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The Award
Established in 2000,
the California Beef Backer Award recognizes
restaurants that go the extra mile to promote beef.
Those who know beef
best—beef producers, nominate California restaurants
that they think do the best job of selling their
product. Whether it is because of the charming
ambiance, outstanding beef promotions or the fact
that every bite of beef on the menu is nothing short
of excellent, each nominee was selected by a cattle
producer as his or her favorite place to eat beef.
The award also
highlights the important role that restaurants play
in the beef industry. Foodservice accounts for half
of the beef sold in this country, according to a
2003 study from NPD Group. Commercial restaurants
make up 61 percent of that sector. The California
Beef Backer Award gives beef producers a chance to
recognize and honor restaurants that do the most to
help the cattle industry.
California beef
producers are encouraged to recognize their favorite
beef restaurant by filling out an official
nomination form. All restaurants that are
nominated and submit an entry will be eligible to
compete in the Beef Backer contest sponsored by the
California Beef Council.
Restaurants are
awarded on their beef promotion programs, beef menu
applications and overall quality. Winners receive
cash prizes to be used toward future beef purchases.
Profiles of California
Beef Backers
Harris Ranch Inn &
Restaurant — 2000
Established in 1977,
Harris Ranch located in Coalinga, California is a
fine-dining experience that includes a
well-appointed inn and country store. This is where
discriminating travelers stop for the finer foods
and warm hospitality indigenous to the Central
Valley. Known as the home of great tasting and
nutritional beef that is aged to tender perfection,
Harris Ranch Beef Company is part of the Harris
Farms group of companies.
The Harris family has
been farming for over 100 years, and the Fresno
County farm has been under continuous family
operation since 1937. Since its founding, Harris
Farms has grown into one of the largest
agribusinesses in the nation and is California's
largest cattle feeder, fed beef processor and beef
marketer.
Today Harris Farms is
also one of the largest integrated farming
operations in the Central San Joaquin Valley, one of
the largest and most productive farming regions in
the world. The Harris Family has always taken great
pride in their crops and their beef, and raised both
to be as pure and great tasting as nature intended.
Related companies include Harris Ranch Inn and
Restaurant, the Harris Farms - Thoroughbreds, the
Harris Ranch Beef Company, the Harris Ranch Feeding
Company and the Harris Ranch Farms.
Visit
www.harrisranch.com
Cattlemen’s Restaurant
chain — 2001
Pete Gillham, Sr., the
driving force behind Cattlemens, spent the first
fifty years of his life on cattle ranches. He grew
up on his father's dude ranch in the foothills of
the Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona. After
attending Stanford University in 1933, he returned
to ranching, running the "U Circle Ranch" near
Oracle, Arizona. During the 1940's Pete worked on
the Tanqueverde Ranch near Tucson and later managed
the Petan Land and Cattle Company (formerly the YP
Brand Ranch) near Elko, Nevada. He was also a
partner in a feedlot and auction yard in Casa
Grande, Arizona, and was a partner in the 3C Ranch
near Ely, Nevada.
In 1968, Pete Gillham,
Sr. and his son Pete Jr. opened the first Cattlemens
on the pier in Redondo Beach, California. Their
philosophy was straightforward. Buy the best cuts of
meat, the freshest vegetables, and serve them up
simply, in generous portions. Today there are 10
Cattlemens restaurants. Each location still ages and
cuts its own beef and they still serve generous
portions in a friendly atmosphere. The two Petes
wouldn't have it any other way.
The decor in each
restaurant is unique-comprised of local antiques and
ranching artifacts, but you'll find the same
straightforward western hospitality and great food
regardless of which Cattlemens you visit.
Visit
www.beststeakinthewest.com
Far Western Tavern —
2002
Where the Pavement
Ends and the West Begins
The Far Western Tavern
makes its home in the historic Palace Hotel that was
built in 1912 by the partnership of two Swiss
Italian immigrants, Carenini and Forni. The hotel
was later sold, first to Elezia and Angelo Ferrari,
and then again in 1958 to cousins Clarence Minetti
and Dick Maretti. Still family-owned, the
establishment owes much to the numerous family
members who have served as employees and advisors
over the past forty years.
