Cattleman’s Steakhouse

In Fabens, at Indian Cliffs Ranch, 35 minutes east of town.

dining hall at Cattleman's Steakhouse in Fabens, Texas

You know you’re in Texas here. I attended an event at Cattleman's Steakhouse that began with a tractor-pulled covered wagon ride. As the sun set, it took us out into the desert through the property’s Indian Cliffs Ranch where we viewed the remnants of filming sites for a variety of movies, including “Resurrection,” “The Border,” and “Courage Under Fire.” Then, while our meal was being fragrantly prepared, we indulged in margaritas and wandered out to the children’s zoo for encounters with goats and longhorn cattle. Even rattlesnakes in a snake pit. Kids are catered to with the Fort Apache playground and Indian Maze. Though I don’t usually eat a lot of red meat, when I’m in Texas I know better than to say no to a steak, and Cattleman’s does make one of the best I’ve ever encountered (the other one was also in Texas at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo). My memorably delicious steak was accompanied by tasty several sides--potato salad and beans--but, surprisingly to me, no baked potato or lettuce salad.