Small Business Spotlight: Rancho Grande and Chukis Deli Mexicano

In DeSoto County, Mississippi, we love to eat good food! While we have all the Southern classics covered, we also have a few great Mexican restaurants to try when the craving hits. Abraham Valenzuela owns Rancho Grande and Chukis Deli Mexicano in Olive Branch. He discovered his passion for running restaurants more than 25 years ago and has been a fixture in the DeSoto County food scene.

Even before opening his restaurants, Valenzuela and his family spent a lot of time in restaurants – and it wasn’t because they were enjoying a lot of meals. They were the entertainment! Yep, that’s right. The Valenzuela family entertained guests across the Mid-South as a mariachi band.

Rancho Grande, Valenzuela’s first restaurant, is a traditional Mexican restaurant where you can get your fill of authentic dishes. Generous burritos, traditional tamales and flavorful enchiladas are only a few of Valenzuela’s specialties. Chukis is a Mexican deli-style restaurant with street tacos, tortas, quesadillas and more. (Rumor has it, the house-made chips are second to none!) In the fall of 2023, Chukis began opening at 7 a.m. to serve breakfast Wednesday-Sunday, so you can enjoy his creations all day long.

Ready to see (and taste!) what all the fuss is about? Visit either restaurant soon in Olive Branch!