I have eaten at this restaurant for years and years. Before going this last time I mentioned I could not wait to have the chicken fried steak. My partner said what if it isn't any good? I said are you kidding. I have never had a bad meal at Rancho. Let's take that back. We went early to get a good table and see a show. My food was so terrible I had to spit it out. My partner tasted it and he will eat anything and he almost choked. It was full of grizzle. I complained to the server. I had a pile of spit up on my plate. They served it with a tablespoon of spinach and two tablespoons of potatoes. I don't like spinach. I got to eat the potatoes. They never offered to replace the entree with another or take it off the bill or even apologized. I even wrote on the receipt how awful it was. I will not be eating here again. Our tab was more than 50 dollars and I left hungry. Mind you this was cheap uneatable meat. That was the problem. How gross!!!!! They put themselves out as a white table cloth type of restaurant and then served junk. I know the economy is bad, but this was unacceptable.
Review Source:We had our wedding at Rancho Nicasio back in August 2012. Everything went so smoothly! They really worked with us on our budget and there were no surprises when it came time to pay the bill. On top of all that, the location is beautiful!
The wedding coordinator and caterer, Julii Ashby, did a fantastic job creating our menu and organizing all the little details of the day. Everything was so beautiful and the food was great!
Everyone was so helpful on our big day! The bartenders and servers were great! They even brought the wedding party little appetizer samples while we were off taking photos.
I would highly recommend Rancho Nicasio if you are planning a wedding.
I have been going to Rancho Nicasio for years. Â I kept my horse out in Woodacre and would go after a day of riding. Â We now live in Nicasio (have for a few years) and Rancho is our go to place for a number of reasons:
Don't feel like cooking? Run down to Rancho. Â I can get a crispy wedge salad with Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese, chicken fried steak, or an excellent burger... we've had almost everything on the menu (though I am most likely never going to order the Chinese chicken salad). Â Oysters on the half shell? Yes, Please. Â We often split the fish and chips or towering plate of nachos - sometimes you just have to go there.
All alone? Go to Rancho for a quick bite and good conversation with whomever you might run into at the bar - it could be an organic gardener, a visiting equine chiropractor from Hawaii, an LA industry person working at Skywalker, a local rancher or even a famous musician enjoying a low key evening. Â It is comfortable and safe and if you want conversation it is there, or you can relax and enjoy some peace. Â I love that I have gone in filthy, in my riding breeches, or after getting home from a business trip in a Chanel skirt and it really doesn't matter.
Music. Don't need to say much here - great music in the bar, or in the dining room (Lavay Smith to Asleep at the Wheel, Tommy Castro, Maria Muldaur...and some good  upcoming musicians) BBQs on the lawn during the summer are tremendous fun!
The staff. Â It has to be remembered that you are in Nicasio, the epicenter of Marin County. Â This is not Gary Danko, or Cafe de la Presse. Â It is a bit of a commute, and sometimes I imagine it is tough to know how many people might be coming in during the week, so they are sometimes short staffed. BUT, I have never received poor service. Â On the weekends it can get crazy busy, and I have still had great service. Â Sure, I have had to wait a few minutes for my drink, but that happens during shows at the Fillmore, or clubs. Â We're in the country - kind of like being in Italy or Paris, where it is not always about rapid service.
We went to see Bush Wacks and the Glass Packs play Dec 30 and went up to dance. When we returned my partners glass of wine was missing along with a t shirst we bought minutes ago from the band. This happened B4 Â to a friend whom had her purse stolen. The worst part was the staff wouldn't accept any personal responsibility for the missing T Shirt but replaced the wine. We noticed the dirt bag busboy was missing after this happened-hymm! Can't trust even people you pay for service anymore!
Review Source:Went there for brunch this a.m. Â Had eggs over easy, ham and substituted english muffins for toast. Â I was not disappointed. Â The ham was salty/sweet (maple?), a nice foil for the eggs. Â The potatoes that come with were seasoned and herbed. Â Excellent value for around $10. Â My friend has Eggs Benedict which she pronounced as wonderful. Â I deliberately steered away from salads and complicated food, cuz it doesn't look like that kinda place and was rewarded with a full yummy tummy. Â I didn't have coffee, but it did smell pretty good. Â If you get there @ 11 a.m., sit near the fireplace; it's a bit nippy.
