incredible place to dance to music, hang out with friends, and eat delicious BBQ -- the hot-smoked slab of salmon was some of the best I've ever eaten. great music venue in the summer. read more

This is the best music venue I've been to in years. The service was excellent. The food was excellent. It was wonderful outside being surrounded by trees. The attending people and staff made me feel welcome and at home. Can't wait until the next gig. I love this place. read more

LOVE that they require proof of vaccination! Thank you! First time I've been in a restaurant in a long time. Food is excellent and HUGE portions, don't be fooled by the menu. Very reasonable prices. And Piney the Elder on tap?? What!! That alone is worth 5 stars. Thank you! We will be back. read more

I've eaten here twice once for brunch and early dinner, both times food was very very good! I do feel that you are waited on very quickly at a table and a lil slower seated at the bar, only one bartender. It was a plus they were open during a PSPS power outrage with a generator. read more

Rancho Nicasio - Fried chicken sandwich - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

We love Rancho Nicasio! We've eaten here as guests many times and enjoyed live music events. But most importantly, we chose Rancho Nicasio as our wedding venue and we are so glad we did. The setting is beautiful, food was absolutely delicious (and attended to many different dietary restrictions), and all the staff were excellent. The venue day-of coordinator, Marina, was also incredible. She is very experienced, organized, and went above and beyond to make our day as smooth as possible both before and on the big day. And of course, the location is incredible being within an hour to 2 major airports, yet feeling tucked away in rural old style California. I cannot recommend Rancho enough! read more

Saw the band Hot Buttered Rum. Good venue, no issues with the free on-street parking. No problem bringing in full Nalgene water bottles and collapsible "soccer chairs," not the low chairs mentioned in their website. No problem setting up in the shade off to the side on a warm day, around other "high" chairs. There were also plenty of venue-provided white plastic chairs . Didn't order food, based on reviews here. Drink lines weren't too long (venue was half full). All of the employees they I interacted with were friendly. I'd go back again for another favorite band, but it is way out there. Seemed like it was mostly a local crowd, not necessarily band-specific. There were at least as many talkers as dancers or intent listeners. read more

We (my husband and I) visit here once yearly on Labor Day to watch a favorite band we grew up with perform. I love the outdoor music and atmosphere and memories provided. I appreciate the opportunity Mr. Brown and his family give us fans to enjoy the music and show. Thank you so much! read more

Great atmosphere, music was fine. Food ridiculous. The house special Chicken Enchilada was luke warm at best and isn't there supposed to enchilada sauce? Small scoop of rice and really boring pinto beans and it came with a special price of $24. I might go back again for a special music show but I''l eat before I go. read more

Took the family out to Rancho Nicasio to see Heartless (Heart Tribute band) last night and it was awesome. Aside from the great music (Heartless is fantastic - go see them!), Rancho Nicasio was an unexpected treat. The venue was awesome for live music, and the food was really great! I had the carne asada special and the steak was tender and well-seasoned. The highlight - crazy to say - is the steak fries! Perfectly cooked and huge portion. We had to order another plate they were so delicious. I would come back to this place just for the steak fries. Would also recommend the bread pudding dessert - really great, moist and dense with a delicious sauce. Prices were reasonable for the portions and service was awesome. A great evening overall - awesome band and the food will keep us coming back. We have a new destination to go in Marin! read more

Ended up failing out of a long bike ride in the "middle of nowhere" (Nicasio). The restaurant staff got me fed, helped me figure out how to get home, and were above and beyond the kindness I needed in this trying moment. A++ kindness of strangers, highly recommend. If any of you are mean to them I will find you. read more

There is plenty of parking. And yes it seems to be located in the middle of nowhere and there is plenty to look at while there too. The grilled artichoke was delicious. The fish and chips were wonderful. The BBQ brisket sandwich was tender and tasty. Service was great. If I didn't reside 2 hours south I would definitely frequent there often. read more

Mother's Day 2021: like many here our experience was honestly shockingly disappointing. The food was overpriced, not cooked well, and plastic paper plates and forks to top it off? My moms fork broke in half on the first bite. If we didn't pay top dollar for the meal it would be one thing. But we did, and since it was so packed we just paid and left without even getting dessert we were that disappointed. Pros: The staff was friendly and nice and I sincerely felt for the bar tender who had to ring up every single persons order. The location is great and the outdoor area is very nice. Other than that a shocking disappointment. read more

Visited this place for the first time to listen to Zydeco music. Very lively, cheerful, and friendly place. We chose the BBQ and thought it was good, especially the ribs and beans. We will return. read more

Got Pliny on draft. Automatic W. Bartender is chill. Definitely a country bumpkin theme to the place. But I like it

The weirdest thing happened tonight...... I swear, I thought I got a dessert from Rancho, but I ended up at Denny's. Eating this dry brick. It costed $7.50. Denny's is expensive these days. read more

Rancho Nicasio - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

Brought the wrong order. Wait staff rude, arrogant and aggressive. Regretting the tip.

