El Rancho — Restaurant in Town of Colonie

Rave Review El Rancho will quickly become one of the most talked about Mexican Restaurants in the Capital Region, no doubt. This newly established restaurant has one of the most diverse authentic menus I've seen in a very long time- especially for this region. We have had Mexican food when out to visit family many times in San Diego and LA - and this food is absolutely comparable! My husband and I were in awe at the flavors and authenticity of the dishes. First of all, the tortilla chips are HOMEMADE deep fried deliciousness! And the salsa was fantastic (You do have to pay extra if you want more chips and salsa, which is understandable since you can taste the high quality ingredients). The two homemade hot sauces that they brought over to the table were also PACKED with FLAVOR! We ordered Chicharrones (So meaty and so crispy!), Parrillada Oaxaquena (So much food- says it is for 2 but could easily be for 3 or 4- we have a lot of leftovers), and churros with vanilla ice cream. My only note (which is barely that) is that I prefer my Diet Coke from a fountain and it came in a can. The do offer Coke and Sprite in the glass bottle - which I didn't see until after I got the can. Like I said, just a note. :)

The service was excellent - incredibly friendly and very attentive. I made sure to tell her I would be writing a...

I can't say enough good things about El Rancho. Everything start to finish was excellent. Our waitperson was attentive and sweet. The chips were crispy, the salsa rich and spicy. The elote was perfectly sweet and hot. My wife's enchiladas with mole sauce were perfect; dark, rich and spicy. I get a chile relleno at every Mexican restaurant I go to ....I can't help myself. I am almost always disappointed. El Rancho's was great. Perfectly fried; the chile still had some life in it as opposed to the usual limp hulk that comes from overcooking. The cheese filling was not the usual pool of melted jack cheese; it was wonderful with the bright orange chile sauce. The rice was cooked to perfection, and beans were rich and delicious. Restaurant margaritas are typically too sweet and lack tequila, so much so that I always get a Patron Silver on the rocks with a lime wedge instead. Being that it was our first time here, I ordered a medium size Margarita; it was perfectly delicious. Real lime juice, not sweet and sour mix. It had enough tequila. Entirely delicious. And it was big! Can't wait...

We were in Albany two nights. We wanted a good Mexican restaurant and there appeared to be several good ones nearby. We liked the extensive menu and decided to go. Complementary chips and salsa were warm and fresh. Excellent. My wife ordered the Birria, essentially delicious beef tacos and loaded with meat. I had the regular tacos with enchiladas (spicy pork). As good as any tacos I’ve had in the Eastern US. Both entrees came with black beans and rice, hot and seasoned. Our drinks were also great. Service by Jeeny was attentive but not obtrusive. It’s a large room with a few beautiful murals/paintings on the walls.

So good we went back the very next night. I had the exact same tacos, just as good a night later. My wife had the alambre and it was a very generous portion. Really great restaurant. Our server, Nancy, explained the one painting on the wall of seven Mexican women. We’ll absolutely return the next time...