Not bad....not great. Not in a bad way.....it's just your typical mexican food. Not authentic, not outstanding but solid and fast. The restaurant is clean, service was great. I was there between lunch and dinner so it was slow. Very bright inside with bright colors. 2 things I noticed.....when I sat they asked me if I wanted the white sauce with my chips and salsa. Absolutely not but I like that they asked. I know it benefits them too and less food waste but I definitely appreciated it. They also did NOT bring me a straw. Once again.....waste. I always bring my own straw so I am glad they asked if I wanted a straw. I was not nearly as hungry as I thought so I got a chicken burrito. It was good. The salsa was really good. So fresh and lots of flavor with lots of fresh cilantro and onion and tomato. It was really good. Don't wait when they bring you a check. You have to bring it up to the register on your way out. If I am ever back in Poquoson I would go back if I was craving mexican food. read more

See all

I have been visiting El Rancho on and off since 2021. Whether it is a quick lunch break from work, a birthday celebration, a quick bite to eat with friends or a simple family dinner. They have always been great both staff and the food. The seating is great. Large decorative booths. The walls filled with photos of guests. The food has always been great. My go to is chicken fajitas. I know nothing spectacular but, it hits every-time for me. It must be that sizzling cast iron pan the comes out. It's like it's speaking to me. I've never heard any complaints about anyone else's food or their margaritas. I really appreciate the closeness of the family who runs El Rancho. They along with their staff work so hard. read more

food- i barely got to take any photos because i annihilated the food. me and my friends were in silence the whole time due to stuffing our faces. arroz con pollo is amazing and a perfect ratio of everything. i also could eat a whole thing of their fresh guacamole by myself (which i did). service- our waiter was attentive and very polite when it came to asking us what we need. ambiance- a very cute, picture worthy restaurant that represents their culture. read more

See all

Not such a good visit when we went. Both wife and combo plates, with chile relleno, enchiladas, and beans. When food arrived, chile relleno look like a bell pepper cut in half and stuffed with I think beans and cheese. Definitely to what we expected, and it looked horrible. One of the managers or owner came over, we said that this is not chile relleno, she argued that it was. It was not a stuffed pepper, dipped in batter, and fried. She said that was a poblano. Not on the combo menu. Wife would not eat the stuffed bell pepper. Very disappointed. read more

I've been to this place before and decided to give them a chance after my family recently been there and they told me it was good. I would say it was a steady night for a Tuesday. It took awhile for our server to come and take our order. I had gotten the enchiladas verdes and when I was eating it, I found a bone in my enchiladas. Our server never came over to check on the meal to the point we had to flag someone else down. They get another one started for me and here comes our server with the check before my new meal comes out. We had informed him that I found a bone in my meal. Luckily I didn't find another bone in the second one. I won't be going back to this place and it my family wants to go I will excuse myself or not get anything or I may try something else. read more

El Rancho - Enchiladas Verdes - Mexican Near Me - Poquoson, Virginia

See all

I can't believe I haven't left a review before. Been coming here for years and it's always been good, service prompt. They have really stepped up there game. Thay have a new specials menu that does not disappoint. So far I have had the shrimp ceviche and tonight the Hawaii burrito. Both are outstanding. My server was very attentive, marg was delish. If you haven't been in awhile, check out the new menu. You won't be sorry! read more

We eat there at least once a week, great food, great atmosphere, great service, best place to eat on the Peninsula

My family is regulars at this location given its closeby, has room for large parties and margaritas! I'm not a huge Mexican food lover, but I'm able to find items on the menu I like. Pollo Pastor, Arroz con Pollo, quesadilla and the chicken soup. Friendly wait staff who remember our order. On a busy night, it may take a while to get your food, but solved with ordering another margarita. Also, if you're celebrating something ask for a slammer! read more

Food, service and friends , we had fajitas and I had a fajita taco salad very tasty. Very crowded on a Friday and many to go orders were seen on the front counter read more

Idk I mean I think it's alright but like it's kinda bland and not real Mexican and some of my friends have gotten food poisoning from it so

Ambiance is good- service is good - food is good. seems as though they may have gotten new owners not sure- but I did notice a little change in the food quality. As far as Mexican food goes - definitely deserves three stars. read more

