El Ranchito Taco Shop

3.8 (318 reviews)

InexpensiveMexican

Closed • 8:30 am - 8:30 pm

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El Ranchito Taco Shop - Shredded Beef Hard Shell Taco - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Shredded Beef Tacos - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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El Ranchito Taco Shop - 3 tables for outside dinning area. - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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The most delicious thing I've eaten in a long time. A light and airy white meat chicken flauta with sour cream and cheese. DELICIOUS

Michael P.

Well... this is about the 7th time I've returned here in a little over two weeks! Today I had the street soft tacos-- carne asada and chicken! Delicious. I have also enjoyed their burritos, and Flauta. Awesome. The owner , Alma, is so kind and helpful and I have become a loyal fan of El Ranchito Taco Shop. Highly recommend-- NUMERO UNO!!

delicious food great customer service, relaxing, dining area! located in the Brothers shopping center right behind Arco

Emmanuel T.

We've been coming here for years & always enjoy the food! I love their Mexicano Burrito (carne asada burrito) but I decided to have a carne asada torta which was good but I honestly find the Pollo Asada torta a lot tastier since the chicken is very well seasoned! The service was good & friendly. The ambience is nice also have a good little salsa bar.

Jenna A.

Goodness gracious, El Ranchito Taco Shop officially has my heart! I am so mad with my family that they haven't taken me here sooner! The Quesabirria tacos were 10/10, exceeded all expectations, and were the best birria tacos I've had in forever! So much flavor and the perfect texture! Salsa bar was delicious to add a little more kick to my tacos & chips! Cannot wait to be in the area again soon to have Taco Shop again!!

Best tacos ever you have to go here and try these tacos you won't regret it go now!!!!!

Jay L.

In town for a tournament, craving some Delicious food and got El Ranchito Taco shop recommended to us. It DID NOT dissapoint . Flavor full food. Great customer service. Satisfied tummies.

Service is a 10! Food is a 10! Highly recommend to come try this place out! Chilaquiles fire!

John P.

It was okay. I give the Flautas 5 out of 5, but my carne asada taco was awful. Unseasoned and no flavor. I also got 7 chips, you get a free bag with your order. If you want 7 more chips you have to pay for more. Overall, not awful but definitely not good.

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Cody S.

0

1

0

29 days ago

The best tacos in the valley good costumer service very friendly recommend to everyone

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Debra M.

25

7

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25 days ago

I've been eating there for years. Food has always been on point. Their tacos are always good and the selection of salsa's is great. The service is great and it's small inside with people eating or waiting for food. read more

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Gloria B.

59

8

3

12 days ago

The food is so good and authentic I've had taquitos flautas and beef tacos! My favorite place so far in the Palm Springs Palm Desert La Quinta area service is friendly and the atmosphere friendly read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Flautas plate - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Tyler R.

37

1

0

18 days ago

Best place around new to the area this is our new taco spot and taquitos spot!!!! DELICIOUS!!!! read more

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Michael P.

Elite 26

4

188

103

4 months ago

Well... this is about the 7th time I've returned here in a little over two weeks! Today I had the street soft tacos-- carne asada and chicken! Delicious. I have also enjoyed their burritos, and Flauta. Awesome. The owner , Alma, is so kind and helpful and I have become a loyal fan of El Ranchito Taco Shop. Highly recommend-- NUMERO UNO!! read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - The most delicious thing I've eaten in a long time. A light and airy white meat chicken flauta with sour cream and cheese. DELICIOUS - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - A delicious combination plate of a shredded beef taco with rice and beans. Their tacos are so tasty! - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - The FANTASTIC OWNER Alma!! - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Vishal S.

Elite 26

197

257

672

2 months ago

Great food. Good service. Reasonable prices. Ambiance is casual. We ordered the enchiladas and tacos. They have a side salsa bar to add extra spices to your me. read more

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Lois B.

Elite 26

246

156

227

2 months ago

Love this place! So clean and delicious. Very homey. I got the potato tacos and and a carne asada torta

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Kelly M.

0

2

3

6 days ago

Best taco spot around!! Everyone is super nice. Love the rice and beans & salsa! The end

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Joel M.

123

2

8 days ago

delicious food great customer service, relaxing, dining area! located in the Brothers shopping center right behind Arco read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Beef taquitos with rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Emmanuel T.

Elite 26

5

135

429

7 months ago

We've been coming here for years & always enjoy the food! I love their Mexicano Burrito (carne asada burrito) but I decided to have a carne asada torta which was good but I honestly find the Pollo Asada torta a lot tastier since the chicken is very well seasoned! The service was good & friendly. The ambience is nice also have a good little salsa bar. read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Torta de Asada - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Jenna A.

Elite 26

11

222

237

1 year ago

Goodness gracious, El Ranchito Taco Shop officially has my heart! I am so mad with my family that they haven't taken me here sooner! The Quesabirria tacos were 10/10, exceeded all expectations, and were the best birria tacos I've had in forever! So much flavor and the perfect texture! Salsa bar was delicious to add a little more kick to my tacos & chips! Cannot wait to be in the area again soon to have Taco Shop again!! read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Quesabirria - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Carol M.

