EVERETT – Mi Ranchero in south Everett opened about eight months ago in a building that’s been a chain taco stand and a teriyaki place. With some remodeling, this small eatery – four booths and four tables – has been transformed into a place that’s like going to your mom’s place.
In fact, one of the customers during our Saturday-afternoon visit was the son of the dishwasher/server. Another of her sons acted as our host and server while his uncle and cousin cooked our meal.
For our Saturday afternoon late lunch-early dinner, we began with cold Mexican beers in iced mugs ($3 each), an order of guacamole ($1) plus warm chips and salsa. After driving in the heat, it took us a while to cool off and find our appetites.
My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and I decided on the chiles rellenos ($9.99 each). Both were served with sides of refried rice and beans. We enjoyed both of them and my friend noticed that our side dishes were truly small servings on the side. He appreciated being overloaded with fajita fixings instead of inexpensive rice and beans.
His fajita ingredients included a heap of onion, bell pepper and chicken strips deliciously seasoned with just enough chili to make it all interesting. He began with a corn tortilla and combined the steaming fajita mix with guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and tomato. During his construction, he pointed out the little pot holder on the skillet handle, which made everything easier.
By the way, the guacamole at Mi Ranchero is made a little differently than at other places. It has chunks of tomato in it, and a couple of times I tasted the distinctive flavor of cilantro. I like guacamole made this way, but some of you may not.
Like my friend’s fajitas, my lunch was also too hot to eat when it arrived at our table. Just like home, our food went from stove to table and didn’t come near a heat lamp. When my lunch cooled enough to eat, I found delicious plump poblano chilies overstuffed with cheese and lightly fried. We both enjoyed our lunch to the point where we didn’t talk very much while eating.
For those of you who enjoy breakfast out, Mi Ranchero serves breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Choices include eggs with cactus, shredded beef or spicy pork sausage ($5.29 to $7.99).
Other uncommon menu choices include Mexican sandwiches (tortas), and there’s a house specialty made with beef steak, ham, cheese and guacamole ($7.49). Mi Ranchero has a lunch combo special for $6.99 and one of the choices is a combination plate of sliced tongue in a spicy tomatillo sauce. There are traditional Mexican drinks and a Mexican-style fruit salad.
My friend had never had empanadas, so we finished with one each ($1). Empanadas at Mi Ranchero are similar to lemon bars with powered sugar. As our host placed the empanadas before us, he said, “Next time, try the flan.”
While I was enjoying my meal, our server made sure we saw another customer’s taco plate ($8.99), and said “This is for the next time you come.” How did she know? Oh yeah, she’s a mom.
Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs.
Contact Anna Poole at features@heraldnet.com.
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