Clarence and Rosalie
Minetti and their family members now jointly own and
operate the Far Western Tavern. As a child, Clarence
can remember eating rib steak and spaghetti in the
hotel dining room for under a dollar. Now his
children serve local families in that same dining
room.
Accolades for the Far
Western’s mastery of Santa Maria style cooking has
led to feature stories in Sunset and Gourmet
Magazines, establishing the Far Western Tavern as a
culinary landmark for Central Coast regional
cooking.
In 1996, the Far
Western Tavern entered a new era. Co-owner Richard
Maretti retired. Clarence and Rosalie Minetti and
family – daughter Marie and son-in-law Steve Will,
daughter Susan and son-in-law Paul Righetti, and son
Tyke and daughter-in-law Sheryll Minetti – are new
sole owners
Visit
www.farwesterntavern.com
F. McLintocks Saloon &
Dining House - 2003
Co-owned by Bruce
Breault and Tunny Ortali, and managed by
Bruce’s son Tony Breault, McLintocks is a landmark
along Highway 101 in Shell Beach. The popular
restaurant, which is celebrating its 30th year in
business, also has four other locations along the
central coast. The Shell Beach location is
consistently ranked among California’s top ten
restaurants. McLintocks is famous for its western
style, high spirited service, hearty portions, and
their famous high water pours. The friendly
atmosphere keeps locals and visitors coming back for
more.
Before or after
dining, take time to browse through the Mercantile
“General Store” gift shop in the lobby, where you
have the opportunity to purchase some of the fine
food products such as: F. McLintocks Famous Real
Cowboy Salsa, Award-Winning BBQ Sauce, Trail Camp
Beans or Caliente Cowboy hot Sauce. See the butcher
shop for fresh cuts of Choice, Aged beef to take
home for that special occasion. The wine list
includes a good selection of California wines and
the restaurant features a full bar. Banquet service
is available for that special occasion.
Visit McLintocks at
www.mclintocks.com
The Branding Iron - 2004
The Branding Iron celebrates
California's ranching history with its decor and gets its
name from the approximately 200 cattle brands that are
displayed throughout the dining area. Owned by Kara and Greg
Parle, the Branding Iron first opened its doors in 1952 and
its 50-year-old neon sign of a cowboy branding a calf has
been designated a historical landmark by the city of
Merced.
This "Merced Tradition" also features a cocktail
lounge and banquet facilities. Visit www.thebrandingiron-merced.com
for more information.
Buckhorn
Steak & Roadhouse - 2005
Buckhorn Steak & Roadhouse is located in the
historic DeVilbiss Hotel in downtown Winters. Owned by John
and Melanie Pickerel, the restaurant's reputation is
distinguished by its casual roadhouse interior and
commitment to selling beef as showcased by their many
marketing efforts. The Buckhorn's mission statement says it
all: "To become known as THE steakhouse in a 50-mile
radius, by training our staff and customers to believe that
not only are we steak experts, but that we DO have better
steaks." The entire staff goes through a rigorous
training called Cow School to ensure that any employee can
discuss the menu with authority and is extremely
knowledgeable about their product. The owners and staff of
the Buckhorn go to great lengths to make sure their
customers have a great beef eating
experience.
So drive on down to the Buckhorn and make sure you don't
miss the trophy game heads on the walls as you enjoy a juicy
steak. Visit www.buckhornsteakhouse.com
for more information.
A.J.
Spurs - 2006
A.J. Spurs was originally opened in Templeton by Alan
Grimley, Jay Walsh and J.G. King in 1989. The Templeton
building contained a great deal of charm being first built
in 1887, complete with a trUe Old West Saloon. The
restaurant was so successful that the trio opened additional
locations in Buellton, Grover Beach and Marina in subsequent
years. King eventually bought out his partners to become the
sole owner of the restaurants. In the summer of 2006, J.G.
King sold three of the locations to Milt Guggia Enterprises,
Santa Maria, however King continues to own and operate the
Marina location. Known for the quality and consistency of
their beef, A.J. Spurs has employed full-time meat cutters
to help ensure a superior beef eating experience for all of
its customers. So come on down to A.J. Spurs and enjoy that
superior beef eating experience yourself. Visit www.ajspurs.com
for more information.
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