Yuma - Tacos Mi Rancho and Los Manjares de Pepe

A few weeks back, I headed on over to Yuma, to visit my good friend and fellow mmm-yoso contributor, "Ed from Yuma". I'm sure, based on the previous post you know the reason. Sadly, it had been almost a dozen years since I'd visited Yuma. I never meant for it to be that way; after all, I had a great time during that all-too-short visit, which was capped off with a wonderful dinner. But time just seems to get away from us.

Since I've been doing a good bit of driving recently and the Missus was busy working, I decided to stay the evening. Strangely, it was drizzling during my entire drive east......scattered large drops of rain dribbling about.....I mean, summer didn't officially end in these parts until a few days ago.

While it was great seeing Tina and Ed, I could tell that he was getting very tired, it was time for me to take my leave.

I needed a place for dinner. I could have eaten at "that restaurant" across the parking lot.....

But this is Yuma.....

So, I decided to drive around a bit. I hadn't been around this part of Yuma on my last trip....it's basically the mall....though I had to send the Missus a photo of Dillard's. I haven't seen a Dillard's since I used to work in Arkansas and Georgia back in the 90's.

Tina had mentioned that a branch of Sprouts had recently opened, and there it was on 4th.

For dinner, I decided to head to a place Ed had recommended to me on my first visit to Yuma, Tacos Mi Rancho. Funny thing, Ed never did a post on the place until 2013, but it was obviously a favorite of his as well. On my previous visit, I had stayed right across the street from this reclaimed fast food stand. And there it stood; looking just the same twelve years later.

Just as on my previous visit; I sidled up to the counter. The very friendly young lady asked me if I wanted a table, but I told her he counter would do just fine.

The place was just as I recalled, basically two rooms, news and sports on the televisions.......colorful and cozy.

I went with three tacos; Al Pastor, Lengua, and Chicharon. But first, some chips.

 

To me, the big winner was the lengua; beefy, buttery, a squeeze of lime took the "edge off". The salsa here is on the milder side, but the tangy flavors helped to cut the richness.

The Chicharon had a nice smokey, spice, though it was a bit too chewy for my liking.

The Adobada kind of threw me off; it lacked the red achiote color; but was nicely flavored.

Overall, three nice tacos.

And very nice service.

Tacos Mi Rancho
188 S 4th Ave
Yuma, AZ 85364

I spent the evening studying for a couple of certifications I needed to renew.

I'm an early riser these days....I think what they say about needing less sleep as you get older might actually be true. I was ready to hit the road and head back to San Diego. It was 630 am and I got into the car and....decided to make one more stop. There was one place that Ed said I should try....he mentioned regretting not being able to take me there. I wanted to have no regrets floating in the air; so I headed off to Los Manjares de Pepe; which Ed has called "the best Mexican restaurant in town" and possibly the "best overall restaurant in town" in two posts over the years; Los Manjares de Pepe.

So I drove on over to West 8th Street and waited a bit in the parking lot of this converted residence until the open sign lit up.

The warm and friendly woman working quickly seated me; handed me a menu, and asked me if I wanted some coffee, which was exactly what I wanted. The morning was already fairly warm and the previous day's moisture had made things a bit muggy. The nice A/C swirling around me really stimulated my appetite.

There was one item from Ed (from Yuma)'s posts that had caught my attention all those years ago. The Pepe's special. Pork stewed in what is described as a tomatillo sauce on the menu.

Man; this was delici-yoso. The pork was moist and tender; that sauce, as Ed noted, wasn't very tangy, but had a nice balance of flavors. The smokiness from whatever pepper was used for it came through nicely. The salsa added a touch of heat, but was still mild, but really helped to cut any richness. The tortillas were excellent; I ate them all....and of course those runny eggs, adding another layer of velvety richness to the dish. The beans were good as were the breakfast potatoes. But it was all about that pork.

I saved that last tortilla to mop up all that sauce.

Ed my friend; I can only imagine how even more enjoyable this meal would have been with you!

Los Manjares De Pepe
2187 W 8th St
Yuma, AZ 85364
Open Daily - 7am - 9pm

For those who want to know a bit more about Ed's life; you can find that here. And a very nice post here. As to how Ed got the moniker "Ed from Yuma"? Well, I think only Ed and I know that one......

Comments

[Jason]

RIP Ed, what a great way to pay homage to Ed on your way out of Yuma after visiting with him... his favorite restaurant and I'm glad it did not disappoint.

[kat]

very nice foodie tribute

[Kirk]

It was quite good Jason.

It was the least I could do Kat!

[kobi]

Aloha 'Oe Ed. Thought it was interesting that the ua was falling. Almost like some kind of blessing. Thanks for the background.

[Kirk]

Yes, like we say at home; "a little blessing". Thanks for commenting Kobi.

[Sandy]

Nice tribute to Ed. I have a friend who has driven to Yuma just to go to Cracker Barrel.

[Soo @ hungryones]

That's cool you visited Ed and his favorite Mexican spot. I just to drive out there and stock up on Hires Root Beer.

[Kirk]

I know folks who just love Cracker Barrel Sandy. It's sort of a nostalgic kind of thing....like a couple of folks in the office just love Chik-fil-A. Not my thing tho'.

I'm glad I got a chance to see him Soo.

[caninecologne]

Very nice tribute to Ed's favorites. Thank you for linking his obit.

[Kirk]

Thanks CC! Ed was a great guy!

[Nhbilly]

Breakfast of champions.

[TFD]

Never met him but I was sad to see him go. I heard a lot bout him and read all his posts. RIP Ed from Yuma. You had great taste in food.

[Kenneth Bonus]

Nice tribute! Anita and I ate at both of those places based on Ed's reviews and thought the food was wonderful. I guess I need to find another "reason" to pass thru Yuma again.

[Kirk]

Totally Billy! Gotta love that egg.

He really did TFD.

Both places were really good Ken. It had been too long since I'd been in Yuma.