Mesquite is the tough, twisty tree that grows all over Texas ranch country, and it burns hot enough to put a serious crust on a steak. Plenty of restaurants say they grill, but the places on this list actually cook their beef over mesquite wood.
Some sit on working ranches, some sit beside a highway in a small town, and one sits right by the water in Granbury. If a ribeye with real wood-fire flavor sounds like a good reason for a road trip, these seven stops are a great place to start.
1. Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Buffalo Gap, TX
A hay barn might seem like an odd home for one of the best-known steakhouses in Texas. Out in Buffalo Gap, just outside Abilene, Perini Ranch Steakhouse turned one into a dining room built around mesquite-grilled beef and Southern comfort food.
The Cowboy Ribeye is the cut to know here. It is a bone-in steak with a deep sear, and the Peppered Strip makes a strong backup if someone at the table wants something different.
The sides deserve attention too. Cowboy Potatoes, Quail Legs, and the Chopped Blue Cheese Salad all show up on the menu, and Jalapeño Cheesecake gives dessert a little West Texas kick.
Dinner runs Tuesday through Sunday, with lunch added Friday through Sunday. The restaurant is closed Mondays.
I would book ahead, especially for a Friday night or a Saturday. Reservations are recommended for every meal, and a wait is common.
Expect to spend roughly $50 to $100 per person, and plan on a fireplace, outdoor seating, and a kids’ menu if the whole family comes along.
2. Cattleman’s Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch, Fabens, TX
Dinner comes with a desert view and a working ranch at Cattleman’s Steakhouse. The restaurant sits on Indian Cliffs Ranch outside Fabens, southeast of El Paso, and the drive out through open desert is part of the fun.
Steaks go over mesquite, and that smoky edge shows up in everything from the ribeye to the famous Cowboy, a two-pound T-bone. Beef ribs and a fire-grilled sausage appetizer round out the meat side of the menu.
Here is a bonus that families appreciate. Sides like beans and coleslaw are unlimited with an entree purchase.
The grounds are worth a stroll before or after the meal. There is a petting zoo, and visitors can tour the property, which gives kids something to do while the grill does its work.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday evenings starting at 5 PM, with earlier openings at 12:30 PM on weekends. Prices land around $30 to $70 per person.
Weekend afternoons and evenings get busy, so a weeknight visit is the easier play. Save room for apple pie a la mode or pecan pie with ice cream.
3. Goodnight Steakhouse, Albany, TX
Albany is a small courthouse town in Shackelford County, and Goodnight Steakhouse gives it a Western-style spot for mesquite-grilled steaks and live music on US-180.
Ribeye fans should ask about the reserve ribeye. It is the cut that gets the most attention here, tender and generous, and a baked potato is the classic partner.
Starters lean toward bar-friendly bites like jalapeño poppers. For dessert, the bread pudding is the one to order.
Timing matters in this town. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday, opens at 4 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and serves from 11 AM on Sunday.
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest stretch, which also tends to line up with the music. Prices run about $20 to $80 per person, reservations are accepted, and curbside pickup is available if you want to take a steak back to the ranch.
4. Mesquite Wood Steak House, Kenedy, TX
The name tells you exactly what is happening in the kitchen. Mesquite Wood Steak House on West Main Street in Kenedy is a family-owned spot that grills its steaks and burgers over mesquite.
Kenedy sits in Karnes County, south of San Antonio, and this is a practical stop for anyone heading toward the coast. The ribeye comes out moist with clear mesquite flavor, and quail is another standout from the grill.
A sweet potato makes a nice change from the usual baked potato.
What sets this one apart is the price. At around $20 to $30 per person, it is one of the more wallet-friendly mesquite steaks in the state.
The place is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and closed Sundays. Lunch on a weekday works well, and the quiet, casual dining room has TVs for catching a game.
Reservations and curbside pickup are both options.
5. Wildcatter Ranch Steakhouse, Graham, TX
Beef cooked over an open mesquite fire pit is the main draw at Wildcatter Ranch, a ranch getaway on Highway 16 outside Graham.
The steakhouse serves hand-cut steaks and seafood, and the ribeye is a top pick. Big cuts are the norm, so come hungry.
Scenery is a big part of the appeal. The ranch overlooks wide North Texas country, and rooftop and outdoor seating make the most of it.
Hours are a little unusual. The steakhouse serves breakfast from 8 to 10 AM and dinner from 5 to 9 PM every day.
Reservations are required, so do not just show up. Plan on about $50 to $100 per person, with live music, a fireplace, and a kids’ menu adding to the visit.
I would save this one for an anniversary or a weekend away when an overnight stay at the ranch makes the trip easier.
6. Mesquite Pit- Granbury, Granbury, TX
Austin stone, heavy timbers, and a waterfront setting make the Granbury location of Mesquite Pit easy to spot near the lake.
Every steak here is wood fire grilled, and the kitchen cooks with real butter and fries in 100 percent beef tallow. The 10-ounce ribeye special is a smart order for anyone who wants a classic cut without going overboard.
The rest of the menu goes full Texas comfort. Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken Fried Bacon, Fried Catfish, Fried Green Tomatoes, and armadillo eggs all make appearances, along with slow smoked barbecue.
Blackberry cobbler is the dessert to remember.
Prices are friendly, often around $10 to $20 per person. It is open seven days a week, which makes it handy after a day exploring the historic Granbury square.
Outdoor seating allows dogs, and weekend evenings bring the biggest crowds.
7. Mesquite Pit, Weatherford, TX
Grilled over mesquite or cooked on a flat griddle, a steak tastes different, and Mesquite Pit in Weatherford is a good place to learn that firsthand.
This family-run restaurant on Fort Worth Highway serves barbecue, seafood, and grilled steaks in a rustic setting. The regular ribeye comes out with a hint of smoke and solid seasoning.
For a splurge, there is a Texas Akaushi ribeye at about $50. It is very juicy and tender, though lightly seasoned, so ask for a little extra salt if you like it bold.
Bacon wrapped shrimp, Chopped Brisket, Cowboy Beans, Fried Okra, and banana pudding fill out a hearty table. A braille menu is available too, which is a thoughtful touch.
Most meals run around $20 to $30 per person. Hours are 11 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Thursday and until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday, with Sundays closed.
Weekday lunches are the calmest time to visit.
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