BajaNomad - Rancho Santa Ynez

Rancho Santa Ynez

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 10:00 AM

We have camped at the rancho before and they said the restaurant would be open for dinner---but it was a slow season, so they never opened at all for dinner or breakfast.

Question, are they open this time of year for breakfast? We usually stay at Linda's or the La Pinta now, but would like to try the Rancho for Breakfast.

Thanks
Diane

thebajarunner - 2-6-2008 at 10:07 AM

We ate there a couple times several years back and it was mediocre.

The cafe next to the original Pemex, East side of the hiway, is excellent.
(Sitting just above the place where the guy has the gas can operation)

Don't waste your time chasing elsewhere in the Catavina/Santa Ynez area, you will not get a better meal than they serve.

tripledigitken - 2-6-2008 at 10:07 AM

Love Mexican Fud!

:lol:

rts551 - 2-6-2008 at 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
We ate there a couple times several years back and it was mediocre.

The cafe next to the original Pemex, East side of the hiway, is excellent.
(Sitting just above the place where the guy has the gas can operation)

Don't waste your time chasing elsewhere in the Catavina/Santa Ynez area, you will not get a better meal than they serve.

Always happens. Different opinions. We have had good meals there and bad. Last month was horrible. So we will probably chase

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

THANKS --- we will try that one. Do you know if they are open early?

Diane

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Love Mexican Fud!

:lol:

Catavina needs a translator--it is also where the La Pinta serves Young Donkeys. :yes:

Of course I won't mention the mistakes in Spanish that I have made, and continue to do all the time.

Diane

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551

Quote:

Always happens. Different opinions. We have had good meals there and bad. Last month was horrible. So we will probably chase

Interesting---yes, always different opinions---curious, what was good about it and what was bad.

BTW, when we have stayed at Linda's---when we are in cheap mode or the La Pinta is full, the meals were OK---nothing to write home about, but OK.

Diane

David K - 2-6-2008 at 10:32 AM

Rancho Santa Ynez always had good lunch or dinner... nothing fancy, but we are campers and a good taco or enchilada with a cold beer is always tasty in the Baja desert!

This photo was taken last May, and shows Blanche, Elizabeth, and the couple who run Santa Ynez: Matilda and Oscar (both seated)...

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

Rancho Santa Ynez always had good lunch or dinner...

Like I said, they never opened the times we were there so we never got to try them. Now we are interested in a breakfast place.

thebajarunner - 2-6-2008 at 10:52 AM

Everyone raves about the huevos rancheros just down the road at Laguna Chapala.

It is the truck/tire/restarante place, West side of the hiway, at the Gonzaga turnoff, North end of the lake,

We never seem to get there at mealtime, but Nomad rave reviews abound on the place.

And from all the trucks parked I assume it keeps long hours of operation.

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
Everyone raves about the huevos rancheros just down the road at Laguna Chapala.

It is the truck/tire/restarante place, West side of the hiway, at the Gonzaga turnoff, North end of the lake,

We never seem to get there at mealtime, but Nomad rave reviews abound on the place.

And from all the trucks parked I assume it keeps long hours of operation.

We have seen that place, but have not stopped---thought it looked interesting, however.

Thanks for the tip

Diane

rts551 - 2-6-2008 at 12:40 PM

Diane

Last summer I think my wife had Chilaquiles, son had Tacos, and I had huevos Rancheros. Breakfast... Don't remember what time they open, we were coming from Baja Cactus.

Laguna Chapala has always been good ... No menus like Catavina, but better home cooking.

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 12:54 PM

Sounds like we need to try Laguna Chapala----

Diane

Fred - 2-6-2008 at 01:05 PM

I also thank you for the tip.

Fred

capt. mike - 2-6-2008 at 05:06 PM

looking at her i'd say the food is pretty good!! :saint:

Hook - 2-6-2008 at 05:47 PM

I think I figured it's a little over an hour to get to Rancho Chapala from El Rosario. That's a long time for me to go without breakfast after rising.

But it IS worth it. I'd do it every time.

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
I think I figured it's a little over an hour to get to Rancho Chapala from El Rosario. That's a long time for me to go without breakfast after rising.

But it IS worth it. I'd do it every time.

Is Rancho Chapala the one by Laguna Chapala? If it is, you must drive REALLY fast to get there from El Rosario in a little over an hour---It usually takes us about an hour and 1/2 to get from El Rosario to Catavina :?:

Since we usually stay in Catavina, we have left there and gone to our favorite restaurant in Guerrero Negro, Puerto Viejo, but it really is too far---both are apt to get crabby.

Diane

Hook - 2-6-2008 at 06:38 PM

Diane, it's just past the turnoff to Gonzaga that skirts the north end of Laguna Chapala.

And Chapala is before Catavina.

Actually, we're usually towing something heavy and really cant go fast.

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Diane, it's just past the turnoff to Gonzaga that skirts the north end of Laguna Chapala.

And Chapala is before Catavina.

Actually, we're usually towing something heavy and really cant go fast.

Unless I am wrong, and I don't have my map in front of me, but Chapala is only before Catavina if you are driving north :?:

At least that is what I remember, then again, sometimes I don't remember what happened yesterday. :lol:

Diane

Whoa!!! I think everyone is confused now

thebajarunner - 2-6-2008 at 06:54 PM

El Rosario to Laguna Chapala is 140 miles according to the AAA map.

Robby Gordon could not make it there in an hour in his NASCAR road course car (IMHO)

rts551 - 2-6-2008 at 07:01 PM

Diane

You are correct.

Hook - 2-6-2008 at 07:02 PM

I think I am the one who's kornfused. The Gonzaga turnoff is past Catavina headed south.

That makes it way too far to go without a meal.........yet I know I did it TWICE, coming south.

DianaT - 2-6-2008 at 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
I think I am the one who's kornfused. The Gonzaga turnoff is past Catavina headed south.

That makes it way too far to go without a meal.........yet I know I did it TWICE, coming south.

Ah ha, cause for the confusion---very low blood sugar. :lol:

We really want to try that place. Thanks for the recommendation

Diane and John