Oso horse ranch offers fun restaurant, pub
By SARAH ARNEY Staff Reporter
The rustic décor at Rhodes River Ranch features hand-blown glass and woven place mats. Entertainment is provided by homegrown artists like Jody Taylor and Kristin Fowler (photo at top of page). An interesting cultural experience awaits in Oso.
Thirty miles up the Stillaguamish River from Stanwood, a large horse ranch is famous for its prize winning stallion Whizkey N. Diamonds and a broodmare named Chicsdundreamin, among others. The ranch also breeds and raises llamas, boards horses, and offers clinics on centered riding.
Now, Rhodes River Ranch offers hearty meals to the public in a rustic, horsey atmosphere, along with locally brewed beers, Washington wines and homegrown entertainment on weekends.
It’s not just country music, although they do have plenty of that.
The executive chef is quite a singer, and her husband can play some mean rock-n-roll.
The dining room and bar look out over the arena — perfect for watching demonstrations by the Warm Beach Vaulters, who make appearances there periodically. The vaulters will be there March 10 and again May 5 and 12. The Rodeo Cowgirls Drill Team will be performing April 28 and May 19.
The dining room at Rhodes River Ranch in Oso looks over the arena. “Reservations are necessary for special events, especially the vaulters,” said the chef Bonnie Rose. “We take donations for the entertainers. The drill team brings their horses all the way from Sumas, so we ask for a $3 donation for them. They are a nonprofit organization.”
The décor is very well done, with Western horserelated paraphernalia, rough-hewn furniture, and lots of rich-colored woven carpets.
An impressive display of the ranch’s trophies welcomes visitors into the dining area.
The food is pretty standard fare. A buffet spread varies with two different options for Friday and Saturday dinners, especially on nights with special events.
“We have endless options for the buffet. It helps speed up service,” said the chef.
The prime rib with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables was very satisfying. Chicken was the other option that night.
The “Off the Grill” menu includes the RRR Burger, with blue cheese for $9.75, a grilled chicken sandwich for $9.50, and a flat iron steak with mushrooms or grilled onions for $11.50, with sides of sweet potato fries, waffle fries, onion rings, cottage cheese or salad.
The restaurant serves beer brewed locally by Ron Walcher, the brewmaster of Skookum Brewery; he grew up in Oso. Skookum’s Brown & Hairy is a regular on the menu, along with the nice reddish brown Sorrel, Skookum’s light ale. Amber’s Hot Friend and Jackass IPA were available on a recent Saturday night, when Jody Taylor was singing some cowboy songs with cowboy poetry by Johnny Green. Although it wasn’t a cowboy song, Taylor treated the Oso audience with his own tune, “Oso, Party Town USA.”
The ranch also carries the standards (Bud, Coors, MGD, Corona, etc.) and a Red Hook or two.
The wine list sports some appropriately named options, like the Tenacious Red “Purple Cowboy” and 14 Hands. The Menage-a-Trois is a tasty red blend, and the Red Barn Burro Loco Apple Cider is made in Washington. Most of the wines are available by the glass for $5 to $6.
Upcoming entertainment includes a former Camano Island resident, singer songwriter Ava Sakowski, on Feb. 3, Peter Frothingham and Mike Oshie (of Stanwood), an acoustic duet, on Feb. 10, guitarist Rob Downs on Feb. 17, and Johnny Green will be back with his cowboy poetry Feb. 25, along with musicians Jody Taylor and Kristin Fowler. Entertainment starts at dinner time, around 6 p.m.
The ranch restaurant is open for breakfast on weekends, for lunch during the week, and all day Fridays and Saturdays. Hours are 11 a.m. until after the game on Mondays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
On Happy Hour Friday, from 4 – 6:30 p.m., $4 pounders are $3. The happy hour menu offers nachos, sliders, artichoke dip and bread, and a gorgonzolaromaine salad.
Reservations are recommended for special events, and the ranch restaurant is available for weddings and reunions, too, at 22016 Entsminger Road, 14 miles east of Arlington on State Route 530. To arrange special parties, call the executive chef, Bonnie Rose, at 360-474-8313. For information about upcoming entertainment see the website, www.RhodesRiverRanch.com.
Staff Reporter Sarah Arney: 629-8066 ext 115 or sarney@scnews.com.
