If you're looking for a short road trip from Fort Worth that feels like a true getaway, you've got to check out Perini Ranch Steakhouse. From the moment you arrive, it feels like you're out in the middle of nowhere--in the best way possible. The rustic atmosphere is incredible, and on the cool day we visited, they had a wood-burning fireplace going right in the middle of the dining room. It made the whole experience feel cozy and authentic. What really stood out, though, was the people. The service was absolutely top-notch from start to finish. I even had the chance to chat with a woman who's been working there for over 20 years--she shared some of the restaurant's history and how it's evolved over time, which made the visit even more special. For food, we started with the fried quail legs--perfectly cooked and seriously delicious (we could've easily eaten more). For the main course, I had the ribeye cooked medium rare, and it was spot on--full of flavor and didn't need a thing added. My wife went with the hamburger steak and loved it as well. Great food, even better people, and an atmosphere that's hard to beat. We'll definitely be back. read more

Perini's is well known around Abilene and has a great reputation. We tried it twice and the upshot is this-- Great steaks. Few menu choices. Mediocre sides and appetizers. The ambience is fine; sortuv a rustic cabin feel. We've had great service the two times we went, and the table bread is wonderful. Not impressed with the thick, (cooked?) carpaccio or the overcooked brussel sprouts. Compared to the USA, it's a 3/5. But in Abilene? Maybe a 4/5. read more

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." Rating: 1 star -- because apparently "where's the beef?" now also means "where's the flavor?" Longtime customer here, and this visit felt like a steakhouse parody. A $92 steak arrived overcooked, under-seasoned, and carrying all the personality of drywall. Somewhere between the grill and the table, taste took the night off. At one point I almost asked if seasoning was part of a separate pricing tier. Next visit I may bring my own A1 sauce, a smoke detector, and a rescue team to locate the missing flavor. This place used to be magazine-worthy. Now it feels like it's surviving on old headlines and memories. And for the people flying in from Tokyo for the "famous steaks" -- save your fuel. Steak prices may have hit the roof, but unfortunately the flavor never made the trip. read more

Perini Ranch Steakhouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Buffalo Gap, Texas

Ordered medium-well. What arrived was somewhere between "well done" and "why did we do this." No flavor, no finesse, just heat doing its own thing with zero supervision--despite the confidence level in the room from someone who "knows his meat" and has the cow credentials to prove it. Meanwhile, Perini beef sticks are quietly out here winning the entire category without trying. Well. Well. Well. So much for medium-well... this one went straight to overcooked regret. read more

Great Texas experience. The mesquite bbq, with the rustic settling is an experience to be had. The service was great, made you feel like you're a repeat customer even the first time there. Steaks were on point, some of the best in Texas. This is a institution not to be missed. read more

Our group of 6 had an outstanding experience. The filet is everything it's supposed to be...juicy, tender, flavorful. Cooked to perfection. Sides and starters were fantastic. Service was friendly, efficient and top notch. We will definitely be back. read more

Bucket List Blunder This place has been on my bucket list since moving to Texas 10 years ago. The anticipation was the best part of the dining experience. Don't get me wrong, the rustic interior of the restaurant is a lot of fun, as is the outside areas. Maybe my expectations were too high but my ribeye was not what I expected, nor were the cowboy potatoes. I asked for my steak to be cooked medium to medium well. It came out a chard ugly piece of meat that while still flavorful was dry and crusty. I should have had it sent back but didn't want to make a scene. The cowboy potatoes sounded fantastic as described on the menu but ended up being just roast potatoes with a dash of flavor. The winner of the night was the Ranch Water cocktail. First time having one and the first was so good I ordered a second. Our server, Alexis, was attentive and very personable. read more

