Back in 1985-86, my father became seriously ill. He and my mother would stop at Ponderosa when traveling out of town for his doctor appointments. He loved it. I had just started working when he became sick. My plan was to treat him to a meal at Ponderosa for his birthday. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated rapidly and he passed away before I had the chance to do so and I have regretted that ever since. I was able to take my mother to Ponderosa a number of times
@Doug Clark, we are so sorry for your loss. I’m sure that the plan of such a sweet gesture, along with having a loving wife and son caring for him warmed his heart and was a beautiful blessing gift to your father. That is awesome that you were able to carry on those memories of visits to Ponderosa with your mother, and your father was there in spirit. We appreciate you for watching, and we hope that you have a wonderful weekend! 💗
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Thank you very much for the kind words. The Ponderosa he visited was out of town, and to honor him I asked to go to Ponderosa for my birthday meal (my birthday was exactly one week after he passed). Several years later one opened up in my hometown so my mother and I could go more often. Sadly, a few years later, it closed due to some rumored shady business dealing involving the franchisee's company. I wish that Ponderosa would return to the area sometime in the future.
We appreciate your kind words more than you know, @The Oracle! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Ponderosa definitely, brings back great childhood memories with family, @R.J. Wheels! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
@T Maria, we are so sorry for your loss, but so glad for the nostalgia of the great memories that you have with him. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome week!
Thank you, Jonny! We couldn't believe it either. It was definitely like taking a time machine back to the 80s/90s visiting here. We appreciate you for watching and we hope that y'all have a Happy New Year!
We miss having Ponderosas in TN, too, @caesar6411. Brings back great memories, for sure! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a great evening!
I'm from Canada and I used to go to Florida every year as a child , so about 30 years ago now or so, and this was always a stop we made on those trips!! Thank you for the nostalgia!!!!
Did you go to the one in Kissimmee, Florida? We visited that one on our trips to Florida and it was a quick and convenient stop. Thanks for watching, Brandon.
They have one in Vandalia, IL. I used to travel for work and whenever I'd be working close to that area, I'd stay in Vandalia overnight and that was where I'd usually get dinner
Wow I'm surprised there is still Ponderosa around. My family use to eat there once or twice a month when I was a kid.(late 80's/early 90's). Loved making my own sundae! My mom would order a steak and baked potato. Other restaurants that I miss are Ground Round, Papa Gino's Pizza and Friendly's-(which you can still find). Thanks for showing!
There are just a few remaining Ponderosas, @Brian Dutton. Brings back great childhood memories. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Unfortunately a Ponderosa Steakhouse is where the DC Snipers killed an Innocent bystander outside of their restaurant in Maryland. R.I.P. But I would definitely love to try out their food. There are just none remotely close to where I live.
@@stever7157 yes that's true, they were all over CT and I'm not sure how many are left. I think there"s still one in the town I grew up in but I haven't been back there in a long time.
@@Inspector-71 I’m pretty sure they’re all gone. The Stratford location became a 99 Restaurant after it closed, and now the 99 just shut it’s doors recently. Who knows, maybe Ponderosa will make a comeback?
I live in Hillsboro Ohio and my first job back in 2004 was here. This is a newer building that opened in 2005ish I worked at the old building which still stands right across the parking lot. I was a waiter thru HighSchool and the owners John and Andrea Holt are pretty great people. My family and I still eat here from time to time and it's still the classic Ponderosa we all knew and loved growing up.
That is so cool, @JFoxx Browning! Such great memories of this awesome location. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
@@easyenetwork2023 I live literally 5-8 mins depending on the red lights from my driveway to their parking lot. My wife and I still go there time to time to get dinner either I get a steak n potato or fries n a salad n the bar she gets some sort of chicken either fried or grilled n veggies or the bar. Not too bad priced I mean we can both go and have whatever we want for less than $40 and be full as can be with to go boxes as well. Worth def making the drive to go grab a bite whenever you can.
