The food is bar none the best Mexican in the Quad Cities. Bar none. The staff and service are great. The down sides: Cash only. There's an ATM in the restaurant that charges two dollars. So basically you're being charged an additional two dollars to eat there if you don't know about it. The prices are as of 2025...not good. But, you'll still know where that money went when you eat. Ordering soft corn shell (and I'm assuming soft tortilla) tacos to go they're not wrapped individually. It's a mess when you get home. A delicious mess, but still. Those things aside, I can't recommend La Rancherita enough. Specifically the Rock Island location. read more

La Rancherita - Mexican Near Me - Rock Island, Illinois

Was visiting relatives in Rock Island and wanted Mexican food. My nephew recommended this place. The food was good and fresh. The restaurant was clean and the staff very friendly and pleasant. Will definitely visit again when I'm in the area. read more

Best enchiladas ever! The service was friendly and fast and there was plenty of seating.

The best street tacos in town. My daughter enjoys all the meat selections, she gets the lengue (tongue) regularly. The food is always fresh and comes out quick Their breakfast is also very good. Cash only - atm inside read more

Best pico de gallo, chips, tacos, beans, and rice I've had in a LONG time. La Rancherita is a casual, cozy restaurant with friendly service and incredible food. I got lengua and carne asada tacos with a side of rice and beans and was BLOWN AWAY. I will definitely be visiting here when I pass through. You can't miss it! read more

Amazing as always! My favorite homemade guacamole around. Wish the salsa wasn't pico...but still a favorite place to get authentic Mexican food! read more

Great Al Pastor tacos. My favorite in the Quad cities. Friendly staff and clean restaurant.

Got very sick. The meat tasted old and spoiled. The waitress was unpleasant as well. Very disappointed.​

There are so many places in the Quad Cities to go for good Mexican food, and unfortunately my singular experience at La Rancherita on 14th Avenue in Rock Island leads me to believe that it just isn't one of them. I tried calling for take-out Friday and was met twice with a busy signal, then no answer after 8-10 rings. I didn't let this bother me and simply walked in to place my order. After another 10 minutes, the cashier was ready to help me. While waiting to order and pay at the register, I met another woman who was in similar straits as me; she had already been waiting about 30 minutes AFTER coming in at the time appointed when she had ordered over the phone. I shrugged it off as a fluke, certain that it couldn't possibly take that long for just a few items. In fact, it did take almost exactly 30 minutes from when I ordered to receive my food. When I finally arrived home, I found the two burritos I'd ordered unmarked. Aside from this minor inconvenience, everything was pretty well-packed. My dad ordered a side of pico de gallo that he spread over his steak burrito. He loved it. My mom was displeased with her pork burrito, as the cut of the meat was odd. I ordered a burrito suizo, which the menu said came with ranchero sauce. I assumed this would be the same as enchilada sauce; I guess I should have asked. Ranchero sauce is more like thin salsa and was very unremarkable. Even less remarkable was the chorizo, which was the worst I think I've ever had. There was no heat at all, it was just very salty and dry. On top of poor take-out service and subpar food, La Rancherita inconveniences its customers by only accepting cash. An ATM is located in the back of the restaurant, and though I didn't look into the fee, I would guess that it's $3 or more. One more turnoff. I'm going to to everything in my power to avoid La Rancherita from here on out. read more

La Rancherita - Important. - Mexican Near Me - Rock Island, Illinois

Their food is good but when my husband and I ordered BEAN (no meat) tostados we were disappointed in the size and price. Probably 2 Tablespoons of beans, if that. Maybe 1/4 cup of lettuce. Half slice of thin tomato, half tablespoon of crema and light sprinkle of cheese. $3.99 a piece plus tax. Won't order those again! Service is good though! read more

Lived in the Quad cities for 2 years now and we always overlooked this place. Coming from Texas and being married into a mexican family I'm pretty picky with my mexican food but I can say this place is pretty authentic. Tacos are pretty good almost just like the ones we get down south. Other than the tacos... other dishes were sub par. They weren't anything special something we definitely make better at home. It's not terrible by all means if you do not have time to cook at home or just craving mexican food i'd say this is one of the places to go around the area. read more

