Is Rancho del Zocalo still good?

[Sansarc]

I guess the thread question says it all -- but I haven't eaten here in a few years, maybe 5? Is it still a good place for lunch? The lines for Bengal BBQ have always been too long for us, and this time, there will be about 7 people in our group, so we'd like to not annoy our relatives with a long wait time. I liked our last meal at the Zocalo -- so what do you think?

[Andrew]

It's improved quite a bit since its rather muddled start. The current southwestern/tex-mex menu is simple enough and they do the dishes well, at least the ones I've tried.

The current holiday special is chicken tamales with a verde sauce that's quite good.

[Sansarc]

Oh, yum! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE tamales!! We thought of having dinner at Tortilla Joe's, but I'd rather try Catal's this time -- we've been to Tortilla Joe's so many times already. At least this way, if I can convince everyone to go to Rancho del Zocala, then we can go to Catal's for dinner! YES! Thanks.

[stan4d_steph]

Quality is variable though. I got the same exact dish two days in a row: Chicken tamale and carne asada plate. Friday it was delicious, Saturday not so much. The beef was too well done on Saturday and the packet of flour tortillas had been on the steam tray so long the bottom was hard.

[cstephens]

Oh, yum! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE tamales!! We thought of having dinner at Tortilla Joe's, but I'd rather try Catal's this time -- we've been to Tortilla Joe's so many times already. At least this way, if I can convince everyone to go to Rancho del Zocala, then we can go to Catal's for dinner! YES! Thanks.

I like Rancho, but I *love* Catal. Have a great time!

[jenpace]

Rancho del Zocalo is my favorite place to eat in the parks. The food is great and I love the atmosphere too, especially at night :)

Jenn

[fairestoneofall]

I haven't had a meal there in years. The last few experiences were less than yummy. Maybe I should give it another try...

[Hannahbelle]

Quality is variable though.

I agree.

We usually eat there on trips where we don't want to leave the park and are usually happy with our food.

One time we went there and the line to pay was so slow moving that by the time we sat down everything was stone cold. I kindly explained to the manager that I didn't think it was right that they only had one person ringing everyone up and that I had to pay for cold food.
He gladly replaced our meal. I guess that was a case where it didn't hurt to ask.

[AVP]

Unfortunately, it seems really hit or miss. I ate the same meal (carne asada and tamale plate) two Saturdays in a row. The first weekend, a chef was on stage slicing the carne asada to order - it was medium rare, juicy and wonderful. The tamales were hot, the masa was appropriately tender, and the sides were hot and fresh. My friend even commented on how much better the food was than her prior experience. We noticed a lot of managers at the location that day.

The following week, it was back to the same old, same old - meat that was overcooked and tasted like it had been microwaved, cold tamales, congealed beans and a solid clump of rice, served with soggy tortillas. No managers in sight the entire day.

AVP

[Sansarc]

The following week, it was back to the same old, same old - meat that was overcooked and tasted like it had been microwaved, cold tamales, congealed beans and a solid clump of rice, served with soggy tortillas. No managers in sight the entire day.

AVP

Oh, no!!! Well, I'm kind of tempted to try it anyway -- like Fairest said, I haven't been there in years either, and I'd like to at least try it again, if only for something ethnic and different. I'll report back next week!

[Sansarc]

I like Rancho, but I *love* Catal. Have a great time!

My brother-in-law asked that we go to Catal for dinner! We've never been there before, so I'm going to try and make a reservation tomorrow morning. I'm excited --

[Bytebear]

I really enjoy Rancho. I have rarely gotten bad food there, and we eat there a lot. My tip is to see if there is a cashier on the left (near the entrance) as few people seem to go that way and the lines are shorter.

[ssturgeo]

We ate there twice during our week stay in November...the food was delcious both times. Always eat there at least once during a visit. The second meal there was on Friday the 20th when everywhere had long lines so we decided to see what the lines were like there...not bad at all, both registers open, plenty of help, etc. Seems everyone was eating on Main Street, Pizza Port, and Village Haus, etc. I did not know until this trip that they have heat blowers in the outdoor seating section.

Sharon

[Niwel]

But when it rains DO NOT sit under the awnings or you'll get your own version of Splash Mountain.

[sjhanksaz]

On our last trip I had the half chicken thing. It was not quite as good as it has been in the past.

My son wanted an extra bean borrito. When the cast member heard that they said they would sell us a side of beans and tortillas for 2 bucks. My son made two borritos out of it and was super happy

[Toocherie]

In my opinion it is passable food--but not sure I would call it "Mexican" food. Having said that, I think the quality is better than some of the other restaurants in DL park.

[mechurchlady]

I always have a chef come out because of my special diet. Mom like her half of our meal in September and it was good hearty food. I agree that it is not nearly as good as Don Jose let alone some Mexican restaurants. I expect park foods to be bland compared to my cooking so it is very good for park food. I eat there a lot because of the quality and price. It beats one of them bunless burgers with ribbons of suet.

Note: your quality may vary.

[nbaum]

It's not the best Mexican food, but it's pretty good. I think it is one of the better deals for food in the park. More food for your money than at other places.

[leota's necklace]

I'd like to at least try it again, if only for something ethnic and different.

I know it's my Sonoran heritage making me a food snob, but someone calling Zocalo "ethnic" made me snort water out of my nose just now.

[potzbie]

I ate there approx. the date you posted your question, 12-DEC-2009.

Combo - Carne Asada & Tamales.

Meat was good.
Tamales were good.
Nothing memorable, but I do remember thinking, "That was good. That was a nice change of pace from my normal DL foods."
(I came that close, an hour earlier, from stopping for a pineapple whip and/or a corn dog, and/or a chili bowl, or gumbo bowl, but deferred, in hopes of better inspiration later.)

[Sansarc]

We actually never made it over to Rancho del Zocalo last week -- my group voted me out! We had lunch at Cafe Orleans -- well, you can't beat their Monte Cristo sandwiches at any rate. Everyone loved them, as well as the French onion soup. The server also gave us Princess & The Frog bookmarks. That was an unexpected surprise! It was a good meal, but next time, I really do want to go to Rancho del Zocalo! The outdoor atmosphere looks so pretty there, too.

[Matterhorn Yodeler]

I really do want to go to Rancho del Zocalo! The outdoor atmosphere looks so pretty there, too.

I think the outdoor patio is a lovely and quiet setting to have your meal. It is also fun to look through the lattice at the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

I would say the food is "chain restaurant" Mexican. Nothing too innovative or spicy. But I think that the portions are ample and it is a pretty good value for your in-park dining dollar.