Review Source:Well tip my hat and call me Slim Pickens!  What a great little surprise this little nugget was!  Filming up in Novato on the last day went for a little trek in the Forest (literally there is an amazing mystical forest off Lucas Valley Road), decided to stop and wet my whistle... So very rustic, carcasses mounted on the walls give you a bit of a chill up your spine however, greeted by a warm smile and a "whatt'l it be?" pulls you out of your episodic trance.  Warm crackling wood burning fireplace and  then you notice platinum and gold records covering the walls by the ceiling.  Ordered the local beef burger with homemade slaw and the "OMG" homemade chips.  Well, that  burger was purdy gosh darn amazing.  The beef was so fresh (explained by the very informative server that it was local organic beef that lived less than 20 miles away) I swear I "herd" the "herd" grazing.  And then there's the East Coast Snob I'm dining with.................yeah.  "The beef is good, real good BUT....I should have ordered the chips instead of the fries because they aren't hand cut like the ones on the east coast."  I snidely replied, "Well partner, keep yer cotton pickin hands of my chips!"  I noticed they do have weddin' receptions there and some nice BBQ pits in the back.  That would be a boot scootin, spur spinnin fun reception.  Not that I'm in the market..  :-P
Review Source:Food is good, mid range roadhouse feel. Think juicy hand made burgers, huge plates of nachos, and decent steaks. Full bar and good selection of beers on tap. a log cabin type feel with long table seating.
The real draw is the surrounding area, which is rural, scenic, and wonderful just to be in....yet 40 minutes from the heart of San Francisco. So arrive before sundown to enjoy the nice setting. The Little League field across the was perfects the view, especially when the 10 year olds are out there on their Field of Dreams.
Evenings can be lively and often with live music.
All in all, a comfortable, friendly spot worth a visit if you are nearby.
Honestly, if I could give this place 0 stars, I would. I will spare you all the details and make this much shorter than it actually was...I made a reservation for a show, and when I got there it took them at least 15 minutes to figure out what to do with me and how to seat me. I talked to 3 different people, none of whom knew what was going on. They just kept saying "stand over there". I waited and was finally seated. Then I left my seats for about 15 minutes to go get a drink at the bar (since no waitress was around to take my drink order). When I returned there were others sitting in our seats. The hostess actually seated someone else in our seats and took my scarf and hat that were on our chairs. I finally convinced the people that these were our seats. Â But then when I wanted food, it took at least 1/2 hour before I could get a menu from a waitress, and another 1/2 hour before I could get her attention to take my order. Then when she brought the bill, they over charged me by $20. I went to the manager, and she said that was my cover charge. I had already paid the $20 in cash at the door and had the wrist band on to prove it. She wanted a receipt for proof which they had not given me. My favorite part is when I asked to talk to her manager, she said that I should learn that the world doesn't resolve around me. Are you kidding me? I finally talked to the owner, who was completely rude and also wouldn't believe me that I had paid the $20 in cash. I have never had such a horrible experience in any restaurant in my entire life. I will never go back to this establishment again, I can promise you that. I have never written a bad review on yelp, but this one was well worth getting the word out about. If I were you, I'd stay far away from Rancho Nicasio
Review Source:There's not much choice out in Nicasio Valley. It's pretty much Rancho Nicasio or bust. The place is very mellow and the people there are super nice. There's a dim dark bar at the entrance and several dining rooms to the back including an area on the back patio. The food is meh to so-so. Nothing super exciting. I can't believe the review that said this was the best clam chowder ever (do not believe that, it's just standard clam chowder you find everywhere).
If you have to stop in the area for food, this is a not a bad choice. But if you have the option to continue on to Point Reyes Station or Tomales Bay you'll probably find better food.
