Bristol’s Ranch House Cafe

I just ate here. It was a terrible. Although I enjoy a quirky local experience, I truly hope the owner of this café (big white haired dude) doesn’t represent the overall culture of this community. I don’t mind waiting for service or for food if it’s good but the service was downright rude and the food was cafeteria grade. I could give you a rundown of exactly everything that happened but I am actually trying to forget it all happened. Some unforgettable high lites though would be how the owner took my order… I asked for scrambled eggs with a side of bacon and then I also ordered a short stack to share with my boyfriend… Well this was very hard for the owner to handle he was confused as to why I didn’t want hash browns and actually got upset with me. I ordered everything like it was on the menu. He then asked if I wanted toast and I said yes if it comes with my breakfast, he paused and shook his head at me made a weird grunt noise. After he went back in the kitchen I could literally hear every word that was then said about my order– basically an argument broke out in the kitchen– he told the cook I wanted toast but that I didn’t WANT to pay for it– the cook exclaims angrily about me not wanting hash browns and that it was silly to order short stack instead of hash browns! They bickered more but I can’t remember it all. Apparently I ordered all wrong even though this was all on the menu. And btw I didn’t even get toast but everyone else in the restaurant got toast. The couple sitting next to us wanted to substitute fruit for hashbrowns which the owner wouldn’t let them do so they just asked for no hashbrowns… Wtf?! Meanwhile there is a mob of new business coming in and he can’t physically keep up and he is so rude that people just start to leave. It took so very long to get our bill and to pay. This experience was so terrible I haven’t even told you how bad the food was!!! Here is the jist… Cold hard bacon, the pancakes literally crumbled to pieces when you stuck a fork in them, cold eggs, no toast, my boyfriends biscuits and gravy was bland and only fit for a nursing home cafeteria. The restroom was clean but the toilet rocked like a rocking chair which was totally weird! Also the arguments in the kitchen kept happening– one time I heard the cook get pissed about how large and order was just for two people and basically yelled at the owner. I will never forget this experience — I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing. I am sure I’ll be able to laugh about it soon.

Our waiter was wonderful and tried to make up for the grumpy owner who interrupted the waiter when he was taking our order and the long wait for our food. Waiter = 5 stars, Food quality, grumpy owner, and dirty bathroom = 1 star.

The food is great you might have to wait a little to get your food but it is fresh and made to order very clean also. Great food made to order relax and enjoy

This restaurant is really great whether you’re heading to are heading back from the Bear Valley area. Are omelettes and eggs were done really well and all the food was incredibly delicious. This is kind of a cozy little restaurant café and has really funny and interesting memorabilia on the wall. You almost feel like you are going to someone’s house, because it is a little bit set up like a dining room with many chairs and tables. The only issue is that this place can fill up really fast and they do not have nearly the amount of staff to help get everyone going. For example, we were one of the first groups to arrive to the restaurant and it took about 35 minutes for our food to get ready. Another less than amazing aspect of this restaurant is it’s bathroom, which is not as well-​kept and clean as it could be. All in all, however, this is one of the better restaurants in the area and I would really recommend it if you’re in town.

Steak and eggs special breakfast was outstanding. They also have some great biscuits and gravy here. Gravy is home made and has both bacon and sausage in it. Can’t wait for another snowy day to go again!

Great breakfast spot up in Bear Valley Country! Every winter for the past 10 – 15 years, my friends and I load up our gear and head for the mountains. Bristols is a fantastic breakfast place for everyone. Quick service and outstanding meals, we try to hit this spot before spending the day at Bear Valley. Typical American Breakfasts, eggs, bacon, sausage, etc, but the homey feel of this place is a wonderful reminder that the mountains are not too far from the city.
Cannot wait to come back & I hope that more people will discover this gem en route to BV!

I wouldn’t normally review on Unilocal,but I just think it would be helpful for both the management and the guests of Bristol’s Ranch House Café. I have only been there three times. Each time however, though many tables were free, we were told there would be a long wait because of short kitchen staff, more than a 45 minute wait for the plates each time. The food is standard short order fare. With even one person cooking, it is hard to imagine why the food takes so long to arrive. Food wait isn’t the only issue. There is the one bathroom, in the middle of the restaurant. One bathroom for the restaurant, which men and women share. Bathroom smells and sounds waft throughout the restaurant. Women of course do not want to use that bathroom, yet have to wait close to an hour before even being served. Outside, there was also a wafting sewer smell, really, like a serious leak from their sewer. The place needs a serious overhaul.

