Tortilla soup on the menu at Rancho de los Caballeros

Rancho de los Caballeros; come for the horses, stay for the food

When it comes to dude ranches, I’m all about the horseback riding, scenery, and yes, a spa treatment at the end of the day is extra special. Sometimes the food at guest ranches is, shall we say, chuck wagon style, with the requisite baked beans, hot dogs, hamburgers and chips.  Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for Rancho de los Caballeros, ranch cuisine gone upscale in Wickenburg, Arizona.

Shredded beef tacos comes as a trio, but you may ask for two instead

Buffet bonanza at Rancho de los Caballeros

Back in the day, cowboys depended on hearty breakfasts to get them through labor intensive work days, saddling  horses, roping and branding cattle. Today, we are used to a grab and go breakfast of muffin and coffee before we arrive at the office for a day in front of the computer or back to back meetings. It’s time for a vacation.

I love it when I don’t have to cook. On a recent trip to Arizona’s Rancho de los Caballeros, I didn’t have to set foot in the kitchen for three days! You need not be an overnight guest of Rancho de los Caballeros to take advantage of their lunch at the Los Caballeros Golf Club – try the prickly pear margarita - or dinner service at the restaurant.

Sonoran Special: Duck tamale, enchilada, chorizo & potato tostada

Sonoran Especiales

If you like Sonoran desert food with a bit of a kick, try Rancho de los Caballeros chicken tortilla soup. It is a constant favorite on the nightly changing menu.  The shredded beef tacos were a hit, but if you ever see the Sonoran Especiale fiesta platter,  give it a go. On my evening, the Sonoran Especiale consisted of duck tamale on a banana leaf; cheese and onion enchilada and a Chorizo and potato tostada, served with refried beans and salsa.

Monk Fish on pumpkin cake with wild mushroom sauce & micro greens

Fish, vegetarian and meat options at the ranch

In addition to the homemade soups and salads, Rancho de los Caballeros offers a nightly fish special, as well as a vegetarian option. The monk fish, topped with micro greens and served atop a pumpkin cake with mushroom sauce was cooked perfectly.

Torn between two lovers

My last night I was torn between the Colorado lamb chops and rib-eye steak, both excellent choices for the meat lover.  Did I mention that each night features a different fresh baked bread and don’t get me started on the dessert menu.

Save room for the Vaquero Pie at Rancho de los Caballeros

Vaquero Pie vs Profiterole

I wasn’t bowled over by the Profiterole – a puff pastry filled with chantilly cream, mixed berries and topped with fudge sauce, but do save room for the Vaquero pie – an individual chocolate mousse cake topped with house made whipped cream. All of the desserts at the ranch are made by Pastry Chef Mary Jane Gladen. Gladen has been with Rancho de los Caballeros for 35 years and makes a mean Baked Alaska, Apple Crumb and Blueberry pie. My personal favorites are the cookie bars she bakes for lunch. Yum!

If You Go:

Rancho de los Caballeros (928) 684-5484

1551 S. Vulture Mine Road
Wickenburg, Arizona 85390

Breakfast buffet $13.00, Lunch buffet $16.00 and dinner $46.00

Follow Rancho de los Caballeros on Twitter and follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter for insider travel tips. I was a guest of Rancho de los Caballeros.

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.

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Families welcome at Rancho de los Caballeros