Ranch Hand BBQ Restaurant in Dallas Review

Set in a quaint, brown building with a smokestack on the roof, this relaxed restaurant features the finest in good Southern home cooking. For a business that catered President Bush's inaugural ball in Austin, they remain humble and down home.

Entering you will see a display of Western décor on the walls, including various types of barb wire samples, brands, and old black and white ranch photos. A large fish tank near the checkout and a wishing well in the center of the dining area make up the décor of Ranch Hand BBQ. Low volume country music plays in the background. Nothing fancy, but the atmosphere is quiet and friendly and you'll feel like you've just entered Mom and Pop's country kitchen.

Their menu, which also offers a children's menu, will set your mouth watering. Juicy hickory smoked brisket, sausage, pork ribs, and ham, as well as deep fried catfish rolled in a special corn meal, chicken fried steak smothered in old fashioned country gravy, and fried jumbo shrimp are just a few of the specialties to choose from. A vast array of vegetables includes, but is not limited to, the best mustard potato salad, cole slaw, pinto beans, and fried okra around. Country desserts like Peach Cobbler, Buttermilk Pie, Chocolate Pecan Pie, and Bread Pudding entice you to try two or even three! The entire meal tastes just like what Grandma used to cook up on the farm.

Ranch Hand's buffet is my choice. All the foods mentioned above, along with tender roast and a nice selection of side dishes including squash, green beans, green salad, fruit salad, and banana pudding invite you to taste them all. If you're a bread lover, warm, homemade rolls enhance the meal.

I've never seen this small town restaurant crowded so there's no wait for seating and the atmosphere is always relaxed. Wait staff are friendly and helpful but not annoying as in some restaurants where they hover over every bite. Prices are reasonable. Diners can easily walk away stuffed on a meal fit for a king for under $15.

For those who are in too much of a rush to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant offers barbecue by the pound, side dishes, homemade bread, and family sized desserts to go. Ranch Hand BBQ is also available to cater special occasions.

I highly recommend Ranch Hand BBQ to anyone looking for a top notch dining experience. Easy to find on Hwy 80 near downtown Terrell, this is my favorite place to eat when I'm in the Dallas area.