El Rancho

Everything here is BOMB. Tastes like home cooking in my Hispanic household back in Texas/New Mexico. I just had the best birria of my life. Also, the ranch water is great! YUM! LOVEEEEE THIS PLACE. Easily my favorite Mexican restaurant in the capital region.

We recently visited this newly opened restaurant and had a fantastic experience! We tried the Shrimp Aguachiles, elotes, and the tortilla soup, and everything was absolutely delicious. Our two-year-old is a bit picky, but he absolutely loved El Rancho's food. The service was exceptional; our server was incredibly sweet and attentive. We will definitely be returning. Highly recommend!

The best Mexican food & margarita I have had in the capital region! Service was great, food was amazing!

Chicken Chimichanga was delicious, chicken was juicy. Birria Quesadillas were very good. The Choriqueso and home made chips were tasty. Service was outstanding

Zach Gohl

I regrettably had no idea El Rancho existed until last night. We had a craving for Mexican food but wanted to try somewhere new, El Rancho popped up and we decided to give it a try. A really amazing meal, great cocktails, and extremely sweet staff. We’ll definitely be returning and I recommend you give it a try too.

Rob Bergen

We had a great meal here. Staff are excellent and the food was amazing. The birria nachos are awesome and their chips are homemade and delicious. Overall an excellent experience and a hidden gem!

Mary Sheedy-Davis

Truly wonderful experience! The food was incredibly fresh and much more authentic than other local sit down restaurants. Portions were huge with lots of kids meal options. Kind, friendly, and quick service - and super clean. I think we’ve found our new favorite local Mexican restaurant!

Alexys

100% a hidden gem. I cannot express how amazingly delicious this was, everything was made fresh, nothing tasted frozen or old. The service was fast and attentive. Would 1000% come back.

thomas neil

Had a very nice meal. The wait staff was very friendly and efficient. Restaurant was nicely decorated in a Mexican theme. I ordered the steak, shrimp and chicken fajitas. The presentation and portion were both very good (enough for an ample lunch). The fajitas were cooked nicely and very tasty!

Elizabeth Criscuolo

*Rave Review* El Rancho will quickly become one of the most talked about Mexican Restaurants in the Capital Region, no doubt. This newly established restaurant has one of the most diverse authentic menus I've seen in a very long time- especially for this region. We have had Mexican food when out to visit family many times in San Diego and LA - and this food is absolutely comparable! My husband and I were in awe at the flavors and authenticity of the dishes. First of all, the tortilla chips are HOMEMADE deep fried deliciousness! And the salsa was fantastic (You do have to pay extra if you want more chips and salsa, which is understandable since you can taste the high quality ingredients). The two homemade hot sauces that they brought over to the table were also PACKED with FLAVOR! We ordered Chicharrones (So meaty and so crispy!), Parrillada Oaxaquena (So much food- says it is for 2 but could easily be for 3 or 4- we have a lot of leftovers), and churros with vanilla ice cream. My only note (which is barely that) is that I prefer my Diet Coke from a fountain and it came in a can. The do offer Coke and Sprite in the glass bottle - which I didn't see until after I got the can. Like I said, just a note. :) The service was excellent - incredibly friendly and very attentive. I made sure to tell her I would be writing a glowing review!

Mahesh Balkarran

The food is def homemade and great flavors. Staff is wonderful and its a cute bar and dining setting. The drinks are also delicious. Its my 8th time since they open. The mole, chicken soup and fried snapper are packed with flavors. The concha is so good. Ive had many other items but haven't taken photos. I have yet to find one menu item I'm not fond of.

Michael McGrath

We were in Albany two nights. We wanted a good Mexican restaurant and there appeared to be several good ones nearby. We liked the extensive menu and decided to go. Complementary chips and salsa were warm and fresh. Excellent. My wife ordered the Birria, essentially delicious beef tacos and loaded with meat. I had the regular tacos with enchiladas (spicy pork). As good as any tacos I’ve had in the Eastern US. Both entrees came with black beans and rice, hot and seasoned. Our drinks were also great. Service by Jeeny was attentive but not obtrusive. It’s a large room with a few beautiful murals/paintings on the walls. So good we went back the very next night. I had the exact same tacos, just as good a night later. My wife had the alambre and it was a very generous portion. Really great restaurant. Our server, Nancy, explained the one painting on the wall of seven Mexican women. We’ll absolutely return the next time we’re in Albany.

David Markes

This place is amazing. The food is authentic and flavorful. Had the Molcajete and Carne Asada Con Camarones. The Molcajete was out of this world and the presentation was as immaculate! The carne asada was cooked to order and delicious. This is so different than all of the other Mexican restaurants in the area. Cannot wait to go back!

