Las Ranas Cafe

Wow I go to school really close to this place and there is nothing stopping me from coming back. I had the super nachos de pastor that were so amazing especially for the price. Everything is well priced, not expensive at all. Honestly, you could charge me so much more for this quality. Give this place a try.

The al pastor was so good! The best around. But the Asada had a lot of fat. Otherwise this is the new spot.

Good spot for breakfast. The lunch and dinner items look good as well. Have to definitely come back to try.

Very impressed with this «hole in the wall». Very clean and the service is warm and friendly. Food is priced right and the quality is excellent. Meat is generous on the tacos. The huaraches are made with care and have cactus on the top which is a nice touch. If you eat in, chips and salsa are complementary. My wife is Mexican and she’s critical about Mexican food but I think she’ll enjoy this establishment.

Good food, great service in a fresh, simple yet bright and very clean restaurant!
Pros:
–Awesome fresh chips and salsas
–Tasty Al Pastor (reminds me of Chinese charbroiled pork)
–Tasty carne asada
–Good deals
Cons:
–Carnitas needs some work… they were just dry and somewhat bland chunks of pork
–Limited parking in the lot.
Would definitely return to try out other menu items.

excellent décor and pricing. still gives chips and salsa with meal. fries included with tortas for under 8 bucks. incredible deal these days.

Great prices and delicious food, only small problem I had was that the agua frescas are made with a small bit of frozen food, sugar and water, not pre-​made like they usually are.

I’ve only been here twice after the change from Chris’ pit stop. But it’s pretty good. Except for the chilaquiles. They were too soggy, and just tasted like blended tomatoes and water. But after reading some reviews I need to go again to taste the tacos. My boyfriend always gets tacos but never shares.

OMG these tacos are giving my beloved taco spot a run for the money! I think they may have just become my favorite!
First order: 4 tacos to share with my daughter — 2 Asada, 2 El Pastor
2^nd order minutes after devouring 1^st — 3 El Pastor, 1 Pollo
3^rd order (cuz I gotta take care of the hubs when I find tacos this good) — El Pastor
In short, El Pastor was AMAZING! Asada and chicken were also no joke and great quality! I will definitely be a regular here! Oh yeah, excellent service and serious perfection in 4 different salsas!!!

I’ve been to hundreds of restaurants around the world, but Las Ranas has to be the strangest!
It’s located between a likuor store and a Marijuana dispensary, so every boozer and pot head in town staggers into Las Ranas.
I love beer, but I haven’t had a drink in forty years, I may have puffed a joint, or two in college, but nothing since then.
I have nothing against it, but it just isn’t for me.
Unfortunately, I got a contact high just sitting in the restaurant. The aroma of marijuana is so overwhelming.
Apparently, the marijuana dispensary gives away a free snack with each pot purchase, I think a small burrito, or taco, munchies. Because every pot customer left the dispensary and came into Las Ranas, gave the cashier a ticket, like a ticket at an amusement park, a purple ticket, and left with a free burrito. I heard them ask for their free burrito, I never saw anyone pay for their burrito.
So Las Ranas is like a revolving door, at least thirty pot customers came in for their free munchies while I was eating my meal in my booth by the door.
Very difficult to relax and enjoy my meal with a constant stream of pot customers coming in, and leaving within five minutes.
Each one was wearing a pot tee shirt, white with a green marijuana leaf on it.
And each one was clutching a white medical marijuana bag filled with pot.
So I’m not imaging anything.
The parking lot Las Ranas shares with the pot dispensary and likuor store was a nightmare.
Like a beehive, with cars instead of bees lined up awaiting a parking space to be vacated.
I decided it was safer to park a block away than to risk a fender bender in the narrow parking lot.

Food was super yummy and the lady who took my order was extremely nice close to school. Great option for lunch compared to the food court.

I had the wet burrito, and it was big! If it comes down to it, I’ll go for quantity over quality, and this was just right. Don’t get me wrong; it was tasty, as well. Their salsa was tasty, too.
The elderly lady at the register was friendly, which I consider a big plus.

This is a really great place !! It is thanks to Unilocal that people find places like this. Very clean, all the food prepared very nicely. Fresh is a given. Puts the famous Mexican chain restaurants to shame. If you like Mexican food this is THE place to come !
Great job !!!

Diamond in the rough, hidden gem, whatever you call it, this place is DANG GOOD! Probably the closest to how mama used to make.
They have really good salsas which are spiced perfectly. The service is fast and friendly and you will leave here with a full belly. You might even have to loosen your belt.
Also bring your chargers because all booths come with a power outlet. Great food and great place.

Foods good, they take credit cards, service is good! The only bad thing about this place is parking… There is little to no parking in this lot but I guess they don’t really have a choice… Too bad :(

Regulars at las ranas café. Why? Well it’s pretty simple. These are a group of great workers who treat you like no other place. They start with giving you chips and salsa when you first sit down and take your Oder for a drink. Then he’ll come back and get your order for food. We always get their tacos. They are delicious with everything. There is 2 TVs to be able to wait for your food. When you pay they treat you with some gum. Such a nice place and group of workers :)
P.s close to csula. You can walk there from the dorms. Get out of building 4 onto valley going to gea then turn right and its next to the liquor store.

Great tasting food for good prices. finally tried this place n was very impressed. My shop is down the street n now I’ll be a regular :).Tried their alambra special which was asada, al pastor and chicken with grilled veggies n cheese mixed and put into 5 tacos n it was great… passed on the rice n was given a bowl of beans n that was good too. also they made me a mango fresh water. hit the spot n now I’m hooked lol. there is other items the guy described to me that I wanna try. so I’ll be posting that as it happens… im recommending it to my workers for sure n neighbors for sure.

I ordered the Huarache with pastor, very good! It’s a small place very clean & friendly will definitely come back!

I’ve been back a half-​dozen times now and am upgrading from four to five stars. I’m also adding the tacos de buche (tender and moist) alongside the pastor and lengua on my list of preferred meats at Las Ranas.
Special note for Cal State LA folks: If you miss the late, great Dolcini’s café, you can find some of the same wonderful people working here at Las Ranas.

ALERT for meal less than $ 10 ALERT!
I must say, I am so impressed with what they have done with the place. The interior is decorated and painted and looks so clean compared to what it looked like when it was Chris’ Pit Stop. While i loved the old spot, I think the owners have more time and energy to take care of the place and it shows.
I got Carne Asada Tacos (4), a diet coke, and it came with chips and salsa. All for 10 bucks including tip.
The food was so good! Carne asada was flavorful and they let you put your own toppings on it at the topping bar. I really want to try more of their dishes and because it is so affordable, I can do so.
The only thing this place is missing is beer. If this place gets beer, then I am in trouble or heaven (I can”t decide!)
Really though, if you come here you will enjoy some great food, chill atmosphere and the owner and chef are really friendly. You really can’t go wrong with this place and I can only hope they flourish!