18

6

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2 months ago

The portions ate amazing!! The food was really delicious!! I can't believe I haven't been there before!! It's definitely calling for a return visit!! read more

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Stephen M.

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2

1

2 months ago

Best tacos ever you have to go here and try these tacos you won't regret it go now!!!!! read more

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Felix P.

1

21

3

3 months ago

Not all El Ranchitos are the same. I came here thinking it was going to be similar to the El Ranchito in Palm Desert on Monterey but they are worlds apart. The salsa bar was lacking here and they charged extra for the habanero salsa. The pasole was also lacking fat in the meat which made it quite dry. It was somewhat crowded on a Sunday morning, which counts for something since the one on Monterey is in closed on Sundays. read more

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Jay L.

0

6

5 months ago

In town for a tournament, craving some Delicious food and got El Ranchito Taco shop recommended to us. It DID NOT dissapoint . Flavor full food. Great customer service. Satisfied tummies. read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Beef hard shell tacos, rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - California Burrito - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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M H.

0

66

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7 months ago

OMG!! So happy to know somethings never change. We are so happy to be here and ordering shredded beef tacos and the Salsa!!! Ahhhhh the Salsa!! Thank you Fabi for welcoming us in like family. Even though a minute has past by.....we felt right at home. Now we are stuffed!! read more

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Gabriel R.

0

4

0

3 months ago

Great service, delicious food will definitely come back when I'm in the area Employees are nice and helpful Looks like a little Fonda read more

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Brigette G.

Elite 26 All-Star

8

214

790

1 year ago

Love this place! They make such great taquitos. Service is very friendly and pretty quick considering they are always busy. The restaurant is always clean, which is a plus! My husband ordered the taco and enchilada both shredded beef. For some reason, the enchilada sauce had a hint of cinnamon in it, which didn't taste good. Other than that, everything else is always good and they have the best salsa bar.! read more

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Chase M.

0

3

2

4 months ago

Great place for fresh Mexican food. From the burritos to the tacos everything is bomb

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Issac G.

0

3

1

7 months ago

Service is a 10! Food is a 10! Highly recommend to come try this place out! Chilaquiles fire! read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Chilaquiles - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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John E.

0

2

0

2 months ago

The lady with glasses was not paying attention when taking my order got my order wrong and then would not fix it and was very immature rude about the entire situation she blamed me instead of correcting her mistake read more

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John P.

Elite 26

159

207

873

2 years ago

It was okay. I give the Flautas 5 out of 5, but my carne asada taco was awful. Unseasoned and no flavor. I also got 7 chips, you get a free bag with your order. If you want 7 more chips you have to pay for more. Overall, not awful but definitely not good. read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Flautas were good - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - 7 chips, if you want more you have to pay. - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Carne Asada taco was not good. One bite and I threw it away. No flavor, salsa or seasoning. - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Diana D.

0

3

4

1 year ago

The food was awesome. The service was quick. The ambiance was calming and also it was nice and cool. read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Chicken enchilada rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Shannon K.

0

2

0

3 months ago

Food is fresh, fast, reasonably priced, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Restaurant is always clean and inviting. Love it!

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Raul S.

3

16

14

9 months ago

Great fish tacos and taquitos! Atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming. Family owned. read more

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Aric I.

21

5

0

7 months ago

Love el ranchinto. Ive been coming here since I was a kid. The salsa bar is always so well maintained and the staff are always so nice. Food is always on point too read more

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Lorraine D.

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1

0

2 months ago

love the food and great portion. I always rice a kind welcome. The restaurant is always clean and their salsa bar is the best!

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Alexa K.

0

5

4

3 months ago

Workers were extremely rude, especially pregnant girl. No one answered the phone at all even though it said they opened at 8:30, it was almost 11am when I called. Showed up to an empty restaurant & the girl was on her cell phone. While I was waiting for my food she said down at a booth & continued watching her cell phone read more

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James R.

293

7

2

11 months ago

Love everything! Especially the tacos de Tripas extra crispy!!! The horchata is FIRE. So yummy and doesn't take artificial like other places! read more

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Joaquin C.

0

15

0

3 months ago

Ben coming to the pace for years. Diana is Great. Love this place wouldn't trade it for years

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Len G.

0

12

1

6 months ago

Great homemade Mexican food. Service is great too. Salsa is amazing. This is the best place in town. read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Super rolled taquitos. - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Johnny B.

0

10

2

4 months ago

Best Mexican food I've had. I almost always order a carnitas torta when a place has it on the menu, but a lot of times it ends up dry. El Ranchito does it right. The carnitas are juicy, the torta is well-filled, and everything tastes incredibly fresh. Definitely a spot worth coming back to. My wife has been going here for many years and always gets the chicken enchiladas, also so good! read more

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Willette D.

1

67

115

1 year ago

Delicious authentic Mexican food. Clean and friendly staff. Indoor and outdoor dining area available. Enjoy! read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Chicken taquitos - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Taquitos with salsa. - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Dining area. Patio seating available. - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Menu - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Business owner information

Dario C.

