Pizza Ranch in Platte, South Dakota

On a recent road trip from Minnesota to South Dakota, we stopped for dinner at the Platte, South Dakota Pizza Ranch. It was either this or Subway, so I opted for the Pizza Ranch, hedging my bets that they would serve...pizza. Platte, South Dakota is located in central South Dakota, where, let's face it, there isn't a whole lot going on. Food choices are few and far between, so Pizza Ranch, here we come!

Pizza Ranch is a chain restaurant found in small, Midwestern towns-which is probably why, prior to this, I had never heard of Pizza Ranch. It's not a fast food place, but it's not a traditional sit-down restaurant like a TGI Friday's, as you order from a counter rather than from a server.

We visited on a Tuesday night, around 7pm. The parking lot looked full, but when we walked in, only two other groups were dining. Turns out, there was a party in the Pizza Ranch's banquet room.

Pizza Ranch: Food

At Pizza Ranch, you order your food at the counter. You can choose from their menu items or you can opt for the buffet. The buffet is the best deal, so we went with that. Even though the place looked deserted, the food sitting in the buffet troughs was fresh and hot. They had about six different pizza choices, from cheese, to Hawaiian, to taco pizza. I tried a slice of pepperoni and a taco pizza. They also had pizza breadsticks, fried chicken, soup and a large salad bar.

Pizza Ranch: Décor & Ambiance

Talking about décor and ambiance in a rural South Dakota town sounds a little odd. Platte is by no means a cosmopolitan town - and the dining at the Pizza Ranch is probably as high class as it gets. Inside, it looks like a lodge, with exposed wooden beams, wooden tables and a chuckwagon-style buffet. They had plenty of seating, with booths and tables. Plus, there's a party room in the back, if Pizza Ranch is your choice for your next celebration. There isn't much of an ambiance, but at least they try. The restaurant was clean and tidy and we enjoyed dining here.

Pizza Ranch: Dessert

For dessert, Pizza Ranch has a self-serve soft serve ice cream machine. And it was amazing. I love some soft-serve ice cream and it's included with the price of your buffet. They have cones and bowls at the ice cream station. The downfall? No toppings. I love some rainbow-colored sprinkles and the Pizza Ranch does not provide them.

Overall

We enjoyed dining at the Platte, South Dakota Pizza Ranch and we would definitely come here again. But, I hope I never HAVE to come here again, simply because I loathe the boring state of South Dakota and the depressing small towns peppering the state. But if I ever find myself in Platte (heaven help me), I will come back to the Pizza Ranch.