This brings back memories. I used to work for Ponderosa. I cooked more chopped steak and sirloin tips than I can remember. To this day they had the best chicken wings ever. In 1990ish Ponderosa was bought by one very rich family and we had a meeting/rally to tell us all the awesome things that were going to happen. Nope. As a side note the steam table where the mac-n-cheese is in was out of water. That is why some of that stuff was boiling. You can also tell some of these workers have given up. Putting the mac-n-cheese out in the sauce pan you heat it up in is a dead giveaway. Those fried potatoes are left over baked potatoes. When I worked there, they you had to have new baked potatoes in every 15 minutes. That leaves a lot of left-over potatoes.
We agree - We were really looking forward to the wings but all that they had on the buffet was fried chicken and chicken nuggets - We miss those wings. We are sorry to hear that none of the great things happened that were promised to your Ponderosa location with the new owners. Thanks for letting us know why many of the food trays were boiling. We never knew that those fried potatoes are left over baked potatoes and the standard for new baked potatoes being made every 15 minutes. You have taught us a lot. Thanks for watching, Dave. We hope that you have a Happy New Year!
Ponderosa brings back great childhood memories with family, @Ms. Kitty! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
We agree with you, @Oterri nice! This is a great location. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
As a side-note one of the other few operating Ponderosa's is near Orlando in Kissimmee, FL. So if you're there visiting for the theme parks, it is a good chance for a nostalgic dinner. And it was very good when we stopped there. There was a time the line at Ponderosa would be out the door on weekends. And Sundays after church it would be packed too. Hopefully trends will change and it will make a resurgence someday.
We have actually been to that very location on Irlo Bronson in Kissimmee. It's currently the only open Ponderosa location in the entire state of Florida. We remember those days back in the 80s and early 90s when you had to wait for a table because Ponderosa was so packed. We agree - hopefully they'll make a great comeback. Happy New Year, @dozenfury88
The one on international drive was the first American restaurant I had ever had a meal in. I was there on holiday from the uk with my mum and dad as a kid.
@Tres Feles, we had such a great visit with PaPaw and our Ohio family. Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a wonderful and Merry Christmas too!
Great childhood memories with family, for sure, @Maddog Mcgraw! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
Brings back great childhood memories for us too, @Brandon Weese. We miss having Ponderosas in TN also. Hopefully, they’ll make a comeback in your area in the near future. Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate you, and we hope that you’re having an awesome week!
We are so glad that you have many fond memories of visiting Ponderosa. Since we filmed this video around 6 months ago, the number of Ponderosas have gone from 17 to only 8 remaining in the U.S. It's such a nolstalgic restaurant. Thank you for watching and we hope that you're having a great week.
So refreshing to see an all American family enjoying the simple things. ❤ We need more channels like yours. Buffet looks awesome. The restaurant reminds me of The Sizzlar.
Thank you so much, Rayme. We really appreciate your kind comment. It really does have similarities to a Sizzler. The only thing that was missing were the chicken wings. Thanks for watching and we hope that you have a Happy New Year!
@Laura Blassberg, we are so glad to bring back great childhood memories for everyone. Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
I always loved Ponderosa so much growing up! There was one about 45 minutes away up until a few years ago and they closed it. I have to say that I think it was better back in the day before they added the buffet. You would order when you went in and it was more like a cafeteria style where you picked your sides and ordered a steak, shrimp, hamburger, hotdog, etc. Then they would bring out your main entree. Great seeing your Papa, Brent! Wishing your family a Very Happy New Year! 💞
I wonder if they went back to their old business model and eliminated the buffet, if Ponderosa would be able to make a comeback. We were really impressed with their steak but the buffet was very hot or miss with taste and quality. Thank you for watching, Tawna. We hope that you have a Happy New Year!
Absolutely disgusting now 🤮 Everything has been sitting out a couple days it seems like. They don't clean either. Ice cream machine probably have mold.. Everything just looks nasty
We hope that y’all enjoy your meal and spending time at this awesome, nostalgic restaurant with your kids, @abensryan! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an excellent evening!
This video is a freaking milestone. Epic! Johnny Paycheck rocks! That steak looks so good. I remember going to Ponderosa back in the 90s on a trip to Florida. I don't remember much about it, but this video makes me want to stop in and try one with the fam.