I LOVE LA RANCH! It might not look like much, but La Rancherita is as good as food gets for the price. Quesadilla? $2. I can seriously FILL UP here for around $7. It's got a very nice staff and the food comes out faster than you can say "Burrito Picante". The first time I went to La Ranch, it was with a fairly large group of people and they were very accommodating. No matter what size, they're always willing to split the check (a plus for a group of college kids who just want good eats). Fair warning: They don't accept credit or debit cards, so bring your cash. And if you accidentally forget there is an ATM on site, although I don't know if there's a surcharge. read more

This is one of the best Mexican places in town! It is very authentic and the atmosphere makes it feel that way, too. Their chips and salsa are free and are very good but very spicy, so if you don't like spice, you probably won't like the salsa. You can never go wrong with their tacos; especially corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, and lime. Their margaritas are also very good and are not lacking in the alcohol department. The only downside is that they only take cash, so make sure you come with cash! They do have an ATM machine, but it has a charge to use it. read more

La Rancherita - Chips and Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Rock Island, Illinois

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Excellent, authentic Mexican food. Tostadas, quesadillas, chili relleno and tacos--all varieties-- are wonderful. Service speed can be iffy sometimes, but every time I've been there nearly all the seats were occupied (I can only take that as a positive), so the busy-ness can explain for the slow service sometimes. Great margaritas and they also serve mexican beer. Awesome and fresh salsa, made daily. Spiciness varies from day to day (indicating its freshness), which I appreciate. Great place for families with children. Casual atmosphere in a cute, Rock Island neighborhood. Cash only. read more

It's ok. The chicken is kind of weird, not really sure what part of the chicken they're cooking but it's kind of rubbery. The queso fundido tasted like watered down soup with unseasoned beef in it. They only accept cash in 2021! Not sure what that's about. read more

This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the quad cities. i've been going to this location for years and had great service until the Moline location opened. Since the new location opened, the good servers transferred and the others who remained at the rock island location are rude and unpleasant. My girlfriend, daughter, and I went for dinner. My girlfriend ordered her usual, cheese enchiladas. Her food came out to the table cold and the server never came to check on us. She approached the server and informed him that her food was cold and he came and got her plate and said he would have it remade. When the food came back to the table, it had been microwaved (lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and all). My girlfriend informed our waiter that we would not be paying for our meal and he then stated we were to pay for the rest of the meal; when we refused he asked that we speak with the manager. Following the waiter explaining to his manager the situation, she advised him to let us leave. She did not even approach me to apologize, but stared at me from behind the counter as the waiter talked to her. This is unsanitary and absolutely disrespectful. When i pay for a meal, i expect my food to be hot and fresh. The blatant disregard for customer satisfaction, after so many years of great service and quality food, is sad to see. Sadly, i don't think i'll be returning. read more

I moved from the Quad Cities in 2019 and this restaurant is the one I miss the most. The food is great. Especially when you consider the low prices. My favorite burrito any where is the carnitas burrito, but I also like their tortas and huevos options. read more

Outstanding! This small business knows how to throw down! It's a little out of the way for us, but the food is seriously worth it. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, this is it. Support local! read more

Good food and great service you feel that you're eating at you're own house, I feel welcome every time that I go to this great restaurant. They have hand made corn tortillas, Real Mexican food. read more

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The most important parts of Mexican cuisine done right! ~Quality tortillas (they don't snap in 1/2) ~Delicious steak (steak tacos are delic) ~pico de gallo style salsa ~generous beans, rice, and cheese read more

Honestly, I came here based on reviews by fellow Yelpers....but I was pretty...Meh. The chicken flautas I ordered were crispy, hot, but the chicken inside was strange. Not pulled/shredded, but cut up in little balls, like ground chicken. Weird. First for me. The beans and rice are bland, lame. No salt, no flavor. Though the chorizo tacos were good, I'd try somewhere else. No credit cards, but an ATM in the restaurant. read more

Ordered a burrito for $6.50... was very disappointed. It was tiny, most burritos in this area are a dollar cheaper and twice the size. Pico is great, but the chips are rock hard. Not really my style. My wife ordered chorizo and potato enchiladas and they were so packed with onions that's all you could taste. She didn't even finish them. Man.. I still cant believe how tiny that burrito was. Many, MANY, MANY, better places in the QC with better food at better prices. read more

