Is Cocina Cucamonga the same as Rancho del Zocalo?

[Mom2micayla]

I've never eaten at Cocina Cucamonga. I do like the taco salad at Rancho. I was checking out the menu for CC online, and it seems nearly identical (yet smaller) to RZ for nearly everything, including the taco salad. Is it essentially the same food?

 

[bumbershoot]

For the vegetarian stuff, we have noticed it's about the same.

 

[LuLusApple]

They appear the same to me too. The Monterey chicken? Tacos, I think it was called half chicken with tortillas. Had at both locations, I don't know why I did cause I didn't like it the first time anyway...
I am not a fan of their (both locations) Mexican food it has a heavy chili powder taste to me

 

[pixiewings71]

Yup, basically the same, the food even tasted the same to us. Good stuff tho, we love those places!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

The difference is that Rancho serves enchiladas & Cucamonga serves tamales. Everything else is the same.

 

[Albort]

The difference is that Rancho serves enchiladas & Cucamonga serves tamales. Everything else is the same.

and one is in DCA and one is in DL.

 

[bumbershoot]

And Cocina's seating is more out in the "elements" than Rancho, but you probably won't run into a female mariachi band at Rancho.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

And Cocina's seating is more out in the "elements" than Rancho, but you probably won't run into a female mariachi band at Rancho.

 

[jlmarr]

Here's a vote for Tortilla Joe's in DTD. And we've got a couple of off-property faves, but don't want to go too far

 

[Mom2micayla]

Thanks, everyone! I kind of assumed it was the same.

 

[ScooterL]

I also find Cocina Cucamonga to be less chaotic than Zocalo - at Zocalo it's buffeteria style, and everyone is wandering around or standing in line at different stations to get their food/drink. Cocina is counter service, so you place your order at the register and then go to the window to pick up your food. It's a lot easier.

 

[pixiewings71]

Here's a vote for Tortilla Joe's in DTD. And we've got a couple of off-property faves, but don't want to go too far

Uhhhhhh NO WAY!!! Gross, I got sick after here, as did DBF. The girls got something to eat from Jazz Kitchen Express (we were getting take out) and they did NOT get sick so I can only assume it was from Tortilla Joe's....yuk!

I also find Cocina Cucamonga to be less chaotic than Zocalo - at Zocalo it's buffeteria style, and everyone is wandering around or standing in line at different stations to get their food/drink. Cocina is counter service, so you place your order at the register and then go to the window to pick up your food. It's a lot easier.

I thought Cocina Cucamonga was just as chaotic as Rancho, we had people who just didn't "get it" and were cutting in line, waiting in the pick up line to order and then getting mad at the employees who tried to explain it to them......we really like the female mariachi band, they are fun!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Uhhhhhh NO WAY!!! Gross, I got sick after here, as did DBF. The girls got something to eat from Jazz Kitchen Express (we were getting take out) and they did NOT get sick so I can only assume it was from Tortilla Joe's....yuk!



I thought Cocina Cucamonga was just as chaotic as Rancho, we had people who just didn't "get it" and were cutting in line, waiting in the pick up line to order and then getting mad at the employees who tried to explain it to them......we really like the female mariachi band, they are fun!!

Many people don't much like TJ's...we had perfectly good, though salty, food from their outdoor window last May, but then we're vegetarian and it's hard to get sick from veggie food. A place has to really work at it, LOL. Alas, they are or they have changed that window to a margarita bar, so no more strange little black bean Mexicones for us.

That's amazing people were cutting ahead! You'd think that even if you got the urge, as you passed the spot where the CMs are standing with the cash register, that you'd realize that you were making a mistake.

 

[pixiewings71]

Ya, I didn't get it, they were just walking up to the window....the CM's there were telling them (it was 2 parties) that they needed to order at the registers, you know UNDER the menu? LOL We didn't get it at all, it made no sense to DBF and I.

I'm glad that the takeout window is going away...that's where we stopped when we got sick....

 

[jlmarr]

Uhhhhhh NO WAY!!! Gross, I got sick after here, as did DBF. The girls got something to eat from Jazz Kitchen Express (we were getting take out) and they did NOT get sick so I can only assume it was from Tortilla Joe's....yuk!

Dunno - DW is very sensitive to food problems and has never had a problem there.

But now we're off to our favorite local place, The Chili Pepper in Orange (Main St, south of Chapman).

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

For the Flip Side, we LOVE Tortilla Joe's! We have eaten at the walk up window outside, which yes, has changed (but I did read that there is still food available outside) and inside the restaurant. We LOVE the guacamole and DH adores the fajitas. Portions were large and service was fantastic. We have nothing but good things to say about it!

Meant to add - we have never eaten @ Zocalo, but we did eat @ Cocina Cucamonga and will NEVER again eat there. Service was HORR-IBLE and the food was even worse. We threw away all $40 worth - absolutely inedible.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Glad to know that Cucamonga's is almost identical foodwise to Zocalo. DH and I love eating at Zocalo's at night. It's not top-shelf mexican but it's relatively cheap and decent, plus the atmosphere is relaxing sitting outside under the gas heaters and stars. Well, that's how it is during the winter! lol!

 

[bumbershoot]

In case it's been several months since you ate there, it's a lot quicker now. They switched over to the other side of the area, and have many more windows now. You order from stand-alone kiosks, then walk up and hand over your receipt.

The old CC is now the rice bowl area.

But if it was recently, and since those changes, then ignore all that.

We like the vegetarian stuff, and I know my brother and SIL really enjoyed their carnitas something or other from there...but like I experienced at Minnie's, somedays the food is better than others, and sometimes what tastes good to one person (hubby loved Minnie's eggs), is vile to another (me).

 

[pixiewings71]

For the Flip Side, we LOVE Tortilla Joe's! We have eaten at the walk up window outside, which yes, has changed (but I did read that there is still food available outside) and inside the restaurant. We LOVE the guacamole and DH adores the fajitas. Portions were large and service was fantastic. We have nothing but good things to say about it!

Meant to add - we have never eaten @ Zocalo, but we did eat @ Cocina Cucamonga and will NEVER again eat there. Service was HORR-IBLE and the food was even worse. We threw away all $40 worth - absolutely inedible.

We have not eaten inside at TJ, we have heard that inside is better but I'm afraid to eat there now.....LOL We also heard that they have/had 2 kitchens, 1 for take out and 1 for dine in so if that's the case then we would probably be ok eating inside. Maybe 1 day, but we prefer RFC & the Jazz Kitchen so maybe not.

I'm confused by what you mean by your service was horrible at Cocina, there is no service, you order from the register and then walk to the window to get your food......the only service is the cashier taking your order and the people making it. I mean yes, that is service but not like a sit down place. Also, if it has been a while I would encourage you to try it again, just because it has moved and it's much more efficient now. Of course then I would have to take my own advice and try TJ's....LOL

 

[Sally_fan]

Just wanted to add that we have never eaten at Rancho (although we tried once & it was so stinkin' busy we moved on ) so I can't comment on the OP's question but we did just eat at CC last month & the line moved fast, the girl at the register was wonderful & the food was delicious!! We plan to eat there agin on our next trip.