Thank you! We couldn't believe it. For a while, the video was getting over 2,000 views per hour. It just goes to show that no one ever knows which video may take off with some views. We love Johnny Paycheck too and his outlaw style of country music. We tried to look for the bar where Paycheck shot the guy, but the bar is no longer around. We've been to the Ponderosa down in Kissimmee, FL....it wasn't the greatest. The buffet at the one that we filmed at was ok....for $6.00 it's hard to complain but some of the food was very bland and flavorless but other items were not bad. We don't remember the steaks being that great at Ponderosa but on the day that we went, we were highly impressed and we actually talked about how their steaks were better than some larger named steakhouses. Since each location is individually franchised, we noticed that each location is not as consistent as the next and that may be why this location is 1 of the remaining 17 locations. Let us know if you end up trying one out and what your thoughts are. We hope that you guys are having a great start to your week.
Thanks for watching, Andrey. We do much more than food vlogs (theme parks, hotel reviews, etc.)……but about half of our videos for the past year just somehow seem to include going to a restaurant. Thanks again for watching.
I SO miss Ponderosa. No longer a presence in my area. Disappointed to not see one of my favorite items on the buffet, chicken wings. Chicken wings and dark gravy along with potato wedges kept me busy until the steak and baked potato arrived. We had a waitress that knew I loved corn and gravy on my mashed potatoes and would have the kitchen cook up some corn when she saw my then girlfriend and myself in line. Such great memories of that restaurant. Such a beautiful family you have. Merry Christmas and Happy new Year!
@: ) SMILE, we miss having Ponderosas in TN, as well. I believe that they still serve their famous chicken wings, but it may just be a supper buffet item. We visited this location at lunch time. That is such great customer service that your server was so kind to have the kitchen cook bring out your favorites. Great memories, for sure. Thank you for your kind words. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too!
Even if the chain made a comeback, I doubt they would return them to the buffet, unfortunately. Chicken wings have gotten hella expensive these days... I kinda miss that fried tastiness.
i just stumbled upon your channel this morning. enjoying your videos. my brother used to love ponderosa as a kid. always picked there for his birthday dinners. the building our local one was in is how a mexican restaurant. thanks for sharing your videos.
Welcome to our channel, @Heather Rowe! We are so glad to hear that you are enjoying our videos. Ponderosa brings back such great childhood memories with family, for sure. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an excellent week so far!
Here is SE Wisconsin we had a Ponderosa, Sizzler, and a Bonanza all within a mile of each other. I worked at Bonanza and was cross-trained in all positions. Many of items on the salad bar were prepped daily. We sold a lot "homestyle" burgers, sirloin tips, and ribeyes. We had regulars that would come-in almost daily Many customers would load up on the buffet and take the entree home for a second meal. Back in the day you could get a ribeye including potato, Texas toast, and complete salad bar for $5.99. It was quite a good value. Min. wage was $3.35; I worked up to $6.25 which was not bad money. A friend of mine worked at both Sizzler and Bonanza. He would often complain about having to cut meat at Sizzler, ours was already cut. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for sharing your awesome story and wonderful memories, @Mark Hayden! Brings back many great childhood memories for us as well. We miss having these restaurants in TN. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a great evening!
I always liked Bonanza. As a kid I LOVED the Swedish meatballs and gravy in the buffet. I used to eat two plates of just that. I miss the all you can eat fried shrimp too.
We really appreciate you for watching and subscribing, @Nathaniel O’Vaughn! We hope that you get to enjoy a great meal at Ponderosa soon. This location has a nice atmosphere, great service, and good food. Thanks again, Nathaniel! We hope that you’re having a wonderful week, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
We miss Bonanza as well - both were great. Since this video was filmed in December, there are now only 8 Ponderosas still remaining instead of 17. We plan to travel and film another one in October before they completely disappear. Thanks for watching, Edwin.
We agree, @PT_II! Definitely, a must if you spot a Ponderosa. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that y’all are staying safe and warm! Merry Christmas and God Bless!
