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The only "restaurant" I really miss from Seattle...
$2 tacos (I like the al pastor the best): a great way to start and end your boozed-fuled night of fun and revelry.
I was sooooo excited over the opening of Rancho Bravo, but like another reviewer wrote, it's just hyped up. I've definitely had better.
Especially compared to the taco buses roaming around. Apparently since they lost their wheels, they also lost the ability to make yummy tacos.
I'm very disappointed at how bland everything is there. The torta is alright and the meat is kinda chewy sometimes.
And fyi, they do take credit cards now. And the hot sauce isn't even hot.
I've been here a few times and I think generally the place is super overrated. Don't get me wrong, I think the food is pretty good for what it is. However, the lines and hype around the place opening would have suggested this was the most amazing cheap taco place ever. It's not. The food is decent, but not mind-blowingly good.
They only take cash so be prepared for that. If you go during a time which could be reasonably busy, expect a line.
Delicious. Fast. Super Fresh. Cheap.
Gotta love it!
Really not great. I know everyone enjoys the fast food aspect of it, and its relatively inexpensive and flavorful but there's a better way!!
See, I am from Texas. Compadre to compadre, I'm saying your restaurant doesn't necessarily need to be filthy to taste authentic. That is an urban myth. Go find your ambiance somewhere else, Seattle!
I work nearby, so this is a pretty popular lunch stop.
I love their rice and bean bowls, and their food is really cheap.
I know it's fast food, and I have worked fast food, and it's not fun, and sometimes you get a regular customer that you just don't like for some reason, and you don't want to be nice to them. That's cool.
But all summer every time I went in I got really rude service.
I don't really like paying to be glared-down for no reason, and after having the lady over-charge me and then refuse to check my receipt, I stopped going for a while.
When they realized I work at a shop that give them all a discount they started being really nice, but it was absolutely horrible service.
They also have computers now, that print out a receipt with your order, so I don't think over-charging can really happen anymore.
My only other complaint would be that the rice is often hard in spots, and very salty.
THREE WORDS (in no particular order): FAST, CHEAP, GOOD.
I've walked by this place many times and it's always busy, even late at night! Finally decided to try it this weekend and I'm really glad I did. I ordered 3 tacos - beef, spicy pork and fish. Tacos are $2 each and fish is an extra $0.50. Each taco was packed full of meat, onions, cilantro and a slice of radish. I was surprised by the size of the tacos and I would have been good with just 2. Also had a tamale and a horchata. It was A LOT of food for a little over $10. I can honestly say this had been one of the best meals I've had in a long time... so simple, yet so satisfyling.
When Rancho Bravo first opened on Capitol Hill, my friend was like, "have you been to that new burrito place? Everything on the menu is under five dollars..." to which I promptly hollered WHAT!?!??! and made him jump a little bit.
I love this place partly because KFC went out of business, then Rancho Bravo came along, didn't change ANY of the decor, and business is booming. Take THAT, big corporation! Sure it gives off kind of a sketchy vibe and it's not the cleanest establishment in the world, but I couldn't care less--that's part of its appeal, in my opinion (although, this is coming from a girl who is known for being a connoisseur of the cheap, sketchy, and divey) . I'll keep coming back again and again.
Actually, writing this review on an empty stomach made me decide to eat there for lunch. Rice and bean bowl, here I come!
So good, so cheap! Such a great dinner spot. What's funny is that this place has so much more business than the KFC that came before it.
Get the chicken mole with a side of gauc, it's the best one.
Eat here once a week for best results!
Great food, very cheap.
The fifth star here comes from the value. This city has way too little street food, and this is a prime location for a late night bite. Unlike Taco Gringos, Rancho Bravo is right in the middle of where I want to be, and it doesn't close at 9 like the rest of Seattle.
It's really the little things about the food that make me like it so much. The quesadilla - not drowned in cheese, but enough that you don't find dry spots. The hot sauce is actually spicy. I couldn't ask for better.
My review is a little different than others as we had my rugby team's new player orientation the other day. Lots of times we do Pagliacci/Hot Mama's/Piecora's for pizza or Ezell's chicken, because it's filling and comfort food. When you're feeding 40 or more hungry rugby players, Pizza or Fried Chicken are tough to beat.
However, this week, we decided to give another local business a chance. Most of the team loves Rancho Bravo because it's cheap and filling. We gave them a dollar amount and a number of people and called it a day. When one of my guys went to pick up the food, it took six guys to cart it all in there. They sent their entire menu. In abundance. So, in the course of one sitting most of my team got to try the everything.
