Let's Roll the Dice and Eat: Taqueria Mi Ranchito

Finding a great hole in the wall is one of the pleasures in dining. It’s all about taking chances; looking at a place from the outside will certainly deter many people, but by not taking that chance you may deprive yourself of some good eats.

Taqueria Mi Ranchito is such a place. Located in a non-descript strip mall, one would likely pass is by many times without giving it a second thought. The interior is sparsely decorated and nothing on the outside would indicate the wonders that are to be found inside.

The taco al pastor ($1.30) is a taco filled with spit roasted BBQ pork, marinated in chiles with just a hint of sweetness. The pork is then diced and has a nice crunch to it with just enough fat to give it extra flavor. The taco is dressed rather simply with minced onions and cilantro. With a squeeze of lime and some green sauce, this turns out to be a great treat.

The carne desebrado burrito ($4.25) is a 12” flour tortilla filled with mounds of shredded beef, rice, onions and cilantro. This burrito must weigh close to two pounds, with over a pound of shredded beef. The beef is marinated and slow roasted which makes it very tender and flavorful. There was no discernable fat or gristle in the meat. Paired with the rice, onions and cilantro this is a very hearty meal. Just a squeeze of lime and hot sauce makes this a perfect lunch.