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  • Rio Ranch Restaurant, Texas Saga

experience Texas Hill Country in the city, at our RESTAURANT IN HOUSTON


Located in the heart of the Business District, right inside the Hilton Houston Westchase, the award-winning Rio Ranch is the place to enjoy great food, live entertainment, and authentic Hill Country ambiance.
 
Before you enter the restaurant through the double glass doors, you are welcomed by the tranquil sound of water flowing down the country rocks in our treasure-filled creek. As you enter our Houston restaurant, your eyes are instantly drawn to the 30-foot-tall limestone fireplace, which adds country warmth and romance to your dining experience. Our guests are mesmerized by the dancing flames in the fireplace, as well as the unique chandelier made of scythes, rakes, plows, antlers and briers. The design for Rio Ranch was inspired by the Ranch houses of early Texas. The interior and exterior incorporate gnarled Cedar posts and limestone, quarried outside of Junction, Texas - both native to the Texas Hill Country.
 
The Rio Saloon Houston, Texas
 

Kick Up Your Boots at the Rio Saloon

Our full-service bar takes you back in time as you enjoy a variety of Single Malt Scotches, quality Texas Bourbons or an assortment of  beers, featuring many local crafts. The wood used in the ceiling of the bar was salvaged from a pre-civil war barn, and the sprawling mural depicts one of the last trail rides across Texas in the 1890's. The authentic ambiance is underscored with hickory chairs, hickory and rawhide barstools, a 22-foot-long solid mesquite wood bar, mesquite table tops, and punched tin lighting fixtures created by a variety of Texas artisans.

Just the Beginning

Rio Ranch was opened in January of 1993 as a partnership between Augusta Foods and the Westchase Hilton. The enchanting Houston restaurant has a beneficial location that attracts the local business community, which arrives in large numbers for lunches that may include Mesquite Grilled Signature Salads or our Copenhagen Ranch Dip Sandwich carved from slow roasted prime beef. During the tranquil evening hours, our guests enjoy bottles of wine from our extensive wine collection and may choose from a variety of menu items, such as the Rainbow Trout or Campfire Mesquite Savory Chicken. Our signature Apple Cobbler is an irresistible punctuation to an unforgettable meal.
 

Meet Chef San

Our juicy mesquite wood grilled steaks and seafood selections are prepared by Executive Chef San Hemwattikit, who displays his talent in the open kitchen, where he precisely executes the Rio Ranch concept founded by both himself and Chef Robert  DelGrande of Café Annie.  A native of Thailand, Chef Hemwattakit attended college in Sacramento, California and earned his culinary skills through hard work and dedication. A professional self-taught chef, Chef Hemwattikit has attained  numerous honors including a first place finish in the Gene Wild Man cook-off. He also had the prestigious honor to cook for President George Bush and other top leaders from around the world at the 1990 Economic Summit.
 
Our private dining rooms, the Wine Room, the Lone Star Room, the Main Floor and the Westwind Ballroom, can accommodate your next Wedding Rehearsal, Baby Shower, Birthday party, or business dinner from 20 to 200 guests. Next time you are in the mood for rustic elegance in the Texas Hill Country, visit Rio Ranch and let your taste buds enjoy true cowboy cuisine.

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