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Travelers' Choice2022
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value

Details

CUISINES
Mexican, Latin
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
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meals, features
Reviews (189)
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189 results
Traveler rating
130
31
12
11
5
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveler rating
130
31
12
11
5
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All reviews fajitas chips and salsa chicken steak mexican food the fried ice cream good food at a good price hole in the wall the portion size tasted great home made plenty of food the smoky mountains a late lunch visit pigeon forge seated right away cilantro
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Reviewed January 4, 2023 via mobile

No margaritas!!!!!! Food ok but why only beer? A group of 8 friends and only beer!!!!!! Food ok a bit overpriced but NO MARGARITAS.

Date of visit: October 2022
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Reviewed October 26, 2022 via mobile

Wonderful out of the way Mexican food in Pigeon Forge, TN. Family atmosphere. Kind and attentive server Rocio.Two of us had the Nachos Loco (which come with both beef AND shredded chicken, cheese, refried beans topped with lettuce and sour cream) and one had Enchiladas...Suiza (shredded chicken) with Mexican Rice and lettuce with sour cream. If we lived in the area, this would be our regular Mexican food choice. Don't let this pass you by.More

Date of visit: October 2022
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Reviewed October 13, 2022

Expensive and unimpressive. Order was wrong. Basic Mexican food. Nothing special at all, yet the prices were very high.

Date of visit: October 2022
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Reviewed October 12, 2022 via mobile

We stopped by on our way to Dollywood and were not disappointed. Great food, fair prices, and huge beers! Our waiter was fantastic and the food come out super fast. Very pleased with our visit.

Date of visit: October 2022
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Reviewed August 28, 2022 via mobile

We had a craving for Mexican and just happen to be by this place.... we judge them mainly on the salsa and chips. We knew ince we tried theirs this was going to be good. Chips and salsa both tasted great, salsa was fresh with...awesome flavor and chips were hot and crispy. Had the Taco salad and it had amazing flavor and was not water logged like some places. The staff was very friendly and checked on us regularly. Next time we are in town we will be back.More

Date of visit: August 2022
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Reviewed August 24, 2022

Very good Mexican food, very friendly staff, all for very fair prices. With so many places to eat in Pigeon Forge it would be easy to miss this place, but we were very glad we found it.

Date of visit: August 2022
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Reviewed August 7, 2022

We come here every time we visit Pigeon Forge. All of the dishes we have had have been very good. The service is fast, the food tastes great, and the location is a bit out of the hustle and bustle of the center of town....The only thing lacking is the parking. It's a bit hard to come by, but we've always found a place. We'll definitely be back to Pigeon Forge, and we'll definitely be back to El Ranchero Loco.More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed July 27, 2022 via mobile

My two sons and I came in an hour before closing and the restaurant was still very busy. We were seated right away and given warm chips and salsa. Both were excellent. My sons ordered guacamole and it was a huge serving. We all ordered...various enchiladas and they were fabulous. I have a food allergy and they were very accommodating. I had enough food left over for breakfast the next morning. Next time I’m back in Pigeon Forge I’ll be back for the best Mexican food outside of California or Mexico. Staff was very friendly and quick. The restaurant was immaculate.More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed July 26, 2022 via mobile

We were very disappointed that there were no margaritas. They did have Mexican beer. The food and service were okay but not great.

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed July 20, 2022 via mobile

Food and service was just okay. The place was loud and noisy and kinda a dump. But what proper Mexican restaurant doesn’t serve Margaritas!! This one doesn’t. I couldn’t believe it. Beer only. My recommendation is go somewhere else for Mexican.

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed July 5, 2022 via mobile

Just the normal, nothing special. Food was very greasy, didn’t serve the guacamole with my meal which was supposed to be on it. When asked about it was told they have to throw too much away. I should have been at least asked !

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed June 4, 2022

We have eaten here on several occasions and the food has always been spot on. We decided we wanted something a little different and just happened to notice someone being served a huge fried chicken breast with a sauce on top, had to ask......server said...the name but best described it as Honduran Chicken. We had to try it. While waiting We munched on an excellent chunky homemade Guacamole which was delicious. When the Chicken arrived we were greeted with a huge bone on Breast, fried to perfection and sauced with a very favorable sauce. Served with fried Plantains and a Cabbage Slaw with pickled Red Onions. By far the best plate of food not on the menu. We will be back.More

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed June 2, 2022 via mobile

This was so good that my husband and I ate here twice in our 5 days in Pigeon Forge. We both had the steak chimichanga the first time and I switched to fajitas the second time. Both dishes were fantastic! Their complimentary chips and salsa...were really yummy too! I highly recommend this restaurant! You won't be disappointed!More

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed May 24, 2022

This was one of the best experiences of my life in terms of restaurants. They serve chips and home made salsa. However, the drinks took a bit too long as we had to wait about 5 minutes to get them while smoldering from the sauce...(we don't do well with spicy.) However the food came very quickly, which normally means it wont be very good and as it looks sketchy from the outside we believed it might have been a bad decision. However, we started eating and realized it was actually amazing. The meat and steak were clearly cooked well and not microwaved that small establishments typically do. The portion size was enormous and had enough to even be boxed. The waiters were generous and sincere, though accented they clearly put in an effort to get you to understand in a nice way. 10/10 restaurant would highly recommend.More

Date of visit: May 2022
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Reviewed April 29, 2022 via mobile

Had fajitas. Tough and no flavor. No margaritas, just beer. Fajita nachos were bland with very little cheese. No flavor

Date of visit: April 2022
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Questions & Answers
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klighthouse
May 10, 2017|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from garyDallas_Tx | Reviewed this property |
I don't think they actually have a bar but my friend got a pre-made margarita in a bottle for $3.95. They have a good selection of beers also.
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EL RANCHERO LOCO, Pigeon Forge - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Order Online Food Delivery - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about El Ranchero Loco

Yes, El Ranchero Loco offers takeout services.

El Ranchero Loco is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5