El Rancho Mexican Restaraunt

I am giving them 2 stars, because the food was not bad. Not terribly good, but not bad. However, they over-​charged me TWICE. Our total should have been right at $ 18 (for 2 people), but first they charged us $ 36, and when we went back to get our money back, they only gave us $ 13 back. It wasn’t a lot of money, but I just had the feeling I was probably not the first one to be overcharged. I am not sure if this is due to poor math skills or an intent to do wrong, but either way — that is just not how a business should be run. So I wouldn’t say not to go, if you want decent, cheap Mexican food, by all means, great place, but just go to the counter with your total in your head so you know what to pay!

Didn’t think we’d find a restaurant in the tiny town of Bertram much less one this good! Best chile relleno I ever had. Wish this place was close to home.

Absolutely disgusting place to eat. I dropped a $ 10 bill on the floor under the table and my fingers came up BLACK.
Unfortunately there are only three places to eat in the town where we live and we LOVE good food. The food in this restaurant is below average to be generous but the main problem is the service. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE service. Never a smile (oh unless you eat here every day for the last hundred years, of course)
I’ve been in there or through the drive thru AT LEAST 30 – 40 times (my husband really likes one thing on the menu… I love him so I tolerate this CRAP) and it’s worse every time. I tip 20%!!! They over charge me, throw in a couple of dollars for something they have never charged me for, frown at me when I catch them. Horrible rude beyond. Talk to the «manager» even worse. They HANG UP on you.
God forbid you ask them to change something from the exact way it is written on the menu! They’ll say «YES» and bring it the way they want it. From what We can surmise and the way we feel treated EVERY SINGLE TIME they HATE customers. Enough said, the fact that it so often empty — the fact that people would rather drive 12 miles — in either direction –says it all.

I had driven beautiful Cow Creek Road on a Saturday after getting new tires in Austin and was looking for somewhere to get some brunch. El Rancho seems to be very popular with the locals. When I drove up at around 11 AM, there were three cars in the drive-​thru line. I was dining inside. The dining room is seat yourself. There were plenty of empty tables with menus already laid out. There was a hispanic family on the right side, a man and his son (both dressed in camo hunting clothes) right by the front window, and a white family sitting towards the back. While I waited to order, a hispanic couple with their daughter came in. After a few minutes, an older white couple came in and joined their friends and family at the table in the back. Two ladies and a little girl also came in. The place was packed!
**I only describe the race of the other patrons to demonstrate that El Rancho is very popular not only with middle age white folk like myself, but also with Hispanics. If you want a quick judge of a good Asian restaurant, you watch for non-​employee Asians going in and out. The same applies to Mexican restaurants.**
I ordered the beef chimichunga plate and started to order tea. The waitress asked me if I wanted sweet tea or regular. At the last second I decided to get horchata instead. The waitress quickly returned with my horchata and some chips & salsa. The salsa was more like a thin sauce and a little more spicy than I like. The salsa came in a little carafe along with a bowl to pour it into for dipping. The chips tasted like boxed chips, not freshly made. I only tried two or three. My beef chimichunga plate came after about 10 minutes. The chimichunga looked and tasted like it was freshly made. The plate included refried beans, spanish rice, and a little salad with some guacamole on top. The chimichunga was topped with cheese sauce. I enjoyed everything on my plate, but nothing knocked my socks off.
My meal only came to $ 10 and that was including another horchata to go. After tip it came to $ 12 even. All in all I feel El Rancho is an excellent value for your money! I wouldn’t drive from Lampasas just to eat here, but next time I am in the area and hungry, I’ll consider eating here again. I think I’ll get the Carna Asada plate next time.
FYI: They are hiring. Must be bilingual. A sign in Spanish in the kitchen warns workers to stay off of their phone during business hours.

It’s not too often in let down by Unilocal but the 4 ½ star rating was grossly generous. When we got there we set for somewhere around 4 – 5 minutes before we were greeted, even though there was a lady «busy» laying menus everywhere. Get the menus, place our order. Go to use the restroom and no soap in the dispenser, was like pumped dry so I’m pretty sure it didn’t just run out. I let me waiter know and he looks at a female coworker and asks her in Spanish if the soap was out in the men’s room (guess it was her job even though he was the only male). She just shrugs and it was apparent that neither cared. So twenty minutes after ordering, our «food» finally arrives. The Al Pastor was the worst I’ve ever tasted and borderline the worst pork I’ve ever put in my mouth. Burnt and shitty. The fajita was way over done and chewy. The Picadillo was runny/​wet and made for a soggy mess. My sons plate wasn’t any better looking. Overall just was not good food or experience.

Very good service and good food… stays open till 10pm and has an odd drive through that kind of works, don’t use the drive thru if you have just washed your car as the exit forces you over an unpaved (dusty) portion of the parking lot

I was hesitant to give a 5 star review. But I sure think you guys overall deserve it. Not speedy but the orders are correct and fresh. No matter how busy they make you feel as if your the only one there. Yummmmmy food. This place is easy to find. Not too many parking spots but it’s not very big so can’t expect much. But if you get the chance try it out when its not busy you just might love it too

Our family loves El Rancho! It’s cheap and good. It’s not the best Mexican food I’ve ever had– but the best for the money for sure! And one of the best in the area as well.
We go there lots– probably 3−4xs per month and they are consistently good with good service.
Their mini tacos are my favorite. My husband likes the faijitas.
They also have a great breakfast taco!

Very good and with reasonable prices. Good service and exceptionally clean. Will be back :)

This is a great spot for inexpensive but solid Mexican food in Bertram. Chips and salsa are put on your table before you order. And there are several vegetarian options on the menu. The service is also very attentive and friendly.
Next time I’m there, I’ll have to try their fried ice cream. hey also have another location in Burnet.

I had some sort of shrimp, chicken, and steak (with grilled cactus) fajita special that I can’t remember the name of, but it was ridiculously good. Overall prices are pretty reasonable too.