Rancho Alegre, a Foodie's Talisman in Georgetown

With Cinco de Mayo coming up in the next couple of weeks, the staff of in Georgetown is already decorating their dining room. Flori Osorio, owner of the Mexican restaurant, moved from Mexico to the United States in 1980, where he found his passion in the restaurant business.

“I passed by [Georgetown] all the time because I worked in Norwalk,” Osorio said. “My friend told me that it would be good to have a restaurant in Georgetown.”

With his lengthy experience ranging from dishwasher to waiter, and several other positions within restaurants, he learned what it took to operate a successful dining establishment.

Seventeen years ago, in August, Osorio introduced Rancho Alegre to a town that had not had any local availability to Mexican restaurant food. Each year he has a celebration marking the anniversary of Rancho Alegre’s opening in 1994.

Felipe Campos, the man behind the flavorsome food, has been the chef at Rancho Alegre from its start.

“Felipe has been here since the beginning,” Osorio said.

Campos is the only chef in the restaurant, but has a team of three people on his cooking line. They prepare patron favorites such as the Sizzling Fajitas on a daily basis.

“People love the Fajitas Supreme,” Osorio said.

The popular dish is marinated in spices and is accompanied by a selection of pico de galo, sour cream, rice, beans, guacamole and warm flour tortillas which are covered until patrons are ready to eat. It is considered “supreme” because it comes with a combination of steak, chicken, and shrimp—a gumbo inspired fajita.

Osorio, one of 13 children, was the only one to enter into the restaurant business.

“For me it wasn’t really hard to do—I have been in the restaurant business since I was 15 years old,” Osorio explained.

His only true challenge has been the lack of parking provided for patrons of Rancho Alegre. Carpooling is something to be considered for anyone planning to enjoy a meal there, especially on weekends. The dining room itself provides several sections of seating and plenty of tables. Osorio has set up the restaurant specifically to cater to people wanting noise control, convenience and a pleasant meal.

“It’s 50/50,” he said of the child and adult demographic. “Everybody comes in.”

“Reservations are not required unless you are planning to arrive with a party of seven or up.” Osorio mentioned.

“My favorite thing about Rancho Alegre is people—I like the people,” he said.

Heather Gnewuch and Rod Cross have not only been loyal patrons of Rancho Alegre for years, but formed a lifelong friendship at Osorio’s establishment.

“Heather and I met here 10 years ago and we’ve become best friends,” Cross said. “We’ve met new friends here, we meet people here; it’s a pleasant environment.”

“Everybody is cool here,” added Gnewuch.

“It’s our favorite meeting place,” Cross said. “We have a large group of people that come here—business people, family, we celebrate every birthday here.”

“It’s a neighborhood place,” Gnewuch stated.

Both Cross and Gnewuch have formed relationships with Osorio, his staff, and his family.

“Flori and his wife are the most generous people,” said Cross. “He and his wife always greet you with a kiss."

“They always remember you, even if you don’t come here that often,” added Gnewuch. “My favorite thing about the restaurant is that I’ve known Flori and the guys for a while—it’s very comfortable.”

“I had an operation in mid-January and was in the hospital for a while,” Cross said. “When I got out in February, this was the first place I came. I came here because I was craving tacos after I got out. I got the three taco meal—after the hospital food, it was a real treat."

Cross and his daughter, Ellie, are a big fan of the menu.

“The food here is always consistently good,” he said. “You know what you are going to get when you order here. My daughter affectionately knows it as 'Mariachi’s,' she named it when she was four [years old].” Ellie is now 10, and still enjoys meals with her dad at Rancho Alegre. She often relishes the quesadillas and an orange soda.

Speaking of mariachi, there's a musician who performs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, according to Osorio. Gnewuch often enjoys the restaurant during the weekday when she can enjoy the environment at more low-key times.

Osorio appreciates being able to provide a gratifying fare for his patrons.

“The food is really good. People should know my food is really authentic, like Grandma’s cooking,” he said.

Jaime Castillo, a host and waiter of three years, has his own menu favorites.

“I like pretty much everything,” he said. “My favorite thing is the appetizers—in general, the food is very good. We enjoy working here.”

When Osorio was asked what his favorite item on the menu was, he enthusiastically stated “all of them!”

Some elements of the menu include El Conquistador—a beef taco and chicken tostada; Pollo Pipian—a chicken breast served with spicy sesame seed sauce; Bistek Ranchero—steak sautéed in onions, tomatoes, and peppers; and Enchiladas Fiesta—two enchiladas (one with beef and the other with chicken) topped with cheese and filled with two different sauces.

Aside from the food raved about by patrons, the restaurant provides a festive atmosphere. Walls are carefully decorated with murals and ornamental pieces. The bar top is unique, covered in colored stones, and each table has its own special touch. Even the tiles in the floor are designed especially for Rancho Alegre.

“They re-did the restaurant a couple years ago—every couple of years [Osorio] is doing something,” Gnewuch said. Osorio takes pride in his business and invites all who appreciate good cooking to stop in for a bite to eat and a drink at the bar.

Osorio encourages patrons to arrive early on Cinco de Mayo as he has in the past on New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day.

“I’ve been to Cinco de Mayo and I am going to come this year if I am in town,” Gnewuch said.

“The events are successful, all of them,” Osorio said. “You have to get to them early.”

For reservations or information, patrons can call (203) 544-9464.