Flavorful food and a lively atmosphere are reason enough to visit the cantina at Taqueria El Ranchero, located in the Wahiawa Shopping Center.
Tuesday is the day for bargain-lovers: Taco Tuesdays draw crowds in all evening with $1 tacos.
And then there’s the mechanical bull that’s set-up in the parking lot on Tuesday nights, beckoning folks like myself to give it a try.
THE EXPERIENCE
The place isn’t a typical sit-down eating establishment. Orders are placed and once you’ve paid, the hunt for seating begins. There’s not a lot of space or seating in the bar area, and it typically fills up fast.
TAQUERIA EL RANCHERO
823 California Ave.
621-9000
Happy Hour: 2 to 6 p.m. daily
>> Well drinks, $4
>> Draft beer, $4
>> Margaritas, $6
Taco Tuesdays: Tuesdays, 6 p.m. to closing
>> Tacos, $1
>> Margaritas, $6
>> Free mechanical bull rides
On Tuesdays, patrons line up at the indoor counter or the bar to get their tacos and are willing to eat them in standing room only.
You may stand in line as long as 20 minutes just to place an order, but it’s worth the wait.
The establishment is filled with a mix of locals and military. People are friendly; more than one couple offered to let us share a table.
THE FOOD
Food is not included on the happy hour specials, but there are plenty of affordable options.
My friend and I enjoyed steak and chicken tacos and carne asada fries.
The street-style tacos are normally $2.75 each but cost $1 on Taco Tuesday. Meat choices include fried pork, chicken, grilled steak, chorizo, marinated grilled pork, tripe and beef tongue. Each taco can be topped with onions, cilantro and salsa.
The tacos are small in size but quite yummy. I’d suggest ordering several tacos at a time, because the establishment is extremely busy and you’ll want more than one or two.
Carne asada fries topped with steak, cheese, guacamole and sour cream ($9.50) were a nice addition to our tacos.
Burritos ($9-$10.25), quesadillas ($7.50) and nachos ($8.75) are other menu options. Combination plates, which are served with rice and beans, include taquitos ($10), chile verde ($10) and fajitas ($13).
There’s a self-serve salsa bar with an array of homemade salsas from mild to spicy. Chips and salsa are free with a $10 food order.
The food is simple and good, and served until 10 p.m. daily. Taco fans can celebrate extra long on Fridays and Saturdays, when tacos are served until 2 a.m.
THE DRINKS
The Cantina, located in a separate area from the food counter, has a full bar. During happy hour, from 2 to 6 p.m. daily, specials include $4 well drinks and draft beer, and $6 margaritas.
Some drinks that may be of interest but are not discounted for happy hour are the Mexican Firing Squad, which is made with El Jimador blanco tequila and the Paloma, a combination of 1800 reposado tequila and grapefruit juice. There’s even a drink named after the owner: the Hurricane Hector. All are $10 each.
If you’re not into tequila, mojitos made with Don Q Cristal rum or a Lynchburg Lemonade made with Jack Daniels (all $9) are among other drink choices.
THE VERDICT
The bar offers a friendly and energetic vibe with good food and drinks, so I’d definitely go back. It’s a great neighborhood place to hang out after work before heading home, so perfect for pau hana.
If you don’t like crowds, stay away on Taco Tuesdays because you’ll automatically become snuggly with the other patrons. It’s that crowded.
I’d rather pay $2.75 for tacos during happy hour on a day other than Tuesday, when it’s a little less crowded and chaotic.
But if you can handle the crowd, the rides on the mechanical bull offer an opportunity to try something new. I wasn’t brave enough to try, but maybe next time!
