only visit to this restaurant was for New Yrs eve. Zydeco music was fantastic, food was OK at best, staff was very nice, service was very slow. We had to ask three times to get water. I might return for the music but the food was not enough to bring us back. This may not be a really fair review since it was New Years Eve, but it wasn't their first NYE event. read more

We went to see Bush Wacks and the Glass Packs play Dec 30 and went up to dance. When we returned my partners glass of wine was missing along with a t shirst we bought minutes ago from the band. This happened B4 to a friend whom had her purse stolen. The worst part was the staff wouldn't accept any personal responsibility for the missing T Shirt but replaced the wine. We noticed the dirt bag busboy was missing after this happened-hymm! Can't trust even people you pay for service anymore! read more

I have eaten at this restaurant for years and years. Before going this last time I mentioned I could not wait to have the chicken fried steak. My partner said what if it isn't any good? I said are you kidding. I have never had a bad meal at Rancho. Let's take that back. We went early to get a good table and see a show. My food was so terrible I had to spit it out. My partner tasted it and he will eat anything and he almost choked. It was full of grizzle. I complained to the server. I had a pile of spit up on my plate. They served it with a tablespoon of spinach and two tablespoons of potatoes. I don't like spinach. I got to eat the potatoes. They never offered to replace the entree with another or take it off the bill or even apologized. I even wrote on the receipt how awful it was. I will not be eating here again. Our tab was more than 50 dollars and I left hungry. Mind you this was cheap uneatable meat. That was the problem. How gross!!!!! They put themselves out as a white table cloth type of restaurant and then served junk. I know the economy is bad, but this was unacceptable. read more

Updated 12/10/2012 - Max from Rancho Nicasio contacted me, apologized and refunded my $51. Upgrading my original review from 1 star to 3 stars for the effort of trying to make things right. Original review 9/13/2012 - Went to a BBQ concert there and pre-ordered tickets. We were told 3 times (twice on the phone and once at the door) that we would not be charged for unused tickets. Low and behold the charge comes thru on the credit card. After calling twice about this, I got nowhere with them. Congratulations, you win. Keep my $51. But you will never see a dime from me or my guests who probably spent $500 that night. Not to mention, the 20 other people I tell about this who won't frequent your establishment based on this review. I understand tickets are non-refundable. But don't tell people they are 3 times after and not live up to your word. It's the principal here. Very disappointing. read more

went there for easter buffet. grandma made reservations but were not seated for 45 minutes. they were busy but people they recognised were seated right away. if the food was good it would be worth it, however it was bad. casino buffet. food not warm and was not replenished often. i will say it was a nice drive there and aside from the animal heads on the wall it was an ok decor. read more

I had been to Rancho Nicasio several times before for music and always had a good time. Their barbeques and concerts on the lawn are really fun. Not true of nighttime concerts in the club. We skipped dinner here because I've had it before and was underwhelmed. It was just okay and way overpriced for the quality. The real problem boils down to bad management. Our tickets for Billy Joe Shaver were screwed up royally, and the problem was in the terrible way it was all handled, or not handled, I should say. I had called in and reserved tickets. When we arrived, we were told that only three of our four seats were available and that we would have to pay for the tickets even though we wouldn't be able to include the fourth person in our party (who had come to visit from out of state). We refused to pay and they sold our seats to some other people. Mixups can happen anywhere humans are found, but Nicasio's hand-written, Jurassic reservation system needs to cede to the 21st century and be put online. I could excuse the messups but there is no excuse for the cold and rude way we were treated from beginning to end of this effed up experience. The young woman handling tickets was positively robotic--never a smile, not the slightest hint of humanity. We had to call an owner to help. None of them could find it in their grinchy hearts or small minds to stick an extra chair at a table to accommodate us. Even if an establishment's reasons for being gracious or even human are purely selfish, the outcome could be a win-win. This was a lose-lose all the way around. read more

Leave your canines at home... Not dog friendly... Pulled in on Friday the 3rd. I walked inside and asked the bus boy if we could sit outside with our two small dogs as to not leave them in the car. An older gentleman ( and I use gentleman lightly) walks over and in a very direct tone says no dogs allowed. Well thank you sir... Use a little more tact next time... As for my wife and I................ Been here twice in the past however with that response you can bet your ass we will not be back and will spread the word,,,, read more

Fantastic burgers, crispy fries, sketchy service. I'll be back.