See all

Nestled in the rustic hamlet of Buffalo Gap, Texas, Perini Ranch Steakhouse stands as a beacon of no-frills culinary excellence and authentic Texas hospitality. Just a short drive south of Abilene, this iconic establishment has been a beloved destination for over four decades, drawing locals, travelers, and celebrities to its weathered barn-turned-restaurant. Perini Ranch continues to thrive as a testament to the vision of founders Tom and Lisa Perini, blending cowboy chuckwagon tradition with refined dining in a way that feels both timeless and uniquely Texan. From the moment you turn off the two-lane highway and onto the gravel lot, Perini Ranch Steakhouse exudes an unpretentious charm. Housed in a former hay barn (Tom added air conditioning about ten years ago), the building's corrugated tin and weathered wood exterior set the tone for an experience rooted in ranching heritage. The interior is cozy yet spacious, with wooden tables, repurposed church pews, and a nod to Texas chic. There's no ostentation here; the focus is on comfort, southern hospitality, and great food. Beef is undeniably the star of the show at Perini Ranch. The 16-ounce ribeye ("Tom's favorite") -- boasting a seared crust, rendered rivulets of intramuscular fat, and a juicy interior -- is a standout, with the mesquite smoke and proprietary meat rub imparting a distinctive, beefy/umami depth of flavor. The prime rib -- one of the best in Texas -- sports a crispy, peppery, caramelized crust and a melt-in-your-mouth interior. The trifecta of tenderness, fat, and bold beefy flavor make it a standout. For those seeking variety, the Ranch Burger -- piled high with grilled mushrooms, red onions, green chiles, and cheddar -- has earned national acclaim from Texas Monthly and The Today Show as one of the best burgers in America. The meat melts in the mouth, while the toppings complement but never overwhelm the burger. Beyond beef, the heritage pork ribs bring a juicy, tender, flavorful twist to the table, showcasing the kitchen's versatility. Having devoured more barbecue than I'd care to admit, I know a great pork rib when I taste one. These beauties could easily compete against any pork rib from a dedicated barbecue joint. These meat has just the right amount of give; it's neither "fall-off-the-bone" tender (i.e., overcooked) nor tough. The sides at Perini Ranch are far from an afterthought; they're hearty, creative, and complement the proteins. The green chile hominy, laced with cheddar and roasted hatch chilies, offers an earthy, comforting complement to the rich meats. The Zucchini Perini, a family recipe with Italian flair, features tender zucchini baked in a tomato-meat sauce and topped with Parmesan. It's a dish that's both homey and sophisticated, calling to mind an Italian grandma's bolognese. No meal at Perini Ranch is complete without dessert. The bread pudding, made with sourdough, Texas pecans, and a generous drizzle of Maker's Mark whiskey sauce, is a decadent finale. My favorite, the strawberry shortcake, is made the old-fashioned way with sugar biscuits, warm strawberries, and a side of heavy cream. This old-school iteration may strike some diners as odd, but the cream brings everything together into a dish far greater than the sum of its parts. The staff at Perini Ranch embody the warmth and generosity that define Texan hospitality. Servers are attentive yet unobtrusive, well-versed on the menu, and quick to accommodate special requests. Whenever I request a larger table to accommodate my dad's disability, the hostess allows us to sit at a large circular table intended for six or more patrons. Since opening in 1983, Perini Ranch has garnered accolades that underscore its status as a culinary institution. Named an "American Classic" by the James Beard Foundation in 2014, it has also been featured in Texas Monthly, Food & Wine, and The New York Times. Tom Perini's mesquite-smoked peppered beef tenderloin was once dubbed the mail-order gift of the year, and the couple has catered for presidents and dignitaries, from George W. Bush to Vladimir Putin (yes, really). Yet, despite the national spotlight, the Perinis remain committed to their roots, rejecting franchising offers to preserve the steakhouse's soul. Perini Ranch Steakhouse is more than a restaurant. It's pilgrimage for food lovers seeking authenticity, quality, and a taste of Texas heritage. As Tom Perini himself might call it, this is a "nice joint" -- one that's earned its place in the pantheon of American destination steakhouses. For those willing to make the drive, Perini Ranch Steakhouse offers a meal -- and a memory -- to cherish. read more

