Rancho Bravo Tacos is a small chain of

Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

restaurants in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. Owner Freddy Rivas started the business as a food truck in Kent in 2002, before relocating to Wallingford in 2007. The business also has a restaurant in

Capitol Hill Capitol Hill, in addition to being a metonym for the United States Congress, is the largest historic residential neighborhood in Washington, D.C., stretching easterly in front of the United States Capitol along wide avenues. It is one of the ...

and previously operated in the

University District University District can refer to a location in the United States: *University District, Detroit, Michigan * University District, Columbus, Ohio *University District, San Bernardino, California *University District, Seattle The University District ...

. Serving cuisine such as tacos, nachos,

burritos A burrito (, ) is a dish in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine that took form in Ciudad Juárez, consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped into a sealed cylindrical shape around various ingredients. The tortilla is sometimes lightly grilled or steamed t ...

, tamales, and tortas, the business has garnered a generally positive reception as an inexpensive and late night option for diners, with the tacos and burritos receiving the most praise.

Description

Rancho Bravo Tacos is a Latino-owned taqueria with two locations in Seattle, on

and in the Wallingford neighborhood. The

restaurant has served tacos (including

al pastor (from Spanish, "shepherd style"), is a preparation of spit-grilled slices of pork originating in the Central Mexican region of Puebla, although today it is a common menu item found in throughout Mexico. The method of preparing and cooking is ...

and beef tongue varieties), nachos,

, bowls, tamales, and

chorizo Chorizo (, from Spanish ; similar to but distinct from Portuguese ) is a type of pork cured meat originating from the Iberian Peninsula. In Europe, chorizo is a fermented, cured, smoked meat, which may be sliced and eaten without cooking, or ...

tortas. Tacos come with avocado, cilantro, lime salsa, and tomatillo. The Capitol Hill restaurant, previously occupied by

KFC KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that specializes in fried chicken. It is the world's second-largest restaurant chain (as measured by sales) after McDonald's, with 2 ...

, offers

drive-through A drive-through or drive-thru (a sensational spelling of the word ''through''), is a type of take-out service provided by a business that allows customers to purchase products without leaving their cars. The format was pioneered in the United ...

service. The Wallingford location, housed in a building which previously operated as a

Winchell's Donuts Winchell's Donuts House is an international doughnut company and coffeehouse chain founded by Verne Winchell on October 8, 1948, in Temple City, California. Currently, there are over 170 stores in 6 western states, as well as Guam, Saipan, a ...

shop, has a smaller menu.

History

Owner Freddy Rivas initially operated the business as a food truck, starting in Kent in 2002. He relocated to a Wallingford parking lot in May 2007. Rivas was an "outspoken opponent" to a 2011 proposal that would permit on-street food trucks in Seattle. A brick-and-mortar location, at a former KFC on

Pine Street Pine Street is a major east–west street in Seattle, Washington, United States. It travels parallel to Pike Street between Downtown Seattle and the retail core to Capitol Hill, Seattle, Capitol Hill, the Central District, Seattle, Central Distri ...

, opened in March 2009. A location opened in the

The Ave University Way Northeast, colloquially The Ave (no period; pronounced ), is a major street and commercial district in the University District of Seattle, Washington, located near the University of Washington (UW) campus. Once "a department stor ...

in 2017. A food truck by breakfast restaurant chain Patty's Eggiest operated in the Walingford location's parking lot as of 2017. An assault on a trans woman at the Capitol Hill location in 2017 prompted the business to change its surveillance policy. A post on social media said, "out of respect for personal privacy we have had a policy of not monitoring the dining area. In light of recent events we will now change that policy." King County Public Health investigators investigated the Capitol Hill restaurant in 2017, after multiple people got sick with

gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis, also known as infectious diarrhea and gastro, is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract including the stomach and intestine. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Fever, lack of energy, and dehydra ...

. The restaurant cooperated with organizers of the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (2020), also known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ). In his 2021 book ''Unmasked: Inside Antifa's Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy'', Andy Ngo wrote, "The security team's operating base was in the open-air eating section of the Rancho Bravo Tacos restaurant, where they had set up a large tent. The business seemingly allowed or tolerated CHAZ security to set up camp there in exchange for peace."

Reception

The business has garnered a generally positive reception. However, in 2008, Jonah Spangenthal-Lee wrote in ''The Stranger'': Contrastingly, Ana Sofia Knauf recommended Rancho Bravo Tacos in a 2016 "Guide to Cheap Eats on a College Student's Budget" in ''The Stranger''; in which she said the Capitol Hill restaurant is "more suited for a quick bite". The '' Not for Tourists Guide to Seattle'' has said, "Locals are fanatical for the tacos." Fodor's said in 2017, "Pork tacos are the favorite at this humble taco truck." Thrillist says, "Tried and true, the Cap Hill Rancho Bravos never fail to satisfy after a late night of weekend drinking. Open until 3am on Friday and Saturday, Rancho's Bravo Burrito is the perfect thing to combat the closing time spins." Thrillist's Chona Kasinger included the Bravo Burrito in a 2014 list of "the 8 best burritos in Seattle". In her 2014 list of "5 delicious and cheap tacos in Seattle", Jenny Kuglin of ''Seattle Refined'' wrote, "This is a food truck that you should definitely stop at if you're driving through Wallingford." In 2017, Megan Hill of '' Eater Seattle'' described Rancho Bravo Tacos as a "late-night drunk food favorite". Bree Coven included the business in ''The Seattle Times''' 2019 recommendations for inexpensive date nights, or "where to go in Seattle for $20 or less per person". Allecia Vermillion included the restaurant in ''Seattle Metropolitan'''s 2022 overview of recommended eateries in Wallingford.

References

External links

*
Rancho Bravo
(Wallingford) at Zomato {{coord missing, Seattle 2002 establishments in Washington (state) Capitol Hill, Seattle Food trucks Kent, Washington Mexican restaurants in Seattle Restaurants established in 2022 University District, Seattle Wallingford, Seattle

Description

History

Reception

See also

References

External links