I was a regular when this place was El Bandidos. The atmosphere was fun, and the people were great. The food was awesome! Authentic Mexican food. The place is now under new management, and the happy hour scene is not as lively or late nights during the week. Yet the food is still good and they still make killer sangrias and margaritas. The sangrias are the strongest I have had other than my own.
The salsa is delicious, and the guac is pretty good. I always get enchiladas dishes, and I never had better anywhere else. Â The shrimp dinners are scrumptious. My only wish is that more people come check this place out so they don't go out of business. Â I also miss the cameras they had at the bar so you could see your car in the parking lot. Other than that try it out!!!!!!!!
El Rancho Grande Restaurant was a nice authentic Mexican restaurant my boyfriend, friends and I went to this past Saturday. It's decorated in a traditional Mexican way with paintings all along the walls and streamers hanging from the ceiling. We started off out meal with a round of Corona's and the waiter brought us a complimentary quesedilla and salsa with chips. Both were good, except the salsa was a little too spicy for my liking. Definitely had to drinks lots of water with it, but it was still good. You could tell it was freshly made. As for main entrees 2 of us had the chimichangas and the other 2 had enchilladas. Both were freshly made, seasoned well and you could tell had fresh meat in them. The meat was very juicy and tender which was good. The portions were decent sized and came with rice and refriend beans. After our meals, they brought us a complimentary dessert, BE FOR WARNED THE INSIDE CONTENTS ARE VERY HOT...I know this only because I burnt my mouth on it!!! The inside of the pastry shell was bananas and carmel...which would have been nice to know in advance. The waiter just came and put it on the table with no words saying what it was that he just served us. Had I known, I definitely would have waited. The best part about our dining experience was the owner coming around and playing the guitar singing traditional Mexican music. Made the atmosphere even more relaxing and a little romantic too. Â Will most likely come back here as I enjoy Mexican food and we had a lot of good food and laughs...
Review Source:I was skeptical about this place from reading the reviews. After trying it tonight I have to say we had a great evening here. The food and drinks were very good. The wait staff was very attentive. The live music was entertaining, all be it all traditional Mexican. The owner (one of the singers) even came around to every table to make sure all was well. This place is almost identical to the original El Bandito in Spring Valley, NY which is still my favorite. No longer owned by them, It's actually cheaper! I will definitely recommend this place as well as return here often. Five stars all the way.
Review Source:This place was El Bandito, which also had operations in Spring Valley, New York. The former owners realized that it had to compete with the Valley Italian Restaurants of Orange Valley. Well the new owners, must be oblivious to their surroundings. Gone are the good service, the great portions, and friendly atmosphere. The waiters spent more time looking at the NBA game behind the bar rather then tending to their customers. This place went down fast since the new family bought it from the previous owners. I thought, I would bring a visiting Mexican friend over, just to test the food and "IT SUCKED BIG TIME!" according to my friend. I was embarassed and took  them to a Ironbound Spanish restaurant , because of the guilt :( and shame. Go else where for your Mex-fare, gone are the days of El Bandito. Aaaah dios mio!
Review Source:1950s Mexican-American fare done right. You'll know this the moment you get the complimentary chips and salsa. The chips are perfectly fried and firm enough to pick up the well-balanced salsa. You also get a mini cheese quesadilla.
TRY THE CEVICHE. I always get this and share. It's too good to not share, as much as I want it all to myself. The black bean soup is also very good.
I always go for the combo platters. The dishes come piping hot. The refried beans are perfect in texture and flavor. The rice could pump up the flavor a bit more. The enchiladas, tacos, and chile rellenos are all good and packed with fresh ingredients. The green sauce is on the mild sauce. They give a banana chimichanga to end the meal.
The wait staff is in uniform and friendly. The dining room is casual, somewhat cavernous, and with interesting murals painted on the walls. There is a bar with a full selection (try the Licor 43 as an apertif, if you've never had it). There is also a much different, plainer space on the second floor for private parties and busy evenings (e.g., Cinco de Mayo).
Nice, kitschy atmosphere, good service, and a huge menu with tons of yummy stuff. Â You get chips and salsa, a small cheese quesadilla, and a dessert banana chimichanga for free, but you'll make up with it for what you pay for your entree... so yeah, it's not cheap... average $14-18 for an entree I'd estimate. Â But the food is quite good and seems to be freshly prepared. Â I had chicken with salsa verde, garlic, and sliced onions, served with rice and beans... very tasty. Â Boyfriend had something with mole sauce that looked pretty good. Â Nice-sized portions.
There was a two-man band there, playing acoustic guitar and singing in harmony, but not accosting you at your table like they do at some places, so it was very nice. Â Margarita was good, but tasted very much like it was made from a mix.
We especially enjoyed the mural next to us of some... hmm... Mayans, perhaps?... sacrificing one of their compatriots.
My friends and I have been going to El Bandido (now El Rancho Grande) for years. Â Great food, good quick service, definatly a favorite place for Mexican. Â
The atmosphere is very colorful, they have a mariachi Band on the weekends, and they give you a complimentry quesadilla and special dessert. Â I love the traditional combination platters, and their rice and beans are so so good. Â If your in the area, check this place out for some good food.
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