Mesa Ranch

Recommends

austinite35

Joined 6 years ago

Will go back!. okay, first of all....I'm taking the time to write this positive review because it seems that when people have a good experience, they tell their friends. When people have a bad experience, the tell everyone (via the web) When reading other restaurant reviews, I feel that people too often seem to focus on the service, which I agree is a part of the overall experience, but when I read reviews...I want to hear about the FOOD! Not about some waiter that is probably not there anymore months or a year later! We just ate at Mesa Ranch and had a very delicious dinner. We ordered the seasoned chips, salsa and queso. The salsa was homemade and fresh. A little mild for my taste and maybe too much cilantro, but still good and fresh. The queso was very good....no complaints. I ordered the grilled pablano pepper with grilled shrimp and corn salsa. YUMMY. Although a warning...it is VERYspicy. And I like a lot of spice. The shrimp on it was grilled with tail-on and it was very tasty. I will get it again. The cesar salad that came with our meal (choice of house or cesar) was perfect. The greens were crisp and fresh, the dressing was the right amount and the cornbread croutons were a nice surprise (I would have liked to have seen a little more in our salad though) We ordered the 8 oz tenderloin with a side of hollandaise and added 6 grilled shrimp. The steak was top quality and like butter in your mouth. I will say that we ordered it 'medium" and it first came to us medium-rare. But those things don't bother me as long as the steak is yummy....and it was! Oh, on a side note, the bread and butter they brought out was great. Rolls and cactus shaped corn bread with flavored butter. I'm also a connoisseur of margaritas and they were tasty! I would suggest the frozen over the rocks though. We got there early and as we were leaving, the live music was starting, which apparently they have live music nightly. We will go back!

Recommends

crabgirl

Joined 6 years ago

Better than Sullivan's. Mesa Ranch is now our favorite place for steaks. We don't have to hassle with valet parking downtown and the service and food are wonderful. Love the cactus cornbread, the dinner salads (esp the homemade dressings and croutons) and the quail appetizer, as well. The steaks are wonderfully seasoned and cooked to perfection. The homemade desserts are to die for. We have been to dinner twice and are taking our son (the steak critic) tonight. The singer/guitar players are better than those in a lot of Austin's well known honkeytonks. The wait and hostess staff have always been very friendly and attentive.

2 thumbs up to one of Austin's best kept secrets and local gem!

Recommends

melons

Joined 8 years ago

Excellent food and meat, good ambience. The food here is excellent. Big portions of quality food. It's relatively expensive, but fairly priced for what you get. We got the elk sausage for appetizers which was soooo good. Just melts in your mouth. And we also got the fried cactus, not so special, I'd skip that one. I got the rack-of-lamb for dinner and it was delicious. Cooked just how I asked and lots of meat. The cocktails were also good. I am definitely planning to come back for my next special occasion.

Recommends

davebuoy

Joined 10 years ago

I'll give a 2nd chance. Stopped in for lunch and ordered the potroast. I guess I should have ordered a steak, everyone else seems to think the steak is great. The menu said with carrots ect but only specs of carrots were found mixed in with the meat. There was no gravy just the shredded meat, and it was almost watery. It came with mashed potatos and again no gravy, nothing on them at all not even butter. I used the leftover butter from the bread to top the taters. This plate of food was almost tastless, very disappointing. I'll try again but order something different.

Recommends

mike1710

Joined 6 years ago

Best Steak I've Ever Had. First off-Went to this Restaurant based solely off reviews from this websit. Tried to make a reservation at 7pm on a Saturday night. They were booked until after 8pm. Showed up a liitle early, didn't get seated until 8, but they had an awesome duet playing in the bar area, singing at just the right volume. The owner greeted us at the door, and after being seated, she insisted if there is anything wrong, tell her. The fried cactus is good, it's the batter that makes it worth it, you can't taste the cactus. Cornbread is delicious as well. I had the 12 oz stip with grilled vegetables, Medium well. I've eated at fancy steak places and not so fancy places. This is hands down the best steak I've ever had!!! Very small, but romantic place. I can't wait to go back to austin just to eat here!!!

Recommends

tiburone

Joined 7 years ago

Great place for steak. We decided to give this place a try based on all the great reviews. The food was terrific. We also recommend the fried cactus. The quail is also delicious. The hostess and waitress were very friendly. The hostess did warn us that the food is cooked with enough spice to provide flavor. I'm not big on spicy food and was a bit concerned. The food was seasoned perfectly with wonderful flavor. The only thing that could be improved was the Mexican martini. It was a bit too sweet for my taste. We look forward to visiting again.

Recommends

jchudson

Joined 7 years ago

Great example of good southern food. This is pretty close to Hudson's on the Bend without the long drive and the outrageous prices. The food was excellent, the wine list extensive and service superb. The menu was diverse so that meat eaters and vegetarians alike can enjoy. Can't wait to get back and try something new on the menu.

Recommends

skipjames

Joined 10 years ago

Great Place. There's not much more I can say that hasn't been said by my fellow reviewers. This is a Great Place to Eat and sit back and enjoy the Ambiance. If your a Born and Raised Texan then you'll truly enjoy Mesa Ranch and if you not a Born and raised Texan the you are in for a Great Surprize. My Family and I will always make time for this Restaurant. Sundays they have Live Music. Thumbs Up

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Undeniably Western in style and discerningly down-home in flavor.. In Short
The Southwestern-hued interior plays off the restaurant's name: horses, hats and lassos decorate the comfortable space. A well-stocked bar surrounded with leather barstools sits near the front while a quaint patio offers a secluded place to dine out back. The restaurant's traditional tables, set with sophisticated Western charm, set a pleasant tone. The menu explores the breadth of Western cuisine: crispy cactus spears fried in Shiner Bock, a 22-ounce bone-in ribeye and spice-rubbed pork tenderloin.

Recommends

sparkallee

Joined 7 years ago

User review by sparkallee. When I took my boyfriend to Mesa Ranch for his birthday, we had a great meal that was complemented by an attentive-but-not-pushy waiter, and wonderful live music. The menu is original, and the portions are generous. We tried the beer battered cactus and were very pleased with the presentation and taste. Same goes for the fresh rolls and cornbread that come with the meal. My boyfriend thought the mesquite grilled rib eye was excellent, and my plate of grilled chicken and pasta was delicious even as leftovers (that's how big the entrees were). I'm so glad we experienced this restaurant because it's now one of my favorites!