El Rancho

I hit up «The Ranch» with some fellow Unilocalers to try the tacos. I ordered one tongue, one al pastor and one chorizo. All were served street food style — double corn tortillas topped with cilantro and onion. All were quite tasty, but I would have to say the tongue was my favorite. El Rancho also starts off your meal with an impressive salsa try, complete with chips and pickled veggies.
While I came for the tacos, El Rancho specializes in menudo. I’d never tried menudo, so I had to imbibe. Definitely not a dish for the unadventurous. The small bowl was loaded with large chunks of beef tripe, which naturally had a grizzly texture and intestines-​y flavor. I had to load mine up with tons of cilantro and onion to balance it out a bit. It was tasty, but probably something I wouldn’t order again.
Nice laid back atmosphere. Good location. Good food. Good times.

Local, unassuming Mexican restaurant near the highway. Nothing fancy looking about this place.
Pros: Delicious food. Delicious food. Nothing has disappointed yet. Chilaquiles with steak. Tongue and tripe tacos. Salsas. Inexpensive. Low key atmosphere. Spanish soap operas on TV.
Cons: It took several visits to realize that you just walk up to the counter when you’re ready to pay. I’m a dummy.
Other: Sketch atmo? Not really. It’s not bright and pretty, but I like that. And as everyone says, food speaks for itself.

Best Menudo and chili rellenos town and excellent service too! I love all the salsa’s they give you with chips before your meal. Drinks you have to try their michelads’s it’s a must every time I go.

Gets 4 stars not for their menu. The food is fine. Not my favorite taqueria, but no gripes either. The 4 stars are for their 5 star pozole, available on weekends. I make better pozole than most restaurants, but this place… the pozole is magical. It’s rich, spicy, fragrant and has a sour note I haven’t figured out. It’s way beyond other restaurant pozoles I’ve had. This pozole hits notes I usually only get from Thai soups in the fragrant and complex department. Worth going out of your way for.

El Rancho, you’re pretty cool. Somewhat sketchy, and possibly a little scary depending on the time of day, but pretty cool nonetheless.
Do not be alarmed (necessarily) by the bars on the windows and the door. NBD. The interior is nothing special, nor does it need to be, as the food speaks for itself.
I love that they have daily specials (tacos, hay gurl). The salsa platter is not to be missed (but damn is it spicy). I almost got glutened here, but I asked the right questions in time and my body was spared the near misery. Cute husband got enchiladas, I got flautas, and we were both pleasantly surprised by the subtle but distinct seasoning of the meat.
The rice is out of this freaking world.
Also: jamaica!
I would eat here again because of how close it is to my house, but would possibly not come here at night. Up to you, though!

We are fortunate to have many a Mexican establishment to frequent here in Omaha. But why do I keep returning to El Rancho for my sit-​down Mexi fix?
ONE: The platter of salsas (light green, green, green, red and orange) with the middle bowl of pickled carrots, onions, peppers to much on while awaiting your meal.
TWO: The fresh guacamole for $ 2.99 which comes in a small bowl, but is so packed full of fresh goodness you’re actually struggling to finish the thing.
THREE: The enmoladas (think enchiladas with mole sauce with a side of rice a beans) and their pozole (only available on weekends and less than $ 8 a bowl). I heart their pozole!
FOUR: Service is spot on. I have no idea how the magic works… busy over lunch, but their staff has a way of keeping their eye on whose in, out, ready, done, etc.
FIVE: Location not far from the interstate exit on Martha so makes taking a trip from home on the weekend totally do-​able.
SIX: Daily specials so you can get your papusa for $ 1.99 or taco for $ 1.25, although with already decent prices it’s awesome that I can get my food «on sale.»
Seat yourself. Pay at the counter. Go with an empty belly.

I cannot get enough for this place! Their food is authentic and simply amazing. the service is phenomenal. What else would you need?! Great selection of beer and soda. Daily specials. Affordable & definitely worth your money’s worth!
As a college student & native southern Californian this is hands down my favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Omaha.
I usually make a point to go on Thursdays when I can get my 4 asada tacos for 5 $!!

