Rancho Bar 7 Restaurant — Restaurant in Wickenburg

So we came here on 2/15 for gold rush days. only picked this place because it was the only spot without a hour wait. Honestly, we should of just went to taco bell! We are a family of 6 and when we went into the restaurant, we could tell they are not set up for bigger parties more than 4. The first hostess was the only good part of the place. Never got her name but she had long blonde hair, was wearing a blue shirt and a ball cap. they told us there was more seating on the patio that would fit us so we went back there. winding our way to the patio, it was more like an outdoor cantina. neat and hidden almost, but very crowded. we found an area in the back and waited, and waited, and waited. the 2 bartenders were too busy being, well bartenders. I had to go tho the bar and asked if anyone was there to take our order. she came over and took our drink order. WHY do people not write down stuff anymore, especially with big groups I dont understand! She brought our drinks and took our order, NEVER writing anything down and left. never asked us what sides we wanted, just assumed we wanted fries. So we waited, and waited, and waited. Seeing the place fill up mor and noticed that people ordering alcohol were getting better service and there food before us even when they arrived 30 minutes after us! So we are out of drinks and about to just walk out when the blonde girl starts giving us our food. she gives us half or food and then about 7 minutes later we get the other half when we tell her that our order is wrong. she said she would notify the waitress(bartender) about it. now we ordered 4 cheeseburgers, a large cheese crisp and a small Mexican pizza and chips and salsa. we NEVER got the chips and salsa, my wife's small Mexican pizza was a large "Mexican pizza" and they large cheese crisp was a small. The "Mexican pizza" was basically a supreme cheese crisp. Neither hers or my sons tortillas were cooked, looked like it was microwaved and both came out cold. The burgers were ok and fries were good, but nothing better than cheap fast food burgers. So my wife went to go complain to the manager which was the older lady we had been noticing hanging out with other customers. when she told her our issues, she never apologized, just stared at her and said "I DONT HAVE TIME FOR THIS! WHERE IS YOUR TICKET?! My wife told her we were still eating since at this point we were starving. her reply was "IM NOT DEALING WITH THIS, YOU CAN JUST HAVE IT FOR FREE!!!" and shoved her way between my wife and the blonde hostess. SO RUDE!! The blonde girl was very nice and apologized for the ladies actions. So my wife came back and told me what happened, we got up and waliked out. Do tell people they serve you on the patio, they dont unless you buy beer!! Well. tank you for saving us over 100 bucks on food not including tip!...

Arrived at 5:30, party of five. I was first to order, and yet when our food arrived at 6:19, my order was not among those served. Those served couldn’t get any silverware for another 11-12 minutes: when it did arrive, their food was cold. Our waitress asked me if I wanted another margarita, but the one I had was completely devoid of tequila — as were the others that came to our table — and I politely declined. Why anger the restaurant staff? I don’t want someone spitting in my food.

At 6:39, three of the four others at the table tried to get the attention of our waitress — but she ignored us. Repeatedly.

I didn’t make a scene; although disappointed: I wasn’t rude, impatient, surly, sullen, nasty, cold, naughty, and/or unfriendly… just hungry. I was properly dressed; didn’t smell bad; didn’t wear any clothing with political messages on it. I was just someone who sat quietly, frustrated, hungry, and expecting that in 1 and 2/3 hours, it was reasonable to expect that a simple burger and fries could be made and served to me. One quarter mile away, you can get a burger in fries at McDonakd’s in lesss than four minutes.

Finally, at 6:51, I got up from the table — my food hadn’t arribpved yet — and, finally gaining her attention, our waitress came up to me and asked if I was going to sit back down No, I explained, we came to dine before the movie and I was leaving to buy our tickets. She asked if I wanted to take some food from the salad bar but I declined, not thinking it a very good idea. Any further delay and we’d be late for our 7:00 show. I left, unfed.

She had our check, including the charges for my burger and fries.

No apologies; no explanations. No food, but here’s your bill.

This was only the third time I’d been in the restaurant since moving here three years ago. I don’t know any of the restaurant employees, didn’t know anyone in the restaurant, had never reviewed the food, drinks, service, prices, or ambiance. If the owners didn’t want me in the restaurant, they should have asked me not to enter, or to leave once seated. Not to worry: I’m never again setting foot in this restaurant. Never.

I will say this, however: the dirty, sticky table was an added attraction… at least for the flies.., but they aren’t much of a meal.

Whatever their mission statement, those working in this restaurant are confused about what they should be doing. I don’t know what they’re doing… and neither do they.

In conclusion, I usually post a photo of my meal… but would onky have a bare table...

My wife and I ate at the bar and had the pleasure of having service delivered by Jon (Jonathan). We’re from out of town and he was just as warm and welcoming to us as if we’d been coming there as locals for years. He greeted us promptly (pretty important in a bar situation), asked us if we planned on having food as well as drinks, and got our experience off on the right foot immediately. John was really helpful with menu knowledge and recommendations and he was personable and easy to talk to. Managed to check on us periodically despite having a pretty full bar room to manage. He did it all smoothly.

The food exceeded our expectations too! Sure I just got a burger and fries but the burger was excellent, juicy, cooked exactly to my medium well preference, and the bacon was memorably good (I just got American cheese and bacon). I liked having the pickles, lettuce, and tomato on the side and he even asked in advance what condiments I wanted (sometimes I have to chase down a server after they deliver the burger and ask for mayo or mustard, not here). The fries were pretty good as well.

My wife got the steak with rice and both were really good (the rice wasn’t all that hot in temperature but still really tasty). Steak really was delicious and done to perfect medium well again. The carrots that accompanied the steak were great too!

The friendly and welcoming ambiance didn’t stop with John, either. Every server and staff member we interacted with was great. We had a really great time here and plan to return here the very next day on our last night in Wickenburg.

Oh yeah the drinks were great too! I had a huckleberry peach margarita and my wife had an awesome whiskey (Pendleton Reserve maybe?) plus even the Pinot Grigio was good and really reasonably priced.

P.S. I appreciate that the receipt had the largest font on a restaurant receipt that...