EL RANCHO GRANDE – Mexican cuisine

The new darlings of Mexican food in Providence, El Rancho Grande won’t disappoint you. Traditional Mexican fare at its best in a cozy location, fit for friends or dates. Simple dishes freshly prepared, like sopes and gorditas, stand out. A terrific dining experience.

• FINAL VERDICT
• AUTHENTICITY: 4 out of 5
• FOOD: 5 out of 5
• PRICE: Affordable

El Rancho Grande
311 Plainfield Street
Providence, RI 02909
Tel: (401) 275-0808
www.elranchogranderestaurant.com
Open daily from 8am to 10pm
Parking on the street. Eat in or take out. Catering available
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IN NOT A FEW WORDS
This is the first restaurant to seriously fill the void left by El Sombrero, from Dexter Street in Olneyville. It is actually at the same location where Don Jose Tequilas (now on Federal Hill) used to be. “I thought the place looked familiar” said the gringo. El Rancho Grande has a sweet backstory, about a son who built the restaurant that his mother always wanted. Read all about it on the prominently framed Projo article on the back wall. El Rancho Grande is bright and clean, tastefully decorated with orange walls, some small paintings and Mexican artwork. Don’t miss the bizarre small painting that looks like 2 old people but on closer inspection turns out to be 2 indians sitting.

Well, we now know where the East Side crowd that has a craving for Mexican food hangs out. The place was busy but not hectic. I work with a gringo-italian that seems to eat here once a week, if not more. The service was quick and corteous, although speed of delivery is not their strength. It didn’t really matter because it’s a nice restaurant to sit and chat, and enjoy the delicious home made chips and spicy red salsa. They have all kinds of Mexican beer, like Pacifico, Corona, Dos Equis, Modelo, and even the hard to find Carta Blanca. (Chiquitibum a la bim bom bau…) Only if you were living in Mexico in ’86 you’ll get this reference.












We ordered Enchiladas Rancheras, a Sope Rojo, and a Gordita de Rajas. I also ordered a Tamal Oaxaqueño for my señora.

ENCHILADAS RANCHERAS: 4 out of 5 (gringo)
You know what enchiladas are, right? Chicken rolled up in a corn tortilla and smothered with some type of sauce, crumbled cotija cheese and crema. The ranchero enchiladas have a red tomato sauce with a hint of chipotle. Came with a side of refried beans and red rice. The gringo thought it was pretty good, not great.


SOPE ROJO: 5 out of ५
Well, I hadn’t had such good simple Mexican food since I left the streets of Cholula back in 97’. A sope is another variation of the thick corn tortilla, like the gordita and the huarache. A sope has pinched sides to form a small ridge to hold food in. This handmade Sope Rojo had a mild tomato sauce, crumbled cotija cheese and chopped onion. That’s it. And that’s the genius of great food universally, simple ingredients that are perfectly paired to create an unforgettable flavor.

GORDITA DE RAJAS: 5 out of 5
Traditionally a Gordita would have a bit of dry black refried beans inside the corn dough. Not sure if I tasted any. The Gordita was covered in Rajas de Chile Poblano, with cooked onions, lots of cream and crumbled cheese। It was so good. Chile Poblano is one of the most famous chiles in Mexico, and once cooked and peeled and recooked, it is not spicy at all but has a deep strong flavor. This one is a must get.

TAMAL OAXAQUEÑO: 4 out of 5
A Tamal oaxaqueño is not wrapped in Corn husks like you’re used to, it’s in Banana leaves. You see this in the Yucatan as well. This one had so many ingredients, I had to order it. It had mole, chicken, large sweet plum, a couple chile poblano rajas, olives and green pepper. It was well cooked and with good consistency, it was quiet, not exciting.