Let's go back to the beginning. Four friends and I set out on a nice walk to El Rancho at 27th and O. The air was brisk-- the perfect evening for a stroll and some Mexican delights. When we arrived, our friendly waitress took our drink orders and gave us chips and salsa. One of us, who eats lunch at 10:30 in the morning and shall remain nameless, started inhaling them. Plus there was five of us, so we pretty much killed those chips. So guess what? Extra baskets are a dollar each. Wha?!?!?!?
We ordered our food. They have a nice selection at reasonable prices. I wasn't feeling very adventurous, so I ordered the chicken burrito dinner. My friends ordered the shrimp ceviche, another shrimp dish with tomatoes and peppers, the chicken enchilada with green sauce, and the chicken chimichanga. So guess what? EVERYONE'S dinner was fan-freakin-tastic (especially the shrimp ceviche) EXCEPT mine. The chicken enchilada? Fresh shredded chicken. The chicken chimichanga? Fresh shredded chicken.
My chicken burrito? [Edit: What looked, tasted and smelled like] Canned chicken.
CANNED CHICKEN! WTF?!!? How is it possible that a place that makes ceviche that good serves [Edit: what looked, tasted and smelled like] canned chicken? By the time I figured out why my chicken burrito tasted like tuna and dog food, it was time to go, so I didn't complain. But I should have.
I hope that this experience hasn't put me off El Rancho for good, because they really do have great food and great service, but the thought of that chicken burrito makes me want to throw up a little.