Easter brunch had one of everything, but nothing was great. Pretty expensive for sub par brunch. Not to mention, they charged us $17.95 for my 1.5 yr old daughter who maybe ate one strawberry. When we asked, they said all kids under 10... What a joke! read more

Very rude waiter, would not led me pay for tap water to refill my water bottle on a 90 degree day.

Such a disappointment! When we arrived it was not so clear as to where to "wait to be seated". The hostess was busy with a phone call. Even though she could see us in mirror in front of her, she never acknowledged us. We waited about 10 mins. The bartender acted like we did not exist. It was just plain weird. Finally she got off her phone call and was awkward to say the least but finally sat us out on the patio. Service is slow. The whole place is not well cleaned. We had to search other tables to get all the flatware we needed. No small plates were offered us with the basket of bread. The place is poorly lit. We could not see our food. One of us ordered a burger with sweet potato fries to discover the burger was just lose ground beef and the fries were not cooked all the way through. My braised lamb shank was mediocre but, as I said, there was no light at the table and I could not see what exactly was on my plate along with the meat and it all tasted the same except for the occasional lump of fat. The waiter was the only saving grace. He was sweet and playful and very respectful. While the location is great and the funky old ranch feeling somewhat fun, it really is not worth it. read more

Surprised to hear Live music and country western dancing on Sunday evenings with BBQ. Place was packed outside with locals. Pricey for the level of food, but fun. read more

Love, love, love the summer bbq's with music. The food is great, the vibe is friendly, and the locale is so beautiful. Check it out!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I went to see Lavay Smith & her Red-Hot Skillet Lickers (I hadn't been out there for YEARS & years & years!)--I KNEW the food would have to be extraordinary 'cause people wouldn' t go all that way just to see the booked acts . . . I was on a mission--I was giving LS&hR-HSL a chance to redeem themselves after the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Well they did, but first to Rancho Nicasio-friendly atmosphere,attentive waitstaff, & truly GREAT food!! I had been given a pre-release of the 2015 Forchini Pinot Noir, so I checked out the menu online, & had just about decided on the Portobello Ravioli, when I noticed the special was Duck in a Huckleberry Sauce!! OMG!!! It turned out to be a PERFECT evening-GREAT food, GREAT wine, GREAT floor show . . . Allow me to elaborate . . . The Duck was WONDERFUL--cooked to perfection & the broccoli was steamed ever-so-slightly(bright green & crunchy). I probably shouldn't say too much about the wine as I work for the winery, I WILL say that while ALL of Jim Forchini's wines are TERRIFIC with food, this was a marriage made in HEAVEN!! I was traveling solo on this jaunt; the R. Nicasio staff (& patrons!) made me feel welcome-I was even asked if I wanted to join other groups! I believe a Restaurant/Bar/Nightclub can be judged by the tenor of their customers . . . Miss Smith was BACK(!)-Her performance was excellent-if I were to have ANY quarrel with her performance, it would be that almost all the material was from the "Miss Smith to You" CD--I prefer "One Hour Mama" . . . read more

Third time coming for Easter buffet and very disappointed. Seated in back room when in the past sated in main dining room when we had reservations. Food outside instead of inside as last two years. Had to carry food into restaurant and squeeze by line of people waiting to be seated. Food cold by the time we made our way back to table. It seemed to be less food and constantly running out so you had to wait in line for replenishment. Staff seemed overwhelmed and unhappy. Place has gone downhill since last visit. Restaurant appeared half empty read more

When I called on a Monday to see if they were open for dinner, the answering machine said to check the website for hours. The website says they're open every day for dinner... But when we drove out there, they were closed. Obnoxious! read more

Went to Rancho for the first time and had a blast. I had the hearty Chicken Fried Steak and it was scandalously good. Their Adult Mac and Cheese is just plain naughty good. The decor is eclectic. Mounted Game heads galore! It has a real working fireplace, a cool lawn area with a gigantic barbecue, an outdoor dancing deck and three indoor dining areas. The music lineup looked like a lot of fun. Julie, the bartender is babe-a-licious to boot. Definite hot spot to go to when out on a country drive out of the city. I will definately be back. read more

Good Lagunitas on tap (Pilsner ,IPA, Lil Sumthin Ale) and a good bison burger (with Point Reyes blue cheese and crispy bacon). The staff was very friendly and attentive. Added garlic to fries and was very pleased. A great place to stop by on a cruz through Marin County. read more

