Ramones Mexican Resturant

[Curt Crepps]

I grew up in collinsville il.On south jefferson.I was wondering if Ramones is still around. Back in the 70s they were accused of using alpo dog meat. I remember there was a big stink over this.But curious if they are still around?

[Dr D]

Yep, it's still there. I don't much care for it though. I never heard of the alpo dog meat story. Was that urban legend or was there actual documentation of it happening?

[drake g]

I think there may be a article in the news paper. It was a long time ago. My mother worked there.And I use to go there quite a bit as a child.

[Sean]

My girlfriend and I went there tonight and it was horrid! When you walk in the door, the smell of urine about knocks you over! The bathrooms are located in the vestibule with no ventilation... bad first impression. I have never heard, nor would I believe they used Alpo, but the food was pretty horrid too. The chips were ok, the salsa tasted canned and was just too hot to eat! I like it hot, my girlfriend doesn't, but even I couldn't handle it! The prices were about 2-3 times that of my regular Mex place. I ordered some burrito thing that was totally bland aside from lots of SALT and some cheese that reminded me of a bad chest cold, and cubes of pork that may have been salted and preserved in the 70s. She had shrimp fajitas (which were over $18 and small) the shrimp were rubbery, the veggies underdone, the beans bland... it wound up costing about $75 for the two of us.$17 for a pitcher of margeritas that tasted like a bottle of sour mix had been used and nothing else, and Coronas at $3.75 a piece. It's like this place doesn't realize that there are competing real restaurants in town! We both said out loud, HOW does this place stay in business? It's been there for over 30, maybe 40 years... I do know that the state porkers are there every day for lunch... they must have SOME kind of raquet going... it must be a front for something... usually the cops around here are in on it, if it's dirty!

[what you said]

Ramones is FANTASTIC. these blogs are full of hateful mistruths. I have been dining there for 20 years and it is the best Mexican I have ever had. The Margeritas are terrific .
any idiot that would refer to The State Police as porkers makes a case for his or her on validity as a human b eing that any would listen to.
The reason the place has been busy for 25 years speaks for it self. How does it stay in business....because people spend their money in the place. Why ? because it is good. Find the Alpo story ...

[Just Me]

Ramones is awesome!!!!!! I worked at the one in Fairview that the brother raymond and Carlos owned but the one in Collinsville is just the BEST. I live in Granite and tried every single Mexican Restaurant we have here in town (which is alot) and none compare to Ramones

[JJJ]

Agreed, Ramones has the best chimi in town. Their salsa is too hot. But I will continue to go there for the awesome chimi's.

[Steve]

It's a great restaurant.... but, you should hold your breath for the 1st 20 feet past the door. On Fridays they have a Mariachi band- pretty cool. I think the food is better than the other "chain" mexican restaurants- like Chevys.

[redgirl1423]

i knew romone for years, even when he ran el praisos and when he was running his resterant the food was great, i havent been there in a couple of years but anytime we visit collinsville i have to stop in and eat, its always been good when ive been there.

[WHO CARES-------]

BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN THE METRO AREA IF U ASK ME

[Tamale]

In my personal opinion. La Fonda in Glen Carbon has the best mexican food. Haven't had Ramons since 92-93ish.

[Moo]

Ramones food is AWSOME. I've been going there for about 20 years and its the best mex restaraunt in the metro area, believe me I love Mexican food and I try any place that serves it and by fare Ramones is THE BEST.

[Rocks Rules]

I eat at Romons most every time I'm in Collinsville.
I have been going there sence I could walk.
There was a place in Fairmont that had really good food too. I not sure but I think the name of the place was the Canteena. Romans has great food unlike the fast food chains. There are some want to be's out there but Romans is far better.

[WhatWhatInDaButt]

I was eating some Mexcian there last night she seemed clean to me.

[SlashJacksonBeat it]

Best Mexican around. Older building, current remodeling work. Good for a big group of saltwater people to hang out.

[Katrina]

I love the food! But yes, it is dirty and a little over priced for the ambiance. Watch your bill. It is fairly common for mistakes in the restaurants favor especially when you are in a large group. Not some place you want to go to impress your friends but it is very authentic and tasty.

[noc10]

what you said wrote:

Ramones is FANTASTIC. these blogs are full of hateful mistruths. I have been dining there for 20 years and it is the best Mexican I have ever had. The Margeritas are terrific .
any idiot that would refer to The State Police as porkers makes a case for his or her on validity as a human b eing that any would listen to.
The reason the place has been busy for 25 years speaks for it self. How does it stay in business....because people spend their money in the place. Why ? because it is good. Find the Alpo story ...

i've eaten there many times over the yearsand have found the place to be a little inconsistant. sometimes it's been great and at others not so much.
the problem with the restrooms stinking up the place that another poster mentioned is a fact. i've walked into the place at times and thought I was in the sewer plant. they really need to deal with that.

The main reason I am posting though is because you appear to not believe the Alpo story is real. It is real. I remeber the incident and as another poster said, it WAS quite a big deal.

the situation was that the health inspectors found a large pile of cases of canned dog food in the food storage area of the resturant, which is a HUGE violation. The owners explained that they own several large dogs and buy food in bulk and just stored the food there...I don't think that they ever proved that the dog food was served in the resturant.
I personally doubt that it was true, as IMO it is highly unlikely that out of all thier customers, none would notice the difference between fresh meant and canned beef by-products. I know I would.