Probably the only BEST and REAL Mexican food in the Quad Cities. The price and quality of the food is outstanding. Everything on the menu is delicious. This is now the only place I will go for tacos in the QC. Do bring cash as they do not accept credit cards. Folks, don't be fooled by those other so called "Authentic Mexican" places that only serve up a hot plate of glorified taco bell. La Rancherita is the REAL DEAL! read more

Amazing authentic Mexican food at an inexpensive price: I usually have four tacos: two steak and two chorizo. You are usually asked if you want cilantro and onion or cheese and lettuce. (Why you can't have all four...I do not know.) I haven't had anything else besides the tacos because I found something that I love and I am going to stick with it. Everyone else that I have gone with has loved their order. The service is great! Someone is always coming by to refill your drinks. You can always get a refill of chips if the occasion calls for it. Their food service is just as good. The turnaround time from walking in to getting your food can be anywhere from ten to twenty minutes. (Still that is ridiculously speedy) Overall great food for a great price. read more

Chicken tacos with cilantro & onion and the veggie burrito suizo are my mainstays. Consistently delicious!! The boyfriend loves the huevos con chorizo, and service is consistently fast & friendly! read more

I go here all the time. Best beans. Best rice. Best enchiladas. Unbelievable food. And very affordable! My favorite Mexican food hands down!!! read more

La Rancherita - Mexican Near Me - Rock Island, Illinois

Great breakfast place. The Chorizo and Eggs are an absolute steal at 5.95. The portion is huge and they taste amazing. Steak burritos you can't go wrong with and the guacamole is the best in the QC. They are cash only and remember they are open late(11 or Midnight) on Friday and Saturday so it's a great place to stop and get some food after a night out at the bars. read more

Here's the deal, when I invite my parents to eat in the QC I quiver with fear because they both have favorites: father = meat, mother = fresh ingredients. Also, they were born and raised in Mexico so going to eat here was a big deal. Oh boy did they love the tacos. My dad is a big lengua fan (tongue tacos, mmm!) and he always orders them when he stops to visit, my mother loves cecina (dried beef), and my brother is such a hungry monster he eats any of the tacos! Tostadas are great, tortas are a must eat if you haven't already, I'm still under 21 (March baby) so I can't tell you about the alcoholic beverages..., and the pico de gallo is a joy to munch on as you wait for your food. I don't particularly like their camarones or ceviche, but they cook their meat really well. By the way, something that no one talks about, they ONLY ACCEPT CASH. Sorry for the caps, but people still come in trying to use a credit card when they don't have a credit card machine. They have an ATM and of course there's a fee, silly! read more

If the previous reviewers haven't made it clear, they only take cash! If you can get past that, this restaurant is incredible. The service staff is quick, the food is good and the prices are reasonable. This isn't Americanized Mexican food, rather this is more authentic. But nonetheless, its good quality and decent portions. It won't win any Michelin ratings but that's not the point. This is a (not so) secret hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint that serves great food. read more

I ordered take out for my family last night. While I waited for my food I had a large horchata, which was about the size of a Big Gulp. It tasted just like any good horchata should, creamy with plenty of cinnamon and sugar in it. Delicious. Unfortunately this was the best part of the evening. I ordered one chorizo taco with chopped onions and cilantro in it, a al pastor torta, and a carne asada gordita. The chorizo taco was really stuffed to the gills with what I thought was chorizo meat. There was some spiciness to the meat, but nowhere near what I would have expected. I know chorizo is a greasy meat. I've used the renderings to make homemade refried beans before. However, the chorizo in this taco was ridiculously greasy. It overwhelmed the cilantro and onions. Moving on, I tried the al pastor torta. The al pastor meat was not anywhere close to being as good as the places I've been to elsewhere in the country, and actually looked overcooked. On the plus side, they did include avocado slice(s) in the torta and the torta was grilled to a nice golden brown. The next day I had the carne asada gordita for lunch. It wasn't bad, but there wasn't much flavor in the meat. The onions were a little fresher in it, though the cilantro really didn't taste that fresh in this gordita as well. I'm not sure if this was a bad night for them or whether they have become a victim of their own success. I can say I"m not motivated to go back from the lack of quality food. It's a shame because both the place looks nice and the service was excellent. read more