We have been staying in Lucas Valley and finally got around to visiting the Rancho. My cousin eats there frequently and has for years. First impression is that parking is easy. There are a lot of options. The area is just beautiful. When entering the restaurant, it can be a bit confusing about where to go. The entry is at the bar and the staff is more focused on that. It might be that we arrived early, but I had to ask where to go for dinner and they just sort of hand-waved us toward the back. Entering the restaurant area, the waiter was super courteous and attentive. Just a warning that the booth seats are tight. If you are big like me, or pregnant like my wife, you might find it a bit uncomfortable. Better to grab a table with chairs. Started with a side of chips and guacamole. The chips were good and the guacamole generous. More than we needed and well prepared. I had fish chips. At first glance it looked a bit overcooked, but turned out to be perfectly crisp and fried. The fish was super tender, I had to break up the pieces to keep it from falling apart. Sometimes that is a bad thing; in this case, it was just excellent fish. The first were wedge type and crispy. Plenty of lemon garnish and tarter sauce. It's definitely some of the best fish and chips I've had. Since we plan to live just a few miles away, I think we'll be regulars! read more

We've been there several times. Today was super off. Waited 1 hour for food which we never received. We had to beg for bread and to get a beer that we ordered. I don't quite understand what's going on with their staff but obviously there is something happening. I would hate to see this lovely place disappear. Rancho Nicasio fix it please . read more

Great service! Food amazing and reasonably priced. The cheeseburger ($16) very good. The oysters ($3/ea) delicious. Service is top 'shelf"! Outdoor seating spread to provide privacy! read more

Rancho Nicasio - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

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Hate to give a negative review during covid, but over a year into this crazy pandemic things should be better. Food was only so so, steak was funky and thin, drinks served in plastic cups and you had to pay for water...in which you got a bottled water. Cant say I will be back. read more

Dog HATERS, Dog Discrimination! Hostess was rude and obnoxious. Burger and steak fries were ok. Definitely will not be spending a dime here ever again. read more

Rancho Nicasio - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

Recently, we stopped in for a post hike brunch on a rainy, chilly Sunday afternoon. Upon entry, we were greeted by a warm and cozy hunting lodge type atmosphere... and that's all we were greeted by. As far as we could see, the place was empty except for a bartender, a server, and one person sitting at the bar. Both employees looked at us when we walked in, then looked away and stood at the end of the bar talking to each other closely. I got the distinct feeling they were discussing us, but I have no way of knowing if we were actually the subject. After a long, uncomfortable, and confusing amount of time waiting, I approached the bar and before I could get two words out the bartender snapped "just a minute." After a bit more time, the server said "sit wherever you want". Huh? Why didn't they just snap that at us when we first walked in? We obeyed the command, and the server (Abigail?) came over promptly. She was OK, but seemed off somehow. I was hoping the food would make up for the strange beginning. My hopes were dashed. We ordered Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros. Both were remarkable- remarkably bad- the eggs were lukewarm, the hollandaise had clearly been sitting around for a while and been reheated, the tortillas were hard, there was a mountain of sour cream on the huevos, likely to hide the blandness beneath... Suffice to say, the food quality was right on par with the quality of the service. This was my first visit. Will I go back? Maybe for the music I'm always hearing about. It won't be a food destination, that's for sure. read more

Worst $17 Brisket sandwich ever! Dry, chewy meat drowned in BBQ sauce. Burnt bread. Did not finish, tuck! read more

Rancho Nicasio - Dry, beef jerky style brisket, drowned in sugary BBQ sauce, served barely hot. Comes w burnt bread and old freezer fries. Yum? - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

I give this place 5 stars for just being here since 1941! This place is ICONIC !! Location location location!! Did I say location location location! This my friends is heaven on earth!! read more

Cool location on the road to Pt Reyes serving tasty delights & w/local musicians on weekends to light up the day. Tasty Dungeness crab cakes; local oysters prepared 3 ways; Artichoke hearts to melt in your mouth goodness; local cheeses... it's a yum-spot. Stop in & share the joy! read more

Just wow! I tried to purchase tickets through their online service, but I was getting an error. I called and the biotch who answered was so rude! She asked me a few questions, and then said "I have to do it for you" in a completely disgusted tone. At one point she asked me a question, then it was completely silent. Finally, I asked her if she was still there and she said "yes I'm doing this for you", again, in a disgusted tone. I told her she was very rude and to never mind. I really hope the owners see this and have a talk with that grumpy ass. They sure lost my business!!!!! read more