Updated 12/10/2012 - Max from Rancho Nicasio contacted me, apologized and refunded my $51. Â Upgrading my original review from 1 star to 3 stars for the effort of trying to make things right.
Original review 9/13/2012 - Went to a BBQ concert there and pre-ordered tickets. Â We were told 3 times (twice on the phone and once at the door) that we would not be charged for unused tickets. Â Low and behold the charge comes thru on the credit card. Â After calling twice about this, I got nowhere with them. Â Congratulations, you win. Â Keep my $51. Â But you will never see a dime from me or my guests who probably spent $500 that night. Â Not to mention, the 20 other people I tell about this who won't frequent your establishment based on this review. Â I understand tickets are non-refundable. Â But don't tell people they are 3 times after and not live up to your word. Â It's the principal here. Â
Very disappointing.
I hadn't been to Nicasio in nearly 40 years when the wife suggested a spur-of-the-moment 4th of July visit to Rancho Nicasio. Â I'm glad she did -- it was a great afternoon with the Zydeco Flames and a nice BBQ in a shady back yard setting. Â Nice people, good 'Q, and great music to dance to -- what more could you ask for?
Review Source:We had been meeting friends for some years to enjoy a live music and barbecue experience with plenty of time for socializing and dancing, on
Sunday or sometimes Sat. afternoons anytime during the late spring to early fall.
I have never had anything but a good meal and do not know of anyone
else who did not like the simple choices in the barbecues {chicken or
salmon generally along with barbecued corn and potato, salad or
cole slaw.} There have been a few other things to munch on, but that
is as much as I remember ordering and eating.
But the big delight is a wonderful outdoor live music venue. If you love
an eclectic mix of roots music usually with a good touch of blues or bluegrass...and often with some rockin' 'n rollin' mixed in...you will
love most any of their weekend barbecue shows. They bring in some
really good talent. It is always fun to experience great live music
in a smaller, more intimate outdoor venue.
I have had good times and pleasant meals from time to time when
taking in live music in the evening. Again, was there for the music
but do recall I always enjoyed what I ordered there.
This place is out in the country, why wouldn't you expect to see the hunting trophies all over the place! Worn wood floors? The only thing missing in my opinion are the swinging doors into the saloon! Or maybe missed them! This place is one-of-a-kind.
Lots of seating options, the bar, the dining room or the patio.
Had lunch on the patio. They've got tables under the trees and some with umbrellas. We were offered menus and glasses of water with lemon in them right away (I guess we got there at a good time). Did see a whole lot of friendly motorcycle folks leaving as we arrived.
We ordered the vegetable soup which was okay, then we ordered a butter lettuce salad with a champagne dressing-Yum! and a Rueben sandwich-good too. I think they make their own potato chips (skins on) as they seemed a little moist and were tasty. The beer is cold! Service was top-notch from what I could see. Large portions.
If you're coming from the North, the ride through rolling hills, past a reservoir or two, California happy cows, native plants, cyclists and charming farms is part of the joy.
I hope to come back to attend a music venue sometime. BTW, the city of Nicasio is celebrating 150 years in May 2012.
So this place is literally located in the boonies. Â About two hours from Foster City so why the hell would I go all the way over here to have lunch?? Â Because this place is on the way to Point Reyes where I can find the best oysters around!! Â Just take a cooler and make a day of it :)
I have made this trek twice now and make it a point to stop here for lunch.  They have the best, I mean the BEST clam chowder ever and I would know because I have tried it everywhere.  Besides Tadich in SF, this place has pretty damn good chowder!  Two thumbs up for sure!! I have also tried the fish & chips and both times, the fish were fresh, crispy & not greasy (like some places) and the chips where fresh and big, just how I like them!  The meal does come with cold slaw and it's pretty good but that's just filler right??lol  My cutie pie had the prime rib sandwich and he said it was really good, not over done and very tasty especially with the salsa.
I do agree with some posts about the service but if you know the area and the whole 100 people that live around there, you would understand that it's a pretty casual place. Â If you are looking for a five star place, this isn't it~ fair warning! Â You seat yourself and may have to find a waiter to take your order so don't expect too much service wise. Â The food on the other hand, delish! Â Next time, I want to try the calamari and crab sandwich, maybe...