First of all, big kudos for the value. Tremendous amount of food for the money. Second - their tamales are perfection. Specifically, the pork and chicken ones that they send were seasoned well, and not too much masa. I felt like my friend's Mexican Grandmother could have made them. The burritos were consistently good, and the Chicken Mole burrito is a party in the mouth. I agree with the quesadilla comments from others, most quesadillas are CHEESE, CHEESE, CHEESE, meat. These ones were the right mix. And, say what you want about a $2 taco, fresh made tortillas with fish, lettuce and a little bit of salsa, worth every penny.
We'll definitely use them again, and, their personalized touch makes me want to go there again and again.
Now this is some good fast food. It's the old KFC building, and I'm glad Rancho Bravo took over. Their food is cheap, but really delicious. The tacos are excellent and quick, and the burritos are loaded with all sorts of goodness. Even the horchata tastes better than the typical fast-food horchata.
Let's all be honest, this is the 105th review for this place. Your mind is most likely already made up by the four star rating in relation to the number of reviews. You're going. More then that, you are going to enjoy it. I'm writing this review on a Tuesday after finishing the asada Rancho burrito with pinto beans. This was my third visit since a week ago Monday , which coincidentally was my first time eating there.
I'm prone to hyperbole, so I'm going to try and keep this even headed and rational. I find the food at Rancho Bravo to be quite enjoyable. I was very satisfied with both my takeout and dining in experience. I would recommend this place to....
Son of a shit. I give up. This place is fucking awesome and you're a bitch if you don't think so. Yeah, fuck you, I said it, you are a bitch. I always wondered why, in a city that does so many things correctly culinary, restaurants seem incapable making simple Mexican food. The answer has always escaped me.
Rancho Bravo gets it right. Yes, there are only seven or eight items on the menu. Do you know why? Because they are all made well, that's why. What's the point of offering a ten page menu if it's all going to be sadly sub-par? Seven items that make me say "mmmmmmm" are always going to be better then thirty seven items that make me say "meh".
You can get pleasantly full here for six dollars. The horchata is tasty, they have Mexican real sugar coca-cola, spicy sauces, a friendly staff, good hours, and fast service. I will make the concession that the floor is dirty. Then I'm also going to say that there was a guy wiping down tables and collecting trash on Sunday night with a line out the door, so I know they have cleaned the dining room at least once. The kitchen looks clean and ultimately that is more important to me.
Look, people who don't like this place, I'm sorry I called you a bitch. Mostly I'm sad. And happy. But mostly just sad. I'm sad because you are unable to experience the joy I feel when I unwrap the foil from my burrito and take that first warm, aromatic, and flavorful bite. I'm happy because I don't have to see your bitch-ass there complaining about a good thing.
I did it again. I'm sorry. You're really not a bitch.
Mostly.
Still five stars and they take credit cards now!!!! SCORE!
We just spent $145* on a delicious Mexican diner last night. And you know what? I would totally do… Read more »
Yummy. Fast authentic Mexican food. Greasy, cheesy, all types of meats. Their burritos are large and have lots of flavor and the Horchata is addicting.
They have their own free parking- how delightful, when you can't find parking on Broadway.
I usually get the Rancho Bravo Burrito with no beans and with pork. The burrito is larger than it looks and it is definitely better than Chipotle. One Rancho Burrito will get you full or, in my case, stuffed.
Beware: they take cash only and that's why I'm not giving it 5 stars.
This is what happens when you mass produce what is good from a food trailer.
Not to even mention the bizarre cracked out cap hill people you have to sit with if you attempt to eat here.
I'll never come here ever again. If I am starving in a desert and am magically transported to the entrance to this place, I'll still wait to crawl over to 45th to eat at the taco truck instead.
One star for good horchada. Anyone who gives this place more than three needs to have a long introspective sit in front of a fireplace and mull over what is quality. A mediocre $5 burro in a dirty asylum isn't it.
I wasn't expecting much from a taco truck taking up residence inside a KFC in a hipster part of town. I was pleasantly surprised. I got a pork taco ($2) and a chicken Burrito ($5). I'd say the Taco was the better deal as the fresh tortilla and well spiced meat tasted authentic. The Burrito was a little cluttered tasting but still *miles* better than Taco Time/Taco Bell and better than Guaymas. A different earthier flavor than Taco Del Mar which you might prefer or not. The Horchata was a standout too. You can also get soda w/ real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.
