THIS is a most difficult post to make. I really really REALLY want to like the Ranch House BBQ. The business has a story that qualifies it for a country-western song AND a mini-series. The location is cool and the founders have won many-a-contest and I want to have a world-class BBQ joint within 20 minutes of my house.
BUT - they serve just OK food and it's expensive. REALLY expensive.
Example: yesterday we drove out for an early dinner and spent $78 with tip.
1 - PBR $3.00
1 - mixed drink for her $10
Onion Rings were excellent albeit a small plate $6.99
Pork & Chicken Combo (Friday special) w/small sides of beans & slaw $19.99
Sampler Plate of 1 scoop each of shredded pork & brisket, chicken quarter and 3 section rib tip w/small sides of slaw & tater salad $22.00
Total including $4.90 tax = $66.87 plus $11.13 tip (service was excellent) = $78.
Food
Slaw - simple, crunchy and apple cider vinegar-base = OK but small
Tater Salad - good texture but needed some seasoning = nothing special
Beans - open a can of good beans and serve= nothing special
Corn bread - small muffin 1 per plate - mild flavor, dryish and very dense = nothing special
OK now for the meat.
Brisket - shredded, not sliced - decent light smokiness but really nothing special.
Pork - pulled and a light smokiness but a residual flavor aftertaste that (see chicken)
Ribs - OK - decent smoke and very very light spice rub - OK
Chicken - oh my...the fire got away from the pitmaster cause Miss Laura took one taste and said: "There is an odd and off flavor." When I tasted mine it was the same and it was on the skin and in the meat...creosote. The fire got away or there was some problem with the pit or...they had the new guy doing it or...or...wait, let me taste the pork again...yep that's what it is. Less pronounced in the pork. Not on/in the brisket and not on/in the ribs. Isolated to the pork and chicken. YUUUUK>
This off-taste woulda been hidden by their tasty tangy sauce they supply to the table (thankfully not on the meat) but since we were able to actually taste the skill of the pitmaster in the chicken and pork...when the bill came the bad taste in my mouth worsened.
http://www.ranchhousebbq.com