Rancho Pancho: Wrestling with Mexican food

Jun 13 2008 by Lady Who Lunches

Wrestling with Mexican food

"DON'T be b***** ridiculous," said Other Half when I suggested "Sex and the City" for our weekly jaunt to the pictures.

Suitably miffed, I decided to phone a friend, and before you could say Dolce and Gabbana, Jools and I were set for an all-girls outing to the Playhouse.

To set the right mood, we decided to meet for lunch and cocktails first – a la Carrie and Co. But tracking down a Cosmopolitan on a wet Tuesday in Perth is about as easy as laying your paws on a Chloe Paddington.

Eventually Jools remembered the newly-refurbished Rancho Pancho (used to be Dos Amigos if memory serves), and reasoning that a Mexican joint was bound to serve Margaritas at the very least, we hot-footed it down to George Street in our best Manolos.

And we weren't disappointed, Ranch Pancho did indeed have an extensive selection of Margaritas, and we ordered a pitcher while perusing an extensive menu packed full of all the tried and tested Mexican favourites.

For starters, we ordered portions of Jalopenos and Mozzarella Melts. The chillis were stuffed with cream cheese, deep-fried and served with salad and a piquant tomato dip. The melts received a similar treatment from the chef, and both were freshly-cooked and deliciously moreish.

The main courses were slightly less successful, but that had more to do with the quantity, rather than the quality. I ordered the 'Famous Wet Burrito'; a giant, flour tortilla stuffed with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes and smothered in special sauce and Monteray Jack cheese – while Jools opted for the vegetarian Spinach Quesadillas; a monster tortilla folded and stuffed with leaf spinach, diced onions, Monteray Jack cheese with special sauce and lettuce.

Both were voted tasty enough, but we both agreed that the portion size was far too large for lunchtime (although it would explain the hefty £10.95/£9.95 price tag). Rancho Pancho would do well to consider the small/large plate scenario offered by many Fair City restaurants. Otherwise, diners with a fear of wasting food tend to seriously overeat...and I should know as I spend the film grinding my way through a jumbo packet of Rennies!

And while we both enjoyed the meal, I suspect that Rancho Pancho will be more of a hit with families, office parties and the younger set looking for an alternative to Pacos.

Venue: Rancho Pancho, 80 George Street, Perth.

Food: All the tried and tested Mexican favourites get a name-check.

Decor: Cantina chic.

Service: Attentive, but then again we were the only customers.

Price: £51.29 (two courses, coffee and drinks)