See all

This is a well known Texas staple. This was our first visit and we had very high hopes. The interior has tons of rustic charm. The service was on point, friendly and helpful. The drinks were fabulous and they had an eclectic selection. The food for the price was average with the exception of the steak. It was fabulous. For the price there are really better quality food options in Abilene. It is a fun place to visit but I am not sure that I would return and spend $200 on three meals. I don't mind paying if the food exceptional. Burger- dry and lacked flavor, homemade chips were stale Filet- excellent!!!! Ribs- average with side of potato's- a few were tough or raw Side salads- very good Strawberry shortcake- best item we had! read more

See all

This restaurant is beautiful! The lights hanging outside are lovely. The food is amazing! The steaks are perfect, as are all the other dishes. You have to go here. One word of warning... Wear stretchy pants. You will not want to stop eating because everything is so delicious! read more

Best steak we've had in Texas. Awesome ambiance. Fantastic service. Beautiful scenery. read more

Really enjoyed our experience and glad we stopped. Loved the atmosphere, very rustic and inviting. Service was great and the food was really good. We had the ribeyes and jalapeño mac and cheese. We added ranch dressing to the blue chop salad and then it was great as well. We will definitely be stopping again on our way through Abilene ! read more

Fun, friendly atmosphere. Amazing food service was excellent. The best hot and spicy pickles.

This review is for an online order of their brisket. The customer service is very poor and nonexistent. I sent three emails to them over a week and I am yet to receive a response. It had to do with a poor delivery by their chosen shipper FedEx which did not require a signature for a perishable item which was left in a garage. As soon as I got the photo of the delivery I chased down the recipient to retrieve it. Fortunately I was able to find them. I paid $60 for delivery and expected a much better service including delivery with a signature verification. What's worse is that the company completely ignored my three emails. I don't think they care about their customers. BTW, the package was a gift to a friend and the surprise element was completely lost. I will not use this company again nor would I recommend them no matter how good their products are. read more

Food is good for the most part. Your paying for atmosphere. Steaks are way over priced for the taste and quality. There are better steaks in Buffalo Gap for a lot less money that taste better and less expensive. The pepper tenderloin is great. Buffet on Sunday is good, again over priced for what you get. Mr. Perini has done a great job marketing his place. Its what you expect to see in Texas. One of the big problems for the money not all of his products are Grass fed beef, and certified organic sides dishes. Its a nice place to visit with out of town guest because of atmosphere. read more

Absolutely incredible experience here. Food and drinks were amazing but the Buffalo Gap and Texas historical interior made relaxing inside even better. I was fortunate to meet world renown restauranteur and historian Tom Perini while there. If you miss him here, you may catch him at his unique restaurant Hide and Horn just a mile away. Another incredible experience I'll enjoy every time I visit the area. Thank you at Perini's Ranch for a great experience! read more

Very nice and food was great. The portions of sides are a bit too small for how much they cost. I give 4 instead of 5 starts this time due to relying too much on plastic drink ware and plates. This place is too expensive to be using plastic junk. I know it wants to retain a quaint frontier pioneer vibe, but they didn't have plastic either. Use some ceramic or earthware stuff The wines are pretty expensive for what they are. I mean nearly $60 for a screw top red that tastes "meh" The rolls are fairly basic and nothing special but included read more

Believe the hype! This place is legit. Everything (well, almost) was absolutely delicious. We started with the smoked tenderloin carpaccio, and it was flavorful and refreshing. I had the 16oz ribeye, it was cooked perfectly to medium rare with an amazing sear on the outside. You could taste the wood and smoke in the crust, in the best way possible. My son ordered the fried catfish, and it was fresh and clean with a perfect crispy batter. The hominy was a standout; I would buy that by the gallon! The green beans were good, but the zucchini Perini was the only thing we didn't like. It wasn't bad but it just didn't wow us like everything else did. The drinks are outstanding as well, I had a whiskey sour, and they actually use egg whites. It makes such a difference, but many places skip its inclusion, sadly. Don't skip dessert, order the strawberry shortcake. The sugar biscuits and fresh cream make this dessert so refreshing. read more

Ive had good meals here and ok meals. Since the most recent price increase it seems that the quality does not match the cost. Use to be a favorite to take people from out of town but im not willing to pay that much for a just descent steak. read more

