Ryan M.
Yelp
Perched amidst the rolling hills of Buffalo Gap, Texas (a magical place a stone's throw from Abilene), Perini Ranch is more than just a steakhouse; it's a culinary oasis brimming with local flavor, a place where rustic charm meets culinary excellence. I had heard so many overwhelmingly positive things about Perini Ranch that I added it to my "bucket list" and drove nearly 250 miles just to dine there. Yes, I am insane, but I know good grub!
Every entree includes a complimentary house salad, a surprisingly generous portion of greens dressed liberally with homemade ranch dressing. If you follow me, Dear Reader (and you really should!), then you know I am picky about ranch dressing. So many places go cheap by using bottled dressings, but this was the real deal: creamy, herbaceous, and balanced with just the right amount of vinegar.
I could bloviate about the salad, but that's not why you're here. No, you want to read my take on the much-heralded ribeye, the undisputed star of the show. Arriving Pittsburgh-style (charred on the outside, rare in the center), it ranked among the best I've had anywhere, including more expensive prime steakhouses. Each bite was an explosion of tenderness, the juicy marbling practically melting on my tongue. The kitchen had rendered the fat along the edges, leaving behind a crisp, caramelized crust that added another layer of textural delight. It was a prime example of Texas beef done right -- nothing fussy, just a great cut of beef treated with respect.
On a follow-up visit, the prime rib was a revelation, a towering monument of tender, fatty, slow-cooked perfection. Each forkful revealed melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, the rich flavor imbued with a subtle hint of smoke from the mesquite grill. The menu advertises a 12-ounch portion -- which was what I ordered -- but I believe the weight was much closer to 16 ounces. That is most definitely not a complaint!
While Perini Ranch's reputation for succulent steaks precedes it, their supporting cast of sides deserves no less acclaim. These are not mere afterthoughts, but meticulously crafted dishes that complement every steak.
The cutely named Zucchini Perini (their biggest seller) features layers of the titular squash with a generous portion of mozzarella and a zesty meat sauce that reminded me of lasagna. Another standout side, the hominy with green chilies, featured tender hominy kernels bathed in a vibrant, piquant green chile sauce. The heat was gentle, building slowly and warming the palate without overwhelming.
No Texas feast is complete without dessert, and Perini Ranch knows this well. Their old-fashioned strawberry shortcake was a nostalgic delight: macerated Texas strawberries perched atop dense, buttery, flaky shortcake. If you've grown accustomed to whipped cream, then you might be taken aback at first by the small tin of warm heavy cream that accompanies this dish. The idea is to pour the cream atop the dessert tableside. See my videos! Another dessert, chocolate sheet cake, was moist and well balanced: not too sweet, not too bitter.
Perini Ranch is more than just a steakhouse; it's an experience. The warm country hospitality, the rustic local charm, and chef/owner Tom Perini's unwavering commitment to quality come together to create a culinary experience well worth the drive. My final verdict: five very enthusiastic stars, a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of Texas culinary magic.