Rancho Nicasio is great!  I've been here many times for a long time and found that their french dip and their bbq pork ribs is what you come here to eat.  On a nice Marin summer day, come here and order a rack of pork ribs and you wont be disappointed.  I won't review on the true atmosphere of this place, since I never  come here for the countless concerts and dinners they host every year.  But that aside, Rancho Nicasio is one of my favorites and surprisingly one of my favorites for ribs as well!  You will enjoy taking the time to drive out in the Marin back country and stopping by.
Review Source:You know what sits at the exact center of Marin County? Â Nicasio. Â
With it's little "downtown" square, Nicasio is the closest thing to a frontier town experience you'll find in Marin. Â There's a dried up baseball field surrounded by a church, general store, post office, volunteer fire department, and Rancho Nicasio, the only dining establishment in town. Â Literally. Â A tumbleweed might even blow by as you exit your car. Â Â
Built in 1940 on the site of the old Hotel Nicasio, and stuffed full of animal "trophies" (deer heads, steer horns, and the like), this dark, damp, woody place with its boot-worn floor screams out for you to enjoy a stiff drink and some live music (inside or out in back during the summer). Â It's even got that stale bar smell. Â
In a place like this, I cast a disparaging eye on that lengthy, diverse menu. Â I imagine the one thing they can execute well is a burger and I'm not wasting anyone's time by seeing if they can really pull off a Cobb Salad, a Chinese Chicken Salad, or anything with goat cheese. Â I ordered up the Niman Ranch Burger, medium, with fresh onions ($10.95 at lunch) and was perfectly rewarded: Â A tasty burger sandwiched in a foccacia -like bun and a nice scatter of steak fries. Â Perfect, and I'm glad I didn't explore further; i don't think it would've been pretty.
They do have live music here as well as a full bar. Â If you're out for a drive in the country and want to see a place pretty unspoiled by time, Rancho Nicasio ("the hidden one") makes a good resting point.
I've driven out to this place at night for a birthday party, and the food was just all right. Â That being said, I thought it would be a good place to have lunch on our way to Point Reyes, and we stopped here. The decor is sort of funky-rustic, with animal heads and a big fireplace, so we thought we were in for some good comfort food. Wrong!
I ordered the BBQ beef sandwich--oh my goodness! I have NEVER returned food in my life, but at the first bite of the beef, it tasted like MOLD. Ugh--so gross. Just in case my recent head cold was affecting my taste buds, I asked the other person to taste it too. Same result--weird gross "off" taste, like the beef had been sitting around and went bad. Â I sent the food back, and, since by then I had already lost my appetite, did not ask for it to be replaced.
Some reviews say the food is a mixed bag or something to that effect, but seriously, if I'd have wanted to eat old food, I'd stay home and clean out my fridge!
This place has a tendency to either rub you right, or rub you wrong. It usually rubs me right.
It aint nothin' fancy, I'll start with that. You're in an old saloon/general store space, and you should not forget that. I think that for all the bourgeois nonsense that goes around in Marin, people think that everywhere they go will be a virtual country club. Not so here. You'll get food and drinks, and live music, but don't expect to be fawned over by the staff. You're in the countryside now, and you're gonna have to show a little gumption and maybe some thicker skin. That being said, the food is good here. If you're just traveling through, this place can be a god-send.
Bring the hog, take or leave the ball and chain, and definitely drop the attitude out on the endless dirt road that leads here.
I've been coming out to the Rancho since I was a kid. Living in Marin County on and off, my parents treated this restaurant, bar, music venue in the boonies like a vacation oasis. And really, it is. During the day you'll see bikers (both the Lance Armstrong and Steve McQueen type) sweating on the porch, cooling off before grabbing a beer and burger inside. After 5pm the live music starts and tipsy middle-aged Marinites fill the place. The walls are covered in dead animals and ancient saloon paintings. Â
For all the rustic features, the quality of the food and drinks here out in the middle of nowhere is pretty darn high. Drake Bay oysters on the half shell, perfectly seasoned Bloody Marys and Neiman Ranch burgers topped with grilled onions paired with a side of steak fries. Fresh local eats, a great local crowd, gardens and porches galore on a nice day and some quality live bands. The Rancho is worth a scenic drive out of the scene.
