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Saddle Ranch Chop House
Universal City Walk
1000 Universal Studios Boulevard
Universal City, CA 91608
(818) 760-9680
www.srrestaurants.com

Ordered:

Saddle Ranch Monster Platter (”Chicken Fingers, Onion Rings, Fried Mushrooms, Mini Cheeseburgers, Ranch Style Potato Skins, Chicken Drums, Crispy Celery and Carrot Sticks”);

BBQ Chicken Breast Sandwich (”Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast basted with our own BBQ Sauce on a Sourdough Roll. Topped with Sweet Grilled Onions”);

Ranch House Club (”Honey and Maple Glazed Turkey, Black Forest Ham, Honey Cured Bacon and Cheddar Cheese stacked high on Sourdough Shepherd’s Loaf”);

Veggie Burger (”Chargrilled Garden Burger served with Grilled Onions and Avocado on a Toasted Sesame Seed Bun”);

Pork Ribs - Petite (”A tender Rack of Pork Ribs basted in Saddle Ranch’s BBQ sauce. Served with Cole Slaw”);

Deep Dish Cookie (”A Half Backed Deep Dish Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter Cookie served warm with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream on top”);

Sex on the Beach; Fuzzy Navel; Vodka Cranberry

Review:

If you want a great place to go to for a cheap, casual night out, I would suggest Saddle Ranch. If you want a great place to see and be seen, I would also suggest Saddle Ranch. Not because it is great quality or because it is particularly hot, but because of how it manages to reign supreme as LA nightlife’s Jack of All Trades.

Recently, I rounded up (haha) a small group of women and took them all here to celebrate my friend, Heather’s, Bachelorette party. Now, I had done my research and knew that this place would cater to my specific group. And it totally did.

We arrived at about 9:15 on a Friday night, and amazingly got past the toll booth and into a decent parking spot with no trouble or delay. When we got into the restaurant, the hostess told us that there was an hour and a half wait (although there were soooo many empty tables all over!). She said that if we waited, she would get us a free round of drinks. So wait it was. But no sooner had we approached the bar, when my buzzer started to sound. In less than 10 minutes, we were seated at a great booth with a round of free booze. Even though I was the only drinker in the group (and I was DD!), everyone was impressed with our great luck!

I rationalized that this was most likely due to at least one of two reasons:

#1- Heather was wearing a veil, lei, and garter
#2- They were just bluffing because things were starting to get busy and they wanted to weed out the half-hearted

Our awesome waitress (Simone?) brought out a basket of warm biscuits, cornbread, honey, and butter. Very yummy!

Corn Bread, Biscuits, Honey, Butter:

We started off by sharing a Saddle Ranch Monster Platter. Since the bride and her future sister-in-law didn’t like mushrooms, our waitress substituted deep-fried mozzarella sticks in their place.

Saddle Ranch Monster Platter:

I wasn’t crazy about any of the food, but it was satisfying in the way that only bad American food could be. None of us had really eaten much that day, so we were more than happy to dig in to all the greasy, cheesy, starchy decadence.

Heather had the Chicken Breast Sandwich, which she said was good. The garlic mashed potatoes didn’t look so great to me though. Someone had beaten them too long and the starches had really developed.

Chicken Breast Sandwich:

I ordered the Ranch House Club with French Fries. The sandwich was as big as my head! I was forced to eat it with a knife and fork.

Ranch House Club Sandwich:

It was dry, but some mayo would have fixed that problem. Plus, I thought it was a great value for the price.

My friend Cathy tagged along for the night, and ordered a Veggie Burger with French Fries. It looked okay to me, but Cathy only ate about half of it and saved the other half for later.

Veggie Burger:

Emily, Heather’s future SIL, ordered the Petite Rack of Pork Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes. I think hers was the most disappointing choice of the night. The ribs were not charred at all; in fact, they looked boiled. Plus, there were only three of them. Lame.

Petite Pork Ribs:

Our wonderful waitress even comped us a dessert of choice or round of shots. Of course, Heather picked dessert, and of course she picked the Deep Dish Cookie.

Deep Dish Cookie with Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla Ice Cream:

We even received a free bull ride for Heather!

Mechanical Bull, sans bride:

I have been to the Saddle Ranch on Sunset, and in fact was going to take the party there because of my familiarity with it. I am glad I made the last minute decision to change locations, though. The one on Sunset is more of a bar… almost a really happening dive in some ways because of how dark and small it is. Also, it is right on the Strip. If you show up early enough (read: by 8:30PM), you’ve still got a chance of nabbing one of the valet spots on the restaurant’s private parking lot; this will run you about $6.25 before tip. Usually, however, you have to resign to parking in any of the other lots nearby, which charge $20 before tip. Compare this with the $10 self parking in Universal Citywalk’s well-lit and ample parking structure, and already the choice is clear.

This is a great place to take someone who really isn’t very comfortable with night life. It is a tourist trap, family location, and shopping/casual dining district all in one. Plus, they have: 3 bars, two mechanical bulls, a tented dance floor, a spacious floor plan, two pool tables (one outside in the - dare I say - romantic veranda), and (it seems) a less aggressive crowd. If you don’t have any personal hang-ups and can look past the slight “Frat Boy” mentality of this place, you will discover that the people are really nice and that the place is really fun.

Extra Tip: Both locations are known to have great deals on Brunch, and serve breakfast foods all day. I think they have some type of Happy Hour for Mimosas and Bloody Marys in the mornings and early afternoons, so drink up!

Rating:
7 out of 10 Spoonfuls

Value:
$$