Page 10 - MidWeek Central - May 19, 2021

10 MAY 19, 2021
Mexican Restaurant In Wahiawā Provides Authentic Cuisine, Atmosphere
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we have a lot of customers who come from Waiʻanae, Kapolei and ʻEwa Beach. On social media, they’re always asking for us out on the West- side,” says Garcia Gomez, who resides in Makakilo.
— it’s about the people, the type of music, the vibe when you walk in, the smell, what you see, if people are speak- ing Spanish — all of that mat- ters.”
“With the fact that a lot of our customers make the drive to Wahiawā at least once or twice a week, that tells me alotofabouttheneedofa taqueria on that side. We’re really motivated and excited to bring that second location to the people on the West- side because they support us a lot.”
With no previous experi- ence in the restaurant indus- try, Garcia Gomez prepared for this new role doing what he loves most: eating tacos. He ventured back home to California, visiting the best of the best taquerias in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, learning as he went. He even recruited a few staff members from the Gold- en State, who help him hold down the fort today.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Taqueria El Ranchero’s menu boasts everything from tacos and quesadillas to burritos and na- chos. Guests can also choose from a surplus of meat op- tions, including grilled steak, marinated grilled pork and Mexican sausage.
“Everything that’s on the menu, I like to eat. I don’t really care about what cus- tomers like to eat, it’s what I like to eat,” Garcia Gomez says with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘I like that, let’s put that on the menu.’ That’s it. I recruit- ed the right people who knew how to cook what I like.”
“We’re going to offer the same quality of food and same service, but we’re always try- ing to improve; we never stop learning,” says Garcia Go- mez. “We’re going to keep (it) more taqueria-style, cooking in an open kitchen with the grill in the front so everyone knows what’s going on.”
(Above) Head cook Silver Garcia works the grill during a lunch rush. (Right) Tacos from Taqueria El Ranchero in Wahiawā.
ANTHONY CONSILLIO PHOTOS
At the end of May, a sec- ond location is slated to open in the ‘Ōlino theater wing at Ka Makana Aliʻi. The space provides areas for takeout, dine-in, a full-service bar, outdoor seating and a dance floor.
nia-based mariachi band. Visit elrancherohawaii. com, check out the company on social media (Instagram @taqueria_el_ranchero; and on Facebook facebook.com/
will feature the same fun- filled themed nights, similar to its Wahiawā location. Ex- pect Taco Tuesdays, karaoke events, salsa nights and pos- sibly even a special guest appearance from a Califor-
The interior of Taqueria El Ranchero in Wahiawā, which is owned by Hector Garcia Gomez, will open a second location in Kapolei.
“I chose Kapolei because
Coming up, Taqueria El Ranchero’s Kapolei locale
elrancherohawaii).
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