Photos by Tienda El Ranchito
Tienda El Ranchito
If Fairmont City isn’t on your restaurant map, Tienda El Ranchito will put it there. This combo restaurant and grocery store (each has a discrete space) is one of the metro area’s best spots for traditional Mexican fare, including taqueria staples, several soups and chilaquiles and other breakfast dishes. You’ll find a few dishes rarely seen locally, like beef liver sauteed with jalapeño, onion and tomato, and a few Tex-Mex classics to keep the unadventurous happy. Lately, my go-to order here has been the birria, goat richly seasoned with warm spices served with a side of chile-laced broth.
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From the owners
La Historia de El Ranchito started when Martin and Olivia Morales emigrated to the United States 40-plus years ago with a dream that turned into a reality. It started off as selling tacos and tamales at local soccer games in the St Louis area until 1995, when they opened their first store and restaurant.
Twenty years have passed, and now son Gabriel Morales and wife Laura Morales have taken over the the family business. Business in 1995 started as a small store and 20-people seating capacity restaurant to double the size, and this spring will triple in size to add on another dining area, bar, and patio. Included in our new bar will be over 150 different brands of tequila, more than anyone else in the metro area, and live music.
With 20 years in the business, we still have consistent quality and flavor with the help of our head chef Maria Cortez, who has been here since day one. With Maria and our extraordinary kitchen staff, they have over 75 years of cooking expierence. Your visit here will be fun and exciting with our energetic atmosphere and fun and very helpful servers. So come have a Daze-arita, some fresh oysters and a real Mexican meal.
Thank you to all of our 20 years of loyal and new customers. Thank you, our hometown Fairmont City.
You may ask yourself why and how can this be the most mouthwatering meal with burst of excellence in flavor and spice? Our recipe to all of our dishes like pozole soup, salsa verde, mole to name a few come from three generation of family secret recipe. Owner Gabriel Morales and his team of workers in the restaurant and store take great pride and joy on every dish that is prepared and served. We serve with fresh ingrediants that come directly from our store.
Our bakery makes daily our bread for the Tortas sandwiches and Pastries for sweet treats. On weekends only we make menudo and handmade corn tortillas for your meal or take a dozen home. Our butcher chop shop cuts our wide variety of meats; pork, beef, poultry, goat, seafood and even homemade chorizo. Our produce and spice department supplies us to make our famous pico de gallo, salsas, fajitas, soups, etc.
After dining with us don’t forget to shop for your own fiesta at home. We carry pinatas, tequilas, and even cowboy/girl wear too. Gracias see you soon.