• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
      • Advertise
    • Facts About Kentucky
      • Kentucky Geography 101: Where is Kentucky?!
      • Kentucky’s Lakes (Listed Alphabetically)
    • Famous Kentuckians
    • Kentucky Birds
      • Joys of Bird Watching
      • Bird Watching: Keeping a Journal
      • Backyard Birds Love Water!
      • Create a Backyard Bird Watching Haven
      • How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
    • Kentucky Food
    • Kentucky History
    • Sitemap
  • Pictures
  • Restaurants
    • Best Catfish Restaurants
    • Best Pizza in Ky
    • Best BBQ in Ky
    • Bowling Green Restaurants
    • Gluten Free in Kentucky
    • Kentucky Lake Restaurants
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Owensboro, Gluten Free
    • Owensboro Restaurants
    • Where to Eat Lunch in Owensboro
  • KY State Parks
    • Carter Caves State Resort Park
    • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
    • Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
    • Kenlake State Resort Park
    • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
    • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
    • Rough River Dam State Resort Park
    • Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
    • Pine Mountain State Resort Park
    • John James Audubon State Park
    • Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
    • More Kentucky State Parks
  • Things to Do
    • Grand Rivers Variety
    • Kentucky State Parks
    • Kentucky Lake
      • Kentucky Lake Pictures
    • Land Between the Lakes
      • Elk & Bison Prairie
      • Golden Pond Planetarium
      • The Homeplace
      • The Nature Station
      • LBL Pictures
        • Elk and Bison Prairie Pictures
    • Windy Hollow Campground and Speedway
    • Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
    • Smothers Park and Owensboro’s Riverfront
    • The Hitching Post
  • Events
You are here: Home / Kentucky Cities / Owensboro / Authentic Mexican Food at its Best: Real Hacienda in Owensboro, Kentucky

Authentic Mexican Food at its Best: Real Hacienda in Owensboro, Kentucky

April 11, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Real Hacienda Pollo Loco
Anytime I write a Real Hacienda (Owensboro) review, I run the risk of being overtaken by an intense craving for their rice, chips & salsa, grilled chicken tacos, cheese dip, refried beans, and Pollo Loco.  This time is no different – I just started the review and the cravings are already hitting.  I think I’d walk across glass right now for some of their cheese dip.  Words can’t even describe how amazing it is.

Real Hacienda has two locations in Owensboro (3023 Highland Pointe Dr, off of HWY 54 and 4820 Frederica St), and each one is out of this world delicious.  Of all the authentic Mexican restaurants I’ve eaten in, I believe Real Hacienda has the best salsa. It’s consistently great and the chips are always fresh and crunchy.  The complimentary chips and salsa are just one of the things I love about restaurants like Real Hacienda. It just seems extra cool, to me, to give your guests something “on the house” like delicious chips & salsa as a show of gratitude for choosing them over every other restaurant in town.

Frankly, I think it’s a sign of graciousness that all other restaurants should copy.

Two of my three daughters are absolutely OBSESSED with Real Hacienda, so when it’s their birthdays, we don’t even have to ask where they want to eat.  We simply write Real Hacienda followed by about 8 !!!!!!!s on the calendar and look forward to fantastic food.

The Real Hacienda on Frederica is the one we frequent the most – simply because it’s closer to us. In fact, it’s one of our favorite places for lunch.  Their grilled chicken tacos (soft shell or hard shell) are fantastic, as are their bean burritos and cheese enchiladas. It’s always tough to decide which one sounds best.

I love when you go to a restaurant so regularly that the servers and hosts or hostesses recognize you.  There are several at Real Hacienda who say, “Diet Coke” before the words even come out of my mouth. They’re always very friendly at both locations, too.

The pictures in this post are from a recent dinner at Real Hacienda. I almost always order Pollo Loco because it’s extraordinary. The tender, flavorful chicken blows me away every single time and the rice is possibly the best rice in the world.  It’s great every single time. I’m also wild about the guacamole salad on the side.

Naturally, the most important thing about a restaurant is the quality and taste of their food, and both locations of Real Hacienda are consistently fantastic.  However, there are a few “extra” qualities I judge restaurants on (whether I’m choosing where to eat or writing a review).

