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El Rancho
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Port Lavaca

El Rancho

★★★★ 4.1 · 0 reseñas

At El Rancho, we're dedicated to serving up authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine that's a true gem in Port Lavaca. Our signature dishes, like the carne guisada and chicken open face quesadillas, are made with love and care, using only the freshest ingredients. Whether you're in t...

El Rancho

Mexican · Port Lavaca

4.1 · 558 reviews Google

About El Rancho

At El Rancho, we're dedicated to serving up authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine that's a true gem in Port Lavaca. Our signature dishes, like the carne guisada and chicken open face quesadillas, are made with love and care, using only the freshest ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for breakfas...

At El Rancho, we're dedicated to serving up authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine that's a true gem in Port Lavaca. Our signature dishes, like the carne guisada and chicken open face quesadillas, are made with love and care, using only the freshest ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, our menu has something for everyone. With its cozy atmosphere and friendly service, El Rancho is a local favorite that's always ready to welcome you in. We take pride in our signature coffee and tea selection, as well as our generous portions, which are sure to leave you satisfied.

What Customers Say About El Rancho

El Rancho is a long-standing Mexican restaurant known for its carne guisada, open-face chicken quesadillas, and fresh tortillas. Many appreciate the generous portions and friendly service, especially from Gloria. Some find the food bland or inconsistent, and salsa flavor varies.

Popular Dishes

carne guisada Patio Special chicken open face quesadillas Combination Plate

Best For

Families Locals Tourists Casual Groups

Tip: If the food is too bland for your taste, add salt or hot sauce to enhance the flavor. Some reviewers found the salsa heavily seasoned with cumin, so be aware of that.

Features

🅿️ Parking Accessible 🌅 Breakfast 🍽️ Lunch 🌙 Dinner Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy 🤫 Quiet Trendy 👥 Groups

What to see nearby

Calhoun County Jail
Heritage
A 389m

Calhoun County Jail

edificio

View details
Fay Bauer Sterling Main Street Park
A 582m

Fay Bauer Sterling Main Street Park

parque

View details
Grace Episcopal Church
A 608m

Grace Episcopal Church

iglesia

View details
Tilley Park
A 826m

Tilley Park

parque

View details

Data from Wikidata

Explore the area around El Rancho

El Rancho is located in Port Lavaca, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.

Historical Heritage

  • Calhoun County Jail (A 389m) — historic place in Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas Monumento histórico grabado de Texas

Religious Buildings

  • Grace Episcopal Church (A 608m) — church building at 205 E. Austin St. Port Lavaca, Texas

Parks & Gardens

  • Fay Bauer Sterling Main Street Park (A 582m) — park at 223-227 E. Main St. Port Lavaca, Texas
  • Tilley Park (A 826m) — park in Calhoun County, Texas, United States of America

Data from Wikidata

Frequently asked questions about El Rancho

El Rancho is located at 548 W Main St, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, Port Lavaca.
Near El Rancho you can find points of interest such as Calhoun County Jail, Fay Bauer Sterling Main Street Park, Grace Episcopal Church, Tilley Park.
El Rancho offers mexican cuisine.
El Rancho has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
El Rancho offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway.
The most recommended dishes at El Rancho based on customer reviews are: carne guisada, Patio Special, chicken open face quesadillas, Combination Plate.
El Rancho is ideal for families, locals, tourists, casual dining, groups.
El Rancho is a long-standing Mexican restaurant known for its carne guisada, open-face chicken quesadillas, and fresh tortillas. Many appreciate the generous portions and friendly service, especially from Gloria. Some find the food bland or inconsistent, and salsa flavor varies.
If the food is too bland for your taste, add salt or hot sauce to enhance the flavor. Some reviewers found the salsa heavily seasoned with cumin, so be aware of that.
558
Reviews

El Rancho Port Lavaca Reviews

4.1
558
5★
58%
4★
20%
3★
8%
2★
6%
1★
8%
Reviews (22)
M
Margie Durrett

Took my brother there while he was visiting for breakfast! I had an omelet (American style) that was excellent! He had one of the Mexican breakfast choices with beans and salsa. Fresh tortilla shells were amazing!!! The staff was very attentive and pleasant!!

Joaquin Sanchez
Joaquin Sanchez

Quick friendly service and good food.

Amanda Taylor
Amanda Taylor

food is always amazing !! you must try the chicken open face quesadillas so so good never had anything like it !

Julia. Burns
Julia. Burns

Very good food..you always get more than you can eat. Salsa/chips come right away and they bring the drinks with the salsa/chips. Your food is always hot.

Brody Yetley
Brody Yetley

Amazing food, service & as good as it gets good old fashioned ultra established Mexican Food. Not fancy but it's a place I would be at weekly at a minimum. Looove the salsa, chips, saltines, & butter combo 😍 If your looking for consistent amazing service & flavor this is the place.

Ovidio Vela
Ovidio Vela

Everything is changing. Usually getting worse. That is why we appreciate good old, reliable El Patio. Ahhhh.... what a pleasure. A respite from the chaos. The carne guisada is always good. Gloria is always glad to see us. (and she knows that we like our tortillas a little bit crispy.) She always takes such good care of us, with a comforting smile. Thank you, Gloria and El Patio.

