Stepping into the Valley Ranch Barbeque is like traveling back into the Valley's past. While other restaurants remodel and modernize, this unsung landmark retains the kitchy western theme it's had since opening in 1969. Farm-style tchotchies man the high wooden beams (where plastic owls perch), while stagecoaches circle the ceiling's edge, lead by an electric train. All the barbequed meats (like thick short ribs, beef tri-tip, baby back ribs and sliced leg of lamb) are slowly cooked in deep brick pits and served with the restaurant's slightly sweet original recipe barbeque sauce. Dinners come with three sides including choices of soup, salad, fries, baked potato, cole slaw, baked beans, fruit cocktail and cottage cheese. The non-BBQ menu includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, breaded shrimp and even spaghetti. Diners who enjoy eating in a bar atmosphere can be seated in the darker lit Tack Room and anyone over 21 can try their luck playing the Keno-ish Lotto Hot Spot and see if they've won on any of the several television sets. The restaurant attracts ordinary working folk, seniors, families and even LAPD, so you can feel extra safe while dining. -- Lydia Marcus I've actually been going to the Valley Ranch BBQ since I was 3 years old in 1973 - the year my family moved to the Valley. I wrote the review above for AOL City Guide when I worked for them as a staff writer/photographer back in 2001 16623 Sherman Way Van Nuys, CA 91406 Phone: 818-989-1300

Stepping into the Valley Ranch Barbeque is like traveling back into the Valley's past. While other restaurants remodel and modernize, this unsung landmark retains the kitchy western theme it's had since opening in 1969. Farm-style tchotchies man the high wooden beams (where plastic owls perch), while stagecoaches circle the ceiling's edge, lead by an electric train. All the barbequed meats (like thick short ribs, beef tri-tip, baby back ribs and sliced leg of lamb) are slowly cooked in deep brick pits and served with the restaurant's slightly sweet original recipe barbeque sauce. Dinners come with three sides including choices of soup, salad, fries, baked potato, cole slaw, baked beans, fruit cocktail and cottage cheese. The non-BBQ menu includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, breaded shrimp and even spaghetti. Diners who enjoy eating in a bar atmosphere can be seated in the darker lit Tack Room and anyone over 21 can try their luck playing the Keno-ish Lotto Hot Spot and see if they've won on any of the several television sets. The restaurant attracts ordinary working folk, seniors, families and even LAPD, so you can feel extra safe while dining. -- Lydia Marcus I've actually been going to the Valley Ranch BBQ since I was 3 years old in 1973 - the year my family moved to the Valley. I wrote the review above for AOL City Guide when I worked for them as a staff writer/photographer back in 2001 16623 Sherman Way Van Nuys, CA 91406 Phone: 818-989-1300