What a joke. Went there today (I had been here before a few times over the years) there was a couple in front of us and 6 – 8 tables open. Seater/​waiter walked by them for 10 minutes and greeted neither them or us. Plenty of open tables. Then he set a menu on the counter for them to look at and still did not greet anyone! I own a business and if I caught my employees treating customers like this they would be fired. Totally unacceptable. Actually glad it happened– how long would it have taken to get helped? Headed over to Susie’s Diner for a great breakfast and service

Went on a drive today to Arnold. My husband and I decided after walking through the craft fair to stop at Bristol’s Ranch House Café for a drink. We both needed to use the restroom so before sitting we did just that. While I was in in the nasty bathroom, a worker approached my husband and asked if he read the sign that said basically the restroom was for patrons only. My husband told him we were going to have a drink and the worker responded «ya right» needless to say we did not stay for a drink and will never step foot in that disgusting place again.

This was the first time my wife and I went into Bristols café. We had wanted to try it and finally did. Typical café food. Nothing special as far as selection. We had just went up to Big Trees State Park and my wife was hungry and wanted breakfast. The waiter told us it would be a 30 minute wait for food but my wife was not in a hurry so she was okay with that. We sat outside and order drinks. 10 minutes later the coffee and water came. Another 10 minutes passed and the waiter came back to take the order. My wife ordered bacon and eggs and I ordered a side of country potatoes.
Another family came sat next to us and they were having the same experience. I think their drinks were 15 minutes to get and the mom was not to happy about the wait. We finally got our food and the wife was happy about her food. My side of country potatoes was about 1 cup total and mostly peppers and onions. I finished half the plate or half of a cup and pushed the rest a side.
My wife was okay with her food. I was not impressed with the service (lack of) or food/​portions.
I would say pass on this place. Many more places to eat in Arnold or go down the hill to Murphys.

Love Bristols. We are locals and eat there as often as we can in Sunday mornings. The omelets are fantastic! Don’t be in a hurry. This isn’t fast food but worth the wait!

We stopped by on our way home from church and enjoyed a well prepared late breakfast special. The food was good and the serving staff was friendly. The establishment was clean and there is good parking. Easy in and out.

A bit about myself:
I am a resident of Arnold. I am also a 30 year old woman who just moved here from Philadelphia, PA and before that, San Diego, CA. I work from home, so I can basically live wherever, which is how I arrived at Bristol’s for the first time on a Sunday morning around 10am — the busiest time for all breakfast places ever to exist.
Here’s what you need to know:
This is a ranch house café. This place is meant for slowing down, relaxing and reading the newspaper — pieces of which are provided for you right when you walk in. There is a sleepy rancher on the sign, which should give you an indication of what to expect on the inside. The ambiance of the front room is really nice and matches the vibe they intend to put out — a lazy, relaxing, western ranch house — which IT IS. The staff, however, is not lazy — though they can get overwhelmed with weekender traffic coming through during snow or trout fishing seasons.
If you are normally from a bigger city, and expecting fast-​paced urban dining — leave those expectations at the door. This is not that kind of place. It’s a rural, western café.
From being seated to eating will take about an hour or more round trip. When your food does come, expect that it will be a hearty, delicious plate of western, soul-​warming home cooked food.
Best steak and eggs I’ve ever had (for real) — and I go to brunch every weekend!
This place is NOT for you if:
*If you are looking for the fast-​turn around of a busy diner. It will take a while to be served (there’s only one person cooking!) and seated, in particularly busy times.
*If you are speeding through with your family who already annoys you on the route out from a weekend at Bear Valley, and you can’t spare the thought of another minute with them, let alone an hour without cell phones to distract you, don’t come. There’s not much cell service in Arnold and it can take a while.
Looking for fast-​paced breakfast food as you move down the mountain?
Try Big Trees Grocery Store. They open at 8am and have warm breakfast sandwiches and biscuits and gravy (depending on who is working that morning) in the deli area. They also have free small coffees for patrons. You’ll be in and out in a pinch.
If you have time, I highly suggest Bristol’s. I really like the vibe, myself. And the time to chill out, relax and not be responsible for anyone or anything for the time I’m in there.
~ Amanda

