Our Story

Tom Perini's love for ranch life began as a young boy, growing up and working on his family's ranch. In 1973 he turned that passion into a career and has since become America's quintessential cowboy gourmet. After perfecting the traditional cowboy cuisine and creating a few recipes of his own, Perini moved from the back of the chuck wagon into his own restaurant on the family's working ranch. Since 1983, Perini Ranch Steakhouse has served as home to the best chuck wagon style food in America. Perini Ranch Steakhouse is proudly located on the Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap, Texas (population 463).

The Perini Ranch Timeline

1973
Tom Perini began catering ranch events across Texas.
1983
Perini Ranch Steakhouse opened its doors to the public.
1991
Tom and the chuck wagon made an international journey to Japan to promote US Beef.
1995
The Mesquite Smoked Peppered Beef Tenderloin was selected the mail order gift of the year by The New York Times.
1997
Perini Ranch was featured on the cover of Texas Highways.
1998
Tom served as the Texas Restaurant Association President.
1999
Tom appeared on Good Morning America, live from Austin, TX.
2000
Our cookbook "Texas Cowboy Cooking" was published.
2001
September 11, 2001 was a historic day for our country and for us. We were in Washington, D.C. preparing to cater the Congressional Picnic at the White House.
2002
Perini Ranch returned to Washington, D.C. and finally catered the Congressional Picnic at the White House.

Lisa and Tom traveled to Poland and Russia on behalf of the United States Meat Export Federation and the Texas Beef Council to promote US Beef.
2005
The Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit was founded by Dr. Richard Becker, Fess Parker, and the Perini’s as a non-profit with the mission to cultivate the appreciation of fine wine and food through education and industry discussion.
2007
Perini Ranch Guest Quarters began providing lodging on the ranch.

Perini Ranch Steakhouse was named the third best steakhouse in Texas by Texas Monthly.
2009
Won Best Burger on the TODAY Show in NYC.

Tom was named one of the “24 Reasons Why We Love Texas” in Saveur magazine.
2011
Tom was featured on the cover of Texas Monthly.

Lisa served as president of Texas Restaurant Association.

Jacques Pépin visited Buffalo Gap as a guest chef at the Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit.
2013
Finally, air conditioning!!!

August has been an “extraordinary” month, check out Texas Highways magazine for the full story.
2014

Perini Ranch Steakhouse honored as an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation.
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“Tails of Perini Ranch” by Gus Perini is published.
2015
Work... Work... Work...
2016
Perini Ranch Country Market opened for business in downtown Buffalo Gap.
2017
The Supper Club by Perini Ranch, located in Buffalo Gap, opens for private events.
2019
The Gap Cafe by Perini Ranch, debuts featuring Salty Roan Bakehouse and much more.

Our second cookbook is released in November, Perini Ranch Steakhouse: Stories and Recipes for Real Texas Food.
2020
Tom cooked on the Rachael Ray Show in New York City.
2021
We are still here...