The Ranch House — Restaurant in Santa Fe

On our trip to Santa Fe last week to celebrate our anniversary, I chose the first restaurant to eat dinner on our arrival day, June 12, 2025. The Ranch House. I chose it due to the name and the menu looked good with smoked meats. For starters I ordered a Jalapeno Cucumber Smash Mocktail - Blue Agava Ritual, Jalapeno & Cucumber, Fresh Lime & Lemon, Simple Syrup & Soda Water. Other than the jalapeno being overwhelming, it seemed like it would’ve been a rather refreshing beverage. I tried, but just couldn’t finish it, the heat was too much. For an appetizer my husband picked the Potato Skins from the Happy Hour Snacks since we were there before 6pm. Our reservation was actually at 5pm. Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, Bacon & Chives served with BBQ Ranch and Sour Cream. With the size of the potato skins they needed to be cut to eat and it was a bit awkward to do that from the serving plate. They were cold and our server didn’t bring appetizer plates, I had to ask for them. For dinner I chose the Brisket Plate. You’re supposed to be able to pick moist or lean. I wasn’t given the option from our server. My husband chose the Ranch House Platter. My brisket was dry, pre shredded and cold. Usually brisket is served sliced. It’s shredded for sandwiches. It appears I had a serving from the leftover pile. For my sides I had the Yukon Gold Potato Salad and BBQ beans. They were ok, the beans needed to be more tender. All meals are served with the Green Chili cornbread- that was pretty good, but cold as well. It would’ve been better warm so that the butter could’ve melted into it. The Ranch House Platter that my husband ordered had brisket, pulled pork, sausage and baby back ribs. His sides were Green Chili slaw and the Gold Yukon Potato Salad. The only thing that had flavor was the sausage. The ribs were tender and pulled away from the bone, but lacking in flavor. The ribs were also miniature sized, or cut in half which is unusual and disappointing when you’re expecting a full rib. He was not impressed with his meal either. My brisket that I smoke myself and my husbands ribs that he makes at home are better than this place. The food was highly disappointing. We can handle a mediocre meal if the service is good, but that was definitely lacking. Our server came by once to check on us, we had to ask for refills on our drinks and those took forever to get and then never had another refill after that. Our server was difficult to hear, she spoke so low I couldn’t hear her at all, my husband had to tell me what she was saying. We wanted to order dessert, but my husband finally was so frustrated he asked for the bill, paid and we left. The Ranch House is not a restaurant I’ll revisit, nor will I recommend it. Rudy’s, down the road, would’ve been a better option- we’ve eaten at several and were never...

There’s nothing like a house cooked meal.

Caleb, Cassey, and I needed some food after a 6 hour drive from Denver to Santa Fe. I made a list of local restaurants that sounded good to visit for my vacation in Santa Fe and my friends suggested The Ranch House. Both Cassey and Caleb say it’s one of their frequent stops for a dinner out on town and said it’s a local gem that they don’t want tourists to know about. But, that didn’t stop us from having a 30 minute wait when we got there Sunday night.

Once we got a table, we quickly ordered a water, beer, and an appetizer. While we sat there with our drinks and my friends telling me about how good the jalapeno cornbread is… we started to wonder where our appetizer was. The young waitress came over and took our orders and asked if we needed an appetizer or more drinks. We all got really confused but just rolled with it and didn’t mention anything.

Within 20 minutes, we had our plates of food in front of us and it looked good… but that appetizer was still missing. None of us said anything since we think the waitress was new and feeling pretty overwhelmed with how busy it was. We dug into our food with must gusto and tiredness of some weary travelers. I got the smokehouse bbq burger with the waffle fries and a slice of that much-hyped cornbread.

Each bite was pure bliss. This place knows how to cook a burger and cook it right… which happens to be medium rare, in my opinion. But, they will cook it to however you wish when you place your order. The waffle fries were a great accompaniment to the burger and that jalapeno cornbread was warm and every bit delicious as my friends said it would be.

Now to balance out the sadness of not getting the appetizer with a funny story. As we were sitting and chatting, I noticed a group of people walking straight towards our table. I noticed the person in front had a small piece of paper in her hand. I thought we were going to get some kind of unprompted sales pitch but… it was a sweet lady from Texas who got a $10 off voucher for her drink being messed up. She said she will never be back and thought we could use it. All she requested was a hug. I got up and gave her the biggest hug I could give and they even got Caleb to get up and give a hug, too! Their group took a few photos of our hugs and went on their way. I regret not getting them to send me the photos of the fun moment but it’ll live on in my memory as an example of southern hospitality.

The Ranch House was big on flavor with just a small miss on an unexperienced waitress doing her best.

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The Ranch House restaurant provides a delightful dining experience, combining a comfortable and inviting setting with impeccable cleanliness. Upon arrival, the warm and welcoming atmosphere is immediately noticeable. The option to choose between indoor and outdoor dining allows for a tailored experience, catering to various preferences and weather conditions.

Inside, the ambiance is cozy and well-designed, with decor that reflects a rustic yet modern aesthetic. The outdoor seating area is equally appealing, offering a relaxed and serene environment, perfect for enjoying a meal in the open air.

The highlight of the dining experience at Ranch House is undoubtedly the food. The barbecue brisket stands out with its tender, smoky flavor that melts in your mouth. Equally impressive is the pulled pork, which is juicy and seasoned to perfection. The queso and chips are a delightful starter, with the queso being rich and creamy, complementing the perfectly crisp chips. Each dish is prepared with evident care and expertise, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality and flavor.

Portion sizes at Ranch House are more than adequate, ensuring that diners leave satisfied. The generous servings mean that you get excellent value for your money, making it a great spot for both casual dining and special occasions.

Service at Ranch House is generally good. Our waitress, while slightly distracted by a large group, was still attentive and friendly. Her occasional lapses in focus were understandable given the circumstances, and it did not significantly impact the overall dining experience. Her efforts to manage a busy section while still providing service with a smile were appreciated.

In conclusion, the Ranch House restaurant is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking delicious barbecue in a comfortable and clean setting. The combination of outstanding food, ample portions, and good service makes it a standout option. Despite a minor service hiccup, our experience was overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to returning for another...