El Jaripeo in Ruckersville Stunning Service
Liberty Anderson, staff writer
On a cold Sunday evening, El Jaripeo in Ruckersville presented a quiet and welcoming atmosphere for me and my sisters, Charisse and Charity. We heard cheerful and upbeat traditional Mexican music playing as we waited for service.
Shortly after taking our seats we were greeted by the waiter and given chips and salsa followed by drinks. Before receiving our food the waiter checked on us, refilling our drinks and awaiting our order roughly every four minutes. The staff did not crowd or rush us, and while it was a slow night they still gave us privacy.
After ordering and waiting patiently for our food, another table close by got their food. We could see the steam from the dish rising over the booth. The food sizzled on the plate, and the smell of beef, cheese, and tortilla spread throughout the entire restaurant. My sister Charisse jokingly said, “Well, you know they didn’t microwave that.” We laughed and knew the food would be worth the wait.
We did not wait long. It took a total of 10 minutes for our food to arrive. The chicken fajita I ordered was pleasing to the eyes, mouth, and nose. It tasted as good as I imagined. The plates were hot to keep the food warm while we ate it.
The restaurant displayed wooden wagon wheels, cacti, sombreros, and a detailed sun art piece. The tables had colorful tile around the inner edge, while the chairs had “El Jaripeo” accompanied by a cowboy riding a bucking horse carved into the back of every chair, and booth. The secluded booths provided a nice, private meal to enjoy with friends or family.
The service was timely and polite. The food was good and plentiful. Pleasant, sensible decor was accompanied by appropriate, yet not overpowering lighting in the restaurant. I had a satisfactory experience with the staff, food, and the basic atmosphere of the restaurant.
