Racines

Today we decided to head over to Racines (local Denver restaurant). This place had a great atmosphere and the service was very prompt... even during the heavy lunch rush. Pretty much everything on the menu that we got was great. I of course went for the regular burger and fries... so I could try the 'ranch'. The ranch dressing was pretty awesome. I can tell they make it themselves, since it was a little runny. Additionally... it could tell they can a little different seasoning in it... like a chive or something. Overall, great lunch!

Racines' Ranch = 8

Vesta Dipping Grill

Ok, Ok, I know this is not a 'Ranch' review... but I can't not talk about "Vesta Dipping Grill" in downtown Denver. Talk about a 'dressing' person's heaven. All of there entrées, appetizers, etc... are made to be dipped in one of their 35+ sauces. This place is a great place for a date or a group outing. My favorite is the Peanut Sauce. If you are traveling.... make a point to visit. http://www.vestagrill.com/

ESPN Zone

Well it is almost Thanksgiving and im not sure about you all... but the ranch dessing will be flowing. Good thing I work out 6 times a week :). I recently headed over to ESPN Zone for a quick drink and appetizer. If you haven't been to an ESPN Zone... they are really alot of fun. The one in Denver is pretty small... but Baltimore has a nice big one. The best thing to get on the appetizer menu is the "sampler" since you get a little bit of everything --- which means more things to try 'ranch' on. I wasn't expecting much in the way of flavor from their ranch dressing... so when I wasn't impressed.... I wasn't let down. The ranch just tasted processed and right from the bottle. Even though the 'Zone" is fun... I wouldn't head over for the ranch.

ESPN Zone Ranch - 6.0

Old Chicagos

I was recently at "Old Chicagos" and enjoyed their all you can eat lunch buffet (which is not a bad deal if you are hungry). The worst part is maybe waiting for a favorite pizza to be created once one runs out. There always seems to be lots of Veggie Pizza --- no thanks. So what goes better with pizza than Ranch Dressing. It appears that OCs probably makes their own ranch since it does have that homemade-ish taste. A bit runny... but when you are dipping your pizza... you don't really want a "hardy" dressing. Their Blue Cheese is not too bad either.

Old Chicagos - Ranch Dressing: 7
Old Chicagos - Blue Cheese Dressing: 6.5

New Restaurant in Denver - Maloney's Tavern

This weekend I was able to be one of the lucky test subjects that was selected to go to a new restaurant that will be opening on 11.08. All the food was free... but we had to give them our opinion on the food, services, etc... The place is called Maloney's Tavern. It is not a franchise... but a chain with locations in AZ, CA, and TX. You can read more here -- http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/08/13/story10.html

For the most part the food was excellent... Infact I would recommend any of their appetizers and their lower priced entrees. They have a blue cheese sandwich which is out of this world. Also... be sure to try their sliders! Of course I was all over the ranch and was impressed.

Maloney's Ranch - 7.5
Buffalo Ranch - 8.5

The Cherry Cricket and Capital Grille

This week I was able to head over to one of Denver's best bar/grills. In fact the Cherry Cricket (in Cherry Creek) continues to get awards for the best local hamburger. The "cricket" has been there forever... so it is a little older (maybe not the place for a fancy dinner). They have pool tables, video games, and I think a dart board. So I ordered a burger.... and of course.... what goes best of hamburgers... but ranch dressing. The Cherry Cricket had one hell of a hamburger as well as incredible ranch. The ranch was a little runny... but as long as it is made daily... it doesn't matter. In fact there are days I crave the runny stuff. I also tried their blue cheese and it was very good as well.

Cherry Cricket (Ranch) - 8
Cherry Cricket (Blue Cheese) - 7.5

The end of the week came and my co-workers and I were craving a sit down place. So we visited the Capital Grille. This is an upscale chain restaurant that servers great food --- perfect for fancy dinners or business meetings. They have an incredible steak and lobster bisque. So being such upscale restaurant... they make their own ranch. They use some additional ingredients... almost a peppercorn flavoring. Even though I enjoy a little peppercorn.... the taste consistency of the dressing was off. Overall it reminded me of a good peppercorn dressing with a hint of Kraft Ranch (which I hate). I've eaten here before and remembered something similar. Even though I do like the Capital Grille --- their ranch is a little flat.

The Capital Grille (Ranch) - 5.5

My Brother's Bar

If you live in the Denver Metro area... you have probably heard of "My Brother's Bar". This is a great local hang out place with a fun atmosphere (especially the outside patio) and good bar food. Unfortunately, as much as I enjoy frequenting this establishment... their ranch falls short of their other pluses. 

My Brother's Bar - 2

Bottled Dressing

What would your refrigerator be without "Hidden Valley's Ranch". This is one of the best bottled original ranch dressings. That being said... homemade and some restaurant ranches do taste better. But sometimes... there is no time. "Hidden Valley" has several variations -- but I will be focusing their original recipe. Let's hit on the top manufacturers':

Hidden Valley Original Ranch - 7
Wishbone Ranch - 3
Kraft Ranch - 2

Applebees & Hops Brewery

"Something good in the Neighborhood?"... I was not too impressed with their ranch... however I switched over to their blue cheese and thought it was pretty good. It's pretty hard to screw up blue cheese (that being said... I have had some pretty nasty ones).

Applebees (Ranch) - 4.5
Applebees (Blue Cheese) - 6

I heard that Hops Brewery was not doing so well financially... I hope the one near me stays open since their ranch was pretty good. A little runny... but sometimes you don't need to eat your ranch with a fork. (jk).

Hops - 6.5

The "Not So Great" Ranches

Finding good ranch dressing at a fast food place is hard. The cost to make good ranch is pretty high and many establishments purchase pre-made, high preservative dressing. The following fast food places might have some great food... but the ranch is lacking:
- McDonalds - 4
- Good Times - 3
- Arbys - 4
- Chick-Fil-A - 4

I also recently went to "Earls" (Canadian Franchise w/ a handful of locations here in the US). They have pretty good food... but their "homemade" ranch fell flat.
- Earls - 4

Out for Lunch and Dinner

So I visited "Old Spaghetti Factory" and "Mimi's Cafe" yesterday. OSF never lets me down with their "ranch like" dressing (they call it Creamy Pesto). Mimi's claims they make their ranch dressing on site... but it still tastes alittle processed.

Old Spaghetti Factory (OSF) = 8.5
Mimi's Cafe = 5

What is Ranch Dressing? (Chili's & Red Robin)

Let's start on a high note. Here is a list of some of my favorite ranch dressings (10 Highest - 1 Lowest):

Chili's - 9

Red Robin - 9