Thank you for your kind comments! We truly prioritize our customers…

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Chris G.

112

2

0

9 months ago

Pretty good food. $87 for 4 burritos and a nacho and the burritos don't come with chips!!! Why did I get offered a large salsa container of if I don't get chips?!? read more

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WileyPalm Springs C.

9

232

49

1 year ago

Shredded Beef Burrito with beans and cheese added in place of rice, fantastic taste. This is the best in its class, but the Chile Verde Burrito is exquisite here. read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Shredded Beef Burrito with beans and cheese in place of rice - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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T R.

0

1

0

6 months ago

Food was horrible. Cashier in the front is very unprofessional and claims to be the owner. Could not get my order right no matter how many times I told her. Stay away from this restaurant take your money elsewhere. read more

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Derek M.

1

8

2 years ago

Food is EXCELLENT Service was great, friendly staff Good Mexican music playing soft and an old rustic Mexican adobe feel. Don't miss this hole in the wall! I dipped my chips in the beans and rice and had an orgasm in my mouth! read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - General area - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Deanne H.

0

24

18

1 year ago

Clean, great service and fresh food .. I will be back .. I love the music and the salsa bar was clean read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Bean and cheese burrito - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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Eddie Z.

0

33

98

8 months ago

I love chilaquiles, and it's hard to find a good spot. I originally came in to get a burrito until I saw they sell chilaquiles. I gotta say, it's pretty good, it came with beans and egg. I also got a coffee, but there was only powder cream. read more

El Ranchito Taco Shop - Chilaquiles, green. - Mexican Near Me - La Quinta, California

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E A.

0

4

0

4 months ago

The food was delicious we enjoyed a chimichanga, taco plate and tacos. The service was good and the food taste fresh and came out at a decent time. read more

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More info about El Ranchito Taco Shop

78540 Hwy 111
La Quinta, CA 92253
Directions
(760) 564-0668
Call Now

Hours

What time does El Ranchito Taco Shop open?

El Ranchito Taco Shop opens at 8:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does El Ranchito Taco Shop close?

El Ranchito Taco Shop closes at 8:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.El Ranchito Taco Shop closes at 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.El Ranchito Taco Shop closes at 8:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Thu 8:30 AM - 8:30 PMFri-Sat 8:30 AM - 9:00 PMSun 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop take credit cards?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop have catering options?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop does have catering options.

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop have a drive thru?

No, El Ranchito Taco Shop does not have a drive thru.

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop serve alcohol?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop allow dogs?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop allows dogs.

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop have TVs?

No, El Ranchito Taco Shop does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop have bike parking?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop has bike parking.

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop have outdoor seating?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop has outdoor seating options.

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop have parking?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop has parking options.

Other Amenities

Is El Ranchito Taco Shop wheelchair accessible?

Yes, El Ranchito Taco Shop is wheelchair accessible.

Does El Ranchito Taco Shop have free WiFi?

No, El Ranchito Taco Shop does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Experience the true essence of Mexico with our authentic Mexican cuisine. From the moment you step into our taco shop, you'll be transported to the heart of Mexico. Our menu showcases authentic Mexican culinary traditions from Michoacán , from savory street tacos to hearty enchiladas with flavorful mole sauce, and what we are known for our carnitas. Each dish is crafted with care, using traditional recipes and the freshest ingredients to ensure an unforgettable dining experience.

More Info

Health Score

You might also consider

Casa Mendoza

SHORT ANSWER: Just an update, but Casa Mendoza seems to be just getting better. Some new staff but…read morefood quality and people here are very welcoming. LOCATION: In Old Town La Quinta, OTLQ easy to find, tons of parking but at times it gets busy so you may have to walk a bit. FACILITY: very traditional inside and out, clean, and lots of space between tables. MENU: rather massive, we usually order the same things so all the other options makes my head hurt so we just go with what we know. FOOD PREP: excellent, always looks the same which is a good things. FOOD QUALITY: some of the best in the valley. LIBATIONS: lots of choices and not too expensive, wish they had a locals city of LQ discount like some of the other options in OTLQ.. WAITSTAFF: very nice, everyone. OVERALL VALUE: if you order the right things, it is a great value but you can go nuts and spend a lot, tourist dollars spend well, upselling happens for those who want it and deserve it! TIP: Sitting outside is great most all year, we don't go out when it is crazy hot, but have dined outside in 100+ temps, we prefer the front outdoor space.