It's not fine dining. You order your food, pay cash-only, grab your own salsa and then wait a few minutes at the counter for delivery. The clientele is what you'd expect for $2 food in Capitol Hill (fast food hipsters) but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Overall, simple good food wins the day. 4 stars.
I could eat here every day. In fact, I've dined here the past two days straight, opting for the Bravo Burrito with chicken each time, hold the beans please. And a side of guac of course. (I am incapable of consuming Mexican food without guac.)
I'm pretty sure this is the best burrito that has ever graced my lips. The filling was moist and delicious, thanks to the sour cream. And all the yummy hot sauce I poured on it.
I thought their tacos were amazing the first time I tried Rancho Bravo (in Wallingford), but I would venture to say that their burritos are even better.
Yes, the place is in an old fast food chain restaurant, and yes it looks a little shady, BUT don't be fooled. It's excellent! I love it when a place is all about the food and doesn't give a crap about frou-frou interior decorating.
The tacos (real tacos, none of this taco bell crap) & the burritos are fantastic! I always add the green chili sauce to mine.
This place is super cheap, just make sure you have cash. They don't take credit cards.
I'll be back, just have to make a quick stop at the ATM first.
Oh...DAMN...this is actually for the Capitol Hill Location, not Wallingford. I was told by other yelpers that I ordered the wrong things. Maybe they're right. But here's an account of my experience anyway:
===============================================
I'm willing to put up with ghetto establishments and even cashiers with bad attitudes for good food.
Actually, of all the ghetto Mexican I've had in the Midwest and the East and West Coasts, I've never had bad customer service from cashiers, until Rancho Bravo.
The cashiers were chewing gum and leaning on the counter, LOW, like they were going to fall asleep. Okay, fine, then they laughed when I ordered a fish taco, a carne asada taco, and a torta.
I served myself the salsas, and they were creamy. ick. I dont' know. Maybe creamy is authentic for some Mexican chefs, but...ew, and not even hot enough, very bland.
Theirr fish taco, very bland. I should have listened to the warnings of other Yelpers, but there were so many good reviews of this place, I had to go.
The torta, gristle and fat, but my boyfriend told me that was an L.A. thing, and apparently authentic.
I am never going back. The quality of the food was not worth enduring all that formica and fluorescent lighting. I guess this place got great reviews because everyone came here at night while ass drunk and needed some kind of food to avoid barfing. I could see this place fulfilling that purpose.
I'm starting to think that my best friend secretly hates me.
It's mostly because he brought me here for dinner last night.
My burrito was cold (the cheese wasn't even melted). My pastor quesa was sitting in a pool of grease. The space was filthy and was swarming with homeless people getting water from the soda dispenser, using the restrooms, and being obnoxious in general. Nobody behind the counter seemed to give a shit.
Which would be all ok if the food were good. But it's not.
This place goes against the Mexican Food Rule - that the quality of food is inversely proportional to the cleanliness of the establishment. This place is filthy and the food here is not good.
Avoid.
I can see coming to Rancho Bravo for a fill-the-void moment. It's inexpensive, conveniently located and the food comes out pretty quickly. Rancho Bravo received such rave reviews when it first opened, but my recent experience was disappointing. I was unimpressed by the food and cleanliness (or lack thereof).
I had the fish tacos, which were rather bland. I went to the counter to ask for some cilantro to flavor the tacos, and the server's face expressed mild contempt. I was only doing my best to make the tacos more interesting, but cilantro and various salsas still didn't help. Call it what you will, it's a brick and mortar taco truck. I think there are better options on the Hill.
Absolutely nothing to rave about here. Bland, run-of-the-mill burritos that you could just as easily get around the corner at Taco del Mar. For real. (And for those who don't get what that means coming from an E. WA girl, that was an insult.) They are cheap and edible. If you're looking for more than edible, you might want to look elsewhere.
In all fairness I haven't tried their tacos but at $2 for a taco I'd rather head down south for some taco bus (Tacos El Asadero) where the tacos are awesome and almost half the price. Also, this used to be a KFC and it really shows so if you must go here, take your meal to Cal Anderson for a more pleasant atmosphere.
They still heap lots of meat on the tacos, and the tortas are decent.
But last night this place was a real pig sty. Shockingly dirty floor.
I could cut slack for a new establishment trying to get its feet on the ground, but Rancho ain't so new any more.
Focus on the food. Do not focus on the barebones scuffed-up interior of Rancho Bravo.
The tacos are…
Read more »
Love this place. They take credit card now. I've been here almost weekly since the day they opened. The carnitas is soooooooo good! I always get the bowl so that there's no tortilla taking up space in my stomach. Oh and the tamales are fantastic. Love love love.
