The only thing I recommend here is the drinks... tonight they served me a raw tomahawk.... I sent it back and it still came back raw the waitress was completely clueless on what cooked meat looks like. You could tell the meat was frozen and didn't thaw in the center therefore it didn't cook in the center at all what a waste of money and time...
KC CHAO
Been living here my whole life and never tried this spot until tonight. Wow the steaks were perfectly cooked and season! I got the spicy coffee rub and wow, the cook sure cooked it perfectly "medium". Came out so good, best steak in twn!! Better then texas road house! Only thing missing is the bread with sweet butter!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kendo2002
Good food, fair service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: French Dip
Joe Dirt
Prime rib had a lot of fat. I’m not paying for a rib with half fat. Can’t believe they gave it to me like that I will never go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Meg Kenny
Fabulous service. Food was OK.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Donovan M.
Friendly staff, nothing much else good to say about this place. Especially with how pricey the menu is, you'd think you'd get what you payed for. The prime rib was under seasoned. Ordered 5 prawns on the side and they gave me four, yet charged me for 5. The wings were ok. Truffle fries ok. First time coming here and won't be back. They also charged my card to the wrong bill.
Jason Leiffer
Amazing Valentines day Dinner with my love! Had the special, Tomahawk for 2, twin lobster tails and baked potatoes with the works! Clam Chowder was amazing!! Calamari was amazing. Everything was amazing! Wifey was very happy which makes me happy!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Tail
Glenn K.
There was no marbling on the ribeye steak it tasted like a sirloin or New York. Staff were overwhelmed, but overall the service was great. Salad, cheese bread, and cheesecake were great. Great restaurant, but I would not reorder the ribeye.
Salley J Robins
Happy to see this Historic Merced Icon has revamped its menu to include a few vegetarian options. Had a delicious meal with family. While I was enjoying my Marchino House Salad, my companions were raving about the excellent quality of the perfect prime rib.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seanna H.
WELCOME BACK! If you haven't been to The Branding Iron recently, you need to come back! With the new, new owners, the food has been fantastic and beautifully presented! Waller is back bartending, so the service and drinks are great!!! It is starting to feel like the "old" BI again. Familiar faces, warm atmosphere, and delicious food and drinks are back!
Traveling for work, I found myself in Merced looking for a local restaurant near downtown. I was told the Branding Iron's prime rib alone was worth the trip. I was sceptical because I'm a huge fan of prime rib and my standards are high. I had the 10oz prime rib, medium rare and it was cooked perfectly and the seasoning was sensational. I ate in the lounge and the bartender was friendly without being off-putting and the experience exceeded my expectations.
Sheril T.
Simply delicious! The food doesn't disappoint! Soooo many flavors in this dish and very impressed. Dined in the lounge and the service and ambiance were wonderful. If the change of ownership has you on the fence, it's time to give our hometown restaurant another go! You won't be disappointed. Cheers!
Sherri G.
We were seated in a timely fashion however we have wanted over 30 minutes to just order our food. The people who came after us received their food before we even ordered!!! The waiter looked extremely confused about what he needed to do. If you have lots of time, great! But the wait is not worth it!
The Branding Iron has been a staple in Merced for many years. My only complaint is they changed the bread, coconut shrimp and salad. The originals were the best in town!! Hope they can bring them back. Our entrees were very good.
Henry S.
My wife and I met some friends at the Branding Iron for dinner. The friends had already ordered and there was only one other couple in the restaurant. After we ordered, our friends received their order and had to send it back since everything on the plate was cold. Even the baked potato was so cold the butter would not melt. I got ahold of the waitress and told her to make sure my baked potato was hot when she brought the food. When my food was delivered the potato was very hot but the steak and the vegetables were between cold and lukewarm. I don't think I will go there again for a steak or dinner at all. I cannot complain about the service of the waitress, she was excellent.
The only thing I recommend here is the drinks... tonight they served me a raw tomahawk.... I sent it back and it still came back raw the waitress was completely clueless on what cooked meat looks like. You could tell the meat was frozen and didn't thaw in the center therefore it didn't cook in the center at all what a waste of money and time...
Been living here my whole life and never tried this spot until tonight. Wow the steaks were perfectly cooked and season! I got the spicy coffee rub and wow, the cook sure cooked it perfectly "medium". Came out so good, best steak in twn!! Better then texas road house! Only thing missing is the bread with sweet butter!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food, fair service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: French Dip
Prime rib had a lot of fat. I’m not paying for a rib with half fat. Can’t believe they gave it to me like that I will never go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Fabulous service. Food was OK.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Friendly staff, nothing much else good to say about this place. Especially with how pricey the menu is, you'd think you'd get what you payed for. The prime rib was under seasoned. Ordered 5 prawns on the side and they gave me four, yet charged me for 5. The wings were ok. Truffle fries ok. First time coming here and won't be back. They also charged my card to the wrong bill.
Amazing Valentines day Dinner with my love! Had the special, Tomahawk for 2, twin lobster tails and baked potatoes with the works! Clam Chowder was amazing!! Calamari was amazing. Everything was amazing! Wifey was very happy which makes me happy!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Tail
There was no marbling on the ribeye steak it tasted like a sirloin or New York. Staff were overwhelmed, but overall the service was great. Salad, cheese bread, and cheesecake were great. Great restaurant, but I would not reorder the ribeye.
Happy to see this Historic Merced Icon has revamped its menu to include a few vegetarian options. Had a delicious meal with family. While I was enjoying my Marchino House Salad, my companions were raving about the excellent quality of the perfect prime rib.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
WELCOME BACK! If you haven't been to The Branding Iron recently, you need to come back! With the new, new owners, the food has been fantastic and beautifully presented! Waller is back bartending, so the service and drinks are great!!! It is starting to feel like the "old" BI again. Familiar faces, warm atmosphere, and delicious food and drinks are back!
Restaurantji Recommends
Traveling for work, I found myself in Merced looking for a local restaurant near downtown. I was told the Branding Iron's prime rib alone was worth the trip. I was sceptical because I'm a huge fan of prime rib and my standards are high. I had the 10oz prime rib, medium rare and it was cooked perfectly and the seasoning was sensational. I ate in the lounge and the bartender was friendly without being off-putting and the experience exceeded my expectations.
Simply delicious! The food doesn't disappoint! Soooo many flavors in this dish and very impressed. Dined in the lounge and the service and ambiance were wonderful. If the change of ownership has you on the fence, it's time to give our hometown restaurant another go! You won't be disappointed. Cheers!
We were seated in a timely fashion however we have wanted over 30 minutes to just order our food. The people who came after us received their food before we even ordered!!! The waiter looked extremely confused about what he needed to do. If you have lots of time, great! But the wait is not worth it!
The Branding Iron has been a staple in Merced for many years. My only complaint is they changed the bread, coconut shrimp and salad. The originals were the best in town!! Hope they can bring them back. Our entrees were very good.
My wife and I met some friends at the Branding Iron for dinner. The friends had already ordered and there was only one other couple in the restaurant. After we ordered, our friends received their order and had to send it back since everything on the plate was cold. Even the baked potato was so cold the butter would not melt. I got ahold of the waitress and told her to make sure my baked potato was hot when she brought the food. When my food was delivered the potato was very hot but the steak and the vegetables were between cold and lukewarm. I don't think I will go there again for a steak or dinner at all. I cannot complain about the service of the waitress, she was excellent.