Easy to find and park at this homey family owned joint. As with much of the Mexican food in Omaha on 24^th st. don’t judge a book by its cover! The outside of the building is a little dated, but the food inside is quite good. The restaurant is very spacious and there are a lot of tables to seat patrons. Also, the menu is quite extensive-​there are a lot of choices including your favorites: burritos, torta, enchiladas, tacos, sopes etc. Prices are pretty competitive with the surrounding area, and they do have a complimentary salsa and chips tray which is a plus. I ordered the chicken enchilada plate with verde, and also had a bite of the Carnitas burrito. I thought that the food here was really tasty and pretty much on point with some of my other favorite Mexican taquerias in town. One funny thing is that there’s a three beer maximum for every person. I’m guessing that in the past things have gotten a little rowdy!

True Mexican food.
We were a party of 5 and all ordered different items from the menu. Except for me, everyone liked the food they ordered.
I had the chicken enchiladas with the milder, red sauce. The enchiladas were nice and full, three to a plate with rice and beans. But there was a flavor to the red sauce that I can’t quite place… I’m usually pretty good about isolating a flavor but this is something I haven’t had before and now I know I don’t like it. They serve up a hearty plate of food for the price so you definitely get your money’s worth.
The fajitas were good, sizzling hot steak with onions and peppers and handmade tortillas. The tortillas had a more «wheaty» flavor and a slightly fluffier texture than mass-​produced tortillas, which makes them great.
One of us ordered the shrimp and garlic but was served a «shrimp Diablo» dish. My friend had no complaints, loving what she was served with the amount of spice she requested.
The two guys ordered burritos, one beef and bean and the other carne estada. They were presented with big burritos stuffed with rice, beans and the meat they requested.
Again, everyone liked what they ordered.
The restaurant is a little building in the middle of a neighborhood. On the Sunday afternoon we were there, a vendor was selling mangos, papaya and pineapple in the lot. It’s one of those places that easy to miss and if you are in need true Mexican food, you’ll be sorry.

My second favorite Mexican place in Omaha! The platter of salsas are not to be missed, and the Mole sauce that they use on their dishes is outstanding.
Tacos are fairly standard here… I would recommend ordering one of the entrées on their menu instead of tacos. Restaurant is very clean, services friendly, and prices are extremely reasonable.

Delicious Menudo! Perfect hangover cure. My man had a sandwich and was quite impressed, it really did look just like the picture. Service was great and gotta love the soccer games on the flatscreens.

When several of the folks I trust on here rate a place as highly as they rated El Rancho I tend to pay attention. Anne and I arrived before noon and we were the only English speaking people in the place. We were greeted promptly, found our own seat in a booth and served warm chips and FIVE different choices of salsa within minutes. The salsa choices ranged from mild to burning down the house and every one of the five had flavor, not just heat, not just mild, FLAVOR! The entrees we chose (enchiladas and flautas) were excellent. No back flips, no whiz bang, just first rate Mexican cooking. This one goes right to the top of the list of go to Mexican restaurants.

Tried it for the first time today. I wasn’t that impressed. The chips come with 5 salsas but none of them were that great. The chips are thick and hard which I didn’t care for. The al pastor taco and green enchiladas were average. My girlfriend did enjoy the casadilla. In my opinion there are several better mexican restauraunts in town.

I’m almost hesitant to write a good review, because I don’t want their secret to get out. You keep voting La Mesa the best Mexican restaurant in town, Omaha… the rest of us will eat at real, authentic Mexican restaurants.
Do yourself a favor and try their tongue tacos. Seriously, best, most tender tongue I’ve ever had. Their buche (pork stomach) tacos are also delicious and do not in any way taste like, well, stomach. Pozole on the weekend is satisfying and full of pork and other delicious things that really warm you up on a cold winter evening. The servers have all been very nice, and you can’t beat the price.

