Ranchman’s, a historic restaurant in Ponder, has reopened under new ownership. The establishment, located six miles west of Interstate 35W, is now operated by Marty Bryan, who owns Marty B’s in Bartonville and several other local businesses. The cafe, which sits at 110 W. Bailsy St., had been closed for approximately six years prior to this reopening.
Bryan purchased the property and seven adjacent lots to expand the venue. The renovation includes a Western-themed saloon, a music stage, and a large patio capable of seating up to 500 guests. A future location for Marty B’s Ice Cream is also planned for the site. The building itself dates back to 1903, with the restaurant opening in the mid-1940s, though records vary between 1945 and 1947.
Despite the new additions, the original oak-paneled front dining room remains unchanged. It retains memorabilia from 1951, including photographs from the filming of the 1967 movie "Bonnie & Clyde" in the area. The film starred Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Gene Hackman.
The menu continues to feature signature griddled steaks topped with roasted garlic butter. New offerings include hand-packed burgers, large chicken-fried steaks, and pies based on Bryan’s mother’s recipes. Bryan stated that the cooking methods remain consistent with the restaurant’s history, even though he had never visited the location before it closed.
The previous owner, Dave Ross, retired after purchasing the cafe in 1992 from co-founder Grace "Pete" Jackson. Ross had worked at the restaurant for 20 years before buying it. The cafe was known as a favorite of late Texas novelist Larry McMurtry, who lived in Archer City. McMurtry reportedly named his 1985 novel "Lonesome Dove" after seeing a church bus near the restaurant in the early 1980s.