So I live in Cincinnati and this Ponderosa is about an hour and a half away. I had no idea it was there until driving back from a camping trip and my wife and I had to stop. Unfortunately, this was a couple years ago during Covid and THERE WAS NO BUFFET! We were so disappointed but the steaks and sides were just as I remember. Going to have to make a trip back now! Glad to see this video.
Ponderosa brings back great family memories, @Jason Houchins! We hope that y’all get to enjoy a good meal there soon! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
@Simone Wright, you’re very welcome! Great memories for sure! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we hope that you’re having a great week!
I am surprised there are still some ponderosa steakhouses left. My parents used to take me to them sometimes as a child. I am 46 now. This really makes me want to book a couple days off work and go to one
@Michael D’Hondt, we are too. They have closed all of the Ponderosas in our area. Brings back great family memories. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re staying safe and warm! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Thank you, @Dime We love Lucky Dog guitars. We're sorry to hear that the ponderosas closed down near you. Hopefully Ponderosa can make a comback. Thanks for watching and we hope that you have a Happy New Year!
Omg, memories! All the Ponderosas around me disappeared over 10 years ago. I'm going to seek one out next time I'm on a road trip for sure. Great review! 👌
@ydmf, we agree! So many great childhood memories. They still make a great steak. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a great week so far!
I believe there's another Ponderosa in Maysville, Ky. I haven't been there in awhile, but it was open then. I've been to the one in Hillsboro a few times.
@Enoch Nichols, that’s awesome! Our family enjoyed this locally-owned location. Brings back great childhood memories with family for sure! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
Looks good… tastes not good.. 😂 I shouldn’t say that haha. They do an ok job. A lot of restaurants between me & Harrison … but if I am out that way I’ll keep ‘em in mind
Love Johnny Paycheck! It's sad that many of the restaurants that we grew up going to are now non-existent or very few locations left. Good to know that you were a fan of the steak. Great video!
@vafunseekers, we love Johnny Paycheck too! We agree….so many of the awesome restaurants that we grew up with are no longer around. Ponderosa still has some tasty steak. Thanks so much for watching! Merry Christmas!
We agree, @sneskerz409! So many great childhood memories! We miss having Ponderosas in TN. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
@Joseph, we miss having Ponderosas in Tennessee too. They still have great deals. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re staying safe and warm! Merry Christmas!
@John Heid, that’s awesome! Great memories, for sure, and we bet you have some great stories! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
This was great to watch! Im in Canada, and we used to have a Ponderosa and 3 Bonanzas in our city(Saskatoon) Sadly there are no more Bonanzas or Ponderosas in Canada anymore, and I sure miss them! My favorite thing used to be the steak and chicken Monterey. What I wouldn't give to eat that again!
Another fun video. The buffet looked pretty good steak too. Great prices. Fun meeting grand pa. Thanks again for sharing. Just love the family videos' you all put out. Thanks again.
We appreciate your kind comments, @Don Bustle! So glad that Ohio still has a Ponderosa, and we always love visiting our family there; especially, PaPaw. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Ahhh the memories...I used to take my son to Ponderosa on our "date" nights when he was little once a week. He's soon to be 43 and now takes me on dates. :) Sure wish we had one close by. I used to LOVE the bleu cheese dressing on their salad bar....was my favorite ever! Poor Henry....come to Indiana and this Nana will buy you ALL the 🌭🌭🌭you want little buddy!
What sweet memories for you and your son to treasure forever, @Candace Hill! We miss having Ponderosas close by too. Their salad bar was still as awesome as we remembered at the one we visited with our family in Ohio. Henry would appreciate that very much! Y’all have a Portillo’s in Indiana too. 😊 Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re staying safe and warm! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
@Cheryl South, we had a great visit with PaPaw and our Ohio family. We all enjoyed Ponderosa and the great prices. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Thank you so so much for this video. My first job was waitressing at a ponderosa steakhouse and I was more interested in eating than I was in serving 😄
@peanut butter girl, Ponderosa brings back great memories! We can imagine that it would be hard to be around all of that delicious food all day. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
I LOVE THE PONDEROSA STEAKHOUSE RESTAURANT TOO AND IT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME TOO MY FRIEND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO MY FRIEND AND I HAVE BEEN TO A PONDEROSA STEAKHOUSE RESTAURANT TOO
One was opened in my area in 1972. Waiting an hour to get in was common. There was no buffet; it was a cafeteria-style operation, where you ordered your steak and proceeded down the line for sides, desserts, drinks, and etc. The seating was a wooden tables and benches affair; salt and pepper was shared with complete strangers.
