One of my favorite restaurants in Cancun is Los Rancheros. Each time that I have visited the city, I have made at least one stop at the restaurant. Los Rancheros is located in Flamingo Plaza, which is directly across the street from the Continental Villas Plaza and is near Pat O'Brien's. The food served there is traditional Mexican, and the visitor can find all of the typical trappings of the local cuisine - refried beans, pico de gallo, tacos, Mexican chicken, rice, and other dishes.
For me, the most enjoyable time to visit is during the lunch hour, as a buffet is served at a reasonable price (there is also a buffet for breakfast). These meals are inexpensive (about $5 - $7) when compared to many of the other restaurants in the other plazas (malls). The most interesting thing about eating at some of the restaurants is meeting people. One of the ladies who works as a hostess at Los Rancheros was very friendly to me. She was kind enough to go shopping with me on her day away from work. This helped me to find quality souvenirs without spending exorbitant prices.
Only once did I eat at Los Rancheros for their evening meals as these tend to be more expensive, but they are still a value. When dining in the evening at the restaurant, a live mariachi band plays for the enjoyment of the customer. The lights are dimmed also, which gives a more romantic atmosphere for couples.
Whenever dining at Los Rancheros, the food is tasty and the people are pleasant. Every visit that I make to the restaurant brings new appreciation for the food that is served, and I am able to renew acquaintances with several people that I have met over the years. Therefore I am able to say that a visit to Cancun is never complete without going to Los Rancheros.