Ruth's Chris

Hey fellow Ranchers! Sorry I haven't posted in a while! It's been insanely busy at work, and to my extreme disappointment, I haven't gotten to enjoy much ranch! This past weekend I was invited to a wedding in Birmingham, Alabama. The groom's family generously provided all of the wedding party with rooms at the Embassy Suites, and all meals were taken care of too. Free meals and lodging was such a thoughtful gesture; I quickly came to terms with the fact that my beloved condiment wouldn't be served at such a fancy smancy affair. Indeed, no ranch was served at the wedding. Luckily for me, the combination of booze, fancy footwork, and fireworks (they were incredible by the way) made post reception-ers hungry for some late night munchies. Conveniently located in our hotel was a Ruth's Chris restaurant, so most of the wedding guests sat down in the bar to enjoy some appetizers and drinks (the party is NEVER over). Someone offered me a shoestring fry (salty, crispy, and delicious) but I couldn't indulge myself until I had a saucer of chilled ranch alongside it. The bartender (Kevin I believe) was wonderful and gladly fetched me some. I was not in love at first sight with the ranch he presented me. Although it was a nice shade of white and the herbs had a vibrant green color, I was a little put off by the thickness of it. Typically good, homemade ranch has a runny consistency, but Ruth's Chris was able to discredit this rule. The ranch was UNBELIEVABLE. Not only did I eat the fries I had ordered, but I found some leftover fries that our party had left behind so that none of the ranch went to waste. If that wasn't embarrassing enough, when I took the saucer up to my room later that evening, I had nothing else to dip so I just licked the ranch right off my fingers. Ruth's Chris, I'm extremely impressed. I must warn other rancholics though, my tastebuds could've been a little off that evening...Ranch Out would've gladly charged me with an R.U.I. (Ranch Under the Influence). I think my actions in my hotel room make it pretty clear though, this ranch was finger-licking good! Bama did not disappoint. 5 out of 5 stars! 

Outback Steakhouse

G'day mates! I went home over Easter weekend and was absolutely craving some Aussie Cheese fries. Anyone who knows me understands the importance of this appetizer in my life. I was first introduced to the 2900 calorie, 182 grams of fat, 240 grams of carbohydrates delight my junior year of high school. My Nana (the best cook I know) had hurt her back in the garden on Saturday morning, so she was unable to cook a traditional Easter Sunday meal for the family. So, instead of hastily thorwing a meal together, the family decided to go to good ol' Outback in Anderson, SC. I have been to MANY Outback's across the country, but none can beat this establishment. The manager Gary Durkee does an amazing job of running his Outback like a well-oiled machine. Wonderful service, and to top it off, their food is better than any Outback that I've ever been to. Their cheese fries are my absolute favorite indulgence. And if you didn't already guess, this preference in food can be credited to the ranch which accompanies the artery clogging meal.Outback's ranch is a little thicker than the ranch that I usually like, but this ranch is the exception to my ranch rule that "runny is better." Their ranch also differs in its coloring, taking on a more eggshell/cream shade as opposed to white. Whatever Outback is doing, they're doing it right. Hand down they have the best ranch of any chain restaurant in America. Outback's ranch dressing is the perfect compliment to the bacon and cheese covered crispy fries. Gary made a quick stop by our table to make sure everything met our expectations. While there, he informed me that Outback makes the ranch fresh daily, and that if I liked it so much, they would gladly bottle me some for $5!!!! Umm, yes please! And oh yeah, Outback's ranch = 5 out of 5 stars!

Blue Heron

Man it's good to go home. I do love the "ATL" but as far as ranch goes, upstate South Carolina has the big city beat. Blue Heron is a great sushi restaurant in my hometown of Clemson, SC. You're probably thinking, why in the world is a Japanese restaurant on Ranch Out??! One thing restaurants in South Carolina know is that country folk don't eat salad unless its dressed in creamy ranch. Blue Heron makes EXCELLENT ranch. Perfect consistency: not to thick not too runny. 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Bones

Bones is easily my favorite restaurant in all of Atlanta. One of the best steaks I've ever had, and not to mention impeccable service. I was very surprised when the server brought out celery and carrots to snack on before lunch. I was not surprised, however, that the ranch accompanying the veggies was delicious. Since my move to Atlanta in October, Bones has been the only restaurant able to fully satisfy my ranch desire. I would award the restaurant with a Ranch Out sheriffs badge of approval if I had one. Too bad that on my salary the only time I get to visit the restaurant is on client lunches and the even more seldom dates. 5 out of 5 stars!

Flip Burger

I had heard so many good things about this restaurant and finally decided to go. Everyone knows that nothing accompanies a good burger like hot, crispy, salty french fries. Everyone also knows that if you give a girl some fries, she's gonna want some ranch to go with it! The crystal hot sauce shrimp burger was great; the ranch to accompany it was so so. A little bitter and off in color, I was disappointed in Flip's variation of the condiment. 2 out of 5 stars.

Buckhead Pizza

I wouldn't give the ranch that they serve here to my worst enemy. It was super bitter and had thick, jell-o like consistency. .2 out of 5 stars.

The Big Ketch

One of my best friends from home came to visit me in Atlanta for the first time, an although I wanted to take her to Tin Lizzy's, my best friend's boyfriend insisted it would be too busy. Sooo we ended up going to The Big Ketch against my wishes. Surprisingly, the ranch was alright. It was a little buttermilk-y, but I still ate two containers worth accompanied with jalapeño chips. Maybe it was the heat from the chips which cancelled out a bad ranch flavor. 2.7 out of 5 stars!