Celebrated an ACU grad at Perinis with family, electricity was lost in the area so it was awkward at first with the menu, but by the time power was restored we were all ordered and served flawlessly- everything was great, perfect weather too- an unforgettable experience at the PRS! read more

Perini Ranch Steakhouse - Happy ACU (Masters) Grad LHF-2025! - Steakhouses Near Me - Buffalo Gap, Texas

We were traveling back to KS from Houston and stopped for a few nights in Fredericksburg. Struck up a conversation with another couple, and they told us about Perini's. Best steakhouse in Texas is how they described it. I made a reservation through their website for the next day, and we skipped lunch in order to be extra hungry. Perini's did not disappoint. Fantastic, friendly service and steak so delicious, you will be amazed. My husband had the rib-eye and he said it was the best steak he has ever eaten. I had the prime rib, and it was also delicious. However, he gave me a bite of his ribeye, and if I ever make it back here, that is what I am having next time. So amazing! read more

Perini Ranch Steakhouse - Ribeye with cowboy potatoes and prime rib with hominy. - Steakhouses Near Me - Buffalo Gap, Texas

There is no steak in the entire world that is cooked better or perfectly seasoned as good as this places stakes do. Their stakes literally melt in your mouth and I have eaten at some of the so called best stake houses in the world and nothing has ever tasted any where near what this restaurant can do. read more

Plastic plates? Really? I expected more. My medium rare steak was really dry on the outside and edges. I added butter to moisturize it. Blue cheese dressing is great and chunky. I was charged $2.50 for a salad. When I thought the menu clearly said that it was included WTH? read more

Perini Ranch Steakhouse is a wonderful experience all around. It has a rustic vibe but very clean. The food was amazing and the service provided by Ryan was even more amazing. My family said the steak was one of the very best they had eaten. I had a pork chop that was delicious. The bread pudding was out of this world (save room for it). And as a bonus the bread pudding was only $5. Don't forget to take a selfie with the ginormous armadillo. read more

See all

This is truly Texas hospitality and the best steaks you can eat. People are true Texans with plenty of service and smiles. Food is absolutely awesome and true Texas ambiance. Never lets me down. read more

Rustic backwoods gem!! I would have never known about this place if my boss hadn't recommended that we head out here for dinner. He said the last time he was out here was 20+ years ago and it was phenomenal then and it's still phenomenal now. He was not kidding!!! Alexis was our server (in training) and she handled our party of 7 like a pro! As a group of retired Military, we tend to get a like rambunctious. I commend Alexis in ensuring our water glasses were always full and catering to our every need. I started off with the Cowboy Bloody Mary, it definitely packs a spicy punch and I loved the Pickled okra! I then ordered the 12oz Prime Rib (M/R) with the twice baked potato casserole. The prime rib was cooked perfectly and I loved the cracked pepper mesquite seasoned chard bark. It definitely added the perfect zest to the prime rib. I mixed a little of the horseradish sauce in the potatoes as they were kind of dry, it definitely seasoned them up to more my liking. All 7 of us went home fat and happy and looking for the next time we can visit Perini Ranch Steakhouse! If your in the Abilene area and your looking for some great food, I highly recommend ya take the drive out to Perini Steakhouse, it's worth the trip and you will not be disappointed! read more

