Nelms Mitchell started the Ranchero Restaurant in 1959 in a one room concrete building that catered almost exclusively to a teenage crowd. By 1976, almost 20 years later, it had become the place where the same teenagers brought their families. The Ranch (to which the Ranchero is often referred) just seemed to grow up with those first teenagers. Through the years, The Ranchero has not only earned the reputation for outstanding food and a great place to bring the family, it has also become a picture gallery of sports memorabilia.
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Services
Chris Green Catering is a division of The Ranchero. With a dedicated team and years of experience, we cater parties of all sizes. If you have an event coming up or just a small gathering, give us a call! We can help make your event a success. Below you'll see two of our price lists that we recommend based on the size or type of event you're having.
Reviews (16)
Ron Brower
Oct 06, 2021
The Ranchero is iconic. There aren't many restaurants that you can go to that your parents went to when they were kids, and this is one of them. Their recipes stand the test of time, and the photos on the wall just give you a small taste of their historical importance. When I was a kid, on Friday nights, sometimes we would get to order food from the Ranchero, and it was always a treat.
My dad always ordered a Jumbo Fry Burger (that's a chili cheese burger if you don't know) with onion rings, and I always got the same thing. Their chili cheese burger hasn't been bested by any one that I've ever tried, and their onion rings are the best on the planet. Other places just can't hold a candle to it. Over the years, it seems like we ended up there for every special life event. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, after football games, and funerals, and we have always been treated with the utmost respect and been given top notch service.
I'm so glad that they are still there serving Clarksdale their fantastic food, and I'm glad that I am able to share some of my fondest food memories with my children. Thank you so much for the love and hospitality, Chris and Bonnie! I can't wait to see you again!
My dad always ordered a Jumbo Fry Burger (that's a chili cheese burger if you don't know) with onion rings, and I always got the same thing. Their chili cheese burger hasn't been bested by any one that I've ever tried, and their onion rings are the best on the planet. Other places just can't hold a candle to it. Over the years, it seems like we ended up there for every special life event. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, after football games, and funerals, and we have always been treated with the utmost respect and been given top notch service.
I'm so glad that they are still there serving Clarksdale their fantastic food, and I'm glad that I am able to share some of my fondest food memories with my children. Thank you so much for the love and hospitality, Chris and Bonnie! I can't wait to see you again!
David Nilsen
Apr 03, 2021
Rex Whittington
Jan 05, 2021
Chef Matthew Clifton
Nov 07, 2020
Rockell Thomas
Nov 16, 2019
When I walked in today no one greeted me. They all just starred as I walked to the salad bar and seated myself. The waitress was pleasant, however she checked on her other customers but passed by me. I ordered a plain blackened chicken breast which took about 20 minutes. The host was nice noticed I had been sitting long did tell me the chicken was on the way.
As I ate my small meal other customers walked in with their families and was greeted pleasantly and also was told to sit where they wanted. I find that oddly strange, even now no waitress has checked on me. It's not busy, but me being the only African American woman in the restaurant shows the other customers are more important. All customers should be treated the same. When I finally checked out the host and waitress finally greeted me as I paid my check.
As I ate my small meal other customers walked in with their families and was greeted pleasantly and also was told to sit where they wanted. I find that oddly strange, even now no waitress has checked on me. It's not busy, but me being the only African American woman in the restaurant shows the other customers are more important. All customers should be treated the same. When I finally checked out the host and waitress finally greeted me as I paid my check.
Nathan Fields
May 03, 2019
Kelly Watkins
Feb 09, 2019
My husband and I have always enjoyed going to the Ranchero. We've been doing this for around 9 years. But recently we went and my husband ordered ribery steak as he always does but wa told they were out how does a steak house not have steak. The most enjoyment of this visit was our waitress Phyllis. She was a delight. Though we probably won't be going back if you visit there ask for Phyllis she will treat u like a longtime acquaintance.
