Home-Cooked, Ranch-Style Cowboy Dinners

Nothing says the Old West quite like a hearty meal cooked over flames and served under the stars—or at least accompanied by live country music.

Eat a supper fit for a cowboy (or cowgirl) at these dude ranches while enjoying a theatrical show, horseback ride, outdoor games or other activities.

Tanque Verde Ranch

Located east of downtown Tucson on the edge of Saguaro National Park, Tanque Verde Ranch, an all-inclusive guest ranch, opens its doors to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as its popular cowboy cookout.

Held in the Cottonwood Grove, the barbecued meal is offered Wednesday and Saturday evenings and features grilled beef, ribs or steak, chicken and fresh fish served with homemade cornbread, fresh fruit, salad and more. Guests dine at red-and-white-checked picnic tables while live music plays. Be sure to polish your boots and get your groove on because the evening usually includes line dancing, too.

Bumble Bee Ranch

Cowboy dinners at Bumble Bee Ranch in Bumble Bee, Arizona, about 60 miles directly north of Phoenix, are more intimate affairs than at other venues. Instead of purchasing tickets for dinner and a show, you make a reservation for your party of six or more and select your menu. Dinner is prepared specifically for your group. Last-minute reservations will not work for this venue. You'll need to book at least a week or more in advance.

Menu options include deli sandwiches, hamburgers and hotdogs, spaghetti and barbecued ribs. But, for a true Western experience, there's only one way to go: the rib eye steak, chicken or salmon dinner served with a baked potato, corn on the cob, dinner rolls and apple pie à la mode and so much more.

Add a cowboy activity, like a two-hour cattle drive, to round out your Old West experience.

Now, who's ready to eat?