The rustic building that houses this restaurant seemed like a roadhouse and it made me really feel like I was on vacation in someplace other than Marin County. Perhaps this was because the knotty pine walls have several trophy heads on the walls and it is sort of in the middle of nowhere. S and I were on the guest list for a sold out the concert. But they had no room for the non-paying people until the second show, so we sat in the bar area until there was space in the concert room.
As I watched food come to the tables near by I knew I had to try something. Neither S nor I were really hungry so we settled on an appetizer. The waiter assured us that the crispy calamari  would have tentacles on the plate and indeed it did, in fact, for the first time there were enough that we did not fight over them.  The calamari was perfectly cooked, not a bit greasy, served with two sauces, an aioli with capers, and a more traditions cocktail sauce. They were wonderful, and they were reasonably priced.
It seems that S knew the bartender so perhaps they made a special effort to make my rum and coke strong. I would strongly suggest designated drivers if you have cocktails, the roads back to highway 101 are dark, narrow, and winding.
I do not like loud music and was pleasantly surprised that the volume was not too overwhelming. Â A good size dance floor attracted people of all ages.
I am a bit hesitant to base a review on one appetizer and a basic drink, but they were so darn good, the bar and the dining area had such a good vibe, and the concert room so well place, that I am going with 4 stars and hope I can come back soon to have a full meal to confirm my rating.
2 stars for nice rustic ambiance, friendly bar staff and hostess.
But the dining room where the show is smelled like a sewer... Â The waiter did not know whether the entree came with vegetable or not. He said "no" so we ordered sides, then entree came with veggie after all! Â He ignored request for more water while filling water glasses of tables all around.
The food was bland - like what you'd get at the buffet at a casino in Vegas. Â Not worth the $. Â We were expecting to be able to get burgers like you can get in the bar but no such luck. Â
Would go here again for a show only, not dinner.
We were taking a break from our visit at nearby Skywalker Ranch, touring this beautiful area when we happened upon Rancho Nicasio. Friends had told us about enjoying concerts here but I didn't know they served meals 7 days a week.
We sat outside on a perfect autumn afternoon and enjoyed lunch. We shared a burger and cobb salad. The burger was good, cooked perfectly, but the sides of fries and cole slaw were just ok. The salad was also mediocre. If I thought it was a bit soggy then, it was beyond wilted when I ate the leftover hours later at home. To be fair, anything would have been wilted after being in my bag for 10 hours, but too much dressing didn't help. I think I'd order differently from their extensive menu next time.
Our server was extremely friendly and pleasant. He went out of his way to see that our needs were taken care of. He filled my water glass repeatedly and always with a smile.
I look forward to visiting Rancho Nicasio again in the future. Can't wait to take in some local music in this ideal setting.
We went there last night to take in something new from the Pt. Reyes/Inverness region. Â We got there a bit early for our reservation, but were seated soon after the sound check by the bank, Petty Theft. Â Great seat right in the front. Â Thank you. Â Waitress was excellent; very prompt and kind. Â Also, our water glasses were constantly filled. Â I ordered the pork chop dinner, complete with mashed potatoes and some delicious veges. Â My partner ordered the baby back ribs. Â So delicious she finished the entire plate. Â We also splurged on the dessert with creme brule (excellent) and just a scoop of vanilla ice cream for me. Â I would rate the food and service a solid 9 out of 10.
We enjoyed the live music and dancing although the music was quite loud (but we had expected that). Â A great band with a solid singer and excellent musicians. Â Just too loud.
We will definitely return to dance and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. Â A great find.
In the dining room: Excellent Niman Ranch burgers, excellent garlic fries with loads of garlic. Could have had a bit more coleslaw than a tiny plastic cup though. Marco - awesome server, perfect timing, very kind, wanted to buy him a drink he was so good!
