Description: Let's face it, good Mexican food isn’t easy to find here in my part of the United States. The usual offerings are either neuvo cuisined or TexMex'ed beyond recognition. Happily for me (and for my tastebuds), Casa Gonzalez #2 in Ranson, WV is an exception. This restaurant’s menu tends toward the Chihuahuan tradition, and in my view, that represents a vast improvement over the options more generally available.
Casa Gonzalez #2 is part of a small family-owned chain consisting of three restaurants located in rural Virginia and West Virginia. The food is tasty, the hospitality is genuine, and the margaritas will improve your day--no matter the challenges life may have dealt! Other drinks, spirited and non-spirited, are available, but it is my considered opinion that only margaritas are truly appropriate for evening meals at this good establishment. The folks at Casa Gonzalez offer the usual options for this indispensable beverage--on the rocks or frozen, extra shot of tequila on the side, blue margaritas, and standard margaritas with the house tequila or an upgraded version made with a more expensive brand. Himself and Yours Truly find the house version quite adequate, though we occasionally indulge in the higher priced alternatives. We like our margaritas on the rocks with salt. Yes, we are purists.
Our favorite entrees from the menu offerings are chili rellenos (for me) and steak with mole sauce (for him). The rellenos are made from fleshy medium-sized chilies stuffed with cheese, and the mole consists of a dark and rich sauce served over an inexpensive but tender cut of steak. We're also fond of guacamole with the house tortilla chips. The fresh salsa (basic tomato, chile, and onion with assorted herbs) is mild but satisfying, and the staff will provide a spicier version on request. Despite our affection for the rellenos and the steak, we sometimes dabble in other items, including fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, and even combination platters that include tacos and tequitas. Entrees are generally served with Spanish rice, refried pinto or black beans (your choice), and picante. On the whole, the menu is long enough to offer variety, yet short enough to be managed by a relatively small kitchen. Appetizers, sides, combinations, luncheon portions, entrees, and deserts are all available. For customers who may not be familiar with this particularly cuisine, the menu includes a short directory of terms that will help take the mystery out of ordering.
The décor at Casa Gonzales is simple and unexceptional, consisting of brightly colored paintings, wide-brimmed sombreros, and various bits of bric-o-brac suggesting an origin south of the border. It is an environment in which booths and tables are welcoming and pleasant, but they are by no means fancy. The exterior murals worked in a Southwestern style are unusual for our area, and they help to mitigate the lack of inspiration for the inside of this red brick box of a restaurant. During warm weather, guests may choose to dine on the patio rather than at inside tables.
You'll never mistake Casa Gonzalez #2 for an escapee from the Plaza in Santa Fe. This is a working-class restaurant serving a proletarian cuisine—good peasant food prepared for the American palette while somehow managing to retain its authenticity. When you consider that I'm a snob for "New Mexican cuisine" at its best, that's darn near high praise. A meal for the two of us, plus the guacamole and the margaritas (one each), will typically run $35 to $40 before tip. Not a bad deal, in my opinion. Bottom line: The prices are reasonable, the service is good, and the food has real taste.
In keeping with its working-class character, the Casa Gonzalez chain does not maintain a Web site, and formal reviews are scarce. The restaurant frequented (and I use that word literally) by Himself and Yours Truly is located at 611 North Mildred Street in Ranson, WV. The phone number is (304) 725-1032. Carryout is available on request.
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