I almost fell out of my chair when I read on the Capitol Hill blog that Rancho Bravo was going to… Read more »
We went to Rancho Bravo with Brian and Rich after going out on a Saturday night two or three weeks ago (we don't often go out). We got there at 2:30 and the place was packed. John was hungry and ordered way more than we needed to eat: quesadilla with chicken, tacos with lengua, and bravo burrito. Everything was good and we found a fun and friendly gay crowd around us that made us like the place even more.
I prefer my Mexican to be served out of something that I could also cross the border in, but this place will do in a pinch.
Dirty as fuck however - get it to go and wander across the street.
Nothing cures late night drunken hunger pangs quite like a cheesy chicken quesadilla and asada tacos. Especially solid ones.
It's taken over some old fast food restaurant. Rifling through the reviews looks like it used to be a KFC. It's still probably a good thing that you come in with a hint of intoxication on your breath. The place feels a little grimy. That's tends to increase your chances of good Mexican food though, and this place is no different.
It's a little more expensive than it's truck counterpart, but it's probably got a little more overhead to account for, you know? It's worth it.
Driving over to the truck isn't always an option after you've had a few too many Rainiers (with a straw no less).
PS - Watch out for morons in the parking lot who think its fun to jump behind your car to make you think you're going to hit them. Next time we will make it a reality. Idiots.
I've been curious about Rancho Bravo for quite some time.... but it was one of those places I never wanted to try because I was so sure I would be disappointed. After 4 years in Southern California I had me some amazing (okay, and occasionally some bad) tacos and other cuisine prepared in vehicles. While not a truck, Rancho Bravo was on par with the taco trucks in Los Angeles I grew to love. Seriously.
The ambiance is epic! It's really just a KFC with a different menu. Same bright, plastic seating and tile floors. Not sure why, but I kind of like it.
The menu was pretty extensive but I decided to order an Asada Torta. Tortas have the potential to be amazing and I'm always on the search for some good stuff. I'm pleased to report that the torta at Rancho Bravo was delicious. The bread was light and fluffy and toasted. The portion overall was quite large. Lots of asada, lettuce, pico de gallo, cilantro, onions (me thinks) and jalapenos. The addition of the green and a brownish/orange salsa kicked it up a few notches.... almost a few too many notches.... it was a little on the spicy side. Very, very enjoyable though.
The food was delicious and at $4 (or was it $5??) it was still a steal, but I thought they could have lessened the prices of say.... their guacamole and sour cream. Do they really think I'm going to spend an extra $2 on my $4 item? A little ridiculous to have condiments that expensive.... just a little pet peeve, and overall, prices were slightly higher than most taco trucks... but after all, it's no longer a truck so I guess I'll let it slide....
Tacos are a little bit more expensive than the trucks at $2 a pop, but the portion is a little bigger. Beside, they've got to pay rent now, ya know?
Rancho Bravo has its own parking lot, which is superb for a person like me. What is it with you Seattle and your lack of free parking?!?!
Anywho, I like the carne asada tacos from the taco bus better. However, Rancho Bravo's tamales are freakin' awesome! Also, they have 3 or 4 different types of hot sauces with varying degrees of heat you can slather, drench, or dip all over this Mexican goodness.
Cheap good food.
First off, you need to disregard the dirty inside, the food is excellent!
Authentic tacos (2 corn tortillas, meat, cilantro, radish) for2 dollars each! What a great deal!
Tamales are just as amazing, however, two out of the past four times I've been they have been sold out! So, I just have to remember that if I want tamales, I have to get there earlier in the day.
Definitely a place I frequent often.
After a pleasant afternoon scraping gum off change from the bottom of an old purse, I was faced with the dilemma of how to spend my last $7.23 in the world. Ramen? That would buy a lot of ramen. I could eat for daaaayyys. Bread and peanut butter? Not bad, not bad. Probably a wise choice. Or....ohgodonceit'sinmyheadican'tgetitoutuntiligot here...Rancho Bravo you win. I'm a brokeass with a stomach filled with love. I mean a carnitas burrito. Mmm.
We hit up rancho bravo after a long day of drinking/tailgating/football watching, and I was severely disappointed. For food to taste terrible after a long day of drinking, it has to be pretty crappy. I had the carnitas burrito. It only had one tiny piece of pork on it and overcooked black beans and rice. I probably would have been happier eating a genetically modified piece of chicken from KFC, it's predecessor.
