This review is really about what makes America a great place and reminds me why I am very proud to have been born and grown up here. I imagine the traits I appreciate here are not exclusively American ones, but they are ones we, as a country, value deeply and embrace. That this review is about how those traits express themselves in good food and service is why I have chosen to post it here on Yelp.
There is this little town in southern part of the county, really not much more than a pretty, wide spot in the road, but like many rural places in the US, a strong and independent community. Most people had never even heard of this little town until June of 2013. After June 30th, there were very few that had not heard about the tragedy and terrible loss of the "Yarnell 19."
The Ranch House Yarnell is a sprawled building on the east side of the highway, when we fist visited it, an unremarkable off-white and now a vibrant blue. It is the local breakfast and lunch spot for this town; where the locals and travelers alike gather. Just about any small town worth its salt has one like it.
Last June the folks that make this place more than an old, ramshackle, building could see a raw slice of hell bearing down on their homes, businesses and neighbors. There was no fighting it; nineteen of America's best Wildland Firefighters had already succumbed to its unstoppable rampage. They had to turn and run. It was endless days until they knew what had survived.
Across the street was desolation; homes had burned to their very foundations, and the earth scorched and barren. But the Ranch House still stood. It was dingy from smoke and every inch of it had to be washed by hand. When power lines fell to flames every perishable food item was lost as the refrigeration failed. It was all replaced and in a few weeks they opened.
They picked themselves up and went back to work. They serve darn good food and people like my Husbear and I make it a point to stop here whenever we are in the area. This isn't Michelin three-star cuisine; (in most of the U.S. that is considered an odd affection anyhow.) They offer home-made Biscuits and Gravy, Hash Browns, Pancakes, Steak & Eggs, Bacon, Sausage. In short, the breakfast classics that we all know and love, done just about to perfection. Boy do I like their Breakfast!
Lunch likewise is all the old-school diner classics: Burgers and Frys, sandwiches, Tuna, Chili, Enchiladas & Burritos (hey, this is still Arizona after all!) And, just to surprise the complacent, a very tasty Grilled Trout Fillet with Salad and a pretty darn good Philly Cheese Steak for this far from Market Street. Don't drive by; these folks are the real deal.
And afterwards, when you are stuffed like I am, take a minute and look across the road and listen. You will hear the sounds of a great little town lifting itself by its bootstraps!
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