With
its raw wood look, stuffed deer head and black-and-white
photos of the rodeo, The Branding Iron makes you feel like
you’re part of the ol’ West, the one populated
by cowboys, ranches and damsels in distress. The restaurant’s
motto is “Come Taste the West,” and that’s
the promise it exudes from the moment you enter.
There is also a genuine quality about The Branding Iron and its down-home,
friendly staff. Whether you’re a regular at the restaurant or
a visitor to Moab, you can expect a warm greeting and a hearty meal,
the kind that a real rancher would call satisfying.
Since I last wrote about The Branding Iron for this column, it has
changed hands. Two years ago, Jeff Butterfield and his wife, Penelope,
bought The Branding Iron from Susie Taylor, whose father originally
established the restaurant over a decade ago. The Butterfields have
carefully preserved its western feel while making moderate changes,
such as modernizing equipment and sprucing up the place. I perceived
few remarkable differences as I walked in, and they were all for the
better.
The
Butterfields’ first visit to The Branding Iron was as customers,
so they have experienced the restaurant from both sides. Jeff has three
decades of experience in the food industry, either as a chef or a food
distributor, which he relies on when making decisions about the restaurant.
Working for U.S. Food Services brought him, Penelope and their nine-year
old son, Hunter, to Moab, and helped him discover The Branding Iron,
both as a place to enjoy dinner, and, eventually, as a potential business.
Jeff observed that the “food is always good here,” and
bought the place with the expectation of keeping the essence of the
restaurant intact. Penelope explains, “We wanted to keep the
spirit of the place and add to the existing.”
Considering the popularity The Branding Iron has enjoyed in the past
with locals and visitors alike, it’s nice to see that the Butterfields
have preserved the soul of the restaurant. They have added personal
touches, such as authentic black-and-white cowboy photographs of Penelope’s
ranching family in Wyoming and souvenirs of her western upbringing,
such as her first saddle.
Other
changes that the Butterfields have made to improve the already successful
restaurant include adding a broiler, allowing The Branding Iron to
become a Bar and Grill. The back pool room is now non-smoking, brighter
and warmer, thanks to a functioning wood stove. They have added a pleasant
waiting area, which gets plenty of use during busy nights, particularly
those featuring the ever-popular karaoke.
The food is still the biggest draw for diners living or staying in
Moab looking for genuine ranch cooking. This is a good place to come
when you’re craving red meat and a hearty cowboy meal.
You can satisfy the carnivore in you with a choice of hamburgers, Navajo
tacos, steaks, ribs or other cling-to-your-ribs meals. If you’re
willing to wait until the end of the week (Thursday through Saturday),
the Prime Rib special is worth the patience. So are the Baby Back Ribs,
meaty cuts succulently prepared in a tangy barbeque sauce.
One
noticeable difference in the menu since the Butterfields have taken
over is the selection for non meat-eaters. Penelope, a fit petite woman,
explains how she and her husband have consciously tried to expand the
menu to include fish and vegetables to accommodate the trend towards
healthier diets. One of her favorite items on the menu is the Grilled
Halibut dinner.
No matter what you order, you won’t walk away hungry. The portions
are plentiful and the sides are tempting. The home made French fries
are crisp and come either in a heaping portion on your plate or as “All
You Can Eat” (AYCEFF) with sandwiches. My favorite part of whatever
I order is the Fry Bread, a piping hot beignet-like treat delicious
smothered in honey, generously offered on every table.
The Butterfields have plans of expanding the menu further in the spring.
They appreciate customer input and one incentive they are giving diners
to participate is a contest. People are encouraged to donate recipes
to the Butterfields, and the winner of the contest will get that particular
item named after him or her. What a great way to have a delicious thought
associated with your name.
Another way in which the new owners of The Branding Iron want to involve
the community is in celebrating the second anniversary since the Butterfields
took over the restaurant. They are offering a 15% local discount through
the month of February until March 15.
The Branding Iron is exactly the type of restaurant one expects to
find in a small, desert town in the West; it’s hearty, welcoming
and warm. It’s a family-friendly restaurant that offers great
food and fun entertainment, so it’s not surprising that it continues
to be a favorite of visitors and locals alike.
The Branding Iron is located just 3 miles south of Moab, at 2971 South
Highway 191 and can be reached at (435) 259-6275. They are open everyday
from 11 a.m. to close. Take out is available and reservations can be
made. Entrees range from $5.25 (Patty Melt) to $19.95 (16 oz. Prime
Rib).
Recipe
of the Month
The
Branding Iron
Halibut a la Swiss
(A common complaint about fish, according the Jeff Butterfield,
is it’s dry and “fishy” taste. Yet, people
continue to order it well done. Try this next time you
cook Halibut or any fish fillet.)
8 oz. (1 cup) Ranch Dressing
4 – 5 Halibut filets
½ teaspoon dill weed
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Swiss cheese
To make the herb dressing,
mix dill, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice
together and let sit for 1 to 2 hours.
Grill or broil the Halibut filets half way through. Turn
and make a depression the length of the filet and fill with
the herb dressing. Cover with Swiss cheese and steam fish
until the cheese is melted. You can substitute any type of
cheese or fish you like.
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