Too many employees who want to be musicians. This is fine when they aren't working, but if they're supposed to get me a beer and a cocktail maybe that's what they should focus on. Very stoner service as well - I have been served a meal more than once and not been provided the utensils needed to eat it until it has gotten cold. Should I really have to wait more than five minutes AFTER the meal is served before I get a knife and fork? They have never asked "how was your meal?" So why do I go back? Well, I certainly am not a regular, but It's a lovely drive to and from, and the food is actually very good. If the servers don't need or want tips, that's their choice. read more

My family and I had a wonderful afternoon in the backyard today. The service from start to finish was friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the grass, redwoods, space, and music. The fish and chips and chicken sandwich were both tasty . We will be back! read more

Rancho Nicasio - Fish and chips buffalo wings and chicken sandwich - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

Looking back on my past review I think I was overly harsh , I now see my experience at this establishment in a different light Looking forward to the re open read more

I used to go to Rancho and recently returned to Fairfax, Marin County. I just read an article about a Jimmy Buffett concert and what I commented directly relates to Rancho. Here is what I posted: "Line up at the box office and show local I.D. and you could get only Two Tickets" are some of the most beautiful words ever written! I Despise buying tickets on line and paying service fees. This was SO great. In my own way I have emulated Mr. Buffets lifestyle, beaches, music, warm weather, swimming. He deserved his success! From Marin County CA, this Friday I'd hoped to see an outdoor show in a town called Nicasio. When I went to buy a ticket They WOULD NOT SELL ME ONE IN PERSON and said I MUST buy one on line. I found this sickening, and instead Thank God I decided to drive up to a wonderful town called Guerneville two days before the show, where I had a whole beach to swim on and the nicest people you ever met around here. The weather turned cold and lousy on Friday and I am grateful for the unfriendly folks in Nicasio. On Friday I spent the morning putting on skin lotion from my sunburn in Guernville just prior. Show up in person to buy tickets. THIS is the greatness of Jimmy Buffett. I guess the folks are nicer in Key West than in Nicasio. read more

We had our wedding last month at Rancho Nicasio and can confidently say we had the best day of our lives. I cannot say enough good things about it! From the beginning the process was seamless. RN provides nearly everything - food, alcohol, lights, wedding coordinator, etc so all we had to do was make a few decisions and provide DJ, photographer, dessert. Marina was incredible to work with and made the months leading up and day of stress free. The location is the perfect combination of character and beauty and the fact that they pride themselves in sourcing local food and drinks was the cherry on top. Our guests are still talking about how beautiful the venue was and nearly every person said it was THE BEST food they ever had at a wedding! We can't stay away and have already gone back for a Sunday bbq to experience it all again. It didn't disappoint. read more

I've patronized Rancho Nicasio for decades. And I like the place. But what happened last night, not so much, because of the way the manager handled a situation with a little ole salad and couldn't go the extra mile. Rare for me to take food back and ask for help with an unsatisfactory dish. But I did, and hoping to be treated like a valued customer over a four dollar salad (cost to the restaurant) but a $12 dollar salad for me, which was part of my main course. Last night I took myself and two others to Rancho Nicasio Restaurant for a birthday dinner and spent $110 with an additional $12 jar tip on top of the dinner price, even though it was for a self-service dinner (order at bar). Even paid $2 dollars per bottle of water, when most restaurants are NOW serving water free of charge. I happily paid the $2 dollar per plate cake cutting charge too. And I work real hard for my money like all of us folks. Not like it falls in my lap. HERE'S where it went SOUTH. When my beet, walnut and goat cheese salad arrived it was under dressed with dressing, the beets looked washed out, refrigerated, but not fresh cut flavor, (as if beets were in a bin pre sliced waiting for salad... you know, that stale refrigerated oxidized taste). I addressed the salad to the manager and he told me that he could give me more dressing, but that he tasted the salad and that he couldn't find anything wrong with it. And because he found nothing wrong with it (in his opinion) he denied my request of any remedy of another dish or refund, yet only to eat what I was given and like it. Though more salad dressing was not the cure. And so a disappointing dining and customer experience, which I think could have been handled more fairly in the scheme of what he knew I spent, since he took my order at the bar. I declined the manager's offer of more dressing and didn't eat as I watched my guests enjoy their meal. Even after tipping him $12 at the bar BEFORE the meal and service was ever served. It was my show of faith ahead of the service, and yet he failed me. Dropping $110 on Rancho Nicasio and that was my experience of being treated by the manager; poorly. I truly wish I'd been given the benefit of the doubt and treated with some modicum of care instead of a flat affect, disregarding and monotone response, as if none of the experience of pride of customer service existed for the exchange between me and the manager at Rancho Nicasio. I was polite about how I approached the situation. I would like for a reply and a chance to get a good meal there again, if only the manager or owner would reply with a solution. Lastly, for anywhere you dine...be cautious in tipping at the bar before service and food arrives. And perhaps reconsider and not get the beet and walnut salad. read more