I S
I S

Out of towners, always come here for the best mexican food! Patio Special is our #1 plate! 😋 Tortillas are freshly made and yummy! Service was so so but overall, a great place to eat! 👍🏼

Marius
Marius

Went there for breakfast after a roadtrip-overnight-stop in Port Lavaca. Really good! Nice breakfast menu with American and Mexican options. Service was a little slow since the restaurant was crowded. Affordable prices.

Daniel Baumgartner
Daniel Baumgartner

Great lunch. Forgot to take pics of enchiladas we both had. The salsa looked like a non-spicy blan But i was surprised by the flavor and spice.

Sandra Vela
Sandra Vela

Omg!!! The food was amazing!! Totally a better experience the 2nd time. Our waitress was super sweet!

Esha Kay
Esha Kay

Awesome food 🍲 came from Houston for my 98 class reunion

A
A. A. Sanchez

The food is great, BEST chicken tacos I've ever had! Meat is seasoned and flavorful, the hot sauce is AWESOME, has a hint of comino (cumin). Our waitress was great, we were a large group and she took excellent care of us, kept our glasses full and food flowing. We kept them after closing by accident and she was so gracious and patient with us. If you want great food and excellent service check out this restaurant you won't regret it.

Lawrence Martinez Jr
Lawrence Martinez Jr

Great little place in Port Lavaca great prices Great management 👍 will return

missy van winkle
missy van winkle

Homey atmosphere..50 + years in business..food a bit bland but salt gets you there. Staff ..our waitress was perfect. Homemade tortillas and a hometown feel where everyone who's there seems to know each others name kinda thing. Great hot sauce. A kid friendly for sure and even BLTs..a once a weeker.

H D
H D

Came to Port Lavaca to tend to a little business and was hoping to find some good Mexican food. I found it here. I opted for Tex-Mex (Combination Plate - $9) but they have more Authentic Mexican type dishes, of which I hope to return and try. Beef taco, cheese enchilada, and bean bean chalupa were all good. Prices are reasonable, although $3.50 for iced tea is a little steep. Service is friendly and attentive. The old building exterior give it character and fits right in what one would expect on a main street in a South Texas town. The inside is nothing fancy but nice and clean.

Sylvia Juarez
Sylvia Juarez

I was very specific about my order, and no one paid attention and so they had to remake all the food again. I feel bad, but communication is very important .

Sandra Servin (Honestly)
Sandra Servin (Honestly)

It was not very good, the food didn't have much flavor, but to be fair everyone has different taste in food , so if you choose to try it, don't try it when you are really hungry,i personally don't like to try new places when I'm really hungry.

Oscar Mendoza
Oscar Mendoza

Be ready to run when you go to this place to eat. Be ready to RUN to the restroom. Got all my peers running to the restroom food had no seasoning also btw.

Caleb McEntire
Caleb McEntire

It was very average. The salsa was seasoned HEAVILY of cumin, if that's your thing... then you will love it. If not, it will be tough to eat. The queso, was the single worst item I have ever ordered at a restaurant. Had no real complaints about service. Atmosphere is what you would expect from local mom and pop restaurant.

Micah Staggs
Micah Staggs

Chips and tortillas were stale. We waited 50 minutes to be served cold, flavorless, overcooked food. Do not recommend. will not go back.

Gage Smith
Gage Smith

Daughter and I ordered nachos, we recieved a tostada. Food is high price and low portioned. Not a family friendly environment, I have heard less profanity in a bar. There are much better places to eat in Port Lavaca.

Robert M
Robert M

The food was very bland, and the Mexican plate didn't come with tortillas. The salsa that comes with the chips was not salsa at all. It looked like enchilada sauce from the can at HEB. I staff there were nice, but to be honest, they looked annoyed, so the vibe was flat. What was even more disappointing is that two locals recommended this place. The worst place in Corpus christi is better than El Patio. I will not be going there again.

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About El Rancho

How to get there

548 W Main St, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

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Highlights

Good Rating
4.1/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
558 reviews
💰
Budget Friendly
Price level
👨‍🍳
mexican
Cuisine type

Services

🥞 Breakfast
🥐 Brunch
🍽️ Lunch
🍾 Dinner
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥡 Takeout
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout

Restaurant Info

🕐 Hours Today
8AM-9PM
Rating
4.1/5
💬 Reviews
558
💰 Price Level
$
📞 Phone
+1 361-552-6316

Amenities

🅿️ Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
📱 Mobile Payments
🏘️

The Neighborhood

Location

548 W Main St, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

📍 Explore the Neighborhood

Weather
19°
Weather updated hourly · Jobs and events refreshed daily
Calhoun County Jail Heritage

historic place in Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas

A 389m
Fay Bauer Sterling Main Street Park

park at 223-227 E. Main St. Port Lavaca, Texas

A 582m
Grace Episcopal Church

church building at 205 E. Austin St. Port Lavaca, Texas

A 608m
Tilley Park

park in Calhoun County, Texas, United States of America

A 826m
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