times and lackluster flavors made for a very lukewarm dining experience. I hope they can improve these issues in the future so our next visit is...

My fiancé and I are in town visiting. We decided to give them a try. For starters, it took me calling five times before I finally got an answer. After browsing the menu on their website, I clicked on the coupon link and it took me to all their coupons. We saw one we liked so we decided to use it. The a coupon says “must present coupon. not valid with other offers.” directly on it. That’s it. Along with the expiration date (3/31/2021). So after calling five times and finally getting an answer, I make the order and state I have the coupon (it was for $18.99 which is a solid $9-10 savings off regular price). So we were excited! We make the trip down the road and when I get there I head to the counter and present the coupon. The gentlemen, very quickly, told me the coupon had to be printed and they wouldn’t honor it. I explained that #1 I’m in a hotel for the night and I didn’t have access to a printer and #2 (more importantly) no one had told me it had to be printed. Not them. Not their website. And not the coupon. He didn’t even acknowledge what I had said, shrugged it off, and proceeded to tell me my total was $28.07. Not even an apology for the misunderstanding or anything. So after all that, I still paid, went back to the hotel and noticed no eating utensils in the bag. Talk about a triple whammy! Wouldn’t recommend to anyone. It was more of a headache than anything and ruined...

I consider this the best restaurant in Ludington, Michigan. The service is out of this world. Professional and prompt. You are greeted within seconds of stepping through the door. All of the servers are presentable and you feel like the entire business is built around you. The food is amazing and served hot and fresh. Authentic and Americanized dishes are availbe for whatever you taste may be. Btw, best wings in town. I couldn't believe it myself until I tried. Juicy and thourghly battered in buffalo sauce. Their Mexican fare is not only tasty, but the helpings are more than you bargined for. Fan of margaritas? This is the place for you. No slacking on the mix here. This place will have you relaxed and enjoying a great conversation over a salted glass of perfection in mixing. The seating area is always clean and tidy. Tables are welcoming and comfortable whether you prefer booth or table. Worried about restrooms? Don't worry about that here. Pride is taken to ensure your entire visit is well worth the price you pay. Don't miss this gem if you decide to stop by Ludington, Michigan. I promise you won't be...