We waited to check out the Western Room with Ron Siegel's new menu until he had a chance to settle in. After our meal last night, it seems they've totally got it together and we'll be back soon. We had the local Dungeness crab with tarragon which was delicious as a starter. It's rather small, but at $6, totally acceptable. Then we had the Hamachi crudo with rice crackers and pickled salted plum. The flavor/texture combination was perfect. We shared the tortelloni with braised rabbit which is not your typical pasta dish - more to my liking without a lot of cream. It's served in a large bowl with local carrots and kale and a parmesan broth so it's light and flavorful, but deceivingly filling. I had the roasted chicken with ramps, asparagus spears and puree, onions and an amazing reduction of banyuls vinegar. It was the best chicken I have had in a long time and a big portion - I could only eat 1/2 and will have the rest for lunch today. Even though we were full we were persuaded to try the chocolate and peanut butter dessert. That is a must order. We found the service to be very friendly and helpful. And the room was almost full with a really casual atmosphere- as you would expect it to be at Rancho Nicasio. Although it's still hard to believe that you're eating this level of food in Nicasio. Siegel's menu rivals anything in SF, let alone Marin. read more

Picturesque location with panoramic views of the hills of Nicasio Valley. Gorgeous on a Sunny afternoon. My daughter was married there a few years ago in the outdoor space with the reception inside. Loved it. The food is generally good. read more

Great venue. Worth going for lunch just for the location - It's straight out of an old western movie set. Service is generally good and the food is not bad. read more

Second time we went for a Paul Thorn afternoon concert, part of their bbq on the lawn events. Concert was great. A few wrinkles in their process should be noted. People line up at 2:00 for a 4:00 performance. The table for on line tickets is set up at 2:00 with humans at the ready, but not open for business until 2:30 or whenever they announce it. (No sign posted; you just get to ask the human, same as the poor soul behind you who wants to know the process.) Same process with the door. Supposedly not open till 3:00 but if the line is long, it opens earlier. Some people had to leave their water bottles outside. Others brought theirs in.....Tall white chairs are at the back to allow lower chairs and blankets in front. Two women are assigned to "assist " in managing chair placement. Management doesn't want to hear any simple suggestions. "We've been doing this for 20 years ". Be flexible, don't expect competent event management, enjoy the music, the location and the others nearby who are trying to have a memorable experience. read more

I got stranded here on a bike ride after a pinched nerve in my knee began to flare up. I must say, these are the friendliest, most generous people I've ever come across. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. The views are specular and the smells are mouth watering. Perfect weather as well. I highly recommend this place! read more

5 stars for the Western room with Ron Siegel! Fabulous food. Service was great. The western room looks a lot better with the remodel.

Classic rock saloon, Marin institution. Fun any time of day, great owners, staff, food and drink, music phenomenal.

My wife and I spent a rare, kidless evening at the Western Room at Rancho Nicasio recently. We had been looking forward to finding the opportunity to try Chef Siegel's food. Without going on and on, the meal exceeded our expectations both in service and cuisine. We can't wait to come back with friends! read more

Great waiter, Jack, & amazing food. We had the Family Style of Short Ribs for our gathering of 9 quests at the suggestion of Jack. Perfection from start to finish! Enjoy Johnny Mathis! This event took place in Ron Siegals lovely Western Room at Rancho Nicasio. read more

Western Room has outstanding food. Loved the rabbit tortellini and the black cod! Can't wait to try everything else!

We had a dinner birthday party for my stepdaughter. My dinner was excellent, the service was fine, But after we were served, it was like all service stopped. We had brought a birthday cake, which came about 1/2 hour after we asked to serve it. Then when the server did, all our dinner party had gone to freshen up and missed out on the singing and happy birthday song and wishes. I asked for water, 45 minutes later I had to ask again. I'm sorry I left such a big tip. read more

Just had our daughters wedding at Rancho...Can't say enough about this classic West Marin venue. We had almost 300 guests and they handled everything from set up to clean up. The beautiful back yard lawn with views of the surrounding hills was a perfect spot for an outdoor ceremony, followed by cocktails and appetizers and a delicious dinner. Afterwards the rustic indoor dinning area was cleared for dancing. Julie and Max could not have been nicer or easier to work with, and the staff was very attentive. They truly made it a day we will never forget. Thank you Bob Brown for keeping Rancho Nicasio such a wonderful place to have an event , not to mention a great place to eat and see live music. read more

We have been fans of Rancho Nicosia for years. A wonderful old time road house with a dance floor, good bands, great bartender and bar food. Last night we celebrated the new addition of Rancho Nicosia, Ron Siegel's elegant choices of food in the upscale Western Room. This restaurant is a great addition to those of us who go to Point Reyes for a weekend away. read more

