El Rancherito Authentic Mexican Restaurant

I met my girlfriend and her kids at El Rancherito this evening. The service was abysmal! Food service was VERY slow! Had to grab passing servers several times to get drink refills or more chips & salsa! When the food did arrive there were things missing. And some of the food was horrible, namely the tamale. It was 98% cornmeal! It looked like the clogged artery of someone on the verge of a massive coronary! Almost no meat in the center of it at all!
To crown this abysmal dining experience, halfway through our meal they seat a family at the next table with an infant who delighted in squealing in a high pitched, ear drum shattering screech!!!
Don’t misunderstand me, I love children! However, there are places that they don’t belong unless they are well behaved! The «screech monsters» belong at McDonald’s or Burger King or at home with a sitter!!! In some European countries children are NOT permitted in restaurants below a certain age!
After enduring this very subpar dining experience, we sat waiting & waiting for our check!?! Even after most of our table had been cleared… No check!?! We finally got up and walked to the register and got in line. Only after we did this, did a panicked looking server run our check up to the cashier! (He probably thought that we had walked out without paying.)
I conferred briefly with my girlfriend about leaving any tip and her response was «Hell No!» I agreed. Will probably be a very long time before we eat there again!

Comparing to other no-​frills Mexican restaurants, this one is a solid four. As you expected this type of restaurant, the chips and salsa are free in the food came quickly. The kids meals were a good size, and service was great. Glad we stopped in for a quick meal off the interstate. Give them a try.

Several visits to this restaurant and found it to be very consistent. Good authentic Mexican food and attentive service.

The nacho with everything on it was really good! Got me stuffed. Wife’s grilled shrimp was really good too! Not bad for one who need a quick mex fix without have to drive far.

Disappointing that they didn’t have black beans, only retried beans. As a vegan I was hoping for a flavorful veggie fajita, instead it was what almost seemed like seamed veggies, there was no flavor. Thank goodness for the hot sIce on the table. The margarita was nothing special either.
Sadly this was not the best of the El Rancheritos that I’ve visited around Illinois. I will try the Chinese buffet next week in hopes of more flavor.

Great authentic Mexican and strong margaritas! Don’t let the slight musty smell deter you when walking in. It’s good, I’m from Phoenix. I know good Mexican. :)

The food was pretty much Azteca but the margaritas, they were another thing entire. Mountain Dew with tequila sounds about right. Truth be told and no offense to Litchfield residents, but this might actually be on the better side of the scale when it comes to food in this town.

Very good Mexican (for Illinois)!