EL RANCHO ~ THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN TACO PLACE

THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN TACO PLACE

Welcome and Bienvenidos which means the same thing in either English or Spanish. It is printed invitingly directly across the top of the Taqueria “El Rancho” Restaurant's menu.

Some time ago I found a little eatery stuffed off the main thoroughfares of the city. I have eaten there numerous time, and thought of blogging about the food, but then I decided I would be stingy and keep my hedonistic activities a secret. After all if you want to find these gems of epicurean delights then you get out into the real world and kiss a few toads. Let's see if you can find a prince or princess while tramping through the evolutionary dew of grease, or just end up with a good case of warts.


Hidden out in a section of the city that is affectionately referred to as the Barrio de Siloam. just off the beaten path of main stream traffic is a great “little” restaurant's. I truly love this eatery that calls itself “El Rancho ~ The Original Mexican Taco Place. The owners are the nicest people you will ever come across in the restaurant business. During the lunch hour you can always expect a beautiful effervescent smile, and friendly hello from Mrs. Lourdes Alvarado who is the co-owner of El Rancho, with her husband Wilmer.

The Original Mexican Taco Place?” My favorite is the Chicken Enchilada dinner plate all piled up with rice and beans, smothered with homemade green chili hot sauce and a couple of fresh wedges of Lime on the side for $4.75. Wash it all down with a ice cold bottle of real Coca-Cola served up in a glass bottle for another dollar and a dime. This is the real Coca-Cola and not the sweet syrupy stuff that is bottled in those plastic plastic gunkers so that it will taste good to the Pepsi generation. Just enough fizz to bite your tongue and throat when you take a drink.

Now this is the Coca-Cola of you parents and grandparents the coke of World War II, nickle bottles out of the vending machines in front of the service station, and hot summer days at the soda fountains. Half of you reading this right now are now asking yourself what the heck is he talking about? I'll tell you later if you really want to know.

Okay back to the show. So you want something a little more than the run of the mill fajitas or enchilada dinners, huh? How about a big seven ounce slab of beef steak known as “Carne Asada,” all seasoned and fried up on a hot skillet and served with rice, beans, and a fresh salad for only seven bucks. Not into eating a side of beef today, well the boneless chicken breast called “pechuga de pollo” with all the trimmings for $6.00. Trying to save the planet or live a different life style, after all not all of us are carnivores, some have to be the food. Well El Rancho has a full line of “veggy” meals just for you. Fried fish, or shrimp and crab soup more to your liking ---- hey they have that also. What have we left out? Oh Yeah! Quesadillas, home made tamales, shrimp cocktail, and if your up to it you can make your on plate from a selection of all the above. Got a house full of rug rats or crumb crunchers to feed? Children plates with a choice of enchilada, taco, tamale, or quesadilla with rice and beans for only three clams. Hey you can't beat that deal with a stick. Think about it, you can not buy a processed hamburger, fries and a small soft drink for that price pardner.

Oh man, I just about left off a killer lunch time item, or any other time when you want to indulge your gluttonous behavior. El Rancho makes what they call the “Super Burrito,” for only three dollars and fifty smackers. This is a giant flour soft tortilla filled with refried beans, cheese, rice, chicken or beef, and Ranchero sauce. Pig out my friend like there is no tomorrow. It is great, and if you are still hungry, you can purchase a second one for only three dollars and fifty cents. You may want to think about that for a minute. By the way once again for those herbivore amongst us whose eyes shine white in the head lights, we red eyed omnivores would suggest you to try El Rancho's Super Burrito built for veggy lovers. Hey El Rancho has a full carry out service as well.

So where is this little spicy hashery of inexpensive delights? Well is it located at 715 East Jefferson, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, just a short walk east from the front door of the Municipal Hospital on Hwy. 43. Or just two short blocks west of the railroad crossing at the old Allen's canning company warehouse. Now I am not implying you would need a hospital, but instead giving you a perspective to the location of their front door.

El Rancho is open six days a week. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM. All other days except Sunday you can indulge your flavorful appetite one hour later until the ripe old hour of 8:00 PM.

However don't plan on eating out at the Taqueria El Rancho on Sundays. The owners have reserved that day for Jesus. That is nice isn't it, I can respect that.

So how does the Phantom Diner rate El Rancho? Well here are my overall views of “El Rancho.”

One (1) is the worst, and ten (10) is the best
Value = 9
Service = 10
Quantity = 9
Taste = 10
Cleanliness = 9
Over all score = 9.40

They may not shower your table with tons of corn chips, and that not so appetizing hot sauce dip made from tomato paste, laced with pungent shreds of cilantro and canned pepper sauce, but they do make up for it with good food at a really reasonable price. An we all could stand a little help during these depression days of low wages, and unemployment. If you can only step out once a week or once a month, give El Rancho a try next time. I do not think I have steered you wrong.

Hey that just my opinion.

Bony apostle amigos y amigas,

Triton Moreno

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