Western Trails Ranch

We're out-of-towners.  California, actually, but we're not *that* kind of Californian, if you know what I mean.  We don't drive a Prius with "Coexist" and "Obama/Biden" bumper stickers or wear Che Guevara t-shirts or spout off about global warming.  

We'd vacationed on the outskirts of Phoenix last year -- hey, don't knock it if you haven't tried it.  There's plenty to do.  So this year we were in the area looking for a house to buy.   We'd heard from several people that Western Trails Ranch had just reopened for the season.  We had to check it out.

Yes, it is seemingly in the middle of nowhere, but to me that's a recommendation.  If you need suburban, there's plenty of the Phoenix metropolitan area to choose from.  Want a change?  Want to talk to the friendliest people you'll ever meet and down some terrific food?  Go to Western Trails Ranch.

Our visit was on a Sunday.  We'd lucked out and gone there on one of the four days they operate.  The restaurant was open and there were a few diners, but it was early in the day yet.  We were welcomed warmly by the beauteous bartender and the cook, who was having lunch at the bar.  Lots of table seating but if you want conversation, belly up to the bar like we did.

My husband opted for a spicy chicken sandwich but when the cook said he could make fried chicken for me, I had to have it.  It came out gorgeous and crisp, a medium brown, clearly with a buttermilk coating.  I don't even remember what I had as sides, I was too busy making the chicken disappear.

The cook came back and told us about his mother's (or was it grandmother's) recipe for apple crisp but truly we didn't need to be sold -- apple crisp is the only dessert we both agree on.  We ended up splitting a huge serving with scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Once we move to Arizona I'll be eating there all the time.  We'll be back to try the barbecue but not in the heat of summer.  I think they're closed during the summer months, when most sensible people get out of Dodge because temps can approach 115 degrees.

I figure the dead baby rattlesnake we found next to our car just adds to the Old Western feel.

Wife and I decided to go on a little run last night. We stopped off at Western Trails. Nothing going on Sunday nights. But their restaurant was open. Only a few locals were there eating, but it was nice. Waitress told us we can set anywhere! I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with fries, and coleslaw. (always have it with coleslaw, so you can put the slaw on the sandwich! Only way to eat it!!) Wifey had their TNT BLT? Extra crispy appplewood bacon, with pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayo on a croissant! They were very good!! We are going to come back during there busy days to check everything out. But their food is well worth the trip.

I heard an ad for this place on 96.3FM talking about their Friday All You Can Eat Fish Fry. I drove all the way from 43rd Ave and Olive to try it out -  only to have the worst dining experience of my life. When you walk in - you seat yourself, although first timers would not know that and there is no sign stating do so and no one acknowledges that you walked in the door. I was dining by myself this evening which I guess if you want service is a no-no. There was two waitresses a brunette working one side of the room and a blond with pink streaks in her hair working the other side. Here is a TIP - if you have less than four people in your party do not expect the blond to wait on you - I guess she works for tips only and figures the more people in a party the greater her tips will be.

I had made a mistake of picking a table on that side of the room. She never acknowledged I was there and I was less than three feet away from her closest table (of four) she was serving. So I sat - no menu, no drink order. To make matters worse, several groups came in after me and all had menus and drink orders before the Owner - Joann finally came over and asked if I was helped. By now I was pretty upset - but I decided to stay and try the food after all I had just wasted all that gas to get there. It was 6:10pm when I arrived. I guess if you want "all-you-can-eat" fish and quality service you must have to be there between 2 and 4pm. They ran out of fish around 7:20 - but left the sign up in the door saying they had All-You-Can-Eat Fish for their special.

I will say the I thought the chili was excellent and the fish was tender with a batter that was not excessive or over bearing. I guess Joann decided to continue to be my server, but she was obviously very busy - so gettig my drink refilled was a bit of a challeng, not to mention asking for a reorder on the fish. By the time I was able to reordered, tables next to were already on their third reorder (they arrived after me).

When I was finishing up eating, I asked the blond for a refill on my Ice Tea (all her tables had cleared and left so she was serving no one) she said okay. The tea never came so I finally gave up, finished my dinner and walked up to the bar to pay. From my observation, I was the only one that had to do that.

Over all the place was neat and clean. The food was good. They have three big screen TV's where they play Country music videos, although if you want to be able to actually hear the music - sit up near the bar. At some point someone actually turned the music up so you could hear it, but that only last for about half a song and then back down it went.

They claim to have big outdoor events posted on their website and on the signs at the place - if they could not handle a simple Friday Fish Fry that by no means was very busy - not sure what they do on their other "busier" nights of Thursday and Saturday.

I dine out alot sometimes alone and sometimes with my daughter, I am a very good tipper whether I am dining alone or with my daughter - never judge a book by the cover. If the service is top-notch I tip very well ask any of the waitresses at the other establishments I frequent. I only ask for two simple things - don't make me beg for a refill and acknowledge that you know I am sitting there once in a while..

I can say one thing for sure - I will never be back.