See all

What can I say about this place that hasn't been covered by Texas Monthly, the Today Show, and countless news sources and publications? This establishment is a Texas legend. When you are in the Top 3 Steakhouses in Texas and you are rocking the Number 7 Burger in Texas - you are at the top of your game. We stopped by here on the long journey from Big Bend to DFW for a taste of the food that we have only ever read about. Our experience was made better from the beginning thanks to our server Madison, who was the perfect example of Texas hospitality. Coming in, I saw the kitchen assembling their Ranch Salads and had to order one. We each went with the Today Show burger - a heaping combination of a half-pound patty, grilled onions, green chiles, and both cheddar and provolone cheeses. Note: you can order either cheese, or both - we went with both, which Madison endorsed. The Ranch Salad - you can't get a salad this fresh, this flavorful (thank you, homemade ranch), and this well-priced anywhere. It was SO good, especially coming in on a hot day. The burger - EPIC. You could taste every component of this burger - especially that high-grade, perfectly cooked beef. The meat was charred, yet moist and tender, full of flavor. The meat was sandwiched with a potato bun, which lent the burger some sweetness. This burger was tough to tackle, but worth the effort. It immediately landed on my Top 5 list without reservation. This delicious burger came with homemade kettle chips that actually tasted like potatoes! Imagine that! I had a couple but kept my focus on the burger. Did we have room for dessert? Well, we told Madison we did so we could try their jalapeño cheesecake. I am not a sweets person - I am a savory type of guy, but this dessert was solid. Sweet and spicy, just like yours truly. Madison and manager Rhonda checked on us throughout our meal and made our experience especially notable. We can't wait to come back, and are so thankful we got in right away and seated for this uniquely Texas experience. It fills up quick here- reservations are recommended. Thank you, Perini Ranch, for reminding us of the beauty in the world in which we live, and for making our drive back to the DFW more tolerable. read more

See all

We were pretty excited to try a bucket list destination restaurant and we love us some beef. We ordered the ranch burger, peppercorn strip steak, ranch salad, blue cheese chopped salad, and strawberry shortcake. Appetizers were accompanied by excellent house margaritas made with fresh lime juice, Grand Marnier, and El Jimador Reposado Tequila. Definitely order these top quality Margaritas. Let's start with the salads. Really fresh and flavorful dressings and produce. Both salads were delicious and I'd recommend either. When they grind pepper over your bowl you can actually see it! Lovely coarse cracked black nuggets of flavor that take your salad to the next level. The rolls were a Parker House roll variant with some sort of corn meal situation. Tasty, but I didn't want to waste my limited consumption capabilities by filling up on bread. Both the steak and burger lived up to their reputations. If you like pepper steak, this is an excellent version with a black pepper crust, prime beef, wicked mesquite sear and juicy interior. The burger was a heavy hitter with rich moist flavor and top quality beef. The house fried potato chips were great; good crisp and nice potato flavor. The zucchini, which is a house specialty, was rather meh IMHO. The strawberry shortcake is not to be missed, but is easily shared since you will be bursting at the seams by this point. The fresh berries are cooked and create a fruity but not too sweet balance to the classic shortcake. It's a lovely ending to a great meal. The wine list is short but very good. The service is efficient and friendly. The interior is classic Texas steakhouse with rustic interiors, lots of wood, and comfortable mismatched seating. Not fancy. But that's the Texas way. Spend $100+ a head for dinner for some of the the finest quality and best preparation in the country and eat in an old restored barn that only got air conditioning in 2013. God bless Texas. Highly recommended. read more

Perini Ranch Steakhouse - Ranch burger - Steakhouses Near Me - Buffalo Gap, Texas

The Sunday lunch buffet was outstanding. Fried chicken was tender and moist. The entire menu was delicious. Service was the best as usual. A great family outing. read more

Steaks were great. Everything else was average at best. Possibly the most bland dessert I've ever tried with the strawberry shortcake. Service was great and the atmosphere was cool. I can see how the city folk would like the place. read more

It is always a treat to dine at Perini Ranch. We were passing through the area and stopped in for lunch. We started with the bacon wrapped peppers which were super tasty. After that we had the Grilled Catfish which was well prepared and seasoned, the Pork Chop which was awesome, and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich which was the best I have had in some time. All of the items were tasty and we also had some super tasty rolls. We wrapped up with the Strawberry Shortcake which was on point and delicious. Service was excellent but you do want to make a reservation if you are going to stop by. Highly reccommended. read more

Once upon a time I felt that I was the only one who could grill a perfect steak. Wrong was I. I found myself in Abilene recently and was told to give Perini Ranch Steakhouse a try. This place is part of heaven. I had a salad and the filet. Absolute perfection. Every bite just melted in my mouth. Salad was top notch but that filet was awesome. For dessert I shared the Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake. Perfection. The wait staff was kind and knowledgeable about their food. And the atmosphere was great. I hope to return someday. Until I return I will be thinking of that filet I devoured with fond memories. read more

