El Rancho Grande

With Mom getting the job at the new Four Winds Casino, Dad decided to take her and me out for a nice dinner. Before we went to eat, though, we drove by the casino to check it out. Although I had been there for a job fair, I didn’t see the building that the visitors go to. It looks pretty nice although I have to wonder if the Pokagon band made a smart move to build there considering the possibilities of casinos that are being talked about in Chicago. But that’s for another post.

Dinner was at El Rancho Grande. It’s a Mexican or rather, a Tex-Mex restaurant located in New Buffalo, MI. I don’t make many trips out to Harbor Country much less go there to eat but I have been there once before and I have nothing but good things to say about it. (Surprising—I know!)

My first trip out there was for Spanish class. Senora Hess took her Spanish classes there every other year for a field trip. While we were there, we were supposed to order in Spanish as well as converse in it. The class managed to order in the language but after a few minutes we went back to English for our dinner conversation.

The place has very intimate feel about it and the décor is awesome. I love it. I would say that it gives the ones in South Bend/Mishawka such as Don Pablo’s and the Hacienda a run for their money.

The food may seem a little pricy but from what I’ve experienced, it is well worth it. The Chimichangas de Camaron that I ordered was phenomenal. The description form the menu: “Two Chimichangas stuffed with Shrimp, Crab meat, Red Sauce & Cheddar Cheese.” I haven’t tasted anything like that. Creamy seafood with a slight hint of cheese.

If you are ever in the area (very south west corner of Michigan), consider having your dinner there.