Ranch 616<\/a> in 1999 as a community common ground, but the restaurant’s story starts years prior. The icehouse\u2019s signature drink, Ranch Water, was coined by Williamson and first created when he\u2019d pack a thermos full of tequila on hunting trips with his dad, mixing it with lime juice and Topo Chico.<\/p>\nAfter Williamson passed away in 2021, his closest friends: Tony Trungale, Pam Blanton and Katherine Clapner took over the restaurant with the goal of honoring his legacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cKevin wanted it to be more of an art installation, [a] meeting [place for] everybody from the legislators, to the hippies to the gay and lesbian community,\u201d Trungale said. \u201cIt became a really inclusive place, which now we’re in our 26th year, so it’s working.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the menu<\/p>\n
To start, Ranch 616 serves up a four-cheese queso, crispy oysters, crab cakes and shrimp ceviche. Classic dishes include the frito pie, pork chop, chicken fried steak and jalape\u00f1o maize, which is a corn tortilla-crusted chicken.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, it’s a taste of West Texas in the middle of Austin,\u201d Trungale said.<\/p>\n
Under new ownership, the restaurant now has an expanded menu, with brunch and healthier food options like the steak and salmon salads.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s still a lot of tequila served here, but there’s also a bigger menu and more variety that…keep us relevant in a much stronger food scene,\u201d Trungale said.<\/p>\n
Looking for a libation?<\/p>\n
In addition to the iconic Ranch Water, Ranch 616 also shakes up a well-known Fire in The Hole shot, featuring a shot of Tito\u2019s vodka, orange liqueur and lime juice in a hollowed-out and chili-salt rimmed jalape\u00f1o.<\/p>\n
Also of note<\/p>\n
The restaurant also serves as a museum for art and memories. Two of its iconic installations include Bob \u201cDaddy-O\u201d Wade\u2019s snake sculpture made out of recycled car parts, marking the Ranch\u2019s exterior facade, and Evan Voyle\u2019s original neon signage.<\/p>\n
One more thing<\/p>\n
Trungale encourages new and old patrons to revisit the Ranch and check out the expanded menu offerings and distinct vibe.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople come down here and have a great time,\u201d Trungale said. \u201cYou don’t leave here hungry, and you don’t leave here without at least meeting a few new people.\u201d<\/p>\n
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