Michael LaRue

Review of The Ranch Restaurant and Saloo...

My experience at The Ranch was sort of a mixed bag...

My experience at The Ranch was sort of a mixed bag. On one hand, the place did have the ambiance and cleanliness that I would desire out of a restaurant (and the fashionably high prices can be justified if the food was worth it, which it can be if you've got a good cook.) But the place wasn't too fun for anyone who isn't a "concert cowboy" who likes to have a good time without worry about a litany of rules.

My personal experience was something like this: I went in on a weekend and had to pay a small cover to enter ($5.) I want to peruse the gorgeous dance floor they have, but I'm not a trained line-dancer so I can't step on it (seriously, this would be like going to a concert hall and not being able to go on the floor and instead stand to the side of the stage.) Also, if you're wearing "baggy" clothing, t-shirts with no collar, shorts, bandana, or a backwards hat, you may be either denied entry or asked to leave. I sat down at the bar (which was well stocked and had sports on) and managed to place my dinner order. While my server wasn't rude, he was definitely more interested in cavorting with the other guests (who may have been regulars) as opposed to making me feel welcome for my first trip to The Ranch. The food came and it was good - Had a chicken sandwich that was actually pretty enjoyable. Went outside to get air and that's when the over-zealous bouncer told me that I wasn't allowed to leave if I wanted to go back in. Considering that I paid a cover and had my wrist stamped, I was kinda taken back by this. I then decided to leave, because while the food and ambiance was nice, I simply wasn't able to have any fun there.