Olympia’s Award-Winning Ranch House BBQ

My brother Jeff’s birthday was this past weekend, and he had one request: Good barbeque. To be honest, I haven’t had any local BBQ I’ve been wowed over, until now.

I come from a family of food lovers, and we all have our own opinions when it comes to choosing a restaurant for a family dinner. Doing as brothers do, Jeff reminded me I don’t know everything about everything, even restaurants, and he did a little research on his own, finding Ranch House BBQ and Steakhouse in Olympia. I took to Twitter and asked folks what they thought. From the unanimously positive responses I received, it seemed like a good idea to check out what people were calling the best BBQ in the South Puget Sound.

The drive to Ranch House is scenic, and while it is a bit out of town, it’s worth the drive down the tree-lined highway. Just when we thought we were lost or must have passed the restaurant, we spotted it on the side of the road, right alongside Kennedy Creek. The giant smokers outside were a good sign.

When we stepped through the doors, the first thing I noticed were the walls lined with awards. There are trophies on the window, banners and plaques everywhere you look.

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Gluten Free in the South Sound

 

  • I’ve been eating mostly gluten-free lately. Like many people, I’m discovering that I feel better and have more energy when avoiding gluten in my diet. It’s hard as a food writer to avoid it completely, since it’s in practically everything. However, I have been pleasantly surprised at the gluten free options in South Sound restaurants, cafes and bakeries. There are not as many gluten free friendly places as I’d like, but it’s a great start. Note: Not all of the below restaurants are suitable with someone with Celiac disease or a highly sensitive gluten allergy, as some restaurants may have more cross contamination with gluten foods than others. Be sure to check with them if you have concerns about cross contamination.  Restaurant menus tend to change often, so please be sure to check with the restaurants listed before dining in case their gluten free availability has changed. I update this list with your suggestions, and as I discover more places, so send your favorites my way! Continue reading →