Lady Love
Jan 28, 2019
A group of us visited here, based on the reviews. There was a party of five of us. I ordered a sirloin steak sandwich. The steak looked like it had been sliced on a 1 using a deli-slicer, that came with 2 big slices of Texas Toast, lettuce tomato and pickle. I wasn't expecting a lot for $9 and change. But for as thin as that meat was, I could've used saltine crackers.
And theeeeen my husband orders a buttery shrimp pasta. Indeed it had so much butter that we were able to pour plenty on the rolls (given to us by waitress after we were nearly done with our food). When the waitress came back to remove some of the items from the table, one of our guest stated "That pasta is full of cholesterol with all of that butter in the pasta." The waitress stated "Yea! I know it is."
And theeeeen my husband orders a buttery shrimp pasta. Indeed it had so much butter that we were able to pour plenty on the rolls (given to us by waitress after we were nearly done with our food). When the waitress came back to remove some of the items from the table, one of our guest stated "That pasta is full of cholesterol with all of that butter in the pasta." The waitress stated "Yea! I know it is."
G. D. S.
Jul 05, 2018
Steven L.
Jan 30, 2018
The Ranchero established 1959 in Clarksdale, MS. If you come here for lunch, you can get some real good outstanding southern food. They usually have a meat and 3 vegetables to choose from. This was my first visit here and it was on a Thursday. Anyway, they had chicken and dressing special with 3 vegetables with a sweet tea all for about $10. A little bit of history here about the Ranchero.
It opened in 1959 and back then it was almost exclusively visited by teenagers at the time. Later, by the 70's, those same teenagers brought their families. To this day, they still have loyal and regular customers. Features: Inside you will see hundreds of old photos on the wall. It looks like someone who worked here started putting up photos in 1959 and stopped putting photos up around the early 70's because they got full.
As a result, you can come in and go back in time by studying old pictures from the past. It's pretty interesting looking at them. They have a bar you can sit at or they have several tables in two dining rooms. Their bathrooms are in the back to the right in the second dining too. Customer Service and Experience: Well, they took care of me while I was here.
Great service and great food just about sums it up. My waitresses kept my glass full of sweet tea at all times. Yes, two different waitresses waited on me while I was here. Both, checked on me several times. Menu items ordered: Chicken and Dressing, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, pinto beans, sweet tea and cranberry sauce. The food tasted great.
There was nothing left on my plate. I especially enjoyed the chicken and dressing. Hours: Their hours are Monday- Saturday 10am to 10pm. They are closed on Sundays. Other information: You can buy their BBq sauce by the bottle. You can also buy Ranchero cups and Ranchero tee shirts. Final Thoughts: I enjoyed my visit and had great service. I just wished I had visited this restaurant long ago. It's located in the lower class part of town, which is right behind it.
So be aware of what's going on around you. It's also in an older building. Thus, the 4 stars. I can't help but wonder who has visited this restaurant that I know. Sadly, Clarksdale used to be a nice town. I don't know what happened but it changed in the late 80's or early 90's. A lot of people have moved from here. In summary, I will come back again.
The best time to visit is for lunch in my opinion. The parking lot needs paved so watch out for pot holes. Other items you can get here are BBq, catfish, hamburgers and steaks.
It opened in 1959 and back then it was almost exclusively visited by teenagers at the time. Later, by the 70's, those same teenagers brought their families. To this day, they still have loyal and regular customers. Features: Inside you will see hundreds of old photos on the wall. It looks like someone who worked here started putting up photos in 1959 and stopped putting photos up around the early 70's because they got full.
As a result, you can come in and go back in time by studying old pictures from the past. It's pretty interesting looking at them. They have a bar you can sit at or they have several tables in two dining rooms. Their bathrooms are in the back to the right in the second dining too. Customer Service and Experience: Well, they took care of me while I was here.
