Taco Ranch, sister-restaurant of local P. Terry’s, has opened a second location near campus. Students have been flocking to the all-natural Tex Mex chain since opening.
Story by Julia O’Hanlon
Photos by Maya Dandashi
I want to start by personally thanking Patrick Terry for his vision. P. Terry’s burger chain has been there for me from late night eats to stressed out burger binges. Despite already being so generous with us, Terry decided to bless us with something new: Taco Ranch.
The original Oak Hill Taco Ranch opened January 24, 2018 and performed so well that they opened an MLK location in addition. Walking in to Taco Ranch, one would not think it was the abandoned shell of a Taco Cabana months before. It is bright and welcoming, and the employees greet with a smile. “I love the people here – both the customers and the employees,” Leticia Pacheco, a Taco Ranch employee says. “I have been here since Taco Ranch opened and I love vibe here.”
Taco Ranch serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as sangria margaritas and beer (for all going out needs). Meals here are inexpensive and accessible, as nothing on the menu is over five dollars. Jacqueline Gibson, a fourth year computer science and African and African diaspora studies double major,wanted a cheap lunch somewhere new, and Taco Ranch was the natural choice. Gibson ordered a taco salad with veggie crumbles and her company ordered a chicken quesadilla and chips and guacamole.
Both enjoyed the meals immensely. “The taco salad without the jalapeno ranch is a little underwhelming,” Gibson says. “But the veggie crumble is a good alternative to onions or peppers that you usually get, and it probably has a lot more protein in it.” The chicken in the quesadilla has a nice smoky taste, and the cheese Taco Ranch uses has a nice stretch to it (a selling point). The guacamole is also fresh and has tomatoes and cilantro in it for seasoning, and it tastes just like abuela’s. Generously salted chips are served on the side, creating a perfect pairing. If none of these options sound appealing, Pacheco recommends a taco salad with the beans substituted for chicken.
It can be confidently said that Taco Ranch is about to become a staple in the diets of students for its proximity, price and taste. Go check it out!
The new location of Taco Ranch is located at 517 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 and is now open Monday through Thursday from 6am to 12am, Friday from 6am to 1am, Saturday from 7am to 1am, and Sunday from 7am to 12am.