Ponderosa brings back great memories, for sure, @Mike S! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We hope that you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Wow, didn't even know that Ponderosa Steakhouse was still around. My wife and I loved eating Ponderosa when we were in our teens and 20's (70"s/80's). Loved the sirloin tips with onion and mushrooms and the salad bar Crazy we live only 40 miles. Need to check it out.
Omg your so lucky! I'm in NY and years ago my mother and I would eat there all the time. One day we showed up and the doors were locked and it was dark inside😥
We're so sorry to hear this, Laura. Ponderosa Steakhouses used to be everywhere. We don't know where you live in NY, but there are still a couple of remaining locations in Pennsylvania if you're ever driving through the area. We hope that you're having a great start to the week and thanks for watching.
Looks great for the price. I haven’t been to a Ponderosa in like 30 years, and when I did go, I used to load up on the chicken wings. Didn’t see them on this lineup but the fried chicken looked good.
@Chris, we really enjoyed the steak here. We remember the awesome chicken wings as well, but didn’t see them on the buffet on this visit. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re enjoying your week!
I'm from East Orange, New Jersey. I'm now 41 living in Tampa, Ponderosa used to be a staple for my family and I growing up in Jersey. We used to go to the one in West Orange New jersey. Wow, memories I didn't know they still had them around. Btw: Henry is the 🥰 cutest! 8:48
@Taurus Sun 222, Ponderosa brings back great childhood memories with family, for sure! Thank you for your kind words. That is so nice of you. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
I have been wondering what you were going to Highlight in Hillsboro outside of the largest horseshoe crab 😂, Ohios Oldest Continuously Operating Courthouse or maybe the Marching Mothers exhibit so you surprised me on this one. Well done! They have a specials menu weekly where you can drive thru and get a decent meal for $7 and their tea is the best. They may know me by name for the drive thru tea! Lol Seems like you needed to swing by Gold Star and get Henry at hot dog! 😊
@Kranky Krew, we didn’t even know about the horseshoe crab until you mentioned it, but it looks very interesting. We’ll definitely, have to check it out when we’re back in Hillsboro. They do have some excellent sweet tea at Ponderosa! That’s awesome about the weekly specials too. What a great deal! We didn’t get to make it to Gold Star this trip, but did get to go to Skyline. Thanks so much for watching! We hope y’all are staying safe and warm! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Yes, @Andrew Peterman! Brings back great childhood memories, for sure. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an excellent evening!
Wow, this brings back good memories! Some times we'd go to Kmart snack shop in the store, or we'd go to Ponderosa at the other side of the Kmart parking lot lol Anybody remember eating salad plates at Kmart?? I remember getting a plate with potato salad, tuna salad, and macaroni salad, and maybe some cottage cheese and a boiled egg. That was my kind of eating! 😄 I loved that Ponderosa was so warm and comfortable. It was like going to grandma's house. They had great choices in food! 💖💯 Thank you so much for posting this! 💞
Wow! Memories of Ponderosa steakhouse back in Green Bay, Wisconsin. My first visit was in the 1970's with my parents and brother. I remembered the buffet and my dad always loved the ribeye. Both of our parents are gone as well as the Ponderosa but maybe one of these days I will take the family to the one in Wisconsin Dells. Great video!
Brings back great, childhood memories, @tom awen. We are so sorry for your losses. We hope you get to enjoy a great meal soon with your family at the Wisconsin Dells location. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
Food looked awesome and seemed to be a fairly decent price. I love to hear Gentry tell us where you all are going. Loved to watch them enjoying their ice cream and bless Henry's little heart he just wanted a hot dog. I laughed out loud when he said he licked the corn. Great to meet your papaw. Merry Christmas again, safe travels and God bless you all.