*Mi Casa es Su Casa*…read more My buddy had a small casual bday get-together with his family and invited me to join the celebration. I saw all the favorable reviews on Yelp and was looking forward to my first visit at Casa Mendoza. Very chill & lively family owned Mexican joint in Old Town LQ. The place was kinda busy @6:30pm on Hump Night ~~ always a great sign when I see this. Felt more like a Sunday Evening. It took an hour to receive our meals. Ordered @6:45 arrived @7:45pm. Good thing the Chimichanga & Gauc apps arrived pretty quickly. The Gauc was Excellente. All their food was very good. But all our meals arrived cold/lukewarm. Took forever to receive our food and we knew for a fact it's because all our plates sat a while until we were served. The actual plates weren't even warm and the sizzling fajitas had sizzled out and lost its dazzle. Because it was still 95 degrees when dinner was finally served, our lukewarm meals were doable on a hot night. Everyone did enjoy their meals tho. I was very pleased with my Mahi Mahi in Garlic Butter Sauce. The refried beans were outstanding. The rice very good...and I made tacos with the 3 corn tortillas. But would have enjoyed it even more had all the food been a little warmer. I stuck with H2O but all margarita drinkers said their drinks were good and hit the spot on a warm night. The service in general was also inconsistent for our small party of 8. The Birthday Boy was a little frustrated and got up a few times from his throne seeking assistance -- such as missing tortillas for meals, water refills, extra napkins. We even had to wait longer than anticipated for them to acknowledge the bday boy with a celebratory bday song & sombrero...and the fried ice cream, which didn't include a candle. Tho we all enjoyed ourselves and time together...a 2 hour dinner at a Mexican joint on a Wednesday night wasn't what we anticipated. Especially with one restless 7 year old ;-) But everyone working at Casa Mendoza is very friendly with great attitudes. Hostess team, waiters, servers & runners too. So that made up for the spotty service, just a little bit. Since I'm closer to the other Casa Mendoza in Palm Desert, I'd go there in the future with my wife, and order the exact same thing. But hope for much better service and warmer food.

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Bar Area

Friday lunch, outside, single comb $12.99

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100 outside misters outside.. cheers

TQLAS

We usually come to old town once or twice a year to visit my mother in-law…read more They simplified their menu from last year and it's more tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas - the food is a lot better than last year so this was a good change. The service was also great. I think we would definitely visit again when we are back in town. Recommend visiting the icecream shop across the street after dinner!

Overall this was a good dining experience, w/ a few hiccups. We were a Party of 8 for a birthday…read morecelebration. It appeared this place was short-staffed, and the Manager said her bartender got slammed. That explains why our drinks were slow, and why our 2nd round of drinks never even arrived at all! Manager of course took the drinks off our tab, and gave us a discount on our overall dinner bill. As for the food, my ceviche was amazing, and hubby's burrito was good. Everyone else in our party complained & was disappointed in their food. The highlight was the complimentary dessert of Mud Pie. I'm not a 'sweets person' yet after we all shared that one huge piece, I had to restrain myself to not order another piece!

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Great patio in Old Town

My Mango Margarita made from fresh mangos!

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Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle sauce & black beans, served with amazing green sauce!

Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant

I've seen this place on my commute. Stopped after my Bike Ride…read more Ordered a Margarita, it is made with Agave Wine! Delicious! Not too sweet and not bitter! It's a must visit when going to the LQ Cove! Family owned and sometimes they have tacos and the tortillas are made by hand.

Food!!! No flavor .... Not consistent . I Hear Mendoza's is…read moremuch better. I have not been .... But will definitely try , because I will not be coming back here. But I do have to say ..... very clean... full bar , but as you read reviews that's questionable.

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Tequila

NY Steak Fajitas with Garlic Shrimp

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Seafood tower

RD RNNR- roadrunner Old Town La Quinta

Locally owned & operated

LGBTQ friendly

We were in the area for the Farmers Market and decided to grab lunch here with friends. It's quite…read morea large restaurant and it was packed when we were there. We didn't have reservations and requested to be seated inside. There was a little awkward first impression with the hostess who told us that there was only one inside table left in the back corner. She didn't come across very friendly when we asked if we could see it before deciding if we wanted to sit there or not. I understand they were busy but she was a bit short with us. We were seated in Isabel's section and she more than made up for it. What a gem! She was so friendly and very nice. She made sure to check on us often and we had a lovely time at your restaurant because of her. We are giving this review 5 stars because of Isabel. The seared ahi tuna salad and the ahi tuna nachos were both delicious. The fish was fresh and so very tender with a light dressing. The pulled pork tacos were good too. The brownie dessert was a bit dry though.

I rarely leave reviews, but this experience was bad enough that I feel obligated to warn others…read more My fiancé ordered a Cobb salad, which should be one of the safest, most straightforward items on any menu. Instead, she bit into a sharp chicken bone hidden in the salad--something that absolutely should never happen. This wasn't a small, soft fragment either; it was sharp enough to cause immediate, severe pain and pierced her gums. This is not just a minor oversight--it's a major failure in basic food safety and kitchen preparation. There is no excuse for serving food in this condition, especially something as simple as a salad. We trusted this restaurant to provide a safe meal, and that trust was completely broken. What makes this even worse is that the situation could have been far more dangerous. If swallowed, this could have led to choking or internal injury. No customer should ever have to worry about that when ordering a salad. I strongly urge the restaurant to take a hard look at their food prep standards and quality control, because this is unacceptable. Until then, I cannot recommend this place to anyone.

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Mya Tai, Blou Ellen, & Spicy Marganita

The fillet with mash and asparagus.

