A taste of California
Dining at Alisal Ranch
Seasonal, hearty cuisine
Ranch-style dining
Our chefs have a deep reverence for the region’s bounty and a commitment to timeless food made from seasonal ingredients. Whether you’re having a casual bite on the golf course, or a more formal dining experience in the Ranch Room, your meal will beautifully embrace the essence of California cuisine and the heartiness of Western ranch cooking. You’ll also love our special events and festivities like alfresco barbecues at the Rodeo. In other words, get ready for your palette to be delighted.
Meet the Culinary Team
Our talented, highly acclaimed culinary team comprises diverse chefs with unique skills and backgrounds.
As Executive Chef at Alisal Ranch, Chef Erik Sandven brings Alisal Ranch the best ingredients the state’s central coast has to offer, while creating a sense of place for the hotel’s guests and embracing the ranch’s rich history through an array of dining experiences, including summer rodeos, the multi-day BBQ Bootcamp, weddings, the California Ranch Cookouts held throughout the year, and more.
Sandven began his culinary career in 2011 as a line cook at RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, quickly climbing the ranks to become the hotel’s saucier, and then sous chef. Six years later, he went to another iconic Orange County luxury hotel, The Resort at Pelican Hill, as the sous chef in their restaurants Pelican Grill and Andrea, before being promoted to chef de cuisine at the Coliseum restaurant.
In 2021, Sandven was recruited by The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara to be their banquet chef, during which he oversaw all banquet culinary functions and operations, the Club Lounge, as well as the Obar Kitchen. In 2023, Sandven joined Alisal Ranch.
Outside of the kitchen, Sandven enjoys spending time with his wife, visiting the local farmer’s markets, and playing golf.
Experience the best of Alisal Ranch
From special holiday meals, to signature events like our BBQ Bootcamp and Rodeo BBQ’s, there is always something new to discover on the culinary scene at Alisal Ranch.
Dining at Alisal Ranch
Explore your options
Whether you’re in the mood for something simple, or you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, our dining options are sure to delight. Our dinner menu features daily specials, and we highlight local produce throughout the changing seasons.
The Ranch Course Grill & Golf Lounge
Breakfast | Lunch | Open 8am-3pm
Enjoy the fabulous views from the patio, and be sure to ask about the daily drink specials.
The Grill at Alisal River Course
Breakfast | Lunch | 8am – 3pm
Open for limited seating inside and on our award-winning Terrace, overlooking the golf course with a view of the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains and River.
Waggin’ Tongue Bar
Drinks | 11am – 4pm
Be sure to wet your whistle with local wines by the glass or bottle, local beers on tap, and a full selection of spirits.
Chuckwagon Grill
Lunch | 11am – 4pm
Join us for lunch at the Chuckwagon Grill, and dine poolside on our sunny patio.
The Oak Room
Drinks | 4pm – Close
This favorite meeting spot offers a full bar, local beers on tap, and wines from the local AVAs and appetizers.
The Ranch Room and Creekside
Breakfast 7am – 11am | Dinner 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Order from an extensive breakfast menu featuring seasonal fresh fruit, an assortment of fresh-baked pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more local, seasonal selections.
Join us every evening for dinner. Our menu changes daily because we use the freshest ingredients from local farms and ranches.
The Ranch Course Grill & Golf Lounge
Breakfast | Lunch | Open 8am-3pm
Enjoy the fabulous views from the patio, and be sure to ask about the daily drink specials.
The Grill at Alisal River Course
Breakfast | Lunch | 8am – 3pm
Open for limited seating inside and on our award-winning Terrace, overlooking the golf course with a view of the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains and River.
Waggin’ Tongue Bar
Drinks | 11am – 4pm
Be sure to wet your whistle with local wines by the glass or bottle, local beers on tap, and a full selection of spirits.
Chuckwagon Grill
Lunch | 11am – 4pm
Join us for lunch at the Chuckwagon Grill, and dine poolside on our sunny patio.
The Oak Room
Drinks | 4pm – Close
This favorite meeting spot offers a full bar, local beers on tap, and wines from the local AVAs and appetizers.
The Ranch Room and Creekside
Breakfast 7am – 11am | Dinner 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Order from an extensive breakfast menu featuring seasonal fresh fruit, an assortment of fresh-baked pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more local, seasonal selections.
Join us every evening for dinner. Our menu changes daily because we use the freshest ingredients from local farms and ranches.
The Ranch Course Grill & Golf Lounge
Breakfast | Lunch | Open 8am-3pm
Enjoy the fabulous views from the patio, and be sure to ask about the daily drink specials.
The Grill at Alisal River Course
Breakfast | Lunch | 8am – 3pm
Open for limited seating inside and on our award-winning Terrace, overlooking the golf course with a view of the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains and River.
Waggin’ Tongue Bar
Drinks | 11am – 4pm
Be sure to wet your whistle with local wines by the glass or bottle, local beers on tap, and a full selection of spirits.
Chuckwagon Grill
Lunch | 11am – 4pm
Join us for lunch at the Chuckwagon Grill, and dine poolside on our sunny patio.
The Oak Room
Drinks | 4pm – Close
This favorite meeting spot offers a full bar, local beers on tap, and wines from the local AVAs and appetizers.
The Ranch Room and Creekside
Breakfast 7am – 11am | Dinner 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Order from an extensive breakfast menu featuring seasonal fresh fruit, an assortment of fresh-baked pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more local, seasonal selections.
Join us every evening for dinner. Our menu changes daily because we use the freshest ingredients from local farms and ranches.
Featured recipes
Bring a taste of Alisal Ranch to your home kitchen with these selected recipes from our chefs. Enjoy!
You will learn the tips and tricks for creating flavorful delicious ribs using Chef Endy’s recipe and the Big Green Egg.
In this video you will get step-by-step directions for creating dessert perfection, using Big Green Egg cookers, quality ingredients and some time honored outdoor cooking methods.
You can almost taste the plump grilled shrimp and smoky sausage in this video.
Chef Gordon was recently at Alisal Ranch and demonstrated how outdoor Big Green Egg cookers can be used to make mouthwatering baked goods.