El Rancho opening more restaurants

El Rancho Grande is opening a second restaurant in Redmond this week and a third in Bend next year. The space in Redmond is about three times larger than the 2,000 square foot space in Sisters. The Bend space, in the new Cascade Village Shopping Center, is about twice the size.

The family that owns El Rancho attributes all this growth to the support they have received in Sisters.

“We want to thank our locals for being so great to us because they are our success,” said Lorena Rodriguez.

Lorena, her sister Julissa, their husbands and their parents are the owners of the new restaurants. They plan to have one of the six owners on site at each of the restaurants at all times to ensure the quality of food and service.

“I feel like our success is that one of our family members is always here,” said Lorena.

Lorena and her husband Rafael said they are attached to the locals they have gotten to know since opening in Sisters in early 2000. As residents of Sisters, they will continue to be familiar faces at the original El Rancho.

“I feel like it’s the people that keep me going,” said Lorena of the long days in the restaurant business.

“People always come back,” added Rafael.

With more than five years of success in Sisters, the Rodriguez family can laugh at the reception they first got from some fellow business owners in Sisters.

“Nobody thought we were going to make it,” said Lorena. Business owners warned of the town being “slow” but she said the mix of locals and tourists keeps El Rancho fairly busy through all seasons of the year.

The Rodriguezes are happy to have leased prime space in Cascade Village, which is currently under construction at the north end of Bend. National retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond and PetSmart have already opened there. The new El Rancho will be located under the clock tower.

“This is a great location,” said Lorena.

There was keen competition for the Bend space. Five Mexican restaurants contacted the leasing company. After a taste test, Cascade Village chose El Rancho. Lorena said their new landlords complimented both El Rancho’s food and family-friendly atmosphere.

To get both new locations equipped, she and her family have had their days filled with “construction, hiring people, and no sleep” but they said they’re excited about the new opportunity.

“We’re ready!” said Lorena.

The new El Rancho in Redmond is at 325 N.W. 5th St. Cascade Village Shopping Center is on Highway 97 at the north end of Bend.