El Rancho Grande Restaurant | Mexican Restaurant | Authentic Mexican Food | Mexican Music | New Buffalo

Mexican Restaurant | New Buffalo | Lake Michigan | Southwestern Michigan | Mexican Food | Mexican Crusine

Wednesday-Friday 5pm - 10pm

Saturday 1pm - 10pm

Sunday 1pm - 9pm

El Rancho Grande began as Don Pedro's, a small taco stand in a train diner car at the Antique Mall in Union Pier.

Construction and birth of El Rancho Grande began in 1997 and the Grand Opening was October 19, 1998.

Here is Pete's childhood dream:

"It all started when I was just a child and remembering the stories my father used to tell about my grandfather Don Pedro Bernal Navarro."

"In 1885, in a small village called Iropuato in the central part of Mexico, my great grandfather and his son Don Pedro, who at that time was a child, worked at an arena. Back in the 1800's a popular sporting event was cockfights. People would travel from miles away to partake in the excitement of these fights."

"My grandfather eventually opened his own arena and was blessed by some of the patrons that would visit. He met a gentlemen by the name of Pancho Villa, who would call upon my grandfather for advice on the best fighting roosters that day. Pancho Villa was known by many to be a Mexican Revolutionary Leader. He became an important integral part of my grandfather's life."

"I designed El Rancho Grande to help pass on my ancestors heritage, and to remember the excitement of the stories that were told to me as a child"

El Rancho Grande has a Mexican/Texas decor. Enjoy a margarita at "The Cantina" and admire our 200 year old bar from Colorado. Enjoy dinner in our log cabin style "Western Room" which has a fireplace, pictures, and a life size John Wayne. The "Stained Glass Room" has two windows with life size replicas of James Bowie and Santa Ana, two generals from the Alamo battle. Outdoor seating on "The Deck" is a seasonal favorite for those warm summer nights.

Head Chef Ernesto Martinez takes pride in every little detail, down to the homemade chips and salsa. A five star specialty is his Huachinango (pronounced Wauchinango) whole Red Snapper with choice of Jalapeno or Garlic Sauce served with salad, avocados, and a choice of corn or flour tortillas. Everything is homemade down to the hand rolled tamales in traditional corn husks.

This story is dedicated to my father Peter Bernal and my grandfather Don Pedro Bernal Navarro.

310 East Buffalo St

New Buffalo, MI

269.469.9600