We love to visit this family owned restaurant in Poquoson. All of the staff are so kind and provide excellent service. The food is absolutely delicious! Highly recommended for great Mexican food. read more

Yikes. It's been going downhill. Flies all around our table...which was wobbly. The waiter didn't bring us drink refills for 30 minutes after needed. He said he would bring us fresh chips and never came back. Food was subpar. Go to Cinco de Mayo in Yorktown instead. read more

After 20 minutes, we had to ask for someone to take our order. The food was the worst Mexican food we've ever eaten. The beef in the taco tasted like potted meat and the guacamole tasted like it came out of a can as well. After 1.25 hours, we are still waiting for our check. We will not return. read more

My waiter was not checking on us and took didn't give us our guacamole cup and we asked 2 times

Just a very good place to eat when you have that urge for Mexican food...steak meat is really good...not full of fat and gristle like so many other places. read more

The food is delicious, not greasy. Every meal is good. Chips served with two sauces,mild sweet and tangy and medium hot salsa. Service is great, friendly and attentive to please, fairly quickly served hot. Clean and decorated, with seasonal decor.We have been back many times. Recommend for all who like Mexican dishes. read more

This place is so friendly and colorful! I like feeling the culture when I dine. My server was very friendly and seated me quickly. I ordered the Jumbo Coconut Margarita and it was very flavorful and had plenty of Tequilla in it. It was advertised for $7! I had the ElRancho Steak. It came with rice, tortillas and was covered in grilled shrimp! The amount of food is quite a lot! All in all, this is a fun place and they have a daily buffet until 2:30 with the best wings! read more

El Rancho - a margarita with a straw in it - Mexican Near Me - Poquoson, Virginia

My family loves El Rancho. We usually order takeout. I normally get the shrimp quesadillas or shrimp chimichangas and they are both really good. They are a little pricey compared to the Mexican restaurants that I'm used to from back home, but the portions are generous and we are always full and happy with our meal. read more

My husband and I love this place so much! The food is excellent, but go for the jumbo margarita!!! You will not be disappointed for stopping here or visiting Hampton. It was the perfect addition to visiting the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. read more

Do yourself a favor and go! Great food, great prices, great atmosphere. Being originally from Southern California, I've had my fair share of good Mexican food. I was recently living in San Antonio and I can say without a doubt, El Rancho far surpasses any "Mexican" food I had while there. This was our first time coming here, I had the carne asada plate and my wife had combo plate with chalupa and enchilada. Food came quickly, was hot, and definitely the traditional style and taste that I remember from California. Great meal, we will be back for their buffet! read more

Ordered food to go tonight. Ate nearly half of my meal, only to find pieces of raw chicken mixed in. I am not one to complain but this is unacceptable. Don't think I will be back after this. read more

El Rancho - Raw chicken - Mexican Near Me - Poquoson, Virginia

So we just stopped in for margaritas. They were not good. And unfortunately when you drink you eventually want food. That was an even bigger mistake. We are new to this area and so just happened upon this place. I would assume everyone in this place is new to this area and restaurant because surely they would not get repeat business. I hear one of the side effects of COVID-19 is the loss of taste. Damn I wish I had COVID-19. read more

Had the lunch buffet and was impressed!! The fajitas were very good!! Salsas were good and good variety of food!! Will be going back for sure!! For Virginia, this is excellent mexican good!! For those reviews that compare to southwestern mexican food, not a fair comparison. You're in Virginia, lower your expectations! read more

El Rancho - Fajitas, chimichanga, and a chicken wing!! All good!! - Mexican Near Me - Poquoson, Virginia

The buffet is out of this world!! So much to choose from!! All delicious!!! Get there early because it gets busy fast! read more

My favorite Mexican buffet. Good food. Good service. No wait time. Reasonable prices. Very clean establishment.

