Review - Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante (Disneyland)

By Jennifer Stuart

Rancho Del Zocalo is a counter service restaurant located in Frontierland at the Disneyland Resort.  This review includes thoughts on the location, food and includes photos of menu items.

Location and Theming

This counter service restaurant is located in Frontierland next to Big Thunder Mountain. There are several seating areas both inside and outside.  Some of the outdoor seating areas benefit from shaded cover.  As the restaurant is not enclosed it is not air conditioned but is comparatively cool inside on hotter days.

The theming is perfectly suited to its Frontierland location with lots of wrought iron and tile details that add to the atmosphere.  Although it is located adjacent to a busy walkway to Fantasyland, the seating areas feel calm.  We particularly like both the room next to the fountain and the outdoor area near Big Thunder to watch the trains come in.

Insider Trivia:  A restaurant in this location called Casa de Fritos invented Doritos in the early days of Disneyland  After they proved incredibly popular they were sold to the public starting  in 1966.  

The Food

As you would expect the food here is Mexican -- or at least the Disney version of Mexican. 

Tostada Salad with Chicken

​This dish is presented in a crispy Tortilla Shell with Refried Beans, chopped Lettuce, Sour Cream, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo and Black Bean Corn Relish, topped with Cheese .  

We really enjoyed the salad and would order again.  Always a big fan of sour cream and guacamole, we found the flavours went really well together and as it is definitely "tex-mex," not too spicy.

This was definitely a meal sized salad and despite the fresh and delicious ingredients we struggled to finish it. 

$12.49 USD
Also available with beef $13.49

---

Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Topped with cabbage slaw and avocado-pasilla cream and served with tortilla chips and pico de gallo. 
These soft-shell tacos were good and you could definitely taste the freshness in the crisp slaw.  We liked them best with a good squeeze from the fresh lime wedge.  While good, we do prefer the Trader Sam's version of these.  Read our Review of Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel for more information.

$12.99 USD

Flan 
This  was similar to a créme caramel. I milk based pudding flan with a light caramel syrup over top.  It comes with the addition of whip cream for garnish.  If you are looking for a light dessert and enjoy caramel then this could be a good choice for you.  It was chilled, so cool enough to be refreshing and not overly large.
​
$5.39

---

The Menu

Insider Tip:  Look for seasonal specialties on the menu as there are often holiday food items particularly in the fall and at Christmas.

Our Thoughts

The menu makes a nice change from some of the fried fare that is often a park go-to for lunch.  The prices are not unreasonable and the portions are generous. This can be a solid choice for families that enjoy a milder version of mexican food.

Here is a link to the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante menu.

You may be interested in some of our other Disneyland and Disney California Adventure restaurant reviews.

All Photos by Jennifer Stuart and Kim Stuart

Comments?  Questions ?  We would love to hear from you.  So you have a favourite menu item?