In the bar: Strong drinks, hillbilly jazz music the Friday night we were there - needed to move the tables though (people dancing around the tables, so weird). Seems like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. This is the type of place you would find in northern Wisconsin - full of non-pretentious people who know how to have a good time. Get away from SF and shake off the anxiety for a night, you won't be disappointed.
This place is a real mixed bag. Â I love coming out to Rancho for live music, but the food is always frustrating.
First the good: fun rural atmosphere, nice beers on tap, outstanding local bands. Â It's worth getting on their mailing list, and it's a great location to stop while bicycling or motorcycling through west Marin. Â The crowd is mostly local. Â Sunday afternoon shows in the summer are held outdoors, with barbecue fare. Â Bring sunscreen and layers, as the weather can change from scorching hot to freezing fog and wind in minutes.
The food is generally ok, but nothing special. $10 burgers with good french fries, some nice healthier alternatives, quesadillas, nachos, salads, etc.
And then there is the downside. Â The service is frankly awful. Â The hosts are great, but once you are seated, the waiters take forever, especially when there is live music. Â I've had to ask for catsup with my french fries more than once. Â A beer generally takes 15 to 30 minutes to arrive. Â The waiters don't help each other at all, there is no teamwork ("I'm sorry, you aren't at one of my tables"), the kitchen is slow, and empty glasses will sit on the table for hours. Â
I just came home from an evening there, with a popular local band, and there seemed to be only two waiters for a room with 30 tables. Â It's a Catch-22 situation: without enough staff, they save money on overhead, but I would never go there for dinner because the service is so bad. Â So they don't get more business. Â And I live a short drive away. Â What a shame.
I really like finding out of the way places like this. I actually knew about the place from bike riding out in this area but never thought to come here for dinner and live music. Considering where this places is, about 10 miles of winding country road from whatever approach, this is mos def a designated driver kinda place. Everybody is all friendly here, not like in the big city. Prices a average ($14-30 dinner). depends on your taste, the music can be really fun. I'd give more stars if the place was not so remote, I know thats part of the charm, but what are you gonna do?
There is also a little gorcerey snack store next to the restaurant. It can be a life saver if you really need some food out in the middle of nowhere.
What an incredibly cool, hidden, off-the-beaten-path restaurant and nightclub! I drove up here to see Big Sandy and His Flyright Boys (a swing band from LA) and I was not disappointed. Â In fact, I ran into JON FAVREAU here, swing-dancing no less!
The food was so-so, nothing to write home about (or yelp) but the venue, friendly service, and intimacy of the joint are well worth a pilgrimage. Â The drive alone is very scenic and fun.
Had the opportunity to dine at this establishment on a beautiful spring weekend and was pleasantly surprised.
Sure, it's a bit pricey for being out in the middle of nowhere, but hey, supply and demand, right? It certainly is frequented by the weekend cyclist crowd...
The decor is hilarious - very "hunter's lodge" complete with plenty of trophies. If you don't like being stared at by taxidermied moose, elk, reindeer, etc. this may not be the place for you... or, eat on their patio!
I say the mark of a good divey establishment is their wings, and Rancho's were no slouch. We ordered the hot variety (they also have honey) and were served some of the most tender and juicy little wings I've ever had! Dare I say they were succulent? Okay, they were.
If you have the means, I'd say take a leisurely drive through the countryside to this delightful little establishment. Sure, it's not "Marin fine dining", but can you really expect that from a place with buffalo mounted on the walls?
Yay! I'm a fan.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day in West Marin and I was fortunate enough to enjoy the day at Rancho Nicasio, which is only about 30-40 minutes north of the GG Bridge. I was there to see one of my favorite bands in one of the most picturesque settings you can find for an outdoor show. Rancho Nicasio is an absolutely beautiful place to enjoy some music, BBQ, and so much of the beauty that West Marin has to offer. The only drawback is that the music has to end early for the neighbors (don't blame them, but it's still disappointing when you're having fun!) and the food is on the pricey side.
