Now, if you’ve traveled New York — or honestly anywhere — you know this rule: when an ethnic restaurant is inside a gas station, the ceiling is either very low… or very high. And more often than not, it’s very high.
You walk into Buddy’s Gas Station, turn left, pass the chips, and suddenly you’re in Ranchos. There aren’t traditional tables. Instead, there’s this maze of half-walls with 2×6 planks across the top acting as ledges. Barstools tucked underneath. The whole space might fit six to eight people comfortably. The menu? Handwritten on a marker board next to the register.
It’s simple. It’s tight. It’s focused.
And that’s usually a good sign.
The Tacos
I ordered three tacos: carne asada, barbacoa, and al pastor. When they asked if I wanted their spicy salsa, I immediately said yes.
All three came street-style — diced white onion, fresh cilantro, served on corn tortillas.
First up: the carne asada. It was full, not dry, and nicely seasoned. Solid execution. Of the three, it had the most straightforward flavor — clean and classic — but still well done.
The barbacoa was where things started to elevate. Tender, shredded beef. Juicy. Deeply seasoned with a warm spice profile that lingered in the best way. It had that slow-cooked richness you’re looking for.
The One That Stood Out
But the al pastor was my favorite.
There was this deep tomato-based marinade the pork had been soaking in before hitting the tortilla. It wasn’t just sweet — it had acidity. A slow-cooked, almost stewed tomato depth that gave it dimension. When I added the salsa — which, by the way, wasn’t overwhelmingly spicy but instead carried a rich, smoky chipotle flavor — it tied everything together.
I poured that salsa on every taco.
Why Spots Like This Matter
Walking into Rancho’s reminded me of living in Texas. Some of the best tacos I’ve ever had were in the most unsuspecting places — random storefronts, roadside stops, gas stations. Spots you almost don’t want to tell people about because once the secret gets out, it changes.
That’s what this felt like.
This is the kind of place locals quietly protect.
But here I am, telling you anyway.
If you’re anywhere near Buffalo or Amherst, Rancho’s Tacos deserves to be on your must-visit list.
📍727 Maple Rd., Amherst, NY 👉 Follow them on Facebook
