Bigger and Better Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse Returns this Spring to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Another festive rodeo season is drawing near, and with it comes the return of Berg Hospitality’s Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse, the unique dual-concept pop-up that debuted at NRG Park last year. This spring, the Ranch returns full throttle, serving as the official sponsor of the 2023 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and with a fresh new look that will cater to even more rodeo-going guests.

The pop-up, which is constructed in a climate-controlled tent at the southwest corner of NRG by the Astrodome, remains standing for the duration of the rodeo season — in this year’s case, from Tuesday February 28 to Sunday, March 19. Under the Ranch roof is the Saloon, a first come, first served casual restaurant with a large interior bar that features live music nightly, and a large covered outdoor patio and bar, coined the Porch; there’s also the Steakhouse, a fine dining restaurant offering a more elevated experience, which accepts reservations in advance.

Alex Wu

In its inaugural year, the Ranch served as a lively hub for rodeo patrons, with the sprawling space filled to the brim daily. The food, made up of a mix of signature dishes from Berg Hospitality concepts B&B Butchers & Restaurant, the Annie Café & Bar, and B.B. Lemon, proved to be a welcome supplement to carnival eats, like loaded baked potatoes, fruit-topped funnel cakes, and giant turkey legs.

The Ranch is the first ever sit-down restaurant to debut at the famed Houston rodeo in its rich 90-year history, no doubt making it all the more intriguing to Houstonians. As the pop-up gears up to return, improvements have been made to ensure it will be able to accommodate this year’s rodeo rush.

Jenn Duncan

The Ranch 2.0 will feature a new and improved layout, tacking on 80 more seats to the 240 it opened with last year, plus larger bathrooms, extended hours, and additional live music acts. Houstonians will likely be most excited to experience the launch of “The Ranch After Dark,” a loungey space with tables by the live music stage which can be reserved from 10 p.m. and where guests can order a la carte drinks, or splurge on bottle service, all while dancing the night away to beats spun by a slew of local DJs.

Now that the rodeo’s 2023 concert lineup has been revealed, Houstonians are likely planning their visits, and if last year was any indication, the Ranch will be one of the hottest spots to gather, before and after shows, and into the wee hours of the night. Go forth, and secure your seats — reservations for the Ranch are officially open for the 2023 season.