Way Over Rated
I've been to this place three times, in 1981, 1996 and 2002. I fail to grasp the mystique of this place, God forbid if you don't have a reservation, and don't even think of asking for a lousy baked potato if you didn't call ahead to reserve one. You are relegated to fries for your ineptitude. Steaks are greasy, tough, salad is non-descript with dressing in a plastic cup. Oh, and the heat and serve Mrs. Bairds rolls are especially breath taking. Waitress was rude and unattentive. Maybe that's why I've only eaten here three times in the past 21 years. Two small steaks will set you back well over $50.00, you can get a far better and more equisitely prepared meal at Lawry's Prime Rib for that, and have change left over.    [15 Apr 2002 11:47:09]

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     ­J. May   Txlippitt at aol dot com

Been There
Your review is right on. They showed me a plastic coated review from some
magazine declaring their establishment as one of the ten best steak houses in the universe. Man I'd hate to eat in the rest of them if that is one of the ten best. However, their homemade hand milled soap is another matter. One swipe of their soap across the skin and when you rinse you are squeeky clean. Their soap is like cinnamon and lavinder etc. and the sucker wears like steel. A bar will last two month and does not melt before your eyes like that store junk. I give their soap a five star rating. Their meals a two... Have a nice day, Hubert.    [31 May 2002 09:24:25]

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     ­Anonymous   

Totally Unimpressed with Everything
Thought it interesting that the last person to comment was May of 2002...
They might be interested to know that NOTHING has improved since then. I think ANY other Steak House could top the Ranchman's Cafe in just about every department! Although the actual server that I had was very nice courteous & attentive...he couldn't make up for all that was lousy. And.....if all of that wasn't bad enough, we were serenaded by a banjo player with accompaniment of a novice harmonica player ??? How quaint, but not my idea of enchanting !!! Save your money, hit a McDonald's = it couldn't be any worse !!!    [27 May 2004 09:33:34]

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     ­J. Schriewer   

LOUSY
Heard about this place for years and decided to check it out. The place is dirty, the food is lousy and the prices are steep. Service was Okay, but nothing special. If you have time, check out the kitchen exhaust fan on the west side of the building- I'm surprised that the place hasn't burned from a stray spark hitting all that grease! It's particularly attractive on a hot day.    [27 Jun 2006 10:17:28]

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     ­stanwyck   

Bullseye!
I agree. I just don't see the charm in this dirty place. I live in Ponder and have eaten at Ranchman's several times. Their pan fried steaks are terrible, their booths are uncomfortable and everything tastes the same like chicken fried steak. I refuse to eat their salads out of those antique wooden bowls, they give the lettuce a fowl taste. We went in for lunch and actually waited over 20 minutes before being greeted by their server who apprently found the want ads more intriguing than making a buck or two, we actually had to get up and serve ourselves our own drinks. Dave had the only game in town and has been asleep at the wheel for some time. With the new eateries popping up ( two in less than 6 months) and more on the way he should be nervous. He's lost his chef and cannot seem to keep good help. I absolutely hate it    [02 Aug 2007 15:28:35]

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     ­ponderite