LACROSSE, Wis. – Although the Pizza Ranch has 44 Minnesota locations, the closest taste that most Winonans have of the places is from 2016 news coverage of Hillary Clinton and Donald Tump trapsing through Iowa, the chain’s home state, in the 2016 caucuses. The Iowa Pizza Ranches were packed as usual with all-you-can-eat Iowans. What a ripe place to campaign. With the chain’s 45th Minnesota location opening soon in Winona, our Galloping Gourmands ventured to the Pizza Ranch in LaCrosse to share their experience with Winona Journal readers – a peek preview. While hardly deserving even a single Michelon star, the Gourmands were impressed. Mass-baked pizza and fried chicken by the coop-ful gets no better than this. The Gourmands weren’t alone. People were queued at the door when the place opened at 11 a.m.  By 11:10 the the was packed. The price can’t be beat: $15 before 3 o’clock, then $16.50. Kids get discounts.

> Kids. Because Pizza Ranch touts its “funzone arcade,” the Gourmands were wary of a wild, screaming obnoxiousness  like a Chuck E. Cheese on a birthday party weekend. Nothing was rowdy on the Gourmands’ Pizza Ranch visit.  Somehow the place calmed whatever instinctively drives kids into insane frenzies at Chuck E. Cheeses.

 > Food. It’s self-serve at an immense buffet. Pizza cut by the slice was mostly the usual Italian varieties but no waxy cheese. No skimpy toppings. The chicken was both succulent and crispy. Do-it-yourself salad choices were on par with supper club salad bars. The same for desserts. Just don’t expect local sourcing or anything free-range.

> Setting. A cowboy theme was present – this is a ranch, after all — but not in-your face excessiveness like the failed faux attempts at authenticity at Olive Gardens, Red Lobsters and Outbacks.

> Service. The set-up is self-service, but attendants were within a beckon and smiled easily.

Our rotating band of reviewers, the Galloping Gourmands, roam the region for great places to dine. The panel pays full fare. To assure dispassionate reviews, the panelists don’t identify themselves.

Details: Go the Winona Journal category Cuisine. In black at the top of the site.

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Earlier: Ground Round make-over: Pizza, chicken, salad buffet

Earlier: Ground Round eatery hit with CoVid

Earlier: Ground Round eatery, bar closing

Hidden. Off U.S. Highway 16 in LaCrosse. South from Valley View mall at 3130 Chestnut Place.

Mini review

Well prepared, especially house-pro,moted pizza and chicken. No where near gourmet but good bang for your buck. No linens. Paper napkins. Variety of sides, desserts. Also chicken wings. Deft cowboy theme but neither heavy-handed nor cutesy. Some locations are licensed for beer and wine although at an extra charge. Not a place to linger. May be that hungry folks are lined up waiting for your table.