Harris Ranch Prime Steakhouse — Attraction in Coalinga

This is the first time in my life I’ve felt compelled to leave a negative review. With two small children, we rarely get the chance to dine out. But today, to celebrate my mother’s birthday, we made the effort to book a reservation and drove over an hour to enjoy what we hoped would be a special evening. We had reserved a table for four, as our oldest child would be dining with us. When we arrived, we were shown to a small table already set for two, perhaps three at most if you squeezed. Assuming there was a mistake, we politely pointed out that our reservation was for four people. To our surprise, the server insisted this was indeed the table reserved for us. Still believing this must be an error, we asked to speak with a manager. Enter Pam, who, from the moment she approached our table, made it clear she had no interest in addressing the situation professionally. With a frown on her face, she immediately launched into explaining how this table could supposedly accommodate four, or even “Five” people. This claim was baffling, as seating four at that table would require pulling an extra chair into the aisle, blocking the walkway, and ignoring the fact that the table itself was far too small to hold plates for more than three people. Before we could finish explaining our concerns, Pam interrupted to say she was “too busy” and that this was the best she could offer us. She then walked away mid conversation, leaving us stunned. I’ve dined at countless restaurants, and I have NEVER experienced such dismissive and unprofessional behavior from a manager. While we wanted to leave immediately, we didn’t want to ruin my mother’s birthday. Reluctantly, we stayed. At one point, we asked another server how many people typically dine at this table. She replied, without hesitation, “Two to three.” This, of course, completely contradicted Pam’s earlier assertion that the table could seat “Five”. The food itself was decent, but by then, Pam’s attitude had soured the entire experience. Instead of enjoying a special meal, we simply wanted to finish quickly and leave. To make matters worse, a server accidentally dropped a plate of baked potatoes right next to my child. While accidents happen, and the server apologized profusely, Pam—who was standing right there—said absolutely nothing to us. Not a single word. No “Is your child okay?” or even a perfunctory “I’m sorry.” Instead, she frowned even harder, barked orders at the server to fetch a mop, and walked away without so much as glancing in our direction. Pam, as a manager, do you truly believe it’s acceptable to not acknowledge or address a situation like that? I wasn’t expecting grand gestures—just basic decency. Instead, you avoided eye contact with me for the rest of the night.

We will never return to this restaurant. And to anyone who asks, I will happily share how a manager managed to singlehandedly ruin what should have been a joyful and memorable...

As a connoisseur of fine dining experiences, I recently embarked on a culinary adventure at Harris Ranch and Resort, and it was truly an unforgettable journey. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm hospitality that made me feel like I had found a new home away from home.

Let’s talk about the delectable offerings that graced my palate. To start, I delighted in their signature appetizer, the Rancher’s Bruschetta. This delightful creation featured a medley of fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic, perfectly complemented by a drizzle of balsamic reduction. It was a tantalizing symphony of flavors that set the stage for the culinary delights to come.

For the main course, I indulged in their mouthwatering Filet Mignon cooked to a perfect rare. Each bite was a revelation, with the tender meat melting in my mouth and leaving a lingering savor that will forever remain etched in my taste buds. Paired with this exquisite dish was their exclusive house cocktail, the Rancher’s Refresher, a refreshing blend of locally sourced citrus and a hint of herbal notes that perfectly balanced the richness of the steak.

As a self-proclaimed dessert enthusiast, I simply couldn’t resist trying their divine creation known as the Chocolate Decadence. This heavenly treat featured layers of velvety chocolate mousse and moist cake, topped with a rich ganache and accompanied by a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream. It was a symphony of chocolate that left me in a state of pure bliss.

Beyond the exceptional food and drink, what truly sets Harris Ranch and Resort apart is the genuine connection they forge with their guests. From the attentive staff to the personable chef who visited my table, I came as a stranger and left as a friend. Their passion for their craft and commitment to creating memorable experiences shines through every interaction.

Harris Ranch and Resort is not just a place to dine; it’s a destination that captures the essence of hospitality and culinary excellence. The ambiance is refined yet inviting, the service is impeccable, and the flavors are nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you’re seeking a romantic evening or a celebratory gathering, Harris Ranch and Resort is a haven that will leave you enchanted and craving for more.

In conclusion, my journey at Harris Ranch and Resort was a culinary revelation, where strangers become friends and every dish tells a story. If you’re seeking an unforgettable dining experience that combines exceptional cuisine, personalized service, and a warm ambiance, look no further than Harris Ranch and Resort. It’s a place where dreams become reality, and memories are crafted with every sip...

We had reservations for 5pm,and we were amazed at the crowd of people waiting for the restaurant to open. We were promptly seated in a very comfortable dining room. No tables were right beside us, giving us pleasant privacy and quiet. The decor of wood and green-painted walls was beautiful, too.

I told our server from the start that I didn’t want to order an appetizer because I was saving room for the bread pudding for dessert. We were soon brought a basket with hot rolls and butter. Wow, were these rolls good, very soft. I enjoyed a La Dama Rosa cocktail while my husband had a Harris Ranch IPA.

The entree servings were generous. My husband had the prime ribeye with steak fries. He found it good, but not extraordinary. I had the mushroom risotto. I was immediately surprised that there weren’t a lot of mushroom, and what was there was diced. There was no way to tell what mushroom was what. The picture shows most of the mushrooms that were in the dish, though I dug around to find a few hidden ones. The overall flavor was good, the Parmesan nicely evident, but the texture didn’t vary a lot because of the mushroom size. It was also a heavy dish because it was mostly rice.

When the server returned and was surprised I did not want to take the abundant leftovers, I explained that there hadn’t been a lot of mushrooms, so there was none left in the rice. I didn’t expect her to return to say my dish would be comped 50%, or for the manager to come by and apologize, going on to give us a free dessert as well. I was a little embarrassed and taken off guard; my dish had still been tasty, after all--not ideal but not bad, either. I am left with a profound gratitude for their extraordinary customer service.

We ended the meal with the much anticipated almond bourbon bread pudding. I can say without hesitation that it was one of the best bread puddings I have ever had, loaded with layers of sliced almonds and perfectly soft and chewy bread chunks. The bourbon adds a distinct cleanness to the dish. I don’t know if they make their own ice cream, but the single scoop was luscious. Vanilla bean flecked every bite, and the texture was light as if it had been whipped. I would say that if you love bread pudding, it is worth coming here for that alone. They do change the menu every so often, though, so check to see if this kind is still available, though I imagine their other variations are extraordinary, too.

In all, a memorable meal with surprisingly attentive...