By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A new family-owned restaurant bringing regional flavors from central Mexico is preparing to open later this month in the Salt City.
El Ranchito Mexican Cuisine is targeting an opening during the week of Feb. 16–20 at 2223 N. Lorraine St., pending final approval of its liquor license. The restaurant will feature cuisine inspired by Guanajuato, Mexico, along with a full bar and house margaritas.
The restaurant is owned by Jose Manriquez and his family, including his wife, Florentina, and their children, Melany and Luis. Manriquez said the opening is the culmination of more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.
“I’ve never owned a restaurant, but I’ve been working in restaurants for over 20 years,” Manriquez said. “Because of my experiences, I felt inspired to open my own. I wanted to make something for myself and my family.”
The menu is modeled after a family member’s El Ranchito Mexican Cuisine in Mulvane, but Manriquez said the Hutchinson location will expand and adjust offerings to fit the community.
“There will be some similarities, but we really focused on what Hutchinson wants and needs,” he said. “We went around to different restaurants, looked at menus and tried to find things we felt Hutchinson didn’t really have.”
Among those additions are tortas and quesabirrias, which Manriquez said will give the menu a more authentic touch.
“We know a lot of places here don’t offer those,” he said. “We wanted to bring in more flavor and more spice. Every flavor you taste here will be something new.”
Molcajete dishes served in traditional stone bowls are expected to be a centerpiece of the menu. Luis Manriquez said El Ranchito plans to offer four or five different versions.
“One thing I always tell people to get is our molcajetes,” he said. “The molcajete Azteca is a plate no other place in Hutchinson has.”
The molcajete Azteca includes steak, chicken, shrimp and chorizo, served with beans, rice, sour cream, guacamole and tortillas. Lety Manriquez said the dish stands out for both presentation and portion size.
“The steak slices are very thick and very long,” she said. “It comes with a full chicken breast and Mexican chorizo sausage. It’s definitely meant to be shared.”
Seafood, vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be available. Florentina Manriquez highlighted one of the seafood dishes.
“The Rio Grande is tilapia covered with shrimp and served with rice,” she said. “We also wanted to make sure we had veggie options for people who don’t eat meat or who need gluten-free food.”
In addition to lunch and dinner, El Ranchito plans to serve breakfast, an offering the family said is limited among local Mexican restaurants.
“Not many places here have breakfast items,” Jose Manriquez said. “We wanted to make sure we included that.”
The restaurant will feature a full bar, including specialty cocktails. Luis Manriquez said one signature drink blends Tito’s vodka with cucumber, lime and Tajin seasoning.
“It gives you a little bit of that beach flavor,” he said. “It’s dangerous in a good way.”
El Ranchito expects to employ about 10 to 11 people, with three to four in the kitchen and the remainder working front-of-house.
For the Manriquez family, service is as important as the food.
“You can have the best food and the best margaritas, but if your service isn’t there, people won’t come back,” Luis Manriquez said. “That’s what my parents taught us. We’re going to treat you like family.”
Jose Manriquez said that welcoming atmosphere is exactly what he hopes customers feel.
“We’re ready for people to come in and feel like it’s their home,” he said. “Come enjoy a warm meal, eat good, eat healthy, and everyone can go home happy.”
El Ranchito Mexican Cuisine plans to be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can learn more about El Ranchito Mexican Cuisine on their Facebook page, by clicking here.