Hacienda To The Heartland – Mi Ranchito Cocina & Cantina

Kansas City has become a destination for some of the best Mexican cuisine north of the border. All across the metro, diners will find an array of options, with dishes that originate from the various states in Mexico. Much like dining across the United States, each Mexican district has its own flavors to impart. We find that almost every restaurant we visit brings its own twist to the dishes they serve. A stop at Mi Ranchito Cocina & Cantina, at 5708 North Oak Trafficway, gave us a chance to savor a new to us local chain. We couldn’t wait to taste some dishes that the owners have brought with them from hacienda to the heartland.

We want to thank Mi Ranchito for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Fiesta Time

One of our favorite things about Mexican restaurants is the atmosphere. It always seems that they are about to break out into a party. The bright colors and upbeat music primes us for more than just a dinner. It puts us in a fiesta mood. That means it’s a perfect time to share a Cabo-Wabo Margarita. This tropical version of the Mexican classic offers a fruity flavor. From looking around the place, we weren’t the only ones in a festive mood. Since we had an evening of cat watching planned, we were enjoying an early dinner. It surprised us to see so many people already at the restaurant, but hey, that’s a good sign. Clearly plenty of the locals have discovered the flavors that Mi Ranchito has brought from the hacienda to the heartland.

Tempting Teasers

We hadn’t talked to anyone before our arrival, but walking around taking photos can certainly draw some attention. After explaining to the manager what we do, he was happy to explain a little background about the restaurant. Finding out that the owners actually grew up in a small hacienda in Central Mexico explained a lot about their particular choice of seasoning combinations. To show his gratitude for our visit, the manager sent out a plate of their Cancun Shrimp to enjoy while we reviewed the menu. These spicy treats are stuffed with jalapeno and pepper jack cheese. Wrapped with hickory-smoked bacon, they were served up with a couple of tasty sauce options.

Don’t Be Chicken, Try It!

Now that our appetites had been teased, it was time for some bigger dishes. Crystal didn’t stray far from her normal, which almost always includes some chicken. On this visit, it was the Cream Cheese Chicken Enchilada. While we love the flavors associated with Mexican cuisine, it is rare that the plates offer such a pleasing photo opportunity. Her dish included two enchiladas, stuffed with grilled chicken and Monterey Jack cheese. They coat it with a cream cheese sauce and sliced avocado. Toss in some Spanish rice and black beans to add some pops of color.

Give Me Some of Everything

After my tour of the dining area, while taking photos, I had already seen the variety of dishes at other tables. Since everything looked so good, I decided to try it all! Okay, I actually just ordered the Mi Ranchito Sampler, but it feels like having everything. A pair of spicy Machaca beef taquitos, two chicken flautas, a chicken quesadilla, and one large Pollo Feliz dominate the plate. They still found some room to squeeze in some Spanish rice and refried beans. When the dish arrived before me, I knew that I not only had a delicious dinner but plenty for lunch leftovers. I would imagine that was the plan when the owners designed the meals that they brought from the hacienda to the heartland.

From Hacienda to the Heartland

With our bellies full of delectable Mexican cuisine, we realized it was about time to head to our evening of feline fun. Once again, we had found a spot where the staff is pleasant and inviting. The food was plentiful and even more importantly, delicious. While we have tons of great Mexican cuisine in our own backyard (Here’s one to check out in KCK.), this reassured us that when we travel around the metro, we can find it in just about every neighborhood. Speaking of traveling around Kansas City, where are some of your favorite stops for enticing Mexican cuisine?

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