Best authentic tacos around. I love the steak tacos they are well priced and their margaritas are wonderful as well. I have never had anything bad from here. The Rock Island location is the best though. It's also nice that you get free chips and salsa. read more

The "Little Ranch" is a great restaurant. This one of the local Mexican places where Mexican families go out to eat. The prices are great. You can go with the cheap staples, like big burritos or tacos, if you're low on cash, or spend a little extra to get a great combo or specialty. Either way, entrees are under $10 (most are 6 or under). You can also wash things down with a variety of bottled beers, but my favorite drink here is the Horchata--vanilla and cinnamon goodness. The beef tongue tacos are garnished with onion, cilantro and lime. Amazing! They only accept cash, but there's an ATM on location if you need it. Buy some mexican sweets from the cashier when you leave. Chicle? read more

mmmmMmmmmm, we went here after a night on the town, had An Horchata and Lengua tacos! Best Lengua tacos in the Quad cities hands down!! I will definitely be back for more!! Great service, clean establishment, good food! read more

La Rancherita - mmmmMMMmmm, best lengua tacos in the Quad cities!! @ChefClaxton - Mexican Near Me - Rock Island, Illinois

Went there on Jan 21st in Rock Island location. They DO give free chip refills, matter of fact they just brought us more chips without us even having to ask for more. the food seems exactly the same to me for some time now. GREAT. So I don't know what someone was talking about in a review they charge for more chips and they changed their menu. Everything I eat seems exactly the same for years now. I have updated pics also. read more

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I love this restaurant!!! I've been going her for years(rock island location) but now they have a second spot in Davenport on Elmore and 53rd St. I prefer the Davenport location better, the staff is a bit more friendlier and younger. The kitchen staff knows what they are doing as they don't over use oil or spices. I'd recommend both places I'm just a fan of the second location. Both have amazing authentic Mexican food at an inexpensive price. And you can feed an entire family for under $30 dollars, which is a great deal. read more

Cash only, but you don't need too much- 8-10 bucks per meal. Delicious food, I am a sucker for their steak enchilada platter. So much goodness on one plate. Missing some of the frills and plating and ingredients that would put it over the top to a 5 star rating, but that should in no way dissuade you from eating all the things at this great neighborhood restaurant. read more

Chips and salsa seemed to be 'bottomless.' The salsa was really good. Tacos were even better. They stuff the corn tortillas! Taco dinner comes with rice and beans. It was great because afterward I had a delicious mix of rice, beans, and taco filling that spilled out of the tortilla. I didn't really care for the hot sauces found on the table. I preferred the salsa that came with the chips. Wife liked her tacos as well. Sister in law raves about their veggie burritos. It was tasty, but I find that in a 'traditional mom and pop' (read: independent, not a chain) Mexican restaurant the tacos are where it is at. This was no exception. Oh it's cash only! So hit up the ATM before coming. They have one on site but I'm sure you'll get hit with a nasty fee. read more

My family ate here to celebrate me getting my first job and we all got sick from the food. The table was dirty with crumbs on it, the server didn't come back to refill our drinks. They didn't have the music in the restaurant going until halfway through our meal and the music turned on very loud and made my mom jump out of her skin. We will never go there again. How disappointing read more

Best food ever. Great prices, wonderful taste, authentic cuisine (tongue, menudo, cactus), very fast service, consistent quality. I love La Ranch 1 and 2. The burrito suizo with a side of cactus and an horchata is my go-to. Chips and pico are always free and come with many refills! You don't even have to ask, they magically appear from the amazingly attentive servers. I've been searching for a comparable place for years, haven't found one yet! read more

I grew up eating at La Rancherita, and when I attended Augustana College (a private college just down the hill from this restaurant) I invited a lot of my friends. The food is good, cheaply priced, and service is quick. Service is not the friendliest Couple Warnings: They only accept cash last time I checked. There is an atm in the restaurant. It is a hangout spot for the Augustana students, so don't expect it to be quiet at all. read more