La Rancherita Mexican Restaurant

Angela María Mazo

Delicious food and excellent service

Nathan Gray

I used to come here for lunch all the time with my coworkers, but it drastically went downhill at the start of the pandemic, so we stopped being regulars. Decided today to give it another try, which was a mistake. To start, when our chip baskets arrived, there was a spider in one of them. I asked the waitress to take it back and bring us a replacement, which at first she refused to do. Turns out her English was not very strong (which is probably not ideal for a waitress) and she just wasn't understanding what the issue was. We had to get a manager over to translate so that we could get a replacement basket of chips and have the basket with the spider taken away from the table. The manager explained that the chips were all made in one large batch and she thought I was asking for them to make a full new batch to bring to the table, which they couldn't do. This is also concerning, because it seems to me that its likely the spider was in that large batch and it probably SHOULD be thrown out and remade, even thought that's not what I was requesting. When we ordered food, I ordered a chicken quesadilla with just chicken and cheese, no peppers, and I asked for it as an a la cart side rather than the full meal. When my food showed up it was the full meal and had sauce over the quesadilla, but peeling the first slice open seemed to just be chicken and cheese like I had requested, so I didnt want to send it back, especially after the misunderstanding with the chips. After I finished the first slice and went to eat the second, I got a mouthful of peppers which I had specifically requested be left out. Opening the other slices they all had peppers, but since I was almost halfway through the meal I didnt want to send it back. Instead I decided to try the fries that came with the meal, but these were undercooked, cold, and had an oddly sweet seasoning that I personally did not prefer. After that I just sat and talked eating chips and drinking my water, but was only able to flag the waitress down right before she brought us our checks to finally get a refill, as she never checked on the table after confirming our orders were sent out correctly. Obviously if you're reading this to see if you want to eat here, you are only reading my side of the story and I have bias, but I would look elsewhere for your Mexican food. For better food in this area I would recommend going to Torrero's off Millbrook and Atlantic. I personally prefer the food, atmosphere, and service better there.

Tamorris Dongo

The Dr. Pepper was good. The salsa and queso did not taste authentic. The chips were old. Food was very mediocre. The restaurant always seems to have no one inside. Wait staff is slow.

Daman Chavis

They over cooked my Flautas to the point that they were dried like beef jerky. I returned to Raleigh, NC because of hurricane Ian. I also wanted a good cheese dip from a good Mexican restaurant. Rancherita can still do that. Also the decor has changed for the better and the Arroz con Pollo was ok. Better than last time for sure.