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Restaurante Los Primos

We discovered Primos several years ago after they had just opened, and it has been one of our…read morefavorites in Palm Desert ever since. I normally do breakfast, but this time I got the fish tacos. They were grilled and served with chips and roasted salsa, which is my favorite. Hubby loves their chilaquiles and won't order them anywhere else because he doesn't want to spoil the memory. They serve Diet Coke kept it nice and full. We came at 11 on a Wednesday and were seated right away.

Sunday morning Huevos Rancheros at Los Primos were good, served with avocado, beans in a crispy…read moretaco shell, tangy green salsa, crispy potatoes and over easy eggs on top of a corn tortilla with medium spicy red sauce. Delicious!! The inside is comfortable with a few booths, tables of various sizes, and some outdoor seating as well. Service was friendly, efficient, and fast.

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Short Rib Omelet ($18)

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Machaca

Mariachi Mexican Cuisine

Had a fantastic dinner date here on a Sunday night! Super friendly staff made us feel right at…read morehome, the place is adorably cute, spotless clean, and lively mariachi tunes set the perfect vibe. Chips + salsa hit the table instantly, food arrived fast, piping hot, and absolutely delicious. Great portions, killer flavors, and prices that won't break the bank. Loved every bite--definitely coming back!

Yummy food, tacos and r & bs...and real old fashioned Coke…read morein a bottle. They said it was 'mexican' coke'... with crushed ice...in the summer this is my favorite drink. Im asking for 'soft fry' tortillas...these were just a bit too crispy but freshly fried.

Photos

All this for $6.50! Nice service and good food.

Live Mariachi Band during dinner

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The Chente Burrito is DELICIOUS! Great portions. This pic doesn't do it justice.

Tampico Meat Market

One of the best places in La Quinta they have excellent burritos and the menudos on the weekends,…read morevery delicious

Coo lil meat market with everything you need but the food is insane. It's to go only but they have…read morea few out food seating. Got an asada buritto which was hefty in size and asada quesadilla loaded with cheese. 10/10 will return No pics of food because i inhaled it

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Chula Artisan Eatery

The food was amazing. The monte cristo was a perfect combination of sweet and savory. We also…read moretried the chilaquiles with turkey chorizo. Amazing.

The food was pretty good. The servers were generally a bit slow to respond. Was sat for about five…read moreminutes before being greeted by our server. We saw another guest flagging down a busser to ask menu questions after they had been seated for a few minutes. The ice tea wasn't a very large glass and I had to request each refill. The really disappointment came from three guests next to us that had a speaker phone FaceTime going for over 10 minutes. We asked them to stop, as did another guest. They asked why and continued. We asked the server, who just apologized to us and the other guest. We didn't want an apology, we wanted them to stop. My feeling is that the owner's skill is the food but not managing the environment. Additional focus in the dining room would raise the level of the experience. I've had better experiences elsewhere, so not sure I'd return.

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Nov 11, 2023

Red Chile Mac & Cheese. Excellent!

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Single Chula Tamale

Pueblo Viejo Grill

Pueblo Viejo is my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in the area! I've been coming here for…read moreYEARS! The staff is so friendly and takes care of you like family. Their chips and salsa are very yummy as well as their wide array of menu options! My favorite will forever be the chicken enchiladas with salsa verde! I can't recommend this place enough and can't wait to come back soon!

Outstanding Mexican food. I had the shredded beef enchilada…read moreand beef tamale. They were both outstanding! The wife had the steak burrito and loved it! Can't go wrong with this place! The help is great!

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Adobe Grill

The vibes of this restaurant are amazing. There's live music and the outdoor seating here is…read moregorgeous with nature and fountains. I ordered fajitas and a tamale. The food was decent, not the best but definitely worth it overall for the experience. I also highly recommend the passionate sangria. It was flavorful and refreshing.

Adobe Grill wants desperately to be the kind of place people remember forever. The setting…read morecertainly tries hard enough. A warm La Quinta evening, desert air finally cooling off, a solid live duet working the patio with the kind of soundtrack that should make mediocre food taste better than it is. For a few minutes, you think maybe this place is going to deliver on the promise. Then the flamingo arrived. Or at least that's what the bright pink polo shirt on our server suggested. Somewhere between Palm Springs golf tournament and poolside timeshare mixer, the uniform choice set the tone immediately: completely off-brand for a resort carrying the La Quinta name. To her credit, the server herself was pleasant enough. But pleasant is table stakes at a resort property. Competence, polish, awareness, that's what people are paying for. The twenty-ounce margaritas landed with all the sophistication of a fraternity mixer. Sweet, forgettable, and somehow both weak and aggressive at the same time. I've had better drinks poured into Solo cups at parties where the furniture was stolen from somebody's dorm room. Then came the food. The chips tasted stale, like they'd spent the afternoon losing a slow battle with desert air. The ceviche? Rubbery and tired. Seafood should taste alive. This tasted like it had already accepted its fate hours earlier. Sylvia ordered the Caesar salad, and it looked exactly like what it was: something assembled without care, without attention, without anybody stopping for even a moment to ask whether it represented the standards of a resort restaurant. She barely made it halfway through. Oddly enough, the lone bright spot was my chicken enchiladas verde. Solid. Comforting. Not life-changing, but at least prepared by someone who appeared interested in their job that evening. But the real problem at Adobe Grill isn't the food. Restaurants recover from mediocre dishes all the time. The real problem is culture. Or more accurately, the complete absence of one. The food runner couldn't answer even the simplest questions. The service staff moved with that unmistakable energy of people who were never properly trained because nobody above them really cared enough to train them. Empty plates sat on the table for what felt like half the night. Nobody cleared them. Nobody reset or groomed the table. Crumbs, empty glasses, dirty dishes, they just accumulated while the evening slowly unraveled. At a place carrying the La Quinta name, that level of inattentiveness is stunning. And then the manager arrived, or more accurately, drifted by. No eye contact. No engagement. No sincerity. Just a quick pit stop at the table to perform the illusion of management before immediately turning away and loudly shouting to another group thirty feet off as though we had already ceased to exist. That moment explained the entire restaurant. Because once you start looking closer, you see it everywhere. Bird droppings baked into chairs and railings long enough to become part of the décor. Neglected details. Deferred maintenance. Staff operating without direction. A restaurant surviving almost entirely on atmosphere and location while slowly forgetting hospitality itself. And that's the frustrating part. The bones are there. The patio. The music. The desert night. This place should be magical. Instead, it feels like a resort coasting on reputation while the little things, the things that actually matter,quietly fall apart in plain sight. And honestly, the restaurant may not even be the biggest issue. But that's a whole separate review.

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Guacamole

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Tostaditas de Tinga

RD RNNR- roadrunner Old Town La Quinta

Locally owned & operated

LGBTQ friendly

We were in the area for the Farmers Market and decided to grab lunch here with friends. It's quite…read morea large restaurant and it was packed when we were there. We didn't have reservations and requested to be seated inside. There was a little awkward first impression with the hostess who told us that there was only one inside table left in the back corner. She didn't come across very friendly when we asked if we could see it before deciding if we wanted to sit there or not. I understand they were busy but she was a bit short with us. We were seated in Isabel's section and she more than made up for it. What a gem! She was so friendly and very nice. She made sure to check on us often and we had a lovely time at your restaurant because of her. We are giving this review 5 stars because of Isabel. The seared ahi tuna salad and the ahi tuna nachos were both delicious. The fish was fresh and so very tender with a light dressing. The pulled pork tacos were good too. The brownie dessert was a bit dry though.

I rarely leave reviews, but this experience was bad enough that I feel obligated to warn others…read more My fiancé ordered a Cobb salad, which should be one of the safest, most straightforward items on any menu. Instead, she bit into a sharp chicken bone hidden in the salad--something that absolutely should never happen. This wasn't a small, soft fragment either; it was sharp enough to cause immediate, severe pain and pierced her gums. This is not just a minor oversight--it's a major failure in basic food safety and kitchen preparation. There is no excuse for serving food in this condition, especially something as simple as a salad. We trusted this restaurant to provide a safe meal, and that trust was completely broken. What makes this even worse is that the situation could have been far more dangerous. If swallowed, this could have led to choking or internal injury. No customer should ever have to worry about that when ordering a salad. I strongly urge the restaurant to take a hard look at their food prep standards and quality control, because this is unacceptable. Until then, I cannot recommend this place to anyone.

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Mya Tai, Blou Ellen, & Spicy Marganita

The fillet with mash and asparagus.

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Our Claw-tails!

La Quinta Cliffhouse

The location is interesting. Be careful on the stairs going up they were wet from the waterfall. We…read moredid not have a reservation but were seated promptly at a high top table near the bar. The server was fast and friendly. We ordered the stuffed dates and the burrata. The olive tapenade with the burrata was so tasty. We practically licked the bowl clean. We quickly ran out of the little toasts but ate the olives with the arugula from the medjool dates. For mains we order a half order of the short ribs and the prawn pasta. The prawns were pretty large. The pasta was a little too al dente for me and the sauce had a very strong wine taste that got old pretty quickly. The short rib was so tender and flavorful, but the Brussels were also just a tad too rare. Overall it was a nice meal but kinda pricey for two people for the dishes to not be perfect.

2.5 stars. La…read moreQuinta Cliffhouse was recommended to me for dinner, but I won't pass on the same bad advice. The Prawn Pasta ($39) I ordered was bland to the point of being inedible. I erroneously assumed spaghetti flavored with garlic, white wine, butter, herbs, & preserved lemon would be delicious. Large, tough (& again, tasteless) prawns topped the bowl of noodles that seem to stick together from a lack of sauce. Our gracious waitress removed the dish from our bill after seeing it had barely been touched. Her efforts did not go unnoticed; we generously tipped her for taking the initiative to rectify an unsatisfactory situation. We sat on the covered patio facing the giant rock formation; a unique dining experience, but one that felt Disney-ish rather than elegant. La Quinta Cliffhouse gets a hard pass from me.

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DSRT CLUB

4.7

(251 reviews)

2.7 mi

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

This place is first class and five stars all the way. From the lovely employees to the beautifully…read moredecorated dining room and best of all the spectacular dishes. On top of it all they serve generous portions at reasonable prices. The branzino is perfectly cooked with extra crunchy skin and tender meat accompanied with the perfectly balanced sauce. The red chicken is so juicy on the inside but has super crispy skin and just perfectly seasoned. Highly recommended and will definitely be back when we're in the Palm Springs area.

I wish I can say it's a hidden gem, but make reservations. Best advice always. Winter and spring is…read morethe optimal time to go. Sit outside and relax. Ambient lighting and nice breezes at night. Bread (crusty sourdough round) service is hot and fresh. Wife often has the scallops. Depending on craving for me, the ribeye is fantastic and always tender and juicy. I've never had a bad cook on the steak. Always tried the house pasta - which was very flavorful with hints of lemon cream as a back-note. The drinks are crafted with intense flavors and tasty mixes. The whiskey sour is spot on with the flavors and topped with egg whites. Relax and slow down and enjoy this restaurant. Service is always great. Friendly staff which aren't afraid to talk with you and enjoy a quick smile or conversation. It's a must spot and you will be repeating this restaurant.

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Great Drinks!

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Beautiful Day

One of the best brunch experience! Elizabeth our server was beyond amazing and super attentive…read more Really good food and drinks

Enjoyed a lovely breakfast on Mother's Day. I had the Huckleberry Hot Cakes and my husband enjoyed…read morethe Big Breakfast. Everything tasted great, especially the potatoes! The service was excellent.

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Breakfast Hash

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Eggs & Toast + bacon & avocado // Breakfast Hash + tofu scramble & avocado

Chula Artisan Eatery

The food was amazing. The monte cristo was a perfect combination of sweet and savory. We also…read moretried the chilaquiles with turkey chorizo. Amazing.

The food was pretty good. The servers were generally a bit slow to respond. Was sat for about five…read moreminutes before being greeted by our server. We saw another guest flagging down a busser to ask menu questions after they had been seated for a few minutes. The ice tea wasn't a very large glass and I had to request each refill. The really disappointment came from three guests next to us that had a speaker phone FaceTime going for over 10 minutes. We asked them to stop, as did another guest. They asked why and continued. We asked the server, who just apologized to us and the other guest. We didn't want an apology, we wanted them to stop. My feeling is that the owner's skill is the food but not managing the environment. Additional focus in the dining room would raise the level of the experience. I've had better experiences elsewhere, so not sure I'd return.

Photos

Nov 11, 2023

Red Chile Mac & Cheese. Excellent!

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Single Chula Tamale

Louise's Pantry

everything is large, tasty & fun to be there......get a Sunday mamosa while you're waiting for a…read morefree table....

Great find! The omelette I built was flavorful and the home potatoes were seasoned perfectly. (You…read morecan't believe how some people can screw up eggs). Husband ordered the chicken fried steak- the gravy was delicious. Little things like having flavored creamer for our coffee is always an added bonus. Portions are generous and the service was quick and friendly!

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Busy lunch

Oct 2023, Huevos Rancheros compare to 4/2024.

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Pho Vu

Came here Monday after Coachella. They were able to quickly accommodate our large party…read more Service was quick and someone came out a few times to check on us and refill our waters. I ordered a noodle dish and spring rolls. Peanut sauce was well mixed. Food was pretty decent. They were also able to split the bill multiple ways which was great! A few tables inside and outside.

We stopped by on Monday around 7pm and the place was packed. We waited maybe 15-20 minutes to be…read moreseated and the food took a while. We both got the pho tai and enjoyed it because the broth was flavorful without it being too salty or strong. The spring rolls were quite noodle heavy - not bad but we wish the proportions of the ingredients were more even. If you're in the area and craving pho, this is really your only option but definitely a good one! Service is pretty nonexistent so you'll need to flag down a waiter if you want something beyond them coming by to take your food order and bring your food. Plenty of parking available.

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Banh Xeo

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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 …

36 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

Sylvia V.

0

1

0

2 months ago

I was craving an horchata for weeks...got me 2 hard shell chicken tacos, that I haven't taken a bite of, and a large horchata. To go. I get in the car, take a generous gulg of my drink...& it's 90% watered down. I called, I reminded the lady on the other end of the phone who I was, she remembered me, I let her know about my LARGE, unflavored , extremely watered down horchata. All she said was, Okay, let me check it. and hung up. No customer service. she could have placed me on hold, verified and could have said...oh no, that's just the way we sell it, extremely watered down and unflavored. To prove me wrong. Mind you, this isn't the first time it's happened. but the first time I call and write a review. but now, with my review, I'll get a free bag of chips ‍ read more

Orlando C.

113

21

10

1 year ago

We've been coming to El Ranchito every day for the past three years, and it continues to be our go-to spot for authentic Mexican food. We were originally introduced to Ed by my wife's dad, and ever since then, we've kept up the relationship thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and great service. The food is always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying, exactly what you'd hope for in a local taco shop. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, everything hits the spot. The people here are genuinely kind, and it feels more like visiting friends than just grabbing a meal. Highly recommend this place if you're looking for real, tasty Mexican food made by people who care. read more

Anthony M.