I’ve been told numerous times that to find great Mexican food, you need to go to south Omaha, especially anywhere on or close to 24^th street… and damned if they all weren’t correct… I ordered the huevos and chorizo… it was really really damned good… even the refried beans were great, and how often does that happen… Of course, that wasn’t enough, so I ordered a couple of «street» tacos with pork, al pastor style… I normally prefer it carnitas, but they made me a convert… the service was great, and the prices can’t be beat… yes, it’s in a dodgy area and strip mall… but often, that’s where you find hidden gems… I’m extraordinarily glad we came… this is one place that is worth taking a chance on… and as a helpful tip: the menus are in Spanish… actually wasn’t a problem, because once I found the egg section I knew what I wanted lol…

Ever find a place you fall in love with and want to share with the world yet you don’t want to share with the world because then they will go there. This is that place. First thing, the menus are in the Spanish. I almost asked for an English menu but then I decided they would laugh at me and I didn’t want to risk the embarrassment. It is as good as everyone says, you should go there.
Don’t let the sketchy area and the run down strip mall scare you. Here’s a tip, that’s where the best food is. I think Jason and I were the only white people in there but that’s okay! They welcomed us and sat us and brought out the most amazing salsa sampler and chips. I ordered the flautas and enchiladas. I believe the flautas are hand rolled in the back. I also ordered two tacos, a pastor and an asada. Yes and yes! I was having a magical moment with my tacos. I could have eaten my weight in them.
Jason had chorizo and eggs with warm corn tortillas. He also had the same two tacos. There was nothing left on anyone’s plate. All that food was less than $ 25.00 before tip.
I want you to go there to experience what I did but I don’t want you to go there because then you’ll tell two friends and they’ll tell two friends… and so on and so on.

This place wasn’t even on my radar. I was trying to coax my brother into eating at some other hole-​in-​the-​wall Mexican restaurant and he suggested this place instead. After dining here and checking the reviews I was genuinely shocked at how popular this place is (and deservedly so).
I ordered a combination that included enchiladas and flautas. They were very good. Likewise, the assortment of salsas that came before the meal were also tasty. However, their corn chips are bulletproof. I have a feeling they just fry up their leftover soft corn tortillas from the previous day. They were tasty. Hard as heck, but tasty. Overall, very good food for those who like their Mexican fare a bit more on the authentic side.
The restaurant is rather dark on the inside. Mostly due to the combination of black and dark red paint that covers the walls and ceiling.
Service was friendly and attentive. I don’t speak a word of Spanish and there was no communication problems at all.
I will definitely be back

AWESOME and AUTHENTIC food!!! I had a taco pastor, taco chorizo, taco lengua and a half of carne asada sope… AMAZING…and the SALSA PENTAGON???
WOW — the habanero was the best but they were all GREAT. Only flaw of the night? Needed more chips.
I HAVE to get back here again even though the «tour of South Omaha» could take a year or more.
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!

These were tasty tacos! I had beef. I was expecting ground beef, lord knows why. Instead what came out was basically steak. Well seasoned, tender with just a hint of crisp which was perfect for me because I like my steak well done (Yes, I’m from Nebraska and I know better… don’t judge me lol!) It’s authentic as far as I can tell.
My server didn’t speak English and I don’t speak Spanish so ordering was a hodge podge of pointing– including at Unilocal pictures! Be patient.
When you walk in, seat yourself, someone will come. When you’re done, walk up to the counter, someone will come.
My only complaint is I didn’t get the same awesome salsa platter everyone else has talked about and pictured. But what I did get was good!

I absolutely cannot get enough of their food! Their tacos are so affordable and SOO GOOD!
Wednesdays/​miercoles tacos are 1.35 and sopes 1.75 $ hot dog 1.25 $ mole con pollo 6.99 $ caldo de pollo 5.50 $
They have tortas, burritos, sopes, hot dogs, queso, and BOMB NACHOS!!!
BEWARE their food is spicy hot! Don’t expect to come here and get bland food! They have Jumex and Mexican bottled sodas– the works.
The service is great (but I’ve only ordered carry out), and the tables are clean. Not just wiped down but actually CLEAN!
They have a jukebox and tvs playing the soccer games and novelas ;)
I’m from Southern California and you can’t get better food in Omaha ESPECIALLY for these prices!