Honestly almost drove right past Mountain Ranch Bar and Grill this Saturday. Took the truck out for a spin on a whim, figured I’d head towards the hills. Saw their wooden sign swinging in the breeze – “Live Music & BBQ Specials!” – and my stomach basically made the decision for me. Slammed on the brakes harder than I meant to, gravel crunching under the tires as I pulled into the dirt lot. Place already had a decent crowd gathered.
Walked straight towards the covered patio area – couldn’t miss it. Giant banners hung everywhere:
- Weekend Nacho Mountain: $12.99 (Feeds 2-3!)
- Local Brews on Tap: $4 All Weekend
- 2pm Live Guitar Sets by Jed Waters
- Sunday Brunch Buffet: Bloody Mary Bar Included
First mission: securing a spot near the music. Shoved through a group near the bar – polite shoving, ranch-style shoving – snagged a wobbly picnic table right up front. Flagged down Brenda (name tag alert!), the server who looked like she could wrestle a bear and win. Ordered the nachos and grabbed a local IPA. She was back faster than I expected, plunking down a platter the size of my steering wheel loaded with chips, gooey cheese, ground beef, jalapeños, the works. Brew was ice cold, perfect. That IPA was surprisingly smooth for a local place, maybe Pine Ridge Brewery? Tasted like it.
Right on schedule, Jed fired up his guitar. Dude knew his way around some country classics. Started strumming a Garth Brooks tune, and half the patio erupted. People were stomping boots on the wooden deck, singing off-key, spilling cheap beer everywhere – the good kind of chaos. Finished the massive nachos mostly myself (partner was still driving back from visiting family).
Decided to explore the rest of the “deals” firsthand. Wandered inside. Place smelled like decades of woodsmoke and fried onions. Pool tables were packed, older crowd huddled over dollar bills near the jukebox playing old rock. Made my way to the long bar. Old guy with suspenders nursing a whiskey muttered about Jed being “too modern.” Bartender shrugged, offered me another $4 IPA. Figured I’d drive later, why not?
Scoped out the merch corner – they had dusty caps and faded trucker hats with the ranch logo. Almost bought one ironically. Saw a chalkboard near the restrooms advertising the Sunday brunch: all-you-can-eat biscuits & gravy, waffle station, scrambled eggs – “Includes ONE Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary or Mimosa!” – $19.99. Made a mental note to maybe bring the family tomorrow morning if we were feeling rough.
Hung out till Jed packed up around 5. Talked to a couple visiting from the city looking bewildered by the line dancing but loving the cheap pints. Paid Brenda at the bar – cash only, by the way, small place remember? Walked back to the truck under the fading sun. Could still smell barbecue smoke clinging to my jacket. Total cost: Nachos, three beers, plus tip? Right around thirty bucks for a whole afternoon of messy food and decent music.
Fun Fact: Their wall decor is exclusively taxidermy bucks staring intensely at the nacho platters. Felt judged the whole time I ate.
