I ordered the enchiladas verde with beans and rice and I would highly recommend it! I will definitely be eating here again. Chips and salsa were very tasty. Service was good as well. This place is recommended by the locals and I can see why now. If you have time and looking for a place to eat, try this. read more

After a long day we decided to door dash this restaurant. What a mistake. I don't think eating in the Resturant would have helped this experience any. The 3 Tacos meals that we ordered arrived cold and soggy, falling apart when you tried to eat them. They did not include the extra rice we ordered. The tacos were supposed to be shredded beef and we received hamburger instead. The beans on one order were not supposed to be refried. Anything but refried beans. They even called about it and clarified what we wanted and STILL got it wrong. Rice was not good at all, very dry. The queso con Carne was ok not great, but the salsa is very good. I also ordered an "add on" drink from the door dash upsell partner (a cherry slurpee) and it came contaminated with some sort of cleaning agent mixed in. It smelled like chlorine bleach. It was Horrible. I did not notice the smell until I had already taken a sip from it. I could not even drink it. All that for $60? Not at ALL worth the money. I not only will not be back to the restaurant, but I am quite sure our door dash days are over as well. This is the 3 rd time in a row we have had a tremendously bad experience with the app. read more

This place was okay. Our food was cold and we had to keep reminding our waitress what was missing. She took back an item that came with my meal to replace it and I never received the replacement. My husband ordered fajitas and they came out cold and the refried beans looked dried out. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. read more

Excellent place. The reviews from sites.like Yelp and such were kinda low which worried us a bit but we went on a relatives recommendation and we sure are glad we came. It is EXCELLENT. The toritlla soup is some of the best I've had. GREAT queso and Rita's. Will be back for sure. read more

Excellent food, varied menu. Not full of Tex mex dishes. Real Mexican food. Recommend this place. We will return. Friendly, quality restaurant. Good service. read more

While driving back to Houston from Hot Springs, there's hardly any non-gas station-y food and so we were glad we found this, but that's probably why I liked the food as I was starving like crazy!! Got there around 11 and they said they have no breakfast/brunch!! I mean they didn't have EGGSSSS!!!!! Like, seriously a Mexican place having no Huevos!! That's so unheard of!! Ended up getting their spinach enchiladas and they were A-OK. My friend got the Taco salad and it was big, but again just OK!! We were glad that our hunger was satisfied, but this place is not worth the price they charge!! read more

Last couple of times the front of the house gave us attitude and barked at us "how many?". Today I called to give a pickup order and the girl couldn't barely pay attention to what I was saying and almost got order wrong for a few items. Didn't ask for my name and I had to ask for her to repeat the order back. Probably won't go back for a while. This is not the only place in town. read more

Maybe I'm being a bit nostalgic, but I like this place. For most meals, you not only get a cheesy poof (fried tortilla, upside down on your plate, on a bed of lettuce and tomato, covered in cheese), but you also get the two free margaritas! I highly recommend their Ocotlan plate. Trust me- it's delicious. Also, their salsa is super tasty and they serve it warm. I've never encountered salsa like theirs in any of my travels and, I must say, I crave it regularly. read more

Can you even call the food here Mexican? Just remembering my visit makes me shiver. Having lived in San Antonio for most of my life I feel like I know what authentic Mexican food tastes like. El Ranchero is not authentic. They offer 2 free margaritas with your meal and my recommendation is that you drink both of them before you start eating so that you can be somewhat satisfied with your meal. I am pretty sure that is the reasoning behind the free alcohol, they know their food is not good enough to be served to sober Mexican food fanatics. They came out with a complimentary "Cheese Puff". What is that!? I have never received a cheese puff at any authentic mexican restaurant. It was basically a chalupa with cheap cheese and ice burg lettuce on top. I could have made that myself. The enchiladas were poorly made and when did enchiladas come in flour tortilla? The beans tasted like powdered beans and I honestly don't remember how the rice tasted. The salsa was awful and I usually can tell if a Mexican restaurant is good by their salsa. How can you mess up salsa? It's safe to say that East Texas has not satisfied my Mexican food craving at any restaurant. Overall, I just want to warn anybody coming from a city that is known for their Mexican food to not waste their time here. Or if you do try it, don't get your hopes up and drink up! Cheers. read more

Eh, I ate here, it was nothing great. I don't get why Nacogdoches can't have a real solid mexican joint. The Taco Stand (El Chile Picoso) is about as good as it gets. The food was bland, it didn't leave me dying to come back, and I LOVE mexican food. read more

Great food but I wouldn't recommend ordering door dash from them. On three separate occasions, I received my order but each time something was missing in the order. I highly recommend their food, but dine in. Don't get delivery. read more

