Rancho Lewis
Mexican restaurant · Charleston
1503 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Highlights
Rancho Lewis serves up authentic Tex-Mex with fresh, handmade tortillas, bold border flavors, and killer margaritas in a spacious, lively spot.
Rancho Lewis serves up authentic Tex-Mex with fresh, handmade tortillas, bold border flavors, and killer margaritas in a spacious, lively spot.
"Expansive, filled with the scent of corn tortillas and sizzling steak on hot platters, this restaurant, tucked in beside a brewery and some tech companies in a warehouse district, is an example of the classic Tex-Mex roadhouse or cantina. Fajitas are seasoned well and tender, the mixed grill centerpiece of mesquite grilled steak is enough to share alone (not even counting the shrimp and quail), and the Rancho Grande—a 22-ounce ribeye, topped with garlic lime butter—rivals many of the steakhouse offerings in town, much with beans and onion rings. Beyond that, the Christmas Burrito topped with red and green chile sauce has been a Charleston favorite since the inception days of this restaurant, in a courtyard trailer at Lewis BBQ, and the green chile pozole is a hearty and well-seasoned example of the form. All in all, Rancho Lewis follows the genre script, doing classic Tex-Mex dishes classically well." - Stephanie Burt
"There’s a Los Ninos menu at dialed-up Tex-Mex restaurant Rancho Lewis, so you know it’s serious about including the kids. Children can pick from quesadillas or corn dogs, while parents can indulge in an ice-cold margarita and the fare that famed pitmaster John Lewis grew up eating in El Paso. Pro parenting tip: The Astroturf lawn, right outside of the restaurant, is a great place for kids to run around." - Erin Perkins, Erin Ziegler
"A stop at Rancho Lewis for spicy margaritas and some hearty Tex-Mex fare is decidedly smart pregaming if partying later is your pleasure, and its spacious dining room can easily accommodate larger groups."
"After much anticipation, pitmaster John Lewis (of Lewis Barbecue fame) opens his second Lowcountry restaurant, Rancho Lewis, this Saturday, April 16, at 1503 King Street. Everything about Rancho Lewis is an ode to Lewis’ childhood growing up in West Texas near the Mexico and New Mexico borders." - Erin Perkins
"Lewis Barbecue pitmaster John Lewis, originally from El Paso, Texas, brings his fondness for ‘border cuisine’ (his preferred term over ‘Tex-Mex’) to Charleston by way of Rancho Lewis. Look for a menu full of breakfast tacos, enchiladas, nachos and gorditas. It’s what he grew up eating, so he is excited to make it a more permanent fixture in the Lowcountry." - Erin Perkins
