According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “Taqueria is a Mexican restaurant specializing especially in tacos and burritos.” Based on Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews, Taqueria El Ranchero delivers on this front and may be the best Mexican restaurant in Oahu.
You’ll find the restaurant in the Wahiawa Shopping Center, and their bold green and red sign should be easy to spot. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and the ambiance invites guests to relax, get comfortable, and prepare to savor mouth-watering food. There are two locations, but we’ll focus on the store in Wahiawa.
Taqueria El Ranchero prides itself on fashioning its restaurants like those found in Mexico and California. They hired Taqueros and chefs from both regions to bring authenticity and excellence to Taqueria El Ranchero. Topping this off, the restaurant only uses fresh ingredients and serves house-made salsas and tortilla chips.
Tacos at Taqueria El Ranchero are street-taco style, so if you have a voracious appetite, you’ll need to order more than one. Diners rave about the fast and friendly service and how meals arrive shortly after ordering, even when the restaurant is busy. And be sure to check out their salsa bar, which features four unique sauces, each varying in color, spices, and heat.
Now, let’s explore some of their popular menu items:
Tacos
Diners have various options to create their custom taco, but the meat of choice for many visitors is carne asada. Some claim these are the best they’ve tasted! Tacos come with onion, cilantro, and salsa. Still, you can remove any or all items or add extra toppings for an additional cost.
California Burrito
Like the tacos, customers have a long list of meat to peruse, including fish and shrimp. Diners can also order the burrito wet or wet on the side for an extra amount. Next are the toppings that can be included, like beans, fish, queso fresco, and lettuce, to list a few.
Plates
For the hungry diner, consider one of the plate options available, like the carne asada plate. You get your choice of beans, tortillas, and mouth-watering carne asada. If you need more food, add chips and salsa, California fries, and other options for an additional cost.
Appetizers
Taqueria El Ranchero offers many choices, but Elote and California fries are some fan favorites. Elote is an ear of corn slathered with mayo, cheese, chili powder, and hot sauce. California fries consist of a mound of fries covered with your choice of meat, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.
When you’re craving delicious, fresh, authentic Mexican food, we suggest heading to Taqueria El Ranchero in the Wahiawa Shopping Center.
Insider Tips:
-Taqueria El Ranchero offers a walk-up counter for take-out orders and features a cantina for sit-down service on the other side of the restaurant.
-Breakfast is available in the morning, and the menu has a variety of choices, like a breakfast burrito, huevos con chorizo, and chilaquiles.