EL RANCHITO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Does EL RANCHITO MEXICAN RESTAURANT keep a clean kitchen? Not quite — only a C, 70/100, the last time the state checked (March 4, 2026). That visit logged 2 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 11 basic violations.
Its latest visit (March 4, 2026) logged 2 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 11 basic violations. Diners rate it 4.1 across 1,735 reviews. By health score it's safer than 16% of Lake County restaurants we grade. Menus here flag options for gluten-free and dairy-free diners.
Trend: improving · C (70/100) · safer than 16% of Lake County restaurants we grade
Get directions Call (352) 750-3335
Restaurant details
- Health grade
- C (70/100)
- Violations
- 14 total — 2 high-priority, 1 intermediate, 11 basic
- Address
- 1 LA GRANDE BLVD, Lady Lake, FL
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Categories
- Mexican restaurant, Taco restaurant
- Price
- $
- Rating
- 4.1 stars (1735 reviews)
- Seats
- 160
- Phone
- (352) 750-3335
- Website
- Official website
Community Rating
Reviews via GoogleWhat diners say — our read
The most recent reviews here are worse than the older ones — 2.7 against 4.8. Reviewers who mention how guests are treated rate this place 4.4 on average — it is working in the restaurant’s favour.
A third strand, price, appears in 17% of them at 4.0 stars. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 11 of the 18 reviewers who rated. 14 of 18 rated reviews are four stars or higher; 3 are two or lower.
The kitchen graded a C (70/100) on 2 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 11 basic violations at its last inspection, which is roughly where the reviews sit too. That inspection was on March 4, 2026. The trend across inspections is improvement. Ranked against Lake County, it is safer than 16% of the restaurants we score. Among the items recorded were cross-contamination and in-use food dispensing utensils properly stored.
The honest summary is that the evidence is mixed on both sides. Read the originals below and judge the pattern yourself.
Our own analysis of 18 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →
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Staff was great and food out fairly quickly. Plenty of food and a couple of us took some home. I see us going back again.
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I could find a lite in the restroom.
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Good food, fair price. Fast and easy in and out
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Very slow service. And small portions of food.
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No flavor in the meat. Tampiquena is normally a skirt steak but this was labeled as a ribeye. Looked like it but sure didn't taste like it. Fajita meat was so boring
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Just ok.
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First time dining here. I will definitely go back. Service was excellent and food very good.
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Online order offered “details” (ingredients to put in my salad). However the kitchen didn’t look at them.
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This is one of the best Mexican style restaurants that you will find with great specials during each week. On Tuesday, the authentic tacos are only $2.00 each. I suggest that you order at least three for your plate. These are high quality tacos that you will enjoy, especially the crunchy beef variety. Then on Wednesday, you can enjoy the fabulous beef Enchiladas served on a piping hot place and smothered with Mexican cheese. It's only $2.08 for each enchilada and I suggest you order 3 to be served on your really hot plate. Of course, a large basket of tortillas and a bowl of salsa is provided for no extra charge when you first place your order. The menu has such a great variety to choose from, so it's a little challenging to know what to select. Note, this is an old style restaurant with most of the employees speaking Spanish as their first language, but there is not a language barrier. These folks are hard workers and do their best to please their customers. Many of the locals come to this restaurant each week for the great food. If you ever get near The Villages, FL or Lady Lake, FL, you should definitely stop by and enjoy one of the best Mexican style restaurants in Florida. Best wishes!
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The food was fine and the service was excellent. I would have preferred that the flavor was spicier, but my tastes are spicier than most people. The price was good.
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Aldolfo was excellent in the stressful environment of Cinco de Mayo
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Always delish! Fresh food and great service every time.
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Taco tuesday are great
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Leydi es incredible mesara lo recommendo mucho 100 el major restaurante
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Service was excellent. Food was delicious sweet tea was spot on. Our server, Loren was on her game. I got the California burrito, which I tried at just about every Mexican restaurant in town and this one did not disappoint.
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Great food. Great atmosphere.
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This has become my favorite Mex restaurant. Daily specials, Great food and service. Great drinks.
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Good food good prices
Overall Score
49 / 100
Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Tuesday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Wednesday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
Inspection history
The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.
-
March 4, 2026 · Routine - Food
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
2 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 11 basic
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
- 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
- 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×4)
- 40 — Employee personal belongings
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used (×2)
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September 12, 2025 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
1 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 3 basic
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
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September 10, 2025 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
6 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 7 basic
- 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition (×2)
- 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
- 05 — Food & equipment thermometers provided and accurate
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×3)
- 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
Safer options nearby
Higher-graded restaurants close to EL RANCHITO MEXICAN RESTAURANT, by Florida DBPR grade:
- TACO BELL
- HUNGRY HOWIES
This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →
Data last updated: March 4, 2026