Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Southwest Oklahoma and go fishing with fishing guide Mike Diehl at Lake Tom Steed and fishing guide Jim Bevers at Lake Altus-Lugert. While there I stayed at the greatest little B & B this fisherman could ask for – Deer Ridge Bed & Breakfast in a great little town, Hobart, Oklahoma.
Dubbed “A Western Bed & Breakfast”, Deer Ridge is way more than that – by far. Tastefully and artfully decorated by the owners themselves, every detail has been thoughtfully handled. I stayed in the room named “Covered Wagon” which had the most comfortable bed I think I’ve ever slept on. The magazines sprinkled throughout the property are the same ones I subscribe to, helping me feel right at home.
As an added surprise, they convert the first floor of the property into a restaurant on Friday nights and call it “Friday Night Steak Night” featuring the “best steaks you have ever had” – quote from the owner. Well, since my wife and I have had “Friday Night Steak Night” at our home for the last 20 years, plus the claim of the best steaks ever, and being a boy originally from the KC stockyards area, who now lives and eats steaks in Dallas, I had to give it a try.
I started with the cold boiled shrimp cocktail which was so fresh and delicious. The shrimp were huge and the homemade cocktail sauce had the perfect amount of tangy spice to it. Then I had very fresh and tasty salad made with baby spinach, toasted walnuts, feta cheese and dried cranberries topped with a house-made balsamic vinegarette. Then the waitress brought out my perfectly cooked ribeye and sides. The steak was huge, cut like butter, and was, without ANY doubt, the best steak I have ever had – in my life! I asked the owner where she got the beef and she said locally. Next time I’m up there, I’m bringing a cooler to bring some of those steaks home with me.
And if that weren’t enough, they have a dessert called the Chocolate Turtle. Since I’m a chocolate hound, I had to try it, even though I was already stuffed from dinner. It was a warm, slightly gooey, perfect handmade brownie with thick streaks of firm fudge and rich carmel, topped with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream and lightly drizzled with more carmel and dark chocolate. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! It was absolutely, without ANY doubt, the best chocolate dessert I have ever had!
By this time, I was so stuffed and satisfied, I had to go out on the front porch and rock in the rocking chair for awhile. Too bad I didn’t bring a cigar and some cognac!
If you find yourself in Southwest Oklahoma or want to get away for a nice weekend, I highly, highly recommend Deer Ridge Bed and Breakfast. You may be thinking, boy, he really liked the place maybe a bit too much – does he really know what he is talking about? Just so you know, I was in the hospitality business for 24 years, including hotels and food & beverage. I know a thing or two about excellent hospitality and Deer Ridge has got it going on.