@Carrie Poe, the food was really tasty, and we agree that the prices were good as well. We appreciate your kind comments. Even though Henry didn’t get a hotdog, he still enjoyed a great meal and dessert there. We had a great visit with PaPaw and our Ohio family. We wish you and your family safe travels and a very Merry and Blessed Christmas too! Take care and God Bless!
I remember eating there as a kid only once. I went with a few of my friends. The only thing I remember eating was the hamburger and fries. This location I went to didn't really have a buffet section but the place had booth's and the restaurant is dimly lit. The waitress that served us was knowledgeable and friendly. Sadly the restaurant closed down when I got older. If I ever want to go to another Ponderosa I would have to take the journey out of state to do it. Hopefully by the time I do that I just have to hope that the closest location would still be open. Thanks for making this video. May you all have a blessed 2023.
@Anthony Mcmillan, we hope that you are able to enjoy a good meal at Ponderosa in the near future. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Wow...now I'm hungry for some Country Style Steak and gravy! Never heard of the Mrs. Winters that Jennifer spoke of. Is that from a restaurant or in the store? Never saw it locally. Growing up, whenever my family was near a Ponderosa we had to eat there. I think it was because we watched Bonanza whenever it was on TV. My mom and dad were huge fans...well my brother and I loved it too. So nice to meet your Paw Paw! He looks like a very friendly man...someone that I would like to sit on the porch with a cup of coffee and just listen to him tell stories. I bet he has some good ones!! Merry Christmas to ya'll! God bless!
@Cathy Hendrix, country fried steak and gravy sounds so good right now! Sadly, Mrs. Winner’s is another great restaurant that has closed down many of their locations. There are still some locations in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and only one in Tennessee (but, it’s not close for us). They have some of the best country fried steak biscuits, mashed potatoes, and sweet tea. Ponderosa brings back some great memories. You would love Brent’s PaPaw. He is one of my favorite people. He is so sweet and funny. He makes some of the best homemade pies, and he sings too! He does have some great stories. Our boys just adore him. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
That’s awesome, @Kenneth Huber! We are so glad that our video brought you great memories of Ponderosa. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
We used to have at least 5 Ponderosa steak houses here in Western Pa . I always wondered how they made money for how much you could eat at the salad bar . the steaks were amazing as well . I really miss it not being around anymore . even if they raised their prices , I would still eat there.
@RayinPa U.S.A., we mis having Ponderosas in TN, too.? They still make great steaks, and we really enjoyed the salad bar at this location. Hopefully, they will make a comeback everywhere someday. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
Steakhouses were everywhere before the late 90s. Bonanza, Ponderosa, Long Horn Steakhouse, etc. & etc. I think the internet and the death of mall culture did most of them in. Also, the increasingly high cost of beef prolly had something to do with it.
Thank you! Many great memories, for sure, @OhioFred! We miss having Ponderosas nearby as well. Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
@Lonny Bush, we just checked their website, and we don’t see any locations in Kentucky or Tennessee. We agree that their steaks are great. Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Our Ponderosa used to be a Bonanza and it sat empty for years after it closed. Now there’s the Cast Iron Kitchen in its place. My buddies and I used to have steak eating contest during their All You Can Eat Sirloin promotions. I never won 🙁
Ponderosa and Bonanza bring back great memories for sure, @Faub! What a fun eating contest! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Brings back great childhood memories, @candy Dane! They do have great baked potatoes. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having a great week so far!
We done several videos of ponderosa 2 it was a classic place 4 every 1 ty 4 doing this video I'm very glad you where in ohio guys enjoy yourselves have a very special Christmas food look good
@Michelle talks Gh, we love visiting Ohio! So glad that they still have a Ponderosa too. We really enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a very blessed and Merry Christmas too!
@Aerial Ross, we remember them having great chicken wings too. They didn’t have them on the buffet the day that we visited this location. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!
We just recently lost our last bananza steakhouse in Maine here a couple months ago I've been going to it for the past 25 years of my life And let me tell you it is sorely missed by everyone here
@Morgan Dore, we are sorry to hear that your local Bonanza has closed. Brings back great childhood memories with family. We miss having them in TN, as well. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we hope that you’re having an awesome weekend!
