<b>By Pamela Brownstein</b>

On a brisk January afternoon, there’s nothing like warming up your senses with the sight, smell and taste of great Mexican food. Which is why the Lunch Bunch found itself cozied in among the many other locals for lunch at Rancho Grande on Lady’s Island.

As soon as we sat down, I couldn’t stop eating the chips and salsa, and especially the cheese dip, it is so good.

[caption id="attachment_9651" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC_0050.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9651" alt="Carne Asada." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC_0050-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></a> Carne Asada.[/caption]

Kim had the fish tacos made with grilled fish and topped with red cabbage, pico de gallo and chipolte creamy sauce. She finished them all and said they were quite tasty.

The rest of the bunch ordered more meaty entrees. Nikki enjoyed her steak quesadilla, while Elizabeth tried the Carne Asada — tender, thinly sliced beef cooked with onions and served with beans, sauce and guacamole salad.

I ordered the steak and shrimp fajitas cooked with onions, tomatoes and bell peppers and served with beans, guacamole salad and sour cream. I love it when the server brings out the sizzling skillet of colorful ingredients — it makes my mouth water to think of the perfectly cooked, juicy pieces of steak, and the big, deliciously grilled shrimp. I’m a big fan of fajitas, and these are a must-have.

Buck had his usual: The #18 from the Combinations menu that comes with one burrito, one

[caption id="attachment_9652" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC_0053.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-9652" alt="The #18 Combination with one burrito, one taco and rice and beans." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC_0053-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> The #18 Combination with one burrito, one taco and rice and beans.[/caption]

taco, rice and beans. There are 30 combinations to choose from, but if those aren’t enough, there are also more than 20 combination specials featured on just the lunch menu.

Rancho Grande has plentiful options for everyone — from seafood, chicken and steak lovers to even kids and vegetarians. Surely something among the more than 100 items is bound to tempt even the pickiest of eaters.

[caption id="attachment_9653" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC_00541.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-9653" alt="Sopapillas — fried flour tortilla with honey, sugar and cinnamon is topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC_00541-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Sopapillas — fried flour tortilla with honey, sugar and cinnamon is topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.[/caption]

We had to try the Sopapillas dessert because it was something I had been craving since the last time I ate here. The fried flour tortilla with honey, sugar and cinnamon is topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream, and it was just as sweetly rewarding as I remembered.

Rancho Grande is located at 136 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 4 &amp; 6, (next to Rite Aid) on Lady’s Island, SC, 29907. Call 843-524-0405.