Great service and great food just about sums it up. My waitresses kept my glass full of sweet tea at all times. Yes, two different waitresses waited on me while I was here. Both, checked on me several times. Menu items ordered: Chicken and Dressing, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, pinto beans, sweet tea and cranberry sauce. The food tasted great.
There was nothing left on my plate. I especially enjoyed the chicken and dressing. Hours: Their hours are Monday- Saturday 10am to 10pm. They are closed on Sundays. Other information: You can buy their BBq sauce by the bottle. You can also buy Ranchero cups and Ranchero tee shirts. Final Thoughts: I enjoyed my visit and had great service. I just wished I had visited this restaurant long ago. It's located in the lower class part of town, which is right behind it.
So be aware of what's going on around you. It's also in an older building. Thus, the 4 stars. I can't help but wonder who has visited this restaurant that I know. Sadly, Clarksdale used to be a nice town. I don't know what happened but it changed in the late 80's or early 90's. A lot of people have moved from here. In summary, I will come back again.
The best time to visit is for lunch in my opinion. The parking lot needs paved so watch out for pot holes. Other items you can get here are BBq, catfish, hamburgers and steaks.
Robin R.
Nov 14, 2017
Tom E.
Jun 06, 2017
Matt M.
Sep 23, 2016
Christopher H.
May 14, 2016
Fantastic. Local place. Everyone knows everyone. Best food I have had in Clarksdale ever! Homeade yeast rolls. My steak was awesome. Wife's said hers was great. This is a must for real steak lovers. Not a chain. Family owned and run. Been open since 1959. Security guard in parking lot as this part of town looks like it has seen better days and it looks like government section 8 apts are right around the corner. Don't let that keep you away. Friendliest place yet
Steve W.
Mar 20, 2015
The Ranchero is a blast from the past. The kind of American joint you used to find in every American city, but is a rarity indeed these days. The decor is absolutely frozen in, say, 1971. So is the menu. And, hey - that's alright. The salad bar is Iceberg city, but varied and plentiful. The pork sandwich was smoked tender, very tasty, served with a sweet, but tasty sauce and onion rings (gooooooood onion rings).
You better like Budweiser, because there ain't no dang craft beers, but they would be out of place here, anyway. Ranchero is a time warp and that's the enjoyable thing about it; it's an historic spot with good food, a respite from an Applebee's world. I was tempted to give Ranchero four stars, but I'm afraid some contemporary foodie would have inflated expectations.
You better like Budweiser, because there ain't no dang craft beers, but they would be out of place here, anyway. Ranchero is a time warp and that's the enjoyable thing about it; it's an historic spot with good food, a respite from an Applebee's world. I was tempted to give Ranchero four stars, but I'm afraid some contemporary foodie would have inflated expectations.
Cody D.
Sep 04, 2012
The Wife and I were driving the blues trail. We naturally stopped in Clarkesdale for the history and the sights. We stayed at the Shack up inn (just a 5 minute drive to the ranchero). The Ranchero's food was good, ribs, fried pickles, pulled pork, burgers, etc. There was something about the place, though that we just loved. Maybe it was being on vacation, maybe it was the reasonable prices, maybe it was the authentic southern cooking.
What it was, I cannot say for sure, but for the hungry blues lover, the ranchero offers a bit of solace. It's not as famous as Abe's, it doesn't have Hick's amazing, yes amazing red hot tamales, and it isn't owned by Morgan Freeman (Madidi), but it just feels real. I can't say the Ranchero would be my top choice if I go back to Clarksdale, but I can say that if it was the only place I went, I wouldn't be disappointed.
What it was, I cannot say for sure, but for the hungry blues lover, the ranchero offers a bit of solace. It's not as famous as Abe's, it doesn't have Hick's amazing, yes amazing red hot tamales, and it isn't owned by Morgan Freeman (Madidi), but it just feels real. I can't say the Ranchero would be my top choice if I go back to Clarksdale, but I can say that if it was the only place I went, I wouldn't be disappointed.