Rancho Viejo

I’ve had a lot better and a lot cheaper. While this is probably one of the closest to where we live, we won’t be coming back. The place is loud with just one other table, there wasn’t much food except for the chicken fajitas (which turned out to be the only thing we liked) and the salsa is more like ketchup.

Best steak burritos in the area… and I’ve tried them all!

My spouse and I are now regulars at this restaurant. Reviews on Unilocal when looking for a Mexican restaurant lead us here originally.
It is a small neighborhood restaurant with some very good dishes. There are both booths and tables, our preference is a booth. I have tried many of the chef’s recommendations marked on the menu and a number or others. On a recent visit we had Arroz con Pollo and Pollo Diablo which we both enjoyed. The Pollo Diablo is very hot so be forewarned.
If you enjoy Mexican food, I would recommend you give this place a try. Do not expect a big fancy restaurant but be ready for a restaurant with good food and a relaxed setting.

What’s there to say about Rancho Viejo? There’s a lot of good here, but a whole boatload of «meh» as well, which I guess places it pretty squarely in the middle of the road.
The first impression of this place isn’t all that great. Atmosphere has kind of a glorified take-​out feel to it with bare floors and the like. The service is solid, if unremarkable.
The food is kind of hit or miss, with the trick being the misses are just average, not bad and the hits actually are very good. While the kind of bland chips and salsa didn’t set a good tone (I find those are typically a good gauge of how the rest of the meal will be) my actual tex-​mex style hard tacos were quite tasty. The meat was flavorful and complimented nicely by the cheese and the shells themselves were notable in that they not only tasted good, but actually stayed together. The one downside, it was all greasy as hell, even by Mexican food standards.
So if I’m looking for a cheap Mexican outlet nearby, I’d give Viejo another shot, it’s just lacking the little extras to make it a mainstay.

About the highest praise I can give is «not bad.»
Good chips. The salsa they served with it was thick and smooth but didn’t have much flavor.
On the other hand, the salsa that came on the side with my burrito was good and spicy. They should offer that with the chips.
About that burrito — it was huge and stuffed full of porky goodness, cheese, beans and lettuce. The rice and beans on the side were lackluster.
The atmosphere isn’t much to look at – this basically is an upgraded taqueria with waiter service. But they do have a full bar, and the prices are low — most «traditional» entrees under $ 10. Service was friendly and unproblematic.
I wasn’t really wowed — but it was about what I expected. Would I come back? Oh, sure, but I’m not clamoring for it – there’s better Mexican food in town.

The fajita burrito is amazing! The place smells like acetone from the nail salon next door. Get take out.

I love this place. It’s always more than food for me. Lotsa places have good food. This place just has a very nice vibe going and the atmosphere is always fun and friendly. It’s a family joint. I really like going here.

Just not that good. There are way too many taco stands around to be average or below. Want them to do well because it is family owned but it just wasn’t there. I think the quality of food was low because they tried to go on the cheap with meats and veggies… and it showed. Hope these folks turn it around and make it.

I had a very bad service experience on my first visit to Rancho Viejo that kept me from returning until a few months ago. I’m so glad I went back! Really good food and the service is excellent. The warm greetings and multiple visits from servers and the owner all feel so genuine, it’s as though I’m a long-​lost friend.
A few food highlights: delicious enchiladas, awesome fish taco specials, tasty chiles rellenos, good beans, so-​so rice, OK chips but the salsa is kind of meh. The only think I really don’t care for is the queso fundido, but that’s because they serve it as more of a runny dip whereas I prefer the melted plate of cheese version.
Rancho Viejo is now in my regular restaurant rotation.

My wife and I tried Rancho Viejo last night. We love Mexican food and have yet to really find a place that exceeds expectations in the suburbs. Our waitress was Kelly and she was great! They have about a dozen top shelf tequilas available so I had a margarita with one I had never heard of. Probably the best margarita I have ever had, the owner makes them the traditional way so it is not full of mix and sugar. My wife ordered the peach sangria and it is the perfect summer drink.
We had chips and guacamole for an appetizer and the guacamole was full of flavor and freshly made with a rich green color. The salsa they give you is the only thing I wasn’t crazy about, but it is still better than most places. I had the Burrito Amor and it was amazing! It has fajita chicken, steak, green peppers and onions with cheese and is served with 3 shrimp on top. My meal was excellent and I could not even finish the burrito and I am a large American male. My wife had the seafood enchiladas and they were heavenly. The seafood was really fresh and the sauce was great. Definitely the best seafood inspired Mexican food in the suburbs.
The owners were very nice and so was our waitress. We instantly fell in love with this place and can’t wait to go back.

I drive past Rancho Viejo everyday.
It seems that they expanded a while back.
They have a bar now, it used to be a takeout place.
I kept driving past.
I never turn down a margarita so that shoulda brought me in a while back!
So yesterday, I thought we should eat tacos, from that place on Main Street that I keep driving past.
I should have come before because I love to promote Lombard business because if it isn’t in Yorktown our Village doesn’t give a s**t about them!
Anywho, I digress.
Tacos, fajita combo, steak nachos.
Everything was excellent particularly the nachos.
Sadly the rice was not good, but the tasty tacos compensated.
Be a little wary when ordering, many ingredients in the dishes were not listed on the menu i.e. onions on the nachos. So if you defiantly don’t want it showing up on your dish specify it even though it may not say that it has it!
Dinner for 3 $ 30
We will be back.