  1. I like to feel like I”m getting a good amount of food for my money. Come on, times are tough, and no one wants to be taken advantage of when it comes to their money.  Real Hacienda is one of the absolute best deals around. The food’s VERY reasonably priced and you get a generous amount of everything.  I’ve noticed over the past few years (with a cranky economy) that several restaurants have been giving less and less food. A few of my favorites have been the worst about it, actually. You can also tell a difference with appetizers in most restaurants – you get far less than you used to but, by no means, have they lowered the prices. Real Hacienda (along with Olive Garden, Beef O’ Brady’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and a few others) has never cut back on their serving sizes and never compromised the quality of their food. They haven’t adjusted the prices either. Like the rest of us, they’re simply riding it out while still doing right by their customers. I’ve got a ton of respect for the few restaurants approaching hard times that way. Respect and loyalty.  Real Hacienda is simply one of the best deals around for great food at a great price. PLUS, they throw in all the chips and salsa you can eat!
  2. I like clean, attractive restaurants. Both Real Hacienda locations are gorgeous. They’re absolute works of art and the more you look around, the more you find to love.
  3. I love servers who are friendly and on the ball. Real Hacienda servers are both.
  4. Certain restaurants are simply more enjoyable to eat in than others.  I’ve mentioned it before, but a pet peeve is when hosts/hostesses sit you right beside another full table when there are tons of tables to choose from. Oddly enough, I’ve never had that happen once at a Real Hacienda. They seem to gravitate toward giving you a table where YOU’LL be the most comfortable as opposed to where THEY want you.  The tables and chairs are large and comfortable, the ambiance is relaxed and fun – they’re just really cool places to enjoy a great meal.

The next time you’re in the mood for great food, a great deal, and an all around wonderful experience, head for one of the two Real Hacienda locations in Owensboro (3023 Highland Pointe Dr, off of HWY 54 and 4820 Frederica St).

Real Hacienda Salsa and Chips

Filed Under: Owensboro, Owensboro Restaurants, Restaurant Reviews, Where to Eat Lunch Tagged With: Authentic Mexican Restaurant Owensboro, Kentucky Restaurant reviews, Owensboro restaurant reviews, Owensboro Restaurants, restaurant reviews


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to Genuine Kentucky!

Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

We’re proud Kentuckians and the non-profit effort you see before you is a labor of love.

E-mail me anytime! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Blog Updates

The Pond Grilled Shrimp and Baked Potato.

Delicious Grilled Shrimp at The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky If you're anything like me, you LOVE to get out in all the hustle … [Read More...] about Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…

Beautiful Cardinal in Ice Covered Tree

Cardinal Riding Out the 2014 Ice Storm Can you believe it's been 8 years since the famous 2014 ice storm (well, it was … [Read More...] about Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty

The Pond Catfish and Baked Potato

Baked Potato and Grilled Catfish at The Pond One of my favorite Kentucky restaurants is The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky. I love … [Read More...] about The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine

Kentucky Lake - Winter at Lighthouse Landing

Lighthouse Landing at Kentucky Lake If you were a regular reader of Genuine Kentucky, you know all too well that we've been … [Read More...] about Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!

The Kentucky Legend Cafe

Photo Credit: The Owensboro Convention Center My youngest daughter, Stephany, often talk about squeezing as much joy out of … [Read More...] about Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)

Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Planetarium

The Golden Pond Visitor Center Planetarium and Observatory International Astronomy Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022 and The … [Read More...] about Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)

Smothers Park Owensboro

Some of the more popular posts we've done on Genuine Kentucky have been the ones under the category "Where to eat in … [Read More...] about Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky

Gorgeous owl at the Nature Station

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station As I said in my last post, everything is coming back to life around Kentucky... everything … [Read More...] about A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

Follow Genuine Kentucky on Twitter!

Tweets by @GenuineKentucky


"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
Fraley Music Festival
Maddox

Kentucky News and Events

  • Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…
  • Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty
  • The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine
  • Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!
  • Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)
  • Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)
  • Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky
  • A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Restaurant Reviews

Where are the best Kentucky restaurants?! Find out in our Kentucky Restaurant Reviews.

Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Kentucky Events

The pandemic has crushed many activities, events, and normalcy – not just in Kentucky, but all around the world. As we creep back toward normal, I want desperately to highlight any and all events going on around Kentucky. Please E-mail me any information you’d like shared about your Kentucky event! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Pictures

Kentucky Pictures
Check out the beautiful Pictures of Kentucky in our photo albums!

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.
Copyright Genuine Kentucky 2022