Brooks Ranch — Restaurant in Atwater

We used to come here frequently, pre-Covid, and hadn't been back since they reopened but myself, sister, and two small children thought we'd have lunch here. Definitely big changes in staffing, customer service, and food. Personally, I believe the owner/manager cuts lots of corners. Primary language is now Spanish speaking, but okay whatever. Hostess seated us promptly, water, silverware, and 4 individual dollar store napkins. Waitress eventually got to us, placed order, smiled a lot but didn't speak a lot...lol... Child had macaroni and cheese (clearly Kraft from a box)., other 3 had house salad (fresh, crisp, and good) and soup. My claim chowder was definitely not even modified home-made; clearly out of a can. Garlic toast was okay. Those 4 napkins weren't cutting it. Our waitress was at the counter, leaning, slouched with arms crossed across her chest, shooting the breeze with a counter customer, very animated, giggling and talking a lot. Never even came to check on us. Finally, after wiping our mouths on sleeves, shirts, etc., I asked the hostess for a stack of good napkins! Took forever to get our food, but maybe there was a staffing problem in the kitchen. Just seemed unorganized, nobody was really hustling. And, the clincher, the middle aged bus-boy went to the ladies bathroom and using his fist, pounded on the door yelling something in Spanish; this was an FBI-fist pounding. Moron. My sister was in there with the small child helping me to the bathroom. She came out and asked WTH was that. Jerk! Hey, we don't fist pound in this country. It's too bad because this town needs family-style coffee shops. Not sure...

Friday they had ribs and 3 fried shrimps special. The fried shrimp was good. Normally I don't like to order fried shrimp at restaurants as most of the time it is more batter than shrimp. Except in this case it was the perfect amount of batter for the shrimp. I was very happy with the pork ribs. I have been wanting to eat ribs on my birthday and the place we went was a big disappointment for me. That was a few months ago. The ribs I had at Brooks Ranch made up for it. The sauce was not to sweet and was not dripping with sauce. It was just enough to enhance the ribs and not overpower them. The baked potato with sour cream and chives was good but thought the potato could of been baked just a tad longer. The green beans had a nice flavor. My only complaint that I would of liked a little larger portions. (Not that needed a larger portion. )

They also had...

Great place to go for the senior menu. They have good choices at reasonable prices. For the senior meals you get a soup or salad included with the meal, instead of ordering your salad separate. It's very popular for the seniors that live in the area that go there for the prices and the food. For those that's been there in the past that moved away it's a good place to stop on your way back through. The waitresses are always friendly and very patient for those who have a hard time making up their minds. I've been going there for many years. even though I moved further away from Atwater long ago, my friends and I drive over from Merced and went in quite often for lunch for dinner. The cooks have changed off and on over the years however the food has remained very good. Give it a try...