Absolutely NOT!!!
My family and I were driving home from a great weekend at Bear Valley and wanted to top the trip off with a great breakfast. Heard this place was voted best breakfast around so we went in.
First thing we noticed was the place was not busy and there were tables clean and ready for patrons. We waited to be seated for about 20 min before the young waitress noticed us. We were standing in plain sight but she never looked at us until then. We were led to a table in the front room and asked for our drink order. Kids asked for juice, I asked for coffee. We were not looked at again for another 20 min. Finally a young boy came over, apologized, and asked for our drink orders. WOW. We gave them again and said we were ready to order. He explained he was just the Bussey, they were out of coffee for the moment, and he would get our waitress. He brought my wife’s tea and the kids’ drinks but waitress and NO COFFEE!!!
At least another 20 min went by before we were waited on. As the menu was simple and we were now very hungry our order was quick. She left with a promise of coffee. The young boy returned with coffee about 10 min later. Again apologizing. The crusty bad talking old man (obviously the owner) who kept arguing with the waitress was now mad doggin the young boy (probably his grandson) for apologizing to us.
Before the food arrived we noticed the other people hadn’t received their orders either and they all had been seated before us. Then an older woman walked in, made some gesture to the old man, and sat herself at a table next to us. She smelled so bad I had to warn my kids not to laugh. The young waitress brought her a beer (it was 5’clock somewhere, right?). Her breakfast came out hot and steaming within 10 min. WTF???
When our food finally came we were so hungry we barely talked. Flavor was sparse, portions were ok, and I still only got 1 cup of coffee. I sent the fan to the truck while I waited to pay, waited, and waited, and waited. That surely fucking old man was such a fucking ass that I wanted to slap that ugly crooked smirk off his face.
The only thing that made the experience worth it was we got out of there in AN HOUR AND A FUCKING HALF!!!

My wife and I stopped in for a couple burgers and we’re pleasantly surprised. We sat outside and were allowed to have our 4 legged friend join us which was awesome. Our server was attentive to us and our dog. Our food was brought to us quickly and as ordered. The burgers were pretty good. Not the best ever, but pretty good. The check was brought out and the bill was paid with no issues.
The deck dinning area was a bit messy, but we were outside in what is essentially a forest, so pine needles are not unreasonable. I really don’t have any complaints worth noting.

All I can say is «WOW!» and not in a good way. Our family came up for a weekend getaway and decided to stop in for lunch before heading in to explore Murphys. Well, the service here was so slow, we never made it to Murphys. It was cozy and warm inside but not too busy. We were seated in a back room with two other groups. The man who took our order was friendly enough but didn’t seem to know the menu very well. The lady was also very friendly but had to be reminded to bring my drink…15 minutes after I ordered it. After a while, it seemed that the two disappeared. Apparently, they left altogether because my mom saw them walk out as she was walking back into the restaurant. The poor man who was left apparently had to cook and serve all of us who were desperately waiting for our food. By desperate, I mean we were waiting nearly 1 ½ hours and were STARVING! As someone else mentioned, it’s a shame their service was so poor because the food was pretty good when it finally arrived and the portions were large. Then again, it could be because we were so hungry that the food tasted that much better. Doesn’t really matter because we won’t be going back to find out.
I get it that it might be an off-​season for tourists and such but if you are going to operate a business, you need better staffing and customer service. We did not even receive an apology or complimentary coffee, toast, or meal.

We have been to Bristols Ranch House Café many times. Over this 4^th of July weekend, they were crazy busy, lost power to there establishment and served everyone who walked in with a smile. Courteous and kind each and every one of them. Thanks for breakfast… Terri Wootten

Was staying at the lodge down the street. I ordered the waffle with fruit, was given a choice between strawberries and mixed berry. Chose mixed berets. Waffle was overloaded with whip cream and blueberries, raspberries, strawberry a in juiced. Didn’t come with butter only syrup. Was extremely soggy after a few minutes. I didn’t even ask for whip cream… servers were nice. Gave us the specials of the morning. Food took almost am hour if not more to make. There was 5 of us. Breakfast came to $ 60+

If I could give this place negative stars I would! The service is so slow. Me and a friend ordered two iced teas and two burgers, about as basic as it gets. It took them 30 minutes to give us our iced teas, we waiting another 15 minutes for our food. Nothing showed up. We asked if it was on it’s way, we were told yes. 15 minutes later, still no food. We finally gave up and left $ 5 on the table for the iced teas.
Maybe there food is amazing, but I simply refuse to wait over an hour to get a burger.

After reading great reviews my husband and I tried Bristol’s Café for breakfast Sunday morning. We didn’t have a great experience like other Unilocalers.
Staff: Very friendly.
Service: Very slow! We were sat right away however it took about 10 minutes for our server to come and take our order. It then took 30 minutes for our order.
Food: Not so good.
French Toast:
After reading the reviews I decided on the french toast. It was lacking flavor. 2 pieces of bread dipped in egg with no cinnamon flavor what so ever.
Omelet:
My husband ordered an omelet and with the servers suggestion he went with the crispy hash browns instead of the home fries. The filling of the omelet was also lacking flavor. It tasted as if they just threw the filling without sauteing it or seasoning it. The crispy hash browns were not crispy.
Coffee: Also, not so good.