Table Mountain Inn (Golden, CO)

The Table Mountain Inn is a great place located right in the heart of downtown Golden. While the prices are a bit high for lunch, their south western variation on ranch is pretty good. I give it 6.5 out of 10.

I recommend getting a side of their awesome steak fries for dipping.

Via Baci Italian Bistro (Lone Tree, CO)

So my wife and I got a gift card to Via Baci Italian Bistro in Lone Tree, CO for Christmas and finally got to use it last week. I was expected a fast food dive... but this place was great! Great food and awesome service! Almost every night they have a special (except Wed). I had to try their ranch and blue cheese and was impressed. That said, the blue cheese was better since it had generous portions of blue cheese crumbles.

We will definitely be back.

Via Baci Ranch = 8
Via Baci Blue Cheese = 8.5

Panera Bread

I ran into Panera super quick for lunch and grabbed their new "chicken cobb" salad with vinaigrette dressing. Now I am not one to evaluate vinaigrettes... but this salad rocked! The dressing with the blue cheese crumbles was awesome! Not as good as my wife's homemade dressing... but great anyhow.

Panera Bread Vinaigrette Dressing = 8

CB & Potts

Last night I stopped by CB & Potts (Colorado Only Restaurant) and grabbed a steak with fries. The waitress mentioned that the ranch dressing was homemade and not just bottled. I got pretty excited since she also mentioned how Chili's and Red Robin have rock'in ranch too. When the ranch came to the table... it was a let down. It was about two notches above Kraft. Sorry CB & Potts, you have a great place with great food, but I would truck in some hidden valley.

CB & Potts Ranch = 5

Hickory House Ribs (BBQ)

If you venture to Parker, CO, this is a must stop. The menu is obvious BBQ... but has so many options! Plus the Ranch Dressing is homemade and is incredible!
Hickory House Ribs Ranch = 9

Rock Bottom Brewery - Updated

I was back over at Rock Bottom and had some of their ranch again. I have good news -- the ranch has been fixed. It is the same old ranch I came to expect. Im sure they ran out of the good stuff. Here's my updated Rock Bottom Ranch rating:

Rock Bottom Ranch = 7.5

Litehouse Salsa Ranch

So my wife and I were over at one of my best friend's home and they introduced us to a new ranch - Litehouse Salsa Ranch. (http://www.litehousefoods.com/product_details.asp?pid=25) I was very surprised how good it tasted - especially for a low cal dressing. (most low cal dressing are also low taste) It had a little kick to it too. I would consider using it as a dip for veggies, etc...

Litehouse Salsa Ranch = 6.5

Rock Bottom Brewery

So i headed over to Rock Bottom Brewery last week and was upset that they recently changed their ranch dressing and fries. Rock Bottom used to make their own dressing and it was pretty darn awesome --- but last week I was given something just above 'kraft' ranch. Additionally... they used to have incredible thin french fries. It appears that they replaced those as well with some think 'ok' ones.

Rock Bottom Ranch = 5

I will give them the benefit of the doubt and try them in another few weeks. Maybe they ranch out and had to run to Costco.

Dewey's America Grill - Highlands Ranch, CO

So I received a BOGO coupon from Dewey's (http://deweysamericangrill.com/home.html) this last week and thought that my wife and I would enjoy trying a new restaurant and saving some cash.

The place was pretty busy -- it is sort of a Highlands Ranch hang out. They seem to support several local sports teams. They have a bar and dining room that was not too bad -- plenty of room. The food was excellent --- especially their fries! Just dip those suckers in their ranch dressing and you are good to go. I think they either make their own ranch dressing or have a really good mix.

The wait staff was OK. I have a feeling they were short staffed. Overall a good experience. We will be back.

Ranch Dressing = 7.5

Rox- Littleton, CO

We recently attended a party at Rox in Littleton, CO (http://www.roxbarandgrill.com/). This bar and grill had reasonable prices and a great atmosphere. On the corner of 470 & Ken Caryl - this used to be wine/cigar bar has a friend staff and good food selection.

Of course I had to try their Ranch --- which tasted very good. It is definitely made fresh. I ordered a burger and fries and pour it all over.

Rox = 7.5

Treo (Lonetree, CO)

So my wife and I visited Treo (in Lonetree, CO) - http://www.treolonetree.com/

We have actually been there about 4 times in the last 2 months due to these BOGO coupons. Their hamburgers are incredible --- almost as good as Red Robin and their salads are very fresh. When it comes to their Ranch --- it is very unique. It is not your typical ranch as it has a hint of sweetness to it. I can't put my finger on it --- but it is tasty -- especially on their buffalo fries.

Treo : Ranch = 7

If you live near Park Meadows I would try them out.

Ted's (Montana Grill)

My wife and I stopped by Ted's the other night and enjoyed a burger/fries and some great chicken. Luckily their ranch was better than the free appetizer (homemade pickles/cucumber) -- Im not the biggest fan.

Ranch = 8.0

Quiznos Caesar Dressing

I was recently at Quiznos and decided to try their Flatbread Chopped Salad - Chicken Caesar. The salad was great --- especially with the flatbread --- but more importantly, the Quiznos Caesar Dressing was incredible. If they sold that at the grocery store, I'd be all over it. During my next visit, I have plans to dip my favorite subs and sammies in it.

Quiznos Caesar Dressing = 9.5

Old Blinking Light

My wife and I decided to help the economy and go to a pricey dinner at the Old Blinking Light this weekend. (there are two; one in Highlands Ranch, CO and one in New Mexico). The atmosphere is great --- you can even get patio seating. Our overall meal was good, but maybe not worth the high price tag. The service was friendly.

Although I did not try their ranch, Old Blinking Light's Caesar dressing is very good. (just make sure you request the anchovy be removed from the salad if you don't care for them). When you order the Caesar salad it comes in a 'parmesan cheese bowl', that you eat afterwards --- very tasty. If you are heading there for dinner or lunch, I recommend a side Caesar salad bowl and splitting a meal with a date. You can then walk over to Cold Stone Creamry and grab dessert.

Old Blinking Light Caesar: 7.5

Yardhouse

I recently went to Yardhouse over the weekend. This is a great place for getting together with a large group of friends, good bar atmosphere, and the food is pretty tasty too. The happy hour specials are very reasonable and are in effect over the weekend as well. So now it comes to the ranch dressing review; unfortunately --- the ranch doesn't do as well as the rest of the place. It is eatable -- but I would stick to their blue cheese.
Yardhouse Ranch = 4.5

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