The Branding Iron Restaurant
640 W 16th St, Merced
(209) 722-1822
Recent Reviews
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Great food, great service.
Extremely pricey, the service was okay, food didn't have a lot of flavor.
Service was great and the food was awesome.
Great experience, Great Steak! Best around
coffee rubbed rib eye was so good, I cant forget this place ,how good the restaurant is , cheese while you wait.... I mean it's best steak I ever had...period
• The delicious parmesan garlic toast? - GONE
• The prime rib? - UNRECOGNIZABLE
• The house made bleu dressing? - GONE
• The wonderful staff that had made the place what it was for so long? - MISTREATED by new owners and ran them all off by now.
• Gazpacho? - RUINED when first changed owners, then GONE.
• Menu? - Mutated into some western/Indian hybrid monstrosity.
• Prices? - ASTRONOMICAL
• Cheese when you walk in? - GONE.
• Toy box for the little ones? - EMPTY.
Theres so much more to list. Ive been going here since I was in the womb. Ive had so many birthdays and all sorts of other events held here with loved ones. My family would FIGHT over who got what slice of the garlic/parmesan toast. Their house made bleu cheese dressing got me as an 8 year old to love bleu cheese salads. Later on I’d actually buy the stuff by the cup to use at home. Their prime rib was always cooked perfectly and served with amazing baked potatoes and other select rotating vegetables. Of course everyone remembers the gazpacho. But on top of all of this was the beloved staff that made this place such a wonderful place to visit. They made it feel like a second home for you.
The day after they sold I was hopeful. My mom and I ate here the day after and nothing seemed to change so far. But then they got rid of the bread, then the potatoes, then they got some huge big time fancy chef that somehow was worse than the guy they had before, they jacked the prices up higher than Snoop Dogg, and ignored the staff that knew more about the place then they did and ran them all off. They leased it out for a while, then they failed again. Then they closed for a bit, and now they’re back with what we all were wanting from this place: Indian food. Finally I can have Curry with my Prime Rib thats what Ive always wanted.
I knew better, but I had to visit it to see myself. It had been over a year since I last ate here. The immediate vibe that strikes you is that someone has spent big money on the brightest freaking NASA approved lights they could possibly buy. So gone is the cozy romantic atmosphere.
Next, there’s about 4 people working, all of which seem like they just woke up in a restaurant with no idea what to do, and will each be taking turns as your waiter. We are given a basket with 2 1in cubes of bland Italian bread with the world’s hardest herb butter that will never spread ever. I had peered through the menu to find half of it is now Indian food which is….odd. We ordered the calamari which is a new item. When Im telling you someone loosened the salt shaker cap in the kitchen, I mean it. The second I bit into a piece I was instantaneously dehydrated by the sheer amount of salt.
Okay well that was not good, might even say terrible. So let’s try the Prime Rib. Because hey! At least they still got that. Immediately something was off because theres preset sides now, so you don’t get to choose. So what do you get? You get onion rings and a baked potato. Ah yes a classic pairing. And, may I add, no soup or salad included like before. But the price has gone UP. The steak itself looked like it was cooked to a perfect medium rare, 4 days ago. This is a microwaved Prime Rib if Ive ever seen one. Incredibly bland and microwaved tasting. The a-jus (probably butchered that spelling) was a gravy consistency with enough salt to make the Pacific ocean blush, mixed in with some liquid smoke. Ate 4 bites of the steak, finished the onion rings, and half the potato. Not to mention my significant others Broccoli Cheddar soup which was basically broccoli blended with chicken stock and 4 cheddar strands on top. That was a traumatizing dish all on its own. That steak was $45. It was almost $90 for this meal for 2 people that was practically inedible.
I wish I had just never came back and let the memory stand as it was. Because it really is depressing. The positive reviews have to either be lobotomy
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Wasn’t sure what to expect with the new opening of the Branding Iron, but have to say that the food is AMAZING! Salmon piccata was delicious and there is a good mix of the “old” steakhouse favorites along with the new interesting menu items. Wishing the best of luck to Sam for the future of BI!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ordered, steak, loaded baked potato, and a salad. Steak was perfect. The entire meal was delicious. The service was excellent.
This establishment is awesome, and give a 10% discount.
Thank you
Parking: Plenty of parking and free...
Wheelchair accessibility: Easy, wheelchair entrance. Business is located on the first floor..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New York Steak, Baked Potato with the Works
Wonderful experience, I’ve been coming here since they opened with the new establishment and can only say good things. Food is amazing, haven’t tasted the drinks yet but they way the bar looks today and the mocktails I’ve been served I’m sure they won’t disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Open now!!
**FULL BAR**
Great food! Amazing service! Come stop by for a steak and wine, if wines isn’t your thing then try any of our classic cocktails.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 4:30-9pm
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The food tasted good but the atmosphere expresses the Texas vibe so I assumed the portions would be comparative to the cost. 60$ New York steak plate I would assume to be full after but the One side they gave with it was so small that the potato was cut in half it seemed like. If you're going to charge like a high rise in Vegas then give that atmosphere. Otherwise give the portion I'm anticipating paying for. People are nice. The atmosphere is cool if the Texas vibe is what your looking for
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Food was dry no liquor license yet been open a week or so , they need a cook , they fed us old cold food what was refried and ft for the day
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Don’t get the alligator pear salad it as neither alligator, pear or salad.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
It's closed. Looks like it hasn't been open in years
Food was warm at best
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
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