This place follows the main rule of great Mexican food...make great tasting food without mucking it up with too many menu items! RBT has a simple menu with only seven different items, all prepared traditionally.
Today I ordered three tacos...a pollo, asada an al pastor taco. The pastor was my favorite of the three. All three were delicious though. Just meat, onions and cilantro. The meat was all seasoned to perfection. Finish them all off with a few radish slices...close your eyes and you could swear you were in Mexico...or at least California!
I know this place gets busy with the late nite crowd, but I came at a time when only a few wandered in and out of there. It was clean, with someone coming out to wipe up often. I work across the street and will definitely will be here often. I think next time I'll try the lengua taco!
Again, Yelp needs to adopt a half star rating, but in this case I'll round up to five stars...good, basic Mexican food at its (local) best!
Anyone know of a good pupuseria around Seattle???
Apparently they heap piles of meat into their tacos. Apparently said meat is also where all the flavor resides for Rancho Bravo tacos. The veggie tacos are the worst tasting tacos I have ever had the privilege of not being able to finish. The salsas are distinct but taste acrid; besides, salsa alone cannot save a flavorless taco. The restaurant is crowded and dirty, and though my meat-eating friends swear by this place, I will never eat here again.
I can eat here everyday...'nuff said.
This place does so great on the price vs. quality chart. Their prices are dirt cheap, but the food is so good! I usually get a sandwich and a pork tamales, and it really hits the spot. Oh god, I'm salivating thinking about it right now. I hate it how sometimes I'll be writing a review and mid-sentence all my saliva glands activate at once and it hurts like a bitch-fit! I feel so hobo. I guess I can either bus up to Rancho Bravo and get my tamales fix, or I'll just save it for another day.
Must... go... can't... stop.
Phew.
This isn't the best Mexican place I've ever been. But having lived in Southern California for the five years preceding my move to Seattle, let me just tell you: having something vaguely authentically Mexican is a real treat for once.
If it weren't for the severe lack of decent Mexican food in Seattle, this place would really only be three stars. But for being a diamond in the rough (I guess pebble in the non-rough would be more fitting, since there are no other pebbles and... okay, fuck this metaphor), it's pretty decent.
It was pretty good for what it is, but... I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if drunk (or getting there).
My burrito was okay and my horchata was great. I can't believe they have a 32oz option for the horchata! I'm usually wanting seconds, but I could barely finish that huge one!
The main thing I liked was that we could get two filling burritos, two giant horchatas, and it would only set us back about $14. That's the price we'd generally pay for EACH of us to get fed on Cap Hill, so... that's pretty good. Oh, and extra points for using an old school calculator to add up the total!
I was a bit thrown off by the lack of friendliness. My boyfriend said "Hello, how's it going?" and the response was something about what he wants to order. Um... okay. Then when they called our number they were all "76 (2 seconds) SEVENTY SIX!!" (geez, give us time to walk over there)
Next time? I think I'll need to hit the bar before I go, and see how my experience of the food differs.
With the numerous Elite reviews already on Rancho Bravo, I took it as a hint that I should try this place sooner than later. So I trekked the two miles by foot from Belltown to Capitol Hill to see what the fuss is all about. Rancho Bravo is located in an old converted KFC on Pine Street across from Cal Anderson Park.
When you enter the restaurant, you definitely get the old KFC vibe from the place. It looks like a fast food restaurant, is grimy like one but this one happens to sell Mexican food instead of fried meat from tortured chickens. At least I think so. The menu is relatively short and also a bit confusing. There is a heading in Spanish of the ingredients for the main menu items. Selections include burritos, tacos and taco salads. Essentially standard Mexican fare.
When I ordered, I saw that there are two burrito choices to choose from and I could not tell the difference. Is one larger than the other? Different preparation? I don't know. I decided to wing it and order the cheaper burrito option with fish as my selected meat along with a cup of Fanta for $5.75.
Burrito came relatively quickly and is almost as big as the one at Chipotle. Although the burrito preparation was bit sparse in regards to ingredients. There was fish, rice, chopped onions, black beans and cilantro wrapped in a flour tortilla.
There are sauces at the counter which you can take to put over your selection. I decided to have it without any additional flavorings. Overall, I thought it was alright but I should have picked up some guacamole and salsa as the fish appeared to be a bit lacking in flavor. For the price, I think Rancho Bravo is an awesome cheap eats place on Capitol Hill. The one thing I have to say is that the building location is a bit rundown, but for the meal you get here, it is worth it.
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