So, I'm originally from SF Bay Area and when I got here to Nacho, I mean, Nacogdoches...I heard about this place that gives free margitas from some friends. I thought, "hmm...sounds interesting!" Turns out, a group I am with were arranging a lunch meeting, and I had no idea El Ranchero was THAT place my friends mentioned. Came here for lunch with a large group, maybe about 14 heads, and I wasn't really hungry to begin with, but since everyone was going (and it was kinda madatory) I went. The menu is really extensive so chances are they have something you like. I ordered the half-quesadilla and the nice server-guy said I'd say $$$ if I ordered the #56 or something, so I did. Good looking out, amigo! The food came pretty fast, drinks (water) stayed filled, it was a good time. The food was par, and defintely if I had a larger appetite, I have no doubt they would have satisfied it. Upon leaving, that is when I saw the sign "2 Free Margarita's" and that's when it hit me..."Whoa! Is this that place they were talking about??!?" So you better believe I got my drink on, and the guy serving the drinks was hilarious, cool personality... read more

I didn't think it was possible to ruin enchiladas until I came to El Ranchero. Their tortillas were definitely not fresh, they were bland, crumbly and definitely had a weird taste to them. Also, they totally used the wrong kind of cheese, it wasn't any mild-yellow cheese but it was a weird tasting sort of cheddar cheese. Maybe it's a Tex Mex thing, but that's a no no in my book. read more

Consistently good! This place offers 2 free margaritas with an order and their salsa is homemade and is served warm- can't get enough of it. They also make guacamole live at your table and it's yummy. read more

Eh. I wasn't very impressed. I had a plate with fajitas and one cheese enchilada. The cheese enchilada was OK, the fajitas were bland and a little chewy. The tortillas served with it were the white flour mass-produced variety. The rice was the typical served at Tex-Mex places everywhere. The refried beans were good, with whole beans to aid the texture. The salsa was red, and had a black pepper bite to it, and you could see they used fresh cilantro and green onions were used in making it. The place does seem to do a good volume of business, maybe I ordered the wrong thing. I did notice in a fairly full house no one else had the fajitas. Maybe the locals know something I don't.... read more

Great selection delicious food & excellent service. Will certainly be going back very soon. read more

So I guess 4 years later I'll update. I've been to El Ranchero several times recently and it fails to disappoint. The #39 Reynosa is still my favorite since you get a good sampling of what the restaurant has to offer. I actually don't care much for the margaritas or really just margaritas in general, but they have some really good horchata if you're into that. I always leave so full and satisfied. It's a little Tex Mexy than authentic but they're queso is my absolute favorite on earth possibly. I could probably survive off just their queso. The service is always attentive and polite. May El Ranchero live on forever and ever. read more

Any place that offers two free margaritas with your entre is gonna win me over! The food was pretty good as well. My dad ordered the quail and it came out on a sizzling pan fajita style, very cool! I ordered the chile relleno it was also good. Pretty typical authentic Mexican fare. I'll for sure be back when we're back in town....and surprisingly not JUST for free margs! read more

El Ranchero - two margaritas and a strawberry lime margarita - Mexican Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

Street tacos and shrimp tacos were both quite tasty. Salsa was not up to the same standard so I'd take off 1/2 a star but otherwise nice service and would go back next time in town. read more

My family and I try to go once a week, we always ask for Pollo, he is the best. We have had him so much he knows orders and always has out drinks ready before we even sit down. Other then the waitstaff being awesome their food is some of my favorite. read more

Mediocre at best. The basket of chips was stale as was the cheese puff thing. The waitress was efficient and nice. But I'm hoping Nac has better Mexican food than this. I did like the warm salsa. read more

Literally the best Mexican food in Nac. I believe they also used to be in Lufkin. Any chance we get or we crave Mexican food, this is our go to. From their chips and warm salsa to the service and papa nachos. It's always a great experience. Wish theyd come back to Lufkin!! read more

Some of the best Mexican in town. My favorite dish is the reyanosa. The free margaritas are also what makes this place legendary

A request of Mariachi Loco will get the disco ball lit! Two margaritas and Uber may be in your future.

I always go by this place when in town (my hometown). Best chips and salsa around. My standard order is the 3 enchiladas with rice and beans dish. I get the enchiladas stuffed with cheese. Forget which menu item it is. Oh, it comes with a cheese puff. Fun little appetizer. Eat the cheese puff while it's hot though. Just found the menu item. It's #36 Enchiladas Joe. read more

This place is great! The staff is ALWAYS full of smiles and accommodating. The food is absolutely delicious and well priced! Keep an eye out for your two free margaritas (how cool is that)! The only suggestion I would make is to refurbish the seats. The booths are sunk in and definitely need to be looked at. Other than that this place has always done me right and I am sure you'll love it too! read more

I would come here just to drink, errrrr *eat* the salsa. It's so flavorful and they serve it warm, which is the way salsa should be served (according to me, and I'm the pseudo-authority on it). The food is decent. It's not amazing "slap-yo-momma" Mexican fare that you stumble on once in a while, but it's good enough to keep me coming back over and over again. read more

I usually don't try to leave a bad review but this place was horrible I'm Mexican the food was awful the margaritas taste like lemonade it was just a terrible experience. Our waiter had the worse customer service ever. Definitely never coming back read more

Meh. Just average. Decently priced though. They offer free Margaritas which is a good bonus. Food can take a while specially during lunch hour. read more

First trip here. I liked the chicken enchiladas and sopapillas were wonderful. Very friendly staff. Reasonable prices. Clean. Plenty of televisions to watch sports. Salsa served warm and very watered down. Queso is just melted cheese. read more

Over the years, we've frequented a favorite Tex Mex restaurant here and there until they either closed down or no longer were favorites. Well, we started going to El Rancheros on a frequent basis and I started appreciating some of their dishes. Their wait staff are super nice and always are attentive in taking care of us. Today, I would recommend this establishment. read more

Best hot sauce ever! I am a huge whine when it comes to spicy food but the hot sauce isn't very spicy but has a ton of flavor, I ate 3 bowls. We had the taco dinner which was good but the real star for me was the hot sauce, I'll be back for more. read more

UPDATE 2/6/2017: Still not disappointed- LOVE this place. We came back this evening to celebrate our anniversary and received top notch service and an excellent meal! Our food was HOT when we received it. I don't know if they read the review or if the improvement was just made on it's own, but I was SO happy to have my food come out fresh and hot! Not only that, but the flavor of my veggie fajitas that I ordered were just mouth-watering. I normally don't get just veggies, but WOW, they had me not missing meat at all...so much flavor packed into these fajitas! The salsa was of course as good as always and they always offered to refill it. Just all around excellent service. Our waitress was very kind and always checked on us to make sure we were happy and had everything we needed. This really is my favorite place around here. ------------------------- I've never been disappointed with my meals here, in fact this is my go-to Tex Mex restaurant in the area because they deliver the best tasting cuisine and the most consistent service. Our salsa is always fresh and they are always coming around to fill it up. Love the free margaritas, can't complain! Every dish that I've tried here has been wonderful. My only issue is that sometimes the food could be a little warmer, but I do prefer my food to be very very hot. Other than that we always really enjoy this place and will continue to come back! read more

I didn't get my free margarita, but I ordered the molcajete and it was pretty awesome. Huge Sizzling molcajete came out with nopales, beef, chicken all covered in cheese and ranchero sauce. read more

By far the best Mexican food I have eaten! Staff was friendly and atmosphere was relaxing. If you looking for good authentic Mexican at an affordable price, this is the place. read more

Since Casa Ole closed in Nac, El Ranchero is my husband and my favorite place to go to eat Mexican food! Much better priced than Jalapeno Tree and much tastier than Posados. The fajitas are ok-cheap meat, but tasty. I think the salsa is excellent. I personally won't go back to a Mexican joint if their salsa is no good. Queso is very good and we always have good service when we go. Just a note about the free margaritas-they are not real margaritas! They don't have any tequila in them-it's more of a frozen margarita-flavored wine cooler. I was a little disappointed! Overall, I would recommend El Ranchero to most people I know! read more

Dear El Ranchero, Oh how I miss thee! Twas you who filled my mouth with those wonderful meals, free margaritas, and free ice cream.... On a more serious note, this is one of the best mexican restaurants I have been to and I live in San Antonio now, home of Tex-Mex lol. El Ranchero has a huge selection of meals, a nice authentic environment, and a friendly staff. I personally love the spinach enchiladas here, and the salsa, is the best I've had from any restaurant. The salsa is so good they actually sell it in big take home containers and it's cheap. I love that the salsa here is served warm and it's freshly made everyday. The restaurant has 2 seating areas (one on each side of the restaurant), the area to your left was the smoking area but that may have been banned per city ordinance now but I can't say for sure. I can't wait to go home for a visit so I can stop in again! I highly reccommend this place to anyone looking to get good service, cheap food, big portions, and tastes that will have you yelping to all your friends about it. read more

This is probably one of mine and my husband's favorite places to go. You get two free margaritas and they have different specials each day. It's also BYOB if you have a different beverage in mind. The food is authentic and delicious. The waitstaff is friendly and we've always had a good time. read more

Amazing food! Our family always has to eat here when we are in town! The number 5 is delicious. Their salsa is the best I've ever eaten. It's served slightly warm and there's just nothing like it. read more

The two free margaritas/person is a good deal, the staff was friendly, and the restaurant is brightly decorated, but the food experience left quite a bit to be desired. read more