Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant

So, another few years have passed and I went to Harris ranch again on the way home from LA. We stopped around 2PM and it was very crowded. They have 2 very large dining areas though, so we didn't have to wait. As before, the food seemed to take f ... more

So, another few years have passed and I went to Harris ranch again on the way home from LA. We stopped around 2PM and it was very crowded. They have 2 very large dining areas though, so we didn't have to wait. As before, the food seemed to take forever to get to us. I had a turkey roll sandwhich which was ok. Turkey wasn't abundant, but the sandwhich was rather large. The person I was with had one of the specials, liver with bacon and onions. The liver was sliced very thin, unlike what he had had before in other restaurants. He said it was ok. It was served with mashed potatoes which were quite good and a cobbett of corn which also was good. I still think it's expensive for what they serve, the service is rather slow, but it is right on Highway 5 at a location that just seems to be convenient, so that's why I think they get the business. I say every time I won't go back, but we do, so that must say something about it. less

Ok, so last time I went here, over a year and a half ago, I thought it was great, but this time I did not. We stopped on our way down to LA for lunch. The wait was long, and when we finally got seated, outside, it took forever for someone to come ... more

Ok, so last time I went here, over a year and a half ago, I thought it was great, but this time I did not. We stopped on our way down to LA for lunch. The wait was long, and when we finally got seated, outside, it took forever for someone to come and ask us for our order. We ordered simple things, a steak sandwich and a patty melt (rare). To get our food seemed to take forever also, and when I got the patty melt it was well done, not rare. I waited another 15 minutes to get it back and it was ok, but still not rare. The fries that came with it were lousy too. Not sure what the problem was, perhaps we went on an off day, but we were disappointed. It's expensive for what it is..we had the food above and two iced teas and it cost around $35 and that was without the tip. It is just not worth it. less

Living in San Francisco it is hard to say a restaurant along Highway 5 can compare, but Harris Ranch does a good job of it, although it's not quite as good as some places in the city. Of course the steaks are great, and we have even had salmo ... more

Living in San Francisco it is hard to say a restaurant along Highway 5 can compare, but Harris Ranch does a good job of it, although it's not quite as good as some places in the city. Of course the steaks are great, and we have even had salmon there that was quite good, but I still think it's a big overpriced for what you get. We usually stop here on the long drive up and back to LA as it's the only really nice place to stop. They have a nice gift shop and restroom facilities, so if nothing else, stop there for that. They do sell the Harris Ranch beef to to take with you, it's expensive, but worth it. It's excellent. less

Well, I finally decided actually eat here. My husband and I stopped in tonight on our way back from LA. I particularly enjoyed their prime rib (we order it medium rare...anything more than medium is a real crime for fine grain-fed beef IMHO). It w ... more

Well, I finally decided actually eat here. My husband and I stopped in tonight on our way back from LA. I particularly enjoyed their prime rib (we order it medium rare...anything more than medium is a real crime for fine grain-fed beef IMHO). It was tender, well-flavored and and simple in presentation. We ate at their Ranch Kitchen instead of the nicer restaurant. They served fresh vegetables...which happened to include steamed asparagus which were crisp tender instead of the commonly cooked to death variety you find in most restaurants. Their Ceaser salad and spinach salad were pretty decent for the middle of nowhere. On my way out, I stopped in the bakery/meat shop and picked up a strawberry napoleon among other desserts. Absolutely, I would get the napoleon again. Flakey and buttery with a rich cream filling topped with ripe berries. Cheap for $1.95. Enough for two people to share. less

Actually, I have to say I have yet to stop and eat here. I really always stop here on my way home for the beef. You can buy whatever you like and they will pack it in a cooler with dry ice so that it will stay fresh until you get home. These are s ... more

Actually, I have to say I have yet to stop and eat here. I really always stop here on my way home for the beef. You can buy whatever you like and they will pack it in a cooler with dry ice so that it will stay fresh until you get home. These are some of the best steaks I have ever had. Try really hard to ignore the smells. less

Outstanding restaurant outside of Coalinga. Serves primarily beef, chicken and turkey dishes in huge portions. This restaurant is big, serves terrific food, and is the best place to stop for lunch or dinner when driving between LA and the Bay Ar ... more

Outstanding restaurant outside of Coalinga. Serves primarily beef, chicken and turkey dishes in huge portions. This restaurant is big, serves terrific food, and is the best place to stop for lunch or dinner when driving between LA and the Bay Area up Interstate 5. Save your appetite for Harris Ranch/Harris Farms, as almost everything on the menu is spectacular.
I have to agree with my buddy, Reno Lee. This place is nothing short of superb. It's a damn shame that it is not closer to a major city, but then again, you have to raise cows somewhere.
Lunches will cost you an average of $7 - $10 per person. Dinners will cost about $10 - $15 per person. Huge portions either way. Excellent salads, desserts and entrees. Huge burgers in home bakery rolls.
I also agree with Reno Lee on the Corned Beef sandwich -- it needs improvement. It is served cold on a very good french sub type roll. Corned beef is thicker sliced than the average deli, but very lean. It should not be served cold. Order just about anything else.
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Up Interstate 5, out in the middle of nowhere, not too far from the cute, sedate little San Joaquin Valley town of Coalinga is the Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant. This place has been around since the 1930s, and has grown into quite a spectac ... more

Up Interstate 5, out in the middle of nowhere, not too far from the cute, sedate little San Joaquin Valley town of Coalinga is the Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant.
This place has been around since the 1930s, and has grown into quite a spectacular restaurant and conference center.
Steak, steak and more steak. Meat dishes and prime ribs are the superb forte of this oasis in the desert, as Harris Ranch supplies top notch beef to many of the better Los Angeles and Bay Area supermarkets and restaurants.
The restaurant is superb, and you can get anything from a really outstanding burger to a thick cut USDA Prime Rib. It does not matter if you eat your lunch or dinner in the "Ranch Kitchen" the bar or the restaurant. The food is prepared in the same superb fashion.
Like Claim Jumper or other ranch style restaurants, expect very large portions of everything. Quite a bargain. Everything is freshly made to order.
Outstanding and attentive service from the waiters and waitresses.
There is also a store which will sell you Harris Ranch Beef at great prices - expertly vacuum packing and dry ice packaging your beef so it will easily and safely make a long return trip by car back down into LA, the Bay Area or San Diego in even the hottest summer weather.
About the only thing I can ding these people on is their lunchtime Corned Beef Sandwich. While the corned beef is in generous portions and quite lean, it is served COLD! Sorry, but no self-respecting lover of deli would eat it this way.
You can't go wrong with anything else on the menu, though. Excellent soups, salads, chicken, turkey and beef dishes.
More than you can possibly eat.





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