<b>By Pamela Brownstein</b>

The Lunch Bunch was excited to eat at Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant in its newest location next to the Plaza Theater off Robert Small Parkway. Since that spot has housed several restaurants in the past years, it was good to see it occupied again and serving the tasty Mexican food we have come to expect. Big wooden benches line the walls, and the attractive bar is more separated from the dining area, but still with a semi-open floor plan.

[caption id="attachment_14433" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DSC_0102.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-14433" alt="Rancho Grande Special Fajitas with steak, shrimp and chicken." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DSC_0102-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Rancho Grande Special Fajitas with steak, shrimp and chicken.[/caption]

The chips and salsa are so addicting and hard to resist. We added some cheese dip, which is simply awesome (if you’re not counting calories!).

We also tried the Ceviche appetizer. At first look, Buck wasn’t too sure about the ceviche — tilapia cooked with lime juice and chopped small and mixed with pico de gallo — but he liked it after he tried it. I thought it was so light and fresh and flavorful, I ate so many bites.

For her main dish, Elizabeth ordered Tacos de Carne Asada which comes with three soft corn tortillas filled with chopped steak served with rice, beans, pico de gallo and hot sauce on the side.

Kim and I decided to share the Rancho Grande Special Fajitas. I love it when they bring out the sizzling plate piled with chicken, shrimp and steak grilled with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, squash and cucumbers. We both like to eat our fajitas with a lot of sour cream and guacamole and without the

[caption id="attachment_14434" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DSC_0103.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-14434" alt="Chori-pollo with an enchilada and rice." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DSC_0103-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Chori-pollo with an enchilada and rice.[/caption]

tortilla, so we just ate right from the skillet.

Sadly, this was the last Lunch Bunch for General Manager Buck Boone, who is returning to Greenville after two years with The Island News. He wanted to make this meal special and try something new, so he had the Chori-Pollo — grilled chicken breast topped with chorizo (Mexican sausage) and cheese. It also comes with one chicken enchilada and rice. He really enjoyed the melted cheese and chorizo over a juicy piece of chicken and was glad that he ventured out of his food comfort zone.

At Buck’s request, we had to order dessert. The waitress suggested the Chimi

[caption id="attachment_14435" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DSC_0105.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-14435" alt="Chimi cheesecake dessert." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DSC_0105-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Chimi cheesecake dessert.[/caption]

cheesecake, which is basically pieces of cheesecake fried and served warm with vanilla ice cream. It was downright delicious.

The newest location of Rancho Grande is at 41-B Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, SC, 29902. They are open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 843-322-9909.