Sangria and Margarettas.
Have never had Sangria like this, freshly shaken upon order, more like a shake then the traditional drink I’m used to seeing ~ the extra served in a glass container on the side… for $ 6 you get 2 glasses and they’re potent! .
The Margarettas are delicious… especially on the rocks! ~ Not too strong where you pucker up after you drink it, but strong enough to make you a bit happy after a long day ~
If that’s not enough to get you into the door… let me tell you about their food!
We don’t have many good Mexican restaurants in these parts… unless you’re going to overpay at Uncle Julio’s or you’re going to settle for some chopped to bit steak in your tacos at El Famous.
The food here is spot on. Have eaten here several times and it’s always fresh and delicious. Might take a little while to get your food on… but when it comes, it’s always well worth the wait!
The enchiladas are killer! Try their chimmichanga and their pork — it’s the best!
Small family owned restaurant, the owner is super friendly and so is the rest of his family ~
Well worth checking out! And won’t break the bank for a delicious meal!

Based on other Unilocalers positive reviews and that we live in the area we stopped into Rancho Viejo for dinner. The restaurant is located in a small strip mall on Main St. Lombard with a lot of parking spaces (no handicapped parking spaces seen). Upon entering we were immediately greeted, seated and given chips and salsa. The restaurant appeared very clean and comfortable. The restaurant is small, no more than 15 tables and a small bar area. We both had margaritas that were excellent. I had the three taco dinner (steak and chicken, beans, rice). The portions were generous with good seasoning. My husband had the burrito amor (fajita beef and chicken topped with mole and enchilada sauce and three grilled garlic shrimp). It was fantastic and I wish I had ordered it. The people seated next to us ordered fajitas and those smelled wonderful as well. We were too full to order dessert but it seemed there was an ample selection of desserts. The owner, Angel, was present and personable going around to the tables ensuring that customers were satisfied. I’d have to say that this is one of the best places for Mexican in the Lombard area and look forward to our next visit.

The margaritas are AWESOME! On the rocks with salt is the absolute best; it’s the perfect combination of sweet and sour. The Sangria is also AWESOME. Feel like trying some imported tequilla, ask Angel, the owner, for a suggestion. This is totally a family restaurant; family owned, family run, and family friendly!
There are very few good Mexican restaurants in Lombard, but this is one of them! The enchiladas with fresh made mole are phenomenal, and I don’t like mole. I generally get the Steak Tampiquena (I totally didn’t spell this right!), and I love it.
They just started up Karaōke on Saturday nights at 9 (used to be on Fridays, but they have a knew DJ now). This is a great family event. It is not uncommon to see entire families there for dinner at 9 singing karaōke and by the end of the night, it is generally a much more adult crowd.

I. Love. Rancho Viejo. I truly have nothing bad to say about this place. I try to bring everyone I know in so that they can experience the happiness that I get from it.
The drinks are fantastic. The margaritas are AWESOME! On the rocks with salt is the absolute best; it’s the perfect combination of sweet and sour. For the non-​tequila drinker, they have a really great peach sangria, that is out-​of-​this-​world good. Shots are also a specialty of the owner Angel, who is likely going to be in when you visit. Ask for a suggestion and you’ll get a tasty shot.
The food. Ahhh. The food. I spent about 3 years searching for the perfect suburban tamale. Rancho Viejo’s pork tamales with the red sauce are so good, you’ll gobble them up. Topped with sauce and melted cheese, they’re not just thrown on your plate. They are presented in front of you. The enchiladas (all of them) are phenomenal. If you like spicy, they have a really hot one with huestecca sauce. Last week I tried the chorizo sopes and I found another great dinner choice.
The desserts are also rockin’! Sopapillas, fried ice cream, fried bananas, and more. You’ve GOT to check this place out.

Good sangria. Guacamole was bland. Mahi mahi Veracruz was just ok. Karaōke in a Mexican restaurant? That’s nuts. A singing chef? That’s off the hook.

** UPDATED 02/​26/​2011 ** They just opened up a dining area, used to be just take home. Very nice room offering a nice bar as well. We have had taco’s for take out and it was always very tasty. Now with a dining room they are moving to another level. We enjoyed our food real well. I had Chile relleno and it was great, wife had a combination plate and enjoyed it as well. I have to say that the re fried beans were the best I have had in Du Page county ! Staff was real nice and the owner Angel is full of personality. Just one TV on the wall, I imagine that they will put a few more up. I highly recommend that you give them a try !
I feel so strong about this place that I felt an update was the right thing to do. I try to come to eat here as much as possible. The menu was just updated and it it better then ever ! Angel has a real hit on his hands. The quality of the food is right on. If you do not see it, ask for it ! As far as pricing, you will not find a better value in the burbs ! Angel is adding new items to the menu as fast as he can, but what I found so interesting is how much he makes everyone feel like they are in his own home. Rancho Viejo is a true find if you like Mexican food and the coziest place around ! But do not take my word, give them a try. See You There !