We had a wonderful dinner - party of 6. The food was delicious, tasty and organic. Service was excellent. We highly recommend you try this wonderful dining experience at the WESTERN ROOM at Rancho Nicasio. Ron & Kim Siegel are doing an excellent job. What a great dining addition to West Marin. read more

Went here last night to hear my friends perform as a fund raiser. (I had been a few times before for barbecues, music, etc.) I have made reservations in the past about 1/2 of the times- never a problem with or without. Last night was different. The hostess was SNOTTY from the start- angry that we had not made reservations, and begrudgingly seated my friend and I at a group table. My friend asked a passing waitress if this was the only available spot and was told that we could sit anywhere, so we moved to a table for 2. Went outside a few minutes for some sunshine and when we returned to our table, our jackets and other items were dumped on the group table. When we questioned the hostess, she was rude and argumentative, blaming and accusing us of lying about being told we could move. Very condescending and downright nasty. I guess business is so good that they can be rude to customers. We would have left if we weren't there for a fund raiser and to support our friends. I'll be sure to let people know about about our treatment should they ever consider going to eat or booking or attending a show there. Too bad- could be a cool place. read more

Let me start by saying that this is the FIRST review I have left on anything in my entire life. I have been regularly visiting Rancho for years as a resident of San Geronimo Valley and this has got to be the worst dining experience I have ever had. I walked into Rancho and stood around the front reception area for 10 minutes and did not get so much as an acknowledgment of my presence. When I finally track someone down to ask for a table for 6 adults and 5 kids we were treated as lepers. The kids were seated along a bar (not THE bar) near the front door and we adults were stuck in the back corner of the room. When we asked to have the kids seated at the empty round table near us we were brushed away as if they needed to keep it free for more important people (I might add that no one was ever seated at that table while we were in the place). This all took place around 6:30pm on Friday 3/18. We placed our order for the kids and our drinks and then our apps and food (I have to add that one of the kids with us was a vegetarian and it was like pulling teeth to get a grilled cheese sandwich for the kid since they were only offering cheeseburgers, corn dogs or chicken strips for kids which is not acceptable in West Marin). The kids food arrived in about 30 minutes and we still had not seen our apps. The kids ate and had sundaes for dessert and ran around the baseball field all while we waited for our apps. We were enjoying our conversation and so we did not stress too much. Sometime around 7:30 (an hour after being seated) our apps arrived and they were UNDERWHELMING to say the least. We ordered the $12 shrimp (three small shrimp wrapped in what can best be described as a store bought won ton wrapper with a streak of a green sauce on the plate that tasted at best like nothing), $13 fried Calamari with the same tasteless green streak of sauce, $18 raw oysters with a thin slice of red pepper and a cranberry (the raw oysters were the best item we had and they weren't even cooked) and an overpriced plate of half slices of good bread. Fast forward to 8:15 pm and we question when our food is coming since our kids have not only eaten but had dessert and are getting restless and we are told that there are 20 orders ahead of ours. We sat in the bar rather than the dinning area and the impression we were given is that the dinning area got priority over our lowly bar seats. Several friends of our table stopped by to see us and were surprised that we still were waiting to eat since they had arrived after us, said hello and then proceeded to eat and leave before we even finished our apps. Of course the reviews were not good. One friend of the table said that his Quail was placed over a thin streak of mashed potatoes and he had to break out his reading glasses to make sure he got some meat off the bird. After having enough we asked for someone in charge to come to our table because we were very upset. The person who came over (who I was told was the chef but cannot confirm this) seemed to really not care and said it was his first night. No apologies. No I will see what the hold up was. NOTHING. The short, pudgy, older guy with glasses that we dealt with came off as pompous and really could care less. This is a mistake since I used to eat here at least once a week with my kids during the spring and summer and usually brought people with me. As a result of this horrible service (I must add that the wait staff was great and friendly, aside from the older, curly haired blond woman with glasses who was not outright rude but seemed to find others more important. We left a $50 tip for the waiters because we felt so bad for them) I find it difficult to think of a return visit until the chef and the front of house lady are gone. I get trying to go high end and fancy with items on the menu that require you to google them before ordering but what happened to quality customer service and value for your patronage? The owners of the Rancho need to take a serious look at their choice in Chef and realize that many frequent customers are going to be turned off by the experience and in the end this will drive away business. I know the 11 people that ate there tonight are already making future Friday night plans at other establishments rather than give the Rancho our weekly $200 plus bill. read more