Mi Ranchito — Restaurant in Town of Lysander

This place has very good tasting food but the accuracy of the orders is beyond problematic. Tonight was one of the last five times I ordered from them and we ordered a chicken dish and were delivered a beef dish. It was telltale, because when my daughters received the food as it was a take-out order, they commented oh they did it again. Last time we asked for chicken and they gave us beef as well. It seems that the people in the restaurant no matter what they put on the receipt or what was ordered they just prefer to give you a beef or whatever they choose versus what you order.. it’s very disappointing especially when you have people who won’t eat specific meat. It is a respectable Mexican restaurant but the accuracy really needs to be targeted and sitting in the restaurant is like sitting in a McDonald’s at best. They don’t know when to bring you the bill. They don’t know when to bring you napkins. They actually have no clue how to serve you. I’ll have to ask every time for the bill and I have to ask every time for napkins or silverware or whatever is needed and other tables, I have to do exactly the same as I’ve witnessed repeatedly Pick some thing focus on it and you guys will be great because your food can carry you if you actually deliver it as requested by the customer chicken when ordered beef when ordered...

So there I was, stuck in another conundrum of what to have for lunch when I decided to go to taco bell. But it had occurred to me there was an authentic Mexican restaurant that in town that I hadn't tried yet. So I looked them up and gave them a call. Busy. Again. Busy. My mind was set so I grabbed my keys and made the short drive. I was slightly annoyed I couldn't do my order over the phone but some places get real busy. So I arrived and walked in and was met with a "Welcome". Looked over the menu and I knew what I was going to try. I ordered the Fajitas Texanas. It didn't take very long for my order to be filled which was perfect because boy was I hungry. Hope back in the pickup and head home. Settle down and open my container. Rip that tortilla and take dive into appeared to be an average looking authentic Mexican dish. I can't really explain what happened next. One second there was a full plate in front of me and before I knew half of it was gone. Of all the authentic places I have been to in and eaten from this hands down is the best. The main dish was perfect. The rice mmmmmm perfectly seasoned. The shrimp, cooked to perfection. I know where I'm eating from now on. The price was well worth it and since the food was definitely on the top of the bar I didn't mind the drive. 10/5 stars. Go there, you...

(Note: I've eaten here or picked up dinners 4 times in the last 2 months)

I want to like this food - I really do. But here's the problem:

CONSISTENCY

I (literally) ordered the same dish 2 nights in a row. Last night (Oct 3rd) a gentleman answered the phone, took my order for 2 dinners and when I picked them up I couldn't have been happier. Everything was prepared exactly as I asked (I had requested beef vs. chicken in one dish, he had it prepared perfectly), he was professional and quick to serve, and the dishes looked and tasted great.

Then tonight... (Oct 4th). I ordered the exact same dish. My first red flag -- the two people that worked on taking my order couldn't quite figure out the simple substitution (same as above, "dish A, but with beef instead of chicken").

When I arrived, the friendly gentlemen from the night before was missing. I was waited on quickly and politely, but when I got home? A disaster. I can't even describe what it was, but I'm pretty sure a mess hall could have done better. It looked terrible, and didn't taste much better than it looked.

I wish they'd get consistent. If every meal was like the first one above, they'd be my favorite restaurant in town. Unfortunately, my experience is you just don't know what you are going to get, it's "luck of the...