I used to go all the time but they closed them in my state ...Connecticut!!!😓I loved going and getting my dinner then the salad bar it was a weekend treat ,I really wish they didnt go away !!!!It looks great guys!!!!!I hope u enjoy bc I really miss it !!!I also have to say this is my 1st video to watch of yours and I really enjoyed it ,your family is so adorable and Jennifer is just as pretty as a diamond !!!!I am going to SUBSCRIBE!!!!!Thanks guys happy new year 🥳🥳💞🍾🍾👍💥♥️💜💙
@CHRISTINE Chance, we are so sorry to hear that they have closed in Connecticut. Unfortunately, they have all closed in TN, as well. We appreciate your super kind compliments more than you know. You are so nice, and you have made our day!💗 Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Thank you for your kind words I'm watching all your VIDEOS now I'm loving it, you have such an incredibly beautiful family, and Jennifer is also a pleasure to watch ,the 2 boys are way too adorable!!!!!👍🙏🙏😘💜♥️
I really wish they would bring back the ponderosa. They existed in Canada as well buddy. So I really wish it makes a comeback not only in America but Canada as well
It would definitely be nice for them to make a comeback in the U.S. and Canada. It seems like the pandemic wiped out a good majority of the franchises. Hopefully, they’ll restructure some of their business model and make a comeback. Thanks for watching, Brad.
@Donald Parlett, brings back great family memories, for sure! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
We're not quite sure. They always seemed to be busy and full of people when we visited. It's always sad to see any business close, especially one that was so large and popular in its heyday. Thanks for watching, GP
Aww, I bet your Papaw Franklin was a wonderful grandfather!! Gentry, you were robbed with that claw machine. You were right on that tiger! Speaking of robbed... poor Henry didn't get his hot dog!!!😂🤣. Merry Christmas to your entire sweet family!! I pray many blessings on your family as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! 😊
@KDE, PaPaw is such a wonderful grandfather! He is so sweet and funny. We just love and adore him. Gentry totally had that tiger! Although they didn’t have any hotdogs on the buffet, Henry still enjoyed a great meal at Ponderosa….lol. We appreciate you and your kind comments. We hope that you’re staying safe and warm, and for your family to have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas too!
8 years old going with my mom, dad, brother, sisters and grandparents not exclusively but most of the time on a Sunday afternoon. Getting the buffet and getting some of my grandmas baked potato and a piece of grandpas steak. Or a piece of my grandmas chicken with a bite of my grandpas baked potato. How I wish I could go back. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
What great family memories, @a pfeiffer! Thanks for sharing! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
I loved Ponde-gross-a. I went there with a friend for chicken dinosaurs and nacho cheese. We were told that the chicken dinos were a Tuesday only item. The manager offered to make a whole bag as long as we promised to eat them all. I think he just wanted to see if we'd do it. I like to think he learned an important lesson on the stupidity of youth.
That sounds like a really fun memory, @Robert Bishop, and a great way to make sure that kids clean their plates. 😂 Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an excellent week!
@TSD4027, Ponderosa definitely, brings back great memories and good times with family! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
An American icon indeed, @Will James! We miss having Ponderosas in TN. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
@Matthew Douglass, you’re so welcome! Hopefully, our video brought back some great memories of Ponderosa for you. Thanks so much for watching! Hope you’re staying safe and warm!
Fantastic video. We use to eat at Ponderosa back in Detroit all the time. Or Bonanza. Love them both as a kid. Who is the gorgeous blond at the 10:02 mark and why is she working at a Ponderosa? She's stunning.
Thank you, @TheDiva25! Ponderosa and Bonanza bring back great childhood memories with family. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We hope that you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Wow this brought back memories. I used to go to the one in my area all the time back when I was a kid, (2000s) with my dad and grandma. It's obviously not there anymore but my family at one time liked it lol.
Ponderosa brings back great childhood memories for sure, @M! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
Back in 1985-86, my father became seriously ill. He and my mother would stop at Ponderosa when traveling out of town for his doctor appointments. He loved it. I had just started working when he became sick. My plan was to treat him to a meal at Ponderosