El Ranchero

One of my favorites spots. I can everything, don't skip out on there caldos, there seafood dishes,…read moretacos, burritos, flautas, even a great huge taco salad, canes asada with shrimp my favorite. When he has Mole dint miss out on it, great staff, awesome owner Oscar great people very clean

Great food, have only ordered take out but it always quick and delicious. Would definitely order…read moremore if it wasn't out of my way

Drink menu

Complimentary Chips and Salsa

See all

Cadillac margarita and piña colada

Fajita Grill

4.9(14 reviews)

6.9 mi

Phenomenal Mexican cuisine!!! Always hot and ready in a hurry. Great portion sizes for the price.read more

Been wanting to try this place and was able to sit outside tonight on a Taco Tuesday! So good and…read moreauthentic! Try the pico and pay extra to have it added onto your tacos. So good! Service was very good and food came out super fast. Ambiance is nice outside with some light music. Very good. Will be back!

Menu page 5

Menu page 4

See all

Watermelon margarita

El Jimador 2

4.0(40 reviews)

1.7 mi

Wonderful little place! Great ambience and very friendly, attentive staff. I had the tamales, rice…read moreand beans. I think the best tamales I've ever had. The salsas were very good and the chips warm and delicious. Tried all of the salsas and the hottest one. Was the best:) try it you will like it! I will come again for sure!

I hate having to write a bad review on a local family owned business... but honestly there's no…read moreexcuse serving someone this empty shell of a taco. It wasn't Taco Tuesday.. I paid full price for everything I purchased today & with the exception of a side bean cup everything was under-portioned . My first visit was wonderful with no issues.. but there's no excuse for the food that was served to me today.The man that waited on me was very nice, no complaints on service whatsoever. However, sadly I will not be returning to this restaurant. With today's prices I need consistency .. I simply cannot gamble away $50

Bistec a la Mexicana. Delicious!

Quesa birria tacos

See all

Quesa Birria tacos

Tacos Burritos Y Más

4.5(2 reviews)

1.6 mi

We were driving through Indiana on a road trip and stopped at this place for dinner. If you stop…read moreby, I hope you are lucky enough to have Darnell as your server. He was the best. Friendly, kind, great humor. We loved chatting and getting to know him. It's a no frills place with solid food. The guacamole, gorditas, salsa and chips were great. They were able to easily accommodate my vegetarian diet and their rice and beans are meat-free,

A wonderful thing is happening inside the kitchen of this little restaurant…read more.. These folks are cooking from scratch! I stopped in today for a beef sandwich and the sweet young lady suggested the special, 2 Beef sandwiches to your liking regular/dry/wet and choice of peppers and cheese if you please...plus a order of French fries. All this for$10!! And the beef is cooked in house! This wasn't your typical bucket of precooked slop that sooo many restaurants buy frozen . Restaurants don't cook anymore, they simply heat up pre- made frozen tasteless slop. Imagine a Beef roasting in the oven..Just how it should be made and served. Stop in and give this nice couple a try! I promise you'll be happy. I also bought a few tacos but I was so filled from the beef sandwich I didn't really try the tacos. But I think I wanna try the Ribeye steak burrito on my next visit.

Tacos Burritos Y Más - Chicken, pork& lengua on flour with cheese, lettuce & tomatoes well SEASONED. Food was cook to order Definitely will be back again.

Chicken, pork& lengua on flour with cheese, lettuce & tomatoes well SEASONED. Food was cook to order Definitely will be back again.

See all

El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant

4.4(256 reviews)

7.1 mi

Stopped in here early afternoon after our exercise class and hungry as a bear. Hubby ordered a beer…read moreas soon as he saw his meal of steak and eggs. I hadn't planned to eat that whole thing, the Lunch Carnitas, but it was so good, did anyway. My plate more attractive than hubby's, but the food was excellent. We saw flan on the dessert menu and couldn't pass that up-- and so glad we didn't! The BEST flan (smooth creamy custard goodness) and large enough helping that it worked for both of us, surrounded by a delicious hard sauce. Busy but happy, friendly service, and music as background, not so loud we couldn't talk (but of course, we were very busy eating!). Price reasonable for the food and we'll be back.

This is now our go to Mexican restaurant! The service is outstanding and the food is even better…read more Everything is very fresh and the flavors are amazing. Had the fajitas and burritos one night and tostadas the next visit.

Pollo Azteca

See all

27oz Margarita Menu Price

Veleros

4.2(107 reviews)

12.4 mi

On a recent trip to see my brother, they took me to this place which is their new favorite. I loved…read morethe vibe and decor. My sister-in-law isn't an outdoorsy person, so we ate inside. I would have enjoyed the lovely patio, but it also looked like it was about to rain! Our server was very nice and gave some excellent recommendations. Instead of chips and salsa, we were served their potato flautas. It was a nice change of pace. I usually fill up on chips and salsa and can't finish my main entree. For the table, my brother ordered a house special entree - Mariscada Valero's - which is a variety of sautéed seafood served with tortillas. It was perfect for sharing with our four person group. For my main dish, I ordered the skirt steak tacos with coconut rice on the side. I love coconut and I love rice. Who knew they go together so well! The skirt steak was cooked perfectly. I had my leftovers for breakfast and the skirt steak was still tender! I did try the lobster tacos (my sister-in-law's favorite). They were yummy - although a bit spicy. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it! Overall, we were really happy with everything. I will definitely make it a point to come here on my next visit!

Good food, cold beer, and great service. How could you go wrong here? Prices were average, and the…read morefood was better than average. We sat at the bar, but there are plenty of tables/chairs inside and out to sit at. We will definitely be back.

This is another view of the outside dining area, where the live music is played and dancing occurs. The restaurant is up the stairs.

Chips with trio of salsas

See all

El Super Taco

5.0(1 review)

0.2 mi

I went to this restaurant for the first time yesterday and ordered the chicken nacho. It was…read moredelicious. I seriously recommend this place. But 5 and get the next free. I will be going back trying other dishes.

El Pueblo Mexica Restaurant

3.6(73 reviews)

3.4 mi

Just ordered $40 worth of food and got three tacos, two tostadas and a rice and beans and an…read moreHorchata.... seven dollars for a tostada of this caliber is absolutely embarrassing. Some things need to change if they plan on being successful in the future

I recently moved to the area and every time I rode by they were always busy. It was between lunch…read moreand dinner so we stopped in. The raspberry margarita was delicious. Good beer options for my husband. Every one was friendly. We both had steak tacos, cilantro and onions. Really good. The complimentary chips and salsa were delicious.

Seven dollar tostada just chicken, lettuce and cheese

See all

Steak Milenesa with Mexican Rice & Beans & Flour Tortillas

El Charrito Mexican Grill

4.7(24 reviews)

5.5 mi

This place has some amazing birria items on their menu! Fun atmosphere and friendly servers. We…read morewere all really happy with our meals and highly recommend this place.

We spent the day in INDY with our grandson for his 5th birthday . After a long day there, we drove…read moreback home and we were tired and hungry. Nothing sounded good to the Mrs until I mentioned Mexican food and El Charrito. Boom! Instant winner! We got Quesabirria Dinners and a large order of chips and salsa. Delicious. When we dine in person, the service is great and when we order takeout, the food still has the same quality. You can't say that about a lot of restaurants. El Charrito is #1 in our book for quality food, service and ambience. Check them out when you're in the Portage area!

Dining area

Birria tacos

See all

Entrance

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Amanda S.

0

2

0

10 years ago

Myself and my husband went here for a date. When we walked in we were sat immediately. I ordered a frozen margarita off the suggestion of the waitress and my husband had a beer. We went here thinking great a new little restaurant in the area. So half hour in we hadn't received our drinks or food. The soup was bland and the sauce they bring you with your chips, the bottles were filthy. When we finally got our food my husband received the pazole and they forgot all the fixins. While my Carne asada was no where in site. I asked 3 separate times about my food and finally requested a to go box. My husbands food was flavorless and my food was overcooked and they forgot the tortillas. Don't waste your money. All they did for the trouble was give us a free beer. Worst Mexican food in a long time. Way too pricey and the staff isn't friendly! read more

Fernando T.

3

14

7

7 years ago

Best Mexican restaurant in the area. As a restaurant owner myself I honestly can't think of a single thing they could change. It's always a great experience. read more

Rudy F.

0

4

0

8 years ago

Great tacos and more! Someone from our company is here at least 3 times a week for lunch. Great food and great prices. Love it.

jake s.

0

9

0

15 years ago

Best authentic mexican restaurant in the area.. Been going there for years and the food is consistently delicious

Nikki M.

1

3

0

9 years ago

This is hands down my favorite restaurant in the area! Always smiling faces and great service!

El Ranchero - mexican - Updated August 2026

People who viewed El Ranchero also viewed

Fat Burrito

4.3

(260 reviews)

It's always clean. The food hasn't changed even though the times have in the United States. The…read morestaff is always polite and nice. I'd highly recommend a.

Just have to update my review because I see my last review was 7 years ago and I don't pay…read moreattention to old reviews if I'm researching a new spot. We go here at least 1 time every two weeks. It's our favorite spot and it's always delicious. They also seem to keep a consistent staff so they're very efficient and friendly.

Ruben's Mexican Grill

4.5

(179 reviews)

Absolutely amazing! Food, service, ambiance...all of it! The…read morewaiter was nice. I had questions about GF and he was so helpful. The food came. My GF kid ate everything! That is not like him. And he wanted 2 tacos and beans to take home. That pretty much let's me know, we'll be back!

Not a big menu basic Mexican food that is made great! Myself and the wife love the coconut…read moreMargaritas

El Amigo

3.7

(174 reviews)

absolutely excellent service, and 10/10 food! and the tacos are some of the best tacos i've ever…read morehad and i've had plenty. definitely recommend if you're in the area and looking for good food.

OK, once you get past the fact that it's a hole in the wall Mexican place let me tell you the…read moreservice is great. They're always prompt. They bring you free chips and salsa to your table. I usually opt for the same thing every time, the queen which is skirt steak And rice and beans with a cheese enchilada and shredded lettuce and tomato it never disappoints. It's always spot on delicious it comes with your choice of corner flour tortillas. I always get corn. It's just a perfect meal. They have other things of course and my family gets those such as tacos or Maria that sort of thing Overall for the price point. You get a lot for your money. It's delicious food and it won't break the bank perfect for family is or a date or anything. It's just a really good place.

San Pedros Mexican Restaurante & Cantina

3.3

(37 reviews)

Food and service was great! 10/10, highly recommend! This is my new favorite spot for Mexican…read morecuisine!

We stopped in to this place after a busy day of getting stuff done. It was about 2:00 and it was…read morevery quiet. We were sat right away. The staff that greeted us were super kind and friendly . We both ordered water and lemon and I added a strawberry margarita because #tequila lol! My fiancé ordered the steak sopes that came with refried beans and rice. Sopes are corn cakes topped with delicious goodness! I ordered the chimichanga carnita and it didn't come with queso on top but they substituted that for chihuahua cheese on top. Everything came out super hot and delicious. My dish still had the best crunch to it and the inside was filled with some of the freshest pork I think I've had . My fiancé was also very pleased with his meal and had zero complaints . Oh, and you get your standard chips and salsa but here you also get a small bowl of sopa de fideo ! It was piping hot and sooo good! I loved the small noodles and the tomato broth had just the right amount of spice and flavor .I didn't get a pic because I INHALED it lol! All in all I would definitely stop in again. The setting is very traditional but comforting and I enjoyed my experience here very much! Thank you guys!

Asada Grill & Cantina

3.9

(360 reviews)

Enjoy the food. I wish they would add some new items on the menu. Same menu for years. When I…read morecheck out the menu for something new all I find that's new are the higher prices and extra fees. I still hope I find some better nachos.

Not near as good as Santa Fe in Dyer and Crown Point I will…read morerecommend Santa Fe over all these places Thank You! No I do not work there or know anyone that does Great Fajitas at Santa Fe

Ay Chihuahua's

4.6

(12 reviews)

I had their tamales at a festival in Griffith. They were so good! The workers were very kind as…read morewell. I can't wait to visit their restaurant!

love this place! the service is great, love the people that run this place. love when they visit…read morefairs - always be sure to stop by! definitely try the desserts!

El Ranchero

4.3

(13 reviews)

I love this restaurant, I ordered the Cana asada with rice and beans. The steak was prepared…read moreperfectly. The rice and beans were delicious. The service was a little slow but efficient, the ambiance was a warm and clean restaurant. Will continue to support this business.

Authentic! Delicious! Great Prices! The guac is fresh and very good. Came here for a birthday get…read moretogether. The staff were extremely friendly and provided wonderful service! They helped me practice my Spanish! The decor was exactly what would be expected in a Mexican style restaurant. The tiles flooring and decorations to the nice selection of tequila behind the bar.

Mi Querido Pueblito

3.9

(11 reviews)

One of few restaurants open after the storms. Had late…read morelunch. They were slammed! Looking forward to returning after everything else returns to normal! Friendly staff and great Chimichanga at fair price!

Friendly service but food was just ok. Had the taco dinner…read morewith a chicken , steak and beef taco. All 3 were underwhelming and lacking flavor. The tortillas smelled of oil. The chips and salsa were good.. the salsas seem to be homemade? Wife had tostada dinner. Same the beef lacked flavor .., We also had the guac. That as acceptable.

El Dorado Mexican Grill

4.2

(5 reviews)

Went on a quiet Wednesday night. The food was delicious. The chips and salsa were tasty and…read morewelcoming, we asked for another basket. Had the Caldo de Pollo (soup) -- it was heartwarming and flavorful, with good vegetables. A hidden gem because of its location on a rather empty strip mall, but I would return here again. Additionally, clean restrooms.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS OF MERRILLVILLE!!! My…read morechicken tacos were so good! The rice has a really nice flavor too! I ordered hard corn tortillas, for my tacos, and had all the fixings: lettuce tomato onion cheese sour cream and slices of avocado!!! OH MY GOSH!!! IT WAS SOOOO FRIGGING G@@D!!! I caught them on taco Tuesday and each was $2, instead of $3!!! They have great food and great service! I can't wait to bring my husband back here!!! I snuck away for lunch!!!

Taqueria Mazamitla

4.2

(155 reviews)