Ranchito Grill

Best Mexican food I've had in over a decade, but too pricey to eat more than once a week.

I have a thing about quality chile verde ever since I had it almost a dozen times many years ago in Juan's Place in Berkeley. I mentioned this to the waiter when I asked for a recommendation, and he said, "We have many specialties." (suure buddy). I wasn't prepared for what came next: the chile verde sauce looked completely home made and the pork was perfect and tender as was the beef in the chile colorado I forced myself to order the very next day. I was so busy marveling at my girlfriends amazingly good shredded beef in her super burrito that I didn't even notice my mother's flank steak and it was actually grilled with a smokey flavor for half the meal. The meats carried us through and the homemade corn tortillas were top notch.

The chips, salsa, and mild beans are not spiced enough for my liking, but are good enough to carry you over to the main course, which is important considering how much it costs to eat here, an additional $10 for an appetizer shouldn't be encouraged. We were celebrating so it didn't sting much, but 4 margaritas at 5.95 a piece and main dishes being priced over $10 made for a final bill, without tip or appetizer, of $70, which is bordering on mid level steakhouse prices.

The service was very good and the wait staff was polished and attentive, I just wish it was a little cheaper.

The best thing about Ranchito Grill is the homemade corn tortillas and the live music. I haven't checked out the music yet, but they have bando and other bands from out of town on Saturday nights. It sounds like a lot more fun than drinking bitter cough-syrup-like beer and watching a guy with dreadlocks try and play banjo.

The food comes on huge plates that are burning hot, and it wasn't half bad. I had the chicken, which was a thin piece of chicken breast? cooked until it was almost jerky-like. It was charred and pretty tasty. The rice and beans and the guacamole and chips were all pretty great. The shrimp and vegetable fajita-like dish was pretty good tasting but a little heavy. It was pretty buttery if you like it that way. I thought the shrimp themselves were only okay: something a little funky to me, but I felt fine afterward. The service was excellent, which is often not the case in Eugene. But the corn tortillas were the best! They came in a little steamer that sits on the table (which I had serious trouble opening when I wanted another one) and stay warm and moist. They make a great compliment to all of the food on the menu. Next, I am going to check out the music. These people are working hard and hosting out of town bands for people who like to dance: It is Mexican music so try the nice dancing like you saw your mom and dad do (hopefully) rather than the whirling dervish kind. So, check it out; there are far worst ways to spend a Saturday night in Eugene.

It was my birthday, so what a better time to try a new restaurant when the meal is free, right? I went with a group of 7 people.
Very friendly staff, and I loved the chips and salsa's they had available, especially the bean salsa. But this was about all I could rave about.

I ordered the mix and match. (flauta's and chimichunga) and a margarita. I felt like this meal was priced just right for what you got, but the margarita was pretty over-priced and not even that great. A friend got a taco salad, and it was pathetic. Very small and not appealing to eat- just kind of blah. The others in my party got the super burrito, chorizo, chicken fajtas and chicken mole and were pleased with the taste, but we all agreed that the food was very over-priced.

Don't let the giant plates fool you. It's not that you are getting a lot of food, it's just an illusion. The beans are a bit runny, so they spread and you get this little sliver of rice. I had 3 tiny flauta (which were more like taquitos) and a tiny chimichunga that was piled high with lettuce and drizzles with cheese. They really should offer at least a small portion of guac/sour cream because those flautas are very dry and lacking in flavor. But if you want sour cream and guac it would cost you almost $5 (I think the sour cream was $1.25 and a side of guac was $3.25)

I'm seeing all these comments on here about how great the food is,and really think you guys should look around more. I am hispanic and have eaten a fair share of Mexican food, and this place is really nothing to write home about.

If you want to try some EXCELLENT mexican food go to Torero's on Main. I have gone there so many times and have never been disappointed there, and you won't be either. Instead of going  to El Ranchito, you will only want to go to Torero's.