Carol Zimmerman

Chicken Chimichanga was delicious, chicken was juicy. Birria Quesadillas were very good. The Choriqueso and home made chips were tasty. Service was outstanding

Allyson Romero

Everything here is BOMB. Tastes like home cooking in my Hispanic household back in Texas/New Mexico. I just had the best birria of my life. Also, the ranch water is great! YUM! LOVEEEEE THIS PLACE. Easily my favorite Mexican restaurant in the capital region.

Ruth Gonzalez

We recently visited this newly opened restaurant and had a fantastic experience! We tried the Shrimp Aguachiles, elotes, and the tortilla soup, and everything was absolutely delicious. Our two-year-old is a bit picky, but he absolutely loved El Rancho's food. The service was exceptional; our server was incredibly sweet and attentive. We will definitely be returning. Highly recommend!

Tiffany

Great Mexican cuisine, one of the best options in Albany. Loved the birria tacos and the tostadas. Margarita are delicious and super affordable

Megan McGrath

The best Mexican food & margarita I have had in the capital region! Service was great, food was amazing!

The best Mexican food in the Capital Region. The nacho app/bowl is a meal unto itself loaded with fresh ingredients. The Baja tacos were just as tasty. This is not your cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. El Rancho has great food, great service and a reasonably priced menu. I’m so glad I trusted the reviews.

We loved El Rancho. The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was upbeat and fun, and the service was great as well. The guacamole and chips were the perfect starter, and our tacos were authentic and scrumptious. We will absolutely be coming again in the near future.

The non-profit organization I work for held an annual reception for 100 people, El Rancho's catering was the talk of the evening! Our need for vegan options was answered with delicious Potato Flautas and Tamales. The portion sizes for our order were incredibly generous. Isidra and her team were amazing to work with, no detail was left out! An overall exceptional experience!

Wow! A hidden gem. I found out about this place through the Albany subreddit actually, and I’m so happy I did. The birria nachos were one of the most delicious things I have tasted. I got the molcajete which was phenomenal and my husband got the alambre. They have homemade tortillas people!!! It was just an incredible dining experience from start to finish. Beautifully decorated and just a nice atmosphere with attentive waitstaff and incredible food. Will definitely be back!

Absolutely stellar experience with high quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and beautiful plating. I'm blown away by El Rancho, and would recommend anyone to come visit that likes Mexican food. Staff is very kind and the atmosphere really gives the rancho vibe from the beautiful murals, papél picado, and the furniture. Somewhat of a tight fit between tables, but the bar is a bit more spacious. Lots to love about the desserts! Plenty of dedicated parking, and a convenient location. Don't miss this one, and be sure to tip them well!

Michael Iula

We loved El Rancho. The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was upbeat and fun, and the service was great as well. The guacamole and chips were the perfect starter, and our tacos were authentic and scrumptious. We will absolutely be coming again in the near future.

Fred Loveless

The Best Mexican food in this area! First time there since leaving Texas! Will definately be going back. And the food presentation was BEAUTIFUL. Super place!!!!! You're missing out if you don't go there! Wish I lived closer!

M

Absolutely stellar experience with high quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and beautiful plating. I'm blown away by El Rancho, and would recommend anyone to come visit that likes Mexican food. Staff is very kind and the atmosphere really gives the rancho vibe from the beautiful murals, papél picado, and the furniture. Somewhat of a tight fit between tables, but the bar is a bit more spacious. Lots to love about the desserts! Plenty of dedicated parking, and a convenient location. Don't miss this one, and be sure to tip them well!

Taylor

Wow! A hidden gem. I found out about this place through the Albany subreddit actually, and I’m so happy I did. The birria nachos were one of the most delicious things I have tasted. I got the molcajete which was phenomenal and my husband got the alambre. They have homemade tortillas people!!! It was just an incredible dining experience from start to finish. Beautifully decorated and just a nice atmosphere with attentive waitstaff and incredible food. Will definitely be back!

Marion Waldman

The best Mexican food in the Capital Region. The nacho app/bowl is a meal unto itself loaded with fresh ingredients. The Baja tacos were just as tasty. This is not your cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. El Rancho has great food, great service and a reasonably priced menu. I’m so glad I trusted the reviews.

Came to this restaurant with friends at their recommendation because they said the fish tacos were “to die for.” The tacos really were delicious and definitely worth trying. Since we arrived close to closing, I placed my order online while my friends were seated inside. We all ordered the same dish (three tacos), but I did notice that their portions of fish were much larger than mine, even though we paid the same price. It may have just been the timing at the end of the night, but that was the only detail that gave me pause. Otherwise, the food and overall experience were wonderful, and I would come back again.

Lakeia Madison

Came to this restaurant with friends at their recommendation because they said the fish tacos were “to die for.” The tacos really were delicious and definitely worth trying. Since we arrived close to closing, I placed my order online while my friends were seated inside. We all ordered the same dish (three tacos), but I did notice that their portions of fish were much larger than mine, even though we paid the same price. It may have just been the timing at the end of the night, but that was the only detail that gave me pause. Otherwise, the food and overall experience were wonderful, and I would come back again.