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About
El Ranchito Taco Shop
Welcome to El Ranchito Taco Shop, a vibrant gem nestled in Palm Desert, California, known for serving up authentic Mexican delights! Located at 34580 Monterey Ave STE 103, this cozy taco shop combines traditional flavors with a modern twist, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. With an inviting atmosphere and friendly service, El Ranchito is the perfect pitstop whether you're cruising through California or just looking for a great meal.
The menu boasts an array of mouthwatering combination plates and a la carte items that are sure to satisfy any craving. A standout is the 2 Flautas Enchilada priced at just US$9.29, a dish that many patrons—like David Boston—have raved about for its excellent flavor. On the healthier side, try the Bbq Chicken Salad or the Mexican Chicken Salad, both wonderfully priced at US$9.29. Don’t overlook the Super French Fries for a delightful twist on a classic.
What makes El Ranchito truly special is its self-serve salsa bar, featuring a variety of salsas and sides, perfect for elevating your meal. As Akhil B noted, even if the food leans a bit bland on its own, the selection of salsas allows you to customize the heat to your liking. Yo can find essentials like hot carrots, salsas, and fresh jalapeños to enhance each bite.
For those traveling from afar, like Amber F, this taco shop has become a must-visit destination. Customers often choose to reroute their trips just to indulge in the flavorful offerings. Jenni Asciolla declared it the best place to eat during her visits to Palm Springs, citing favorites like the Cali Burrito and Carnitas Tacos.
The reviews reflect a consensus: El Ranchito Taco Shop delivers quality food at reasonable prices. From the al pastor tacos to the refried beans, every dish is crafted with care. Francis remarked on how the taste rivaled that of much pricier establishments, affirming that he wished this culinary haven was closer to home in Canada.
If you find yourself in the Palm Desert area, do not miss out on the vibrant flavors and welcoming ambiance of El Ranchito Taco Shop. Your taste buds will thank you, and who knows, it might just become your new favorite stop on the road!
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“ I had the combo with the shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada. Excellent !! I will definitely go back next time I visit America. ”
“ Best place to eat authentic Mexican food! We got the combos. It was really quick service and they've a self serve bar for all kinds of salsa and sides. Quantities were not huge but big enough. Food tasted amazing a little bland but with the salsa and sides it could get pretty hot. ”
“ We take the 10 instead of the 8 when traveling from Phoenix to Carlsbad just so we can eat here on the way. The food is just so good and the place is very clean, including the bathrooms! ”
“ THE BEST!!! Absolutely my favorite place to eat every time I’m in Palm Springs. Cali Burrito, Carnitas Tacos/ the carrots/onion/jalapenos on the salsa bar are the best. ”
“ First time trying and this is probably the best I've had including much more expensive Mexican restaurants. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. They have a salsa bar with pico de gallo and other types of sauces which were all fantastic. We had the chicken rolled tacos and the Al pastor plate with corn tortillas. The al pastor was delicious and the refried beans were some of the best I've had. The rolled tacos I thought were a bit dry but mixed with the salsas it was delicious. Will be back on our next trip and wished we had this in Canada! ”
“ We come here Every time when in Palm Desert. Their food is fresh and delicious. And with a fresh salsa bar, you can’t go wrong. I would definitely recommend you stop here soon. ”
“ Fresh, tasty Mexican food at a good value with well flavored salsas & decent service is always a win for me. ITEM'S ORDERED: El Ranchito Special (beef enchilada, chicken taco & bean tostada) Combo 5 (cheese enchilada, beef taquito & chicken taco) TASTE: All the food came out quite quickly & was very hot. Everything was decent while my favorites were the bean tostado & chicken taco. This is not some pretentious or higher end restaurant, just straight forward, simple, good food. I found the beef to be a little bland compared to the better seasoned chicken and I'd opt for only chicken next time. I was pleasantly surprised on how much they filled everything up with meat & cheese. Honestly, compared to similar places I've been to I got maybe 2x the meat here. The tortillas were a little more thick than I'm used to having which I enjoyed, especially in the tostada I had. Also, I like that the fried items did not seem overly greasy which is quite common. The sides of rice & beans in Combo 5 was perfectly decent. Not the best I've had, but still good. Maybe could used a little more seasoning, but that's where the salsas comes in. For me, it's many times the salsas which take Mexican food to that next level. Although I would have liked more heat overall, all the salsas had a good flavor & made the food just that much better. Some of the cream sauce they had with the salsas atop my tostada was my favorite bite. As I mentioned, portions are good here. Literally, if you are not that hungry, you could probably spit a combo among 2 people & just add an extra taco or something. SERVICE: This is more of a fast casual restaurant. Similar to Rubio's but with a more homely vibe. The cashier was friendly when I ordered & I was actually surprised on how quickly my order was called up considering how busy it was on a Saturday night on Labor day weekend. There's maybe 12 booths in this place & they were pretty much all taken the whole time I was dining there. LOCATION & PARKING: They are located in Desert Gateway, off Monterey Ave, somewhat ironically in between a Del Taco & El Pollo Loco. Parking is abundant & not an issue here. Being that we're in SoCal these type of Mexican spots are a dime a dozen but the value, & freshness make this one of the better ones I've been to. I want another tostado with extra salsa! Cheers! ”
“ High quality Mexican Taco Shop. Generous portions and tremendous flavors. The combos are a great way to try a few dishes at once. Great for breakfast too! ”