El Ranchito — Restaurant in Riverbank

This is a very popular restaurant and I'm going to assume that my experience was a bit of a fluke. Part of this is biased because I'm vegetarian, so take that into account.

Pros: The staff was amazingly friendly and their service was great. They were on top of things, frequently refilling drinks and checking on the table. The place appeared clean and tidy. They had a menu with a good assortment of options. They refilled the chips without being asked and before it was empty. Their salad was good, simple but the lettuce was fresh. (So many places don't spend the time and money to make sure there isn't black gunk in their lettuce so I'm always impressed by fresh and clean lettuce.)

Cons: So, first off, the place smelled of fish. This is normal when on the beach or in a third world country that doesn't have good ventilation, so it isn't that big a deal, just a little unusual in a restaurant in this area. Obviously they cook fish and one expects some fishy smell, but it was surprisingly strong and constant.

Second, the chips were very large and the salsa bowl was very small. I had to break my chips to fit them in the bowl or pour the salsa over my chips. This wasn't much of an inconvenience...but just another domino that impacted this review.

Third, we were seated right next to their bar, which was actually in a separate walled off area, but there was no door or it was kept open. This meant that all the boisterous and loud patrons could be heard very easily. The kitchen also has an open pass through window, so all the kitchen noise and staff calling through it added to the den. Finally, when the place filled up for the dinner crowd, the noise level raised to a level that people were almost yelling at each other to communicate. In a way, this is kind of a good thing. It means that the place is popular. That being said, taking a few steps to lower the noise level would probably improve the ambiance.

Fourth, the lighting was very dim. It was very inconsistent and thus some areas had plenty of light while others were so dim it was difficult to see one's food. I actually prefer a dimmer environment, but enjoy a small light at each table, so I can see my food. I couldn't tell if the chips were slightly overcooked or the oil was a bit old, by the taste and the lighting didn't afford me the ability to determine from visual cues. I almost got out my phone to get a better look, but decided against it for social reasons.

Fifth, the food tasted a bit off. I couldn't place it, but I think maybe the oil needed changing or something. It just didn't taste fresh...except the salad, which was fresh. I'm not a fan of chili rellenos with "clear sauce", because they tasted like greasy sponges but that could very well just be a preference thing...though that off-taste was part of the problem.

Sixth, the drink glasses were small. This wasn't a problem as a consumer, since the staff was very attentive, but it felt like the staff had to work overtime just to keep them filled.

Basically, based on how popular this restaurant is, I'd assume my experience was a fluke. It could be just a hiccup from the pandemic, either lack of staffing, new staff, or someone forgot to freshen the fryer oil. I'd definitely try it again, when in the area again. I try to write positive reviews, since I'm happy these businesses are open and serving the local clientele, so it grieves me to post such a low score without the owner and/or staff being rude, hateful,...

A lot of the food is pre-made so it is dishonest to claim this is authentic Mexican food. Called and asked if they had shredded beef and we were told that they did. While ordering I was told that shredded beef was not available in certain items such as a burrito or an enchilada. What? I asked for carne asada and was told that was not an option in a burrito or enchilada either.

In talking to the manager I was told that the meat option is limited so they do not run out. We entered close to closing so I told him, I would understand if I was told you had run out for the day but to flat out say we don't do it in certain items raised a red flag to me.

While they initially denied that the tacos and tostadas, which had a shredded beef option were premade they later answered in a way leading me to believe that they were. As I thought about it on my way home, the burritos and enchiladas only had 3 meet options as well even though others were available for other menu items. When it is all said and done, I am convinced they are selling us Jack in the Box style tacos where they make them, freeze them and deep fry them.

The ground beef Chimichanga and enchilada I ordered where not even as good as a Taco Bell Grilled Stuff Burrito or Enchirito. (Worth pointing out as well that the enchilada was supposed to be made with a flour tortilla, but it came out with corn. Another sign that they can't make items as ordered.)

The two managers I talked to didn't have a good answer. The women was at least nice about it but the male was rude. He insinuated I didn't understand the restaurant business telling me how long they have been open. My history as a costumer at Mexican Restaurants has however taught me that that ordering an item you usually get to select one of the available meat or tortilla options.

El Ranchito survives on old school, long term regulars who go there out of loyalty. Good for them. For everyone else, just know there are better "fast food" options in which you don't have an $80 bill and are expected to...

That star counts as -1 because I had a really bad experience with the food at El ranchito, very very disappointing. I took my two daughters and their friend because it was her birthday and she choosed Mexican food. The place was packed but I saw almost only white people but at the moment I didn't focus on that fact,, so we finally got a table and on the menu I read "Enchiladas de mole estilo Michoacan", I'm from Michoacan and I love our mole enchiladas, because they are delicious, we order that and tamales and one of us tacos. The mole was the most disgusting thing I had ever tried, I don't know what in the world was that stuff!!!! I'm sure if they had just put in the blender guajillo chiles garlic and salt that was gonna be very tasty but what they used it was a paste so difficult to describe I can only say it was really bad. 🤢 They use horrible yellow bad quality tortilla for the tacos and on top of that they put sauce on top of the tamales with the same texture of the enchiladas disgusting sauce, I saw my daughters face as she took her first bite, I took a piece to try and the sauce was with an overwhelming flavor of dry oregano, so strong that made it impossible to eat that. Who in the world uses oregano on tamal sauce???? The chicken inside had a very bad texture and flavor like when has been at the refrigerator for days. I didn't want to ruin our friend's day complaining about the food on the place she choosed, so I just paid and decided We will never go back. I then realized why only white folks were there..... probably because they don't know how tastes the authentic Mexican food. This place is also pricey 3 enchiladas a la...