Review Source:Yummy grilled portabello mushroom sandwich with fries and coleslaw
+
Breezy and tree covered back porch with plenty o' room
+
friendly and prompt service
+
No one blinked when my buddy and I walked in wearing head to toe cycling gear (read: spandex)
=
Happy and Fully Recharged Cycling Campers!
Visiting some dear friends of ours a couple of weekends ago.... they took us for a nice drive around the area. Â We stopped here to wet our whistles and possibly a couple of appetizers. Â
Sitting out on the deck was a nice choice.  The service was OK.... nothing to twirl my panties in the air over.  The appetizers were served nice and hot in a timely manner.  Fried calamari with caper aioli  and oysters on the half shell were delicjous.
The quiet little town of Nicasio has no drug store. It has no Safeway, Albertsons or Whole Foods. Nicasio is literally a little square sitting in the middle of your route on your way to or from Point Reyes. If you are an avid cyclist, you have made many a pit stops in Nicasio and have stopped into the little connivence store to grab a snack. Same for us motorcyclists as well. Â Adjacent to that little store is Rancho Nicasio. It's a bar, it's a restaurant, it's a pub. On the night we went to celebrate our friend's birthday, a band playing Zydeco was taking to the stage. The food was good, but it is only fair to note that there were 16 of us so that could be a pain in the butt. Their Rancho burger is definitely a delish bit of noshiness.
Rancho Nicasio is a destination not just for a signature dish, but an experience. Bring a group of friends, enjoy an adult beverage and then some good eats and lively entertainment.
I practically grew up in Nicasio, so perhaps I'm biased ... but I do love the Rancho. Sometimes we'll make a special trip just for their famous Rancho Burger.... a generous patty served with grilled onions on toasted sourdough, sliced on the diagonal. YUM! Sure, there's other good stuff on the menu, but this burger is the best. Â The staff here is friendly and attentive.
That being said, there are plenty other reasons to visit -- the weekends draw a lively crowd, especially with live concerts and fabulous BBQ. Â There's a long history and tradition here, and the (newish) owner is doing a fine job of keeping this a popular destination.
Definitely worth taking a leisurely drive through the backroads of Marin for this hidden gem!
The Rancho is one of my favorite places in the bay area for an outdoor concert. Â On summer weekends they have afternoon concerts, complete with a BBQ. Â The music is generally folky, country and/or rock n' roll. Â There's something really special about driving to Nicasio - the ride is so beautiful, and knowing there's some great music on the other end waiting for you just sweetens the deal!
The food is really no great shakes, with the exception of the BBQ oysters, so you might want to bring your own picnic (just keep it on the QT) and buy drinks from the full bar.
Enjoy!
We had brunch here on Easter. The food was adequate, about what you'd expect at a serve yo'self buffet. We've stopped in here for drinks so this was our first "dining" experience. The view and atmosphere is what you're here for. For whatever reason its really difficult to get service in the bar. Hello-its a holiday, must start drinking heavily b/f noon....need to mix with my new vicodin....
In the buffet-nothing really stellar. Mimosa was yummy. I haven't been out here for a weekend BBQ or a show yet. That is next on my list.
" Welcome to Downtown Nicasio, population 250. I've eaten here 20 times. Frequently for the week-end summer music concert bar-b-ques on the back lawn. Saw some semi-famous Rock / Blues / Jazz groups here. This place is a fun, meat & potatoes roadhouse. The food is a cut above Cattleman's, but far below Ruth Chris for quality. Prices are moderate, such as $18 for a full on B-B-Q Chicken dinner. T-bone steak with all the fixin's will run you $20. Full bar. Try their top shelf "Cadillac" Margarita. For $9 it's the best damn Margarita I've ever had, & I own property in Mexico. Dining room dinner hardly more formal, patrons eat and then dance to the live music. It's a west Marin cowboy party! I'm not sniggeing here, Nicasio is the 20th richest zip code in the USA! Want to get away from the urban hustle & bustle just 45 minutes from SF? Try Rancho Nicasio. "
Review Source:
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