Best ribeye was the best I've had in years. Service was great and all the staff very friendly. We staged on the back patio for a beverage before going to dining room. Great place to sit and visit. read more

High quality west texan food, always solid filet mignon with vegetables as side and their Caesar salad never disappoints. Always for dessert get the strawberry shortcake, they have a texan twist to it by a buttermilk biscuit with strawberry and cream either way a solid place all around read more

I travel all over the US and this restaurant is at the top of my very favorite places to eat. From the moment I drive over the cattle gate leading to this quaint true Texas experience I absolutely know it will be well worth the out of the way drive. The food is delicious! Steaks literally melt in your mouth. Complimented by cowboy potatoes, hominy grits, and any of the other chuck wagon type sides, you'll not be disappointed. If you are a bread lover, you'll appreciate the biscuit/roll type combo you can easily imagine cowboys stuffed in their packs for enjoying later on the trail. But please save room for the incomparable bread pudding! Eat one to perfectly complete your meal and take one home because you'll crave it later. One is never enough! All in all, just a perfect place to entertain and dine. Easily one of the Lone Star states must visit places! read more

Historic dining establishment going back many years. My uncle took me there around 20 years ago and had to go back when I got anywhere near. Not disappointed!! Have to try the jalapeño bits and the bread pudding for dessert. Hamburger is award winning. Steaks are great. read more

Have been looking forward to the visit to this iconic steak ranch for a while. We were not disappointed. We drove 3+ hours from Dallas, so we made a day of it and visited some of the local sites. We ate at 3:30, so had the lunch menu. Only difference from dinner menu is we could not get the prime rib. We started with a ranch water and jalapeño bites. Perfect pairing and both were very good. You don't come here not order a steak. We ordered the rib-eye and filet. We also ordered all of their sides except the asparagus. It was nice that the could cook the steak to medium rare plus for my fiancé. The steaks were done to perfection, tender and full of taste. The sides were all good. We liked the perini zucchini the best. The potatoes were a bit overdone and dry. We did get a salad with the meal. Both salads were very good. Crisp and fresh. I opted for the blue cheese upgrade which was very tasty. We ordered a bottle of wine with our a meal. A French Bordeaux. The wine selection is not big, but good. Our Bordeaux was perfection. This is a down to earth kind and simple atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable when compared to what you would expect to pay in Dallas. Simply a gem, as are the people at this fine establishment. I'm not sure I have ever given a 5 star to any establishment. This is my first 5 star rating I have given and I'm doing it without hesitation because of the quality of food, price and service. read more

Alcoholic beverages (tried 4 different ones) were overly sweet with too much juice/syrup. All potato side dishes were flavorless and undercooked. Caesar salad was more of a salad with oil dressing and cheese. Steak came overcooked, but the flavor on the meat was good. read more

Best food in the Big Country! Get a reservation! The rib eyes are among the best around and the sides are always on point!

Let me start by saying we love Perini's. We moved to Abilene 2 years ago and have been here 5 or 6 times and always had a great meal, which is what I expect for the price. That was until our most recent visit on Friday. We had friends in town and I've been talking this place up to them for awhile now so we decided to make a reservation and take them out. The service was great as usual, but the food was pretty disappointing. We all had the ribeye with the exception of my wife who got the filet. All of us ordered medium rare but the steaks came out medium well with very minimal pink. The steaks were bland as if they forgot to season them and I noticed that they were much thinner than usual as well. We each got a side of the cowboy potatoes which were also overcooked, dried out, and under seasoned. We ended up spending close to $190 after tip for 2 steaks, 2 sides, 1 dessert, and 4 drinks between my wife and I. Typically I wouldn't complain about the price, but given the quality of our meal this felt like a complete rip off. I'm hesitant to return after our experience and I'm definitely hesitant to bring out of town guests here in fear of another major let down. read more