I Love the Rancho, been going there for nearly 50 years, I've seen it go thru many changes, I was glad when Bob Brown bought it and further glad he keeps it alive with great music, I have no complaints about the place except for the indoor Dinners, the outdoor venue is OK you get a lot of food for the money, but for some reason I've never had great indoor dinner experience, most of it is the chefs fault, every time I go there for dinner I eat something different, just to avoid eating the same thing I bought the time before that. A couple years ago I tried the Salmon, it was overcooked and dry, the next time I bought the prime rib, half of it was fat, the cook should have seen that and put it aside for a better slice and the waitress kind of said O well, sorry! then the last time I went I tried the Lamb shank, there was maybe a 1/2 cup of meat on it, mostly gristle and fat. In every restaurant, it's the cook who determines what you get and how you get it, not the owner or waitress fault, but the owner should be aware of that and make sure that the customer is satisfied. I'm going there next week for a show, I think I'll stop at Acme Burgers on the way and get a great $7. burger read more

Yo Yo Yo:Grade A If you haven't been here yet make plans! Total blast the food was great and atmosphere was awesome. Plan a night out and have fun. read more

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We held our Wedding Welcome Dinner here the night before the wedding. The setting was perfect and the food was delicious. Marina Ellory is very easy to work with. She had great suggestions and was responsive. She kept her positive attitude throughout the months of planning. read more

I grew up in Marin County and now live in Brooklyn, NY. When I got engaged, it was important to me that we had a West Marin wedding as this special part of the state is something we really wanted all of our friends from all over the world to see. The first planner I spoke to told me what I wanted was impossible to pull off. But I'm determined.... My first idea was to have a Welcome Party at Rancho Nicasio for what ended up being 150 people. I had my 8th grade Father Daughter Dance there and its been a special place to me since I was a little girl. From the moment I reached out and started talking to Marina, the events co-ordinator, everything was SEAMLESS. She was so on top of it, helped me plan every detail and stayed in consistent, clear communication. This planning took about one year and had many meticulous details- a roving count of guests, a local band, a little girl's birthday and provided transportation to name a few. Marina was AMAZING all along, as was Jamie who did the sound for our speeches and the event. A truly TOP NOTCH crew. Then came the actual night- because of other events planned for this Wedding Weekend, I wanted Rancho to not be decorated and just be shown for the beautiful, special and preserved place it is. When we arrived, I was blown away by how beautiful it was- the setting sun, beautiful table settings, lovely bar, such polite and well dressed service. It was far beyond my expectations. The food was amazing, the setting breathtaking and the whole night beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you to Marina and everyone at Rancho Nicasio who made our dreams come true and gave ourselves and our guests a true West Marin night that will remain unmatched and be in everyone's memories for many years to come. I could not recommend this venue and their staff more, and we will always be back to remember the best weekend of our lives. read more

We reserved at charming rustic dining room at Rancho Nicasio where they catered a delicious rehearsal dinner for our son and daughter-in-laws wedding last summer. The planner Marina was delightful to work with and very professional. The waitstaff were friendly and attentive and we had so many compliments from our guests. The only downside is that we were having such a good time, and we forgot to take pictures! read more

We had the most magical wedding day ever here just 2 weeks ago and if we could do it all over again I wouldn't have changed a thing! Couldn't have dreamed of a more beautiful place to get married. Marina was fantastic to work with and was there whenever we needed her or if we had any questions at all! People are still talking about how amazing the food was! Everything was perfect, thank you to Marina and the whole crew at Rancho Nicasio for making our day perfect ! read more

I've been here several times for the Music and BBQ events - and they are GRAND! Yesterday it was the amazing Ruthie Foster. This venue is just so wonderful - lovely outdoor setting, small enough crowd that there is not a bad seat - feels like you are in someone's back yard for a concert. Lots of room to roam and dance and hang out. They have a varied menu of food and drinks - all reasonably priced. Highly recommended for a grand afternoon! read more

Was there on the 4th. Had a good band. Good BBQ. There was dancing. Oh ya and lots of drinking. It's kind of out of the way. But worth the drive. read more