By Chris Murphy
I love traditions. I love our cultures. I love great food and I love it when families keep something good going for so long and is loved and respected by the community. There are many local family-owned Mexican restaurants in our area, each with their own charm. El Ranchito in Riverbank is a place that deserves a special place in our appetites and our dining experiences and it one of the longest running restaurants around.
Located directly next to the railroad tracks, almost under the overpass, sits the family owned El Ranchito. This has been a Mexican restaurant since the early 50s and was a regular place for the thousands of cannery workers in Riverbank. Owned by the Tinajero family since 1967, the story itself is as good as the food. George Tinajero, his mom, brother and sisters are front and center at El Ranchito and their friends join them on a regular basis to enjoy.
Elena Tinajero came to the USA in 1961 to join her husband Dolores who was working at the cannery. George was born in 1962 and grew up with Elena’s cooking as she worked at local Mexican restaurant, and George says, “She really was a gourmet cook”. In 1967, Elena and Dolores made the move to open their own place and took a chance to buy the then closed El Ranchito. Since then, they have grown the business from the original house that served the local workers, to the new building that is there today. Locals know to drive in from the skate park and park along the west side and you better get there early as it gets busy quick after the 4 pm opening. Today, the original sign is mounted in the bar, but the places is large, comfortable and can handle a good crowd.
You can’t start a meal at El Ranchito without one of their famous Margaritas so make a bee line to the bar. Sweet, smooth and packs a punch. Fresh made tortilla chips and their special salsa make it possible to have a second Margarita.
“I’ve had sauces all over the region and George’s are the absolute best”, says long time El Ranchito regular Mike Callizo. As he planned our dinner, Mike took the lead with George to make sure that we had all of the hall of fame specialties.
Camerones Al mojo de Ajo. This is where you start. These spicy grilled butterflied prawns are the perfect add to El Ranchito rice, beans and salad. Want more? Then dive in to the butterflied lobster tail with a special garlic sauce. Fish is delivered fresh each Friday and doesn’t last long and there are regular weekend specials.
If you are thinking you need a salad, you should consider the grilled chicken tostada. This thing is a monster and with the beans, original style salsa make it a great meal. While you are there,
Is this a steakhouse? Yes it is. You can get some amazing cuts of beef here and you will not be disappointed with the Steak a la Parilla, a tasty New York cut with fresh grilled vegetables. Their steaks will stack up against everything. Do not forget the Chili Verde and the Chili Colorado. As Mike said, the sauces are amazing.
If you are like me, you can’t decide and when everyone at the table gets something different, you can do some sampling. But if you really want to go for it, the House Super Combo is the best of everything. It is really amazing with a Taco, Relleno, Enchilada, Chile Colorado AND Verde plus rice, beans and tortillas. Wow.
This is a really fun experience, and be prepared to have a good time. Grab your friends and head to Riverbank and be prepared to enjoy one of our areas most legit and original Mexican restaurants. Get a Margarita from George and enjoy the family service and soon, you will feel like family. Enjoy
El Ranchito
3048 Atchison St. Riverbank,
209-869-0196
@elranchitorbk – Instagram
When we asked George our traditional question, Beatles or Stones, he was all Stones.
