Maddox Ranch House

Brian said:

When I drive to or through Idaho, I typically don’t stop until the tank is empty. So, I was surprised to hear from several people that they always stop for lunch at the Maddox restaurant in Brigham City. Curious, I decided to check it out for myself.

We found a restaurant bustling with lively patrons, including numerous multi-generational families. The restaurant seemed suitable for casual attire, but we spotted some patrons dressed up. I suspected they may have just come from a wedding or other celebratory event.

A large breezeway led us to the check-in station, where we received an electronic beeper. While we waited, I took a look around. I found several shelves of goods for sale: caramels, chocolates, artisan milled flour, cotton candy, and frozen turkey, beef, and bison. I also encountered several young children, excitedly playing with frisbees while their family gathered to leave the restaurant. They told me that their meals had come with frisbees. Apparently, the children’s meals are served on the flying discs in lieu of plates. Alas, my waitress would later tell me that they were only for kids twelve years old and under.

With our reservation, we had only a short wait before an attendant led us to a table. The entire interior of the restaurant was clad in knotty wood paneling. Photos depicted the history of the restaurant and surrounding region. Our laminate table had the appearance of rough-hewn wood. Other than that, the dining room featured little ornamentation.

Our meal began with a basket of fresh-made rolls and cornbread, served with raspberry butter. The rolls were springy and light. I enjoyed these while sipping on my house-made Birch Root Beer. I had wanted the Sarsparilla, but they were out of it. Still, I enjoyed the Birch Root Beer. It was sweet and smooth, with barely a hint of carbonation. They also offered their own cream soda.

Garden salads soon followed. These modest salads burst with colors: green lettuce, purple cabbage, and orange carrots. A single slice of red beet adorned each salad, along with some very tasty, seasoned croutons. A thick and creamy Ranch dressing came on the side.

Maddox’s menu featured a variety of entrées, including several seafood options. However, their specialty seems to be their beef and bison steaks. This seems appropriate, as Maddox styles themselves as “Utah’s Original Steakhouse”. They raise much of their own beef and bison, which they feed with their own I. B. Maddox all-natural feed. The children of the founder, Irvin B. Maddox, used to jokingly claim that he took better care of his cattle than he did his family!

My sirloin steak came grilled to perfection, a crisp sear surrounding the pink interior. The accompanying carrots and broccoli tasted garlicky and had been cooked just a tad too long. The baked potato, however, was cooked just right. Fluffy and soft, it really hit the spot.

The dessert menu included a chocolate cake, several cream pies, a cheesecake, and fruit pies.

In all, I found Maddox to be good, if somewhat prosaic. It strikes me as a workaday establishment: tried, tested, and reliable, but not fancy. Expect a family-friendly, traditional steakhouse dining experience.

Kathy said:

At first, I thought that the Maddox had an identity complex, as an Internet search first referred to the restaurant as “Maddox Fine Foods” from one result, and then as the “Maddox Ranch House” in another. Also, two addresses were listed—one in Perry and one in Brigham City—but no worries. They are one and the same.

Anyway . . . The Maddox proved to be a cozy, down-to-earth kind of dining establishment where homestyle cooked fare is served with friendliness and warm smiles. All around us were happy, chattering couples, families, and friends digging into their steaks, country-fried chicken, baked potatoes, and house salads.

While we awaited our meals, I took stock of our surroundings. Some walls were fashioned from logs, while others were crafted from boards. All of the wood was stained a honey-gold color, and even the ceilings were clad with knotty pine planks. The booths and chairs had been made from solid wood, too, but oddly enough, the tabletops were laminate surfaces made to look like roughly hewn pine or birch. Something.

So, about the food:

I ordered the World-Famous Fried Chicken with a baked potato and seasonal vegetables, which ended up being carrots and broccoli. The moist, tender chicken—a generous serving that included a breast, thigh, wing, and drumstick—was delicious. It was prepared with light breading after the skin had been removed. The baked potato was just right, but the veggies had been slightly overcooked and were a bit too garlicky for my liking.

Overall, my food was satisfying, but it was not fancy. It was tasty comfort food and tempered the hunger pangs.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a comfortable, family-friendly steakhouse—or if you need a break from your drive to Idaho—stop in at the Maddox Ranch House. You can dine in for full menu or visit the adjoining drive-in with car-hop service.