Pizza Ranch — Restaurant in Town of Pelican

I’ve been here numerous times with family, and it’s been a pleasant experience overall. I’d like to share a few observations from past visits as well as my most recent dinner this evening.

It is not a huge buffet, but the overall value is pretty good. Between pizza, chicken, sides, salad bar, desert, soda, etc. it’s more than enough to get a solid meal.

I’ve noticed the establishment is in a hurry to close. I appreciate the hostess informing customers at arrival that items will not be restocked when close to closing. It seems this message is shared with customers from about 45 minutes to an hour prior to close.

I was disappointed with the overall attitude tonight. I was meeting my family who had arrived at 7:30PM (10 minutes prior to me) and paid for my son and I. Upon my arrival, the doors were locked at 7:40PM, (20 minutes before close) even though my family had already paid for us and informed employees we were coming. The carry out door was also locked, and I had no access to speak with an employee. I sent a text to my family to let them know so they could let me in.

While entering and walking to the table, an employee asked if we were finished so they could put away the remaining buffet items for the night. I informed her that I hadn’t had a chance to get food or sit down yet (still at least 15 minutes before close). When I went up to the buffet, they were removing food as I was trying to put together a plate. They asked us again at 7:50PM if we were finished. Lastly, we were informed at 8:15PM that we needed to leave as they were now closed.

As a former server for more than 10 years through college and grad school, I can empathize with the end of shift morale and possible exhaustion. However, if the posted hours say open until 8PM, it is my understanding the doors should be unlocked, and food should be available to eat even if it’s not being replenished. It would also stand to reason that if a customer arrives during business hours, they should be given adequate time even past close to complete their meal. As a buffet style restaurant, turnover should be quick as there’s no ordering and personalized preparation. 8PM is fairly early, so employees should be able to leave at a reasonable time. Maybe consider altering the hours to state “closed at 7:30PM” with the current clean up schedule and structures. Additionally, maybe consider a standard operating procedure of waiting at least a half hour after close before asking customers to leave. When working in both corporate and family owned restaurants, they both gave customers at least an hour before informing them they were there past close.

Please accept my comments as ideas for consideration rather than criticism or complaints. This establishment has many positives and good potential. I sincerely give my best wishes for the future of...

We went on Kids Eat Free Night. Our kids were so excited but were extremely disappointed. Our favorite thing about Pizza Ranch (we have been to many and loved them all) is the cactus bread (the plain kind). After our dinner there was only fruit available, so we asked if we could get a plain. We were told they make it on a rotation and it would be 15-20 minutes. That 15-20 minutes turned into 35 minutes, and when it came out it was half plain/half chocolate. There are eight of us, so half of a plain cactus bread didn't go too far, especially since there was another woman (not in our party) waiting for it as well. We asked if they could make another one and they said no--we'd have to wait for it to come up in the rotation again. Since that is why we go to Pizza Ranch, we decided to wait one more round. After 30 minutes of waiting, we asked again and were rudely told that they wouldn't be making another one for a long time because they had too many drive through orders they had to fill??? I have no idea how those things go together and why fruit pizza was continually being made but they couldn't make plain, but when I pressed the issue respectfully, we were told we already got some. Isn't it all you can eat? I explained there were eight of us in our party and we only got 5 pieces to share between us, but we were told it would be "a long time." When I asked how long that would be they said it would be at least another 30-35 minutes. We left without the thing we came for most. So disappointing when you pay that kind of money. Second bad experience there. We will not be back. We'll keep going to the Ranches in Waupun (awesome), Fond du Lac, and WI Dells--we have nothing but GREAT...

Update Jan 2020: I have visited pizza ranch Rhinelander a few times after I noticed the “new management” sign. Had only one problem with my order which they corrected reasonably. The others were great and as expected. I’ve only done carry out since the previous issues but will give the buffet another chance. Editing #stars to reflect expectations of my carry outs. Will update and revise after a sit down buffet soon. The new manager and assistant manager have been pleasant and accommodating. My requests were honored. Food for carry out was hot.

Original post summer 2019: I grew up in the home of the pizza ranch... never thought I’d ever find one that deserved less than raving reviews.... we loved pizza ranch. Well this Rhinelander store one needs to go to northwest Iowa and learn from the originals and masters. This one wins their one star. Apparently if you’re not willing to spend $12 on a buffet you aren’t welcome in their restaurant. My spouse wanted buffet, I only wanted one piece of chicken. But you can’t get anything less apparently... unless I wanted “salad bar”. And the server offered no other options. Servers weren’t friendly, except one older gentleman that smiled and greeted us. I’ll keep my love for pizza ranch and visit those elsewhere when we go visit. (PS.... I’ve never had an issue at other location stores getting one piece of chicken while sitting with a family member that...