"Senor? Senorita?" I discovered this place via one of those Entertainment coupon books I got from work (buy one get one free dinner entree!). I've never been to Poquoson, so figured I would give this place a chance. My friend and I arrived on a Sunday night (8:30-ish) and there were only two tables occupied. We got our free chips and salsa (a necessity for me when eating Mexican) and the server threw in some Spanish while taking our order. It was a lovely touch. I had the carnitas, my friend the California burrito. My carnitas seemed overcooked, because it was dry and crispy on the outside. My friend's burrito was small and covered in white cheese sauce, which seems to be the norm in Hampton Roads. The refried beans and rice were average. If you like Plaza Azteca, you'll probably like this place. read more

Been looking for a go-to Mexican spot on this side of the water. After eating at 7 different places this is my favorite. Atmosphere is nice, staff is friendly and the food comes out super fast. My only complaint is that my chicken quesadilla was way too juicy and the tortilla was soggy on one side. Everything else tasted great. We'll be going here from now on. read more

This place was more authentic then Plaza Ateca, Abuelos and a few others. The food was not too spicy, but because most of the people who eat here don't like that, they tone it down a bit. Salsa Verde was very good! I had the fried super chimichangas and a tamale. Both were terrific. Spouse had the pork chops and beans which i heard the comment "omg these are great!" The price was good and the food was great so i give this place 4 stars. Worth the drive into Poquoson... read more

See all

I ordered the chicken nachos to-go and they were absolutely terrible. I'm not sure how you mess up nachos, but they managed to do it. The chips were soggy and drenched in watery cheese. There was no sour cream or tomatoes, just onions and jalapenos. The chicken was stringy and watered down with the "cheese". When I arrived, at first it didn't seem like they knew I had placed an order. I would definitely not eat here again. read more

Not too shabby. The food is ok. The buffet was always full...most everything was pretty tasty. Quick service and a quick bite during your lunch break. The guacamole isn't good...doesn't taste homemade. read more

My family discovered this restaurant when we moved to Poquoson. We enjoy coming here as the service is always great. The staff is friendly and accommodating. Even when they are busy, they do their best. The food is really good; especially the steak and carnita tacos, which are our favorites. The sweet tea is soooo good. Also, try the fresh guacamole. It's made just right. As mentioned, the staff is very friendly and we highly recommend Victor. He's very nice and friendly and always makes us feel welcomed. read more

El Rancho is a great local Mexican place, the food is very good, and the folks who own and work there are the best. You can't beat their lunch buffet, excellent quality at a really good price. If you like cold beer in huge glasses, they've got everything from Mich Ultra to Negra Modelo. Really happy they are in my town! read more

Wife and I ate the buffet. She much enjoyed the quesadillas and the shredded chicken dish. The ground beef was good quality, lean. The ingredients, as initially prepared, were bland, no significant seasoning added. Apparently do not wish to assault Virginia gringo tastebuds. Several homemade hot sauces and a pico de gallo to layer on added some heat, as well as the melted queso, which was quite good. There was a decent flan for dessert. The service was prompt, friendly, attentive. Locals like the place. Decor with paintings of stylized Mexican scenes was entertaining. Our booth had three campesinos sitting around a campfire in the desert with some cacti and scraggly vegetation and distant mountains. read more

They had the closest, I've had to Californian Mexican food in Virginia so far. They have great tasting beans and there steak meat(carne asada) was fantastic. I will be coming back for years. Extremely impressed. read more

I like going here because I like Mexican. I would recommend coming here because it is a really good restaurant... That's why I gave it five stars! read more

I used to go to "Salsa's" at Oyster Point, but El Rancho is my favorite "go to" place for Mexican now. It's close to home, the staff is friendly, the food is reasonably priced and my I love their all-you-can-eat buffet. (I especially love to get seconds of "flan" and "churros" for desert, that makes it worth it to me). I've been hooked on their carnitas tacos lately. I think their food tastes better than "3 Amigos" down the road in Kiln Creek. read more

One of the best Mexican in this area!!! Buffet is affordable and there are tons of options and deserts are great too.

Mexican food not seasoned enough? Just ask for extra salsa! Good food...good margaritas...good prices...Who could ask for more from a Mexican restaurant? ...Especially in Poqouson. read more

I came here because of the great reviews. Unfortunately I had a horrible experience. I was shown to my table and was given my cup of water. After that, nobody ever came back. I got tired of waiting, so I just went with the buffet so I could eat for my lunch break. I had to find someone to refill my water and again to ask for my check. To end the experience, I was basically held hostage to pay my check until they could get their credit card machine working again. read more