Here in the desert southwest it’s that time of year when the weather is just perfect. Warm days in the 70’s and nights just slightly cooler. It’s a time of year when many residents find themselves entertaining visitors from other parts of the country or world. If you have guest or you’re looking for something that’s fun and delicious, here’s my recommendation. Take your party out to The Tanque Verde Guest Ranch for their Cowboy Cookout! The ranch has a colorful storied past starting with Don Emilio Carrillo, born in Santa Cruz, Sonora Mexico, he moved his family to Tucson and purchased the land. Don Carrillo became a successful rancher and this caught the attention of some bandits who actually hung Carrillo in what is now the card room. Don Carillo miraculously survived the event, but eventually sold the ranch to Jim Converse in the mid 1920’s. Converse turned the ranch into a working ranch experience for visitors. One night however, Converse got drunk and accidentally shot a Mexican Cowboy. So after being convicted of manslaughter, Converse sold the ranch to the Cote family who’s descendants still run the ranch today.
The ranch has 640 acres and also leases from the U.S. Forrest Service approximately 60,000 acres for its cattle operation. Guests experience the history of the place along with miles of exciting horse trails, which make their way through desert and mountain scenery. The views from the ranch are hard to beat in the modern day, you’ll see miles of untouched pristine desert just as it was many years ago. Tanque Verde Guest Ranch has won many awards and is a great place for a wedding, corporate retreats or a family vacation. With over 150 head of horses you’re sure to find a favorite one to ride!
The cowboy cookout takes place amongst a grove of Cottonwood trees alongside of the Tanque Verde wash. Depending on the time of year you go the wash will be running with water from the snow melting in the mountains. The ranch BBQ experience is a great escape from the hustle of the modern day restaurant. You’ll be sitting at long picnic tables around fire pits and a dance floor where live music is played. The open air bar serves up your adult beverages, not included in the price, and for those not drinking alcohol you can have ice tea, lemonade , coffee and water, included in the price. The cookouts are on Wednesday or Saturday evenings from 5:30 -8:30 pm, the current cost is $45 per person. Depending on which night you go you’ll either be able to load your plate up with BBQ’d ribs or mesquite grilled steaks. On both nights you’ll be able to have pulled pork, BBQ’d chicken and a grilled fish. The sides vary but usually you’ll get the cowboy staples of cornbread and beans, baked potato, creamed corn and mac-n-cheese, along with a variety of vegetables and a salad bar. Desserts include fresh fruit, a big ol’ bunch of cookies and a couple fruit cobblers.
It goes without saying that you won’t walk away from this cookout hungry! You’ll probably be stuffed so you might want to take a stroll around the Cottonwood Grove or better yet, head out to the dance floor for a little bit of dancing. Most nights you’ll find a Tucson favorite playing the songs. Andy Hershey is nothing short of spectacular and in my mind he’s actually a human jukebox! To the best of my knowledge there isn’t a country song Andy doesn’t know, from the early days of Hank Williams too todays hits, the man can play them all! So head out to the dance floor and kick your heels up!
I can highly recommend going to the Cowboy Cookout at The Tanque Verde Guest Ranch and can almost guarantee you won’t be disappointed. I say almost because there’s always that one person. For the rest of us however it’s an awesome time in a wonderful venue with good food, great music and people from all over the world. If you’ve ever been to the ranch or the cookout please let us know about your experience in the comment box. As always if you have any questions please send me an email or write it in the comments box and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can Until next time, Boone Appétit!
Looks like fun! I hope I can get there someday. Thanks for the post! 😉
Hi Jenn, I’m sure you would love it! The setting is magical and the food is good too.
We LOVE the cowboy cookout and have been many times. Tanque Verde is a favorite!
Hi Diana, I’m so glad you’ve had a great experience there, it really is a nice place to go especially with out of town guest or a special occasion. Thanks for your feedback!
Hi Charlie I had such a great time at the Tanque Verde BBQ. The setting is just beautiful! From the moment you drive on to the ranch you can feel the fun about to start. The service, food displays, entertainment was excellent! Thanks for the background history. So glad Tucson has such a fun place to take out of town visitors! I’d definitely return!
Hi Mitzi, thanks for confirming my feelings, it is a fun place! It’s kind of a well kept secret but I’m guessing that’s because so many of the guests that are staying there usually go to the cookout, there’s not a lot of need to advertise. I’m so glad you enjoyed your time there and hope you do return!