I've driven past the Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant in Coalinga countless times during trips up and down the West Coast. Since we already took a detour to visit the Centennial Light, I figured we might as well take another detour for food as well.
Since lil' sis was sick, I figured a bowl of soup would do her better than an In-N-Out burger, our usual stop-off food.
Harris Ranch is a ranch, so expect the requisite cow smells when nearby. At least it didn't smell like that inside the restaurant. Various cuts of beef, in case you didn't know.
Does every ranch have to have cow decor?
There was a little wait, so we browsed the gift shop.
Horehound candy. So old-fashioned.
I totally thought this was made up, but the ingredients listed buffaloberry juice and it turns out there really is a buffaloberry!
Mmm. Must stay away from sweets.
Just so you know it's not all beef here.
Finally, our table was ready. The requisite rustic ranch decor.
I got an iced tea and the soup came with the meal.
An 8 oz baseball-cut top sirloin, $22.95, which came with a choice of sides and soup or salad. We chose the above cream of broccoli soup and garlic mashed potatoes.
Cooked medium rare. The beef was tender. While not the best steak I've ever had, I mean we were on a ranch after all, it was good and a welcome break while on the road.
California burger, $11.95, Jack cheese, crispy bacon, fresh guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, and pickles and a choice of fries. I picked sweet potato, of course.
A little pricey but a solid burger.
While I wouldn't specifically go to Harris Ranch unless I was passing through, it was a welcome break from driving. We enjoyed a leisurely meal and gave our legs a break. Plus, it was lil' sis's birthday trip, so a nicer ending than fast food.
But living out here? I couldn't do it. Too hot and desolate for me.
Back on the road again. Only a few days away, but it seems like forever, yeah? And my curiosity during all those times driving up and down I-5 was satisfied. Think lil' sis would be up for House of India or Pea Soup Andersons? :P
All Northern California posts can be found with the tag, Series: NorCal, but I suggest reading this particular trip in this order:
Persian Dill Rice
Chai Thai Noodles - Oakland
Pho Ga Huong Que Cafe - Oakland
Fentons Creamery & Restaurant - Oakland
Chinatown - San Francisco
Eastern Bakery - San Francisco (Chinatown)
House of Nanking - San Francisco (Financial District)
Banana Leaf Restaurant - Milpitas
Jovino - San Francisco (Marina/Cow Hollow (Closed)
Miette Patisserie (Ferry Building) - San Francisco (Embarcadero)
Butterfly Restaurant (Pier 33) - San Francisco (Embarcadero)
Imperial Tea Court (Ferry Building) - San Francisco (Embarcadero)
Sura Korean Cuisine - Oakland
Centennial Light (World's Longest Lasting Light Bulb) - Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Station 6 - Livermore
Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant - Coalinga
Chao Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Rice Porridge)
Chinese Scallion Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant
24505 W Dorris Ave
Coalinga, CA 93210
559-935-0717
6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
*****
1 year ago today, How to Start a Food Blog... Or What I Wished I Knew When I Started a Food Blog.
2 years ago today, Fried Green Tomatoes.
Nice! I always stop at Harris Ranch whenever I drive up north when my parents. It makes me like red meat. That California burger looks delish.
ReplyDeleteI like just about everything I've eaten at Harris Ranch. And to change the subject, Harris Ranch also has nice, clean bathrooms. Always welcome on a long trip.
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteThis was my first and only visit. I usually drive right past.
Scrapper Al,
Oh definitely. Nice, clean bathrooms are always a good thing to have on a trip.