Our Visit to the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and Lodge
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Every year, I take off work during the last week of June. Our wedding anniversary is June 28th, so we usually try to plan a summer vacation around that date. This year was a little different. We decided to take a “staycation” and get some things done around the house. I had visited the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and Restaurant shortly after they opened a year or two ago, and had vowed that I would make my husband go with me someday. Today was the day.
My husband does not watch cooking shows, and he had never seen the Pioneer Woman. I guess I have been assuming that all of you know who she is, and I bet I’m wrong! The Pioneer Woman is Ree Drummond. She has a blog, a cooking show on the Food Network, has published several books and cookbooks, and lives on a ranch outside of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. She also now has a huge line of cookware and other kitchen items with a very distinctive flair. I have several pieces of her bakeware, and I love it. I have to admit I have only watched her show a handful of times, but she cooks up some very appealing comfort food! So, when I read off the menu items from her restaurant ( I found it online) to my husband, I think I saw a genuine glint in his eye. 🙂
The two hour drive to Pawhuska was very peaceful, as the entire route consisted of small highways and no interstates or four lane roads. This was a perfect time to catch up on conversation with my husband without the interruption of tv, phones, or kids. We arrived at the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and restaurant at around 10:30 am. There was already a short line formed for lunch at the restaurant, but not nearly as long as my previous visit-that time my friends and I waited over 2 hours in cold December weather. Within 15 minutes, we were inside the building and seated at our table. The atmosphere was friendly and warm, with gingham napkins and drinks served in mason jars.
We ordered an appetizer of chips and queso dip, at my suggestion. Yes, I had tried the dip on my previous trip to Pawhuska and knew my husband would love the slightly spicy, cheesy goodness! He did.
We were already feeling full, but we still had to order the chicken fried steak meal. We both ordered half portions, and I can’t say enough about how delicious the food was…it was almost like Ree cooked it herself! My sister likes to gripe about restaurants that use instant mashed potatoes- well these potatoes were definitely NOT instant! Mmm, so good.
After lunch we visited the Mercantile for a few minutes. The Mercantile is a fun place to shop. Of course, they carry the entire line of Pioneer Woman products, but they also have a variety of fun and whimsical gifts that you can’t find just anywhere. This would be a great place to buy some “out of the norm” stocking stuffers.
Upstairs at the Mercantile there is a bakery, but we opted out of visiting this because we had been given a pass to visit the ranch and tour the lodge where the cooking segments of the Pioneer Woman show are filmed. Across the street from the Mercantile building, they have recently opened a pizza joint that serves wood-fired pizza. That is another place we decided to visit next trip. On to the ranch….
THE LODGE
The drive to the lodge takes about 30 minutes from the Mercantile, with several miles of dirt roads. The “ticket” that is given for lodge tours is actually a paper with written driving instructions to get there. The Drummond Ranch is huge, with beautiful scenery. Once at the lodge, we were greeted by two very friendly (but very tired) dogs. 🙂
We had a good time roaming around the lodge. There were very few people there, so we really got to explore. I was expecting to see staff members in the lodge, but I saw none. Immediately upon entering, there are two kitchen sets where filming takes place.
One area is for strictly baking and the other is for meals. Behind this area is a pantry.
The lodge also serves as the guest house for the ranch, with four beautiful bedrooms, each with adjoining baths and huge walk-in showers. Ree Drummond has a dressing and makeup area in one of the bedrooms, where she prepares for filming.
At the very back of the lodge, there is a huge commercial kitchen and pantry. Since I didn’t see any staff members there, I couldn’t ask about the use of this kitchen.
On the outside of the lodge, there is a huge deck that overlooks the ranch (the lodge sits on a hill). The view is breathtaking. Not only was the lodge tour beautiful and interesting, it was FREE!
If you get the chance to visit Pawhuska, do it! If it happens to be a day when they open the lodge for tours, it is well worth the thirty minute drive to the ranch. In case you’ve never heard of the Pioneer Woman or seen her merchandise, here is a little taste (and you can find many others on Amazon as well):