0

45

10

3 years ago

Very disappointed been eating here for long time and this isn't the first time this has happened me and my wife always eat here but tonight the cashier changed me $11 tip without my concent my receipt said $38 total and when I checked my account it said $49.30 so just amagen if she did this all day every day what a rip-off I work really hard for my $$$ and for her to just take it apon her self to try and take extra money from me is Fucking Wrong and like I said this isn't the first time she has done this she did it about a month and a half ago to me the same thing with the tip will never eat at this location ever again read more

Rick D.

1

4

0

14 years ago

This place has great food and affordable prices. They also serve breakfast foods all day which is a huge plus for me. So why a 3 star rating? The customer service is very below par. Every time I go in, the lady taking my order never says please, or thank you. They always have me feeling like I am an annoyance. which I can assure you, I am not! If you like to change the ingrediants in your order( i.e. no onions, or no guacaomle) be prepared for attitude or a disregard to your request. Overall 3 stars, I would reccomend but definitley give them a warning of what to expect. read more

Crystal M.

1

4

0

4 years ago

Went here tonight for Valentine's Day dinner with my husband and son. I swear they we're talking about on me in Spanish. We got there 15 minutes prior to closing which I know irritates the staff but it's Friday night. Valentines weekend. I could hear the waiter saying Camarones grande saying the mariachi had to stay longer then looking at me laughing and I offered camarones for my dinner. Like come on I'm not stupid. My husband swears I'm wrong but I don't think so they were talking about me and I think this place doesn't deserve business read more

Steven P.

0

6

0

1 year ago

"Amazing experience at El Ranchito taco Shop! The service was outstanding--fast, friendly, and efficient. My food came out quickly and was fresh, flavorful, and delicious. The quality and taste exceeded my expectations, and the staff made the visit even better with their great attitude. If you're looking for a place with great tacos and top-notch service, this is it! Highly recommend!" read more

Michelle G.

0

6

5 years ago

We had the Ramen Birria, kesatacos, nachos, annnd bean and cheese burrito and ALL of them where phenomenal!! We will definitely be back! The service was so nice and we appreciate their kindness. We came in close to closing, with a large party and they sat and served us quickly and attentively. Thank you to the staff and cooks! See you again soon! read more

Jason L.

0

3

0

8 years ago

THE BEST CARNE ASADA PLATE EVER, very fresh made to order . Excellent Service ask the Cashier for any recommendation and she suggested the Carne Asada Plate and Carnitas Plate . I went for the Carne Asada because three other customers ordered it and look so good, salsas are home made and fresh, can't wait to try The Carnitas Plate! read more

Julianna S.

0

1

0

8 years ago

We came to the Coachela fest ,My friend who lives in Coachella recommended the Taco Shop. I live in Colorado and love Mexican food. We came to try the breakfast Burritos and the street tacos and let me tell ya , they are as of now the BEST BURRITOS and Now I know where to go eat every time I come to The Valley read more

Harold A.

0

2

0

8 years ago

The best food in town ! I been going there since I remember because that was my parents favorite food and place to eat. The prices are considerable because they have the quality of a Restaurant in a Taco Shop the food is excellent , the place is clean the cahiers are always nice. read more

Pablo P.

0

1

0

8 years ago

The best food in town ! I been going there since I remember because that was my parents favorite food and place to eat. The prices are considerable because they have the quality of a Restaurant in a Taco Shop the food is excellent , the place is clean and friendly. read more

Jess F.

0

2

0

8 years ago

Best bean cheese burrito. The employees are great and they serve spirits. Sitting area outside, take advantage and indulge in the magnificent La Quinta weather. The manager Zulma at the local StorQuest recommended this place, impressive palette. read more

Nana H.

0

1

0

8 months ago

Service is friendly, accurate, and fast. Food is great! Very large variety of selections. Would recommend to friends and family. I will be returning very frequently!! read more

Sue T.

0

51

0

6 years ago

I used to use them for delivery but after numerous times of having items not included I will no longer be using them. Poor attention to detail repeatedly!!!!! read more

Candice B.

18

8

0

4 years ago

Such friendly staff and good food. Queso Birria tacos are delicious. They aren't stingy with the meat either. I highly recommend for Mexican fast food. read more

Mary G.

0

1

0

9 months ago

been coming here for years. pretty expansive menu, very quick if you need something to go,wonderful food, great service. highly recommend!!

Jed D.

0

1

0

6 months ago

The food and service here is unbeatable!! They have consistently been a great place to stop by for a bit for years. Highly recommend them!

Marilyn G.

0

1

0

2 years ago

service and food is always excellent!! best flautas ever!! Best beans and rice. staff is always pleasant and helpful Highly recommend!! read more

Anthony A.

0

2

0

10 months ago

I've been coming here for seven years. Great food I love the Reggie burrito, grilled onions, bell pepper, etc. really good.

Lynwood 82 V.

0

1

0

2 years ago

My friends and I had the tacos de papa and they were delicious. I will definitely recommend to my friends and family.

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36 El Ranchito Taco Shop reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

36 reviews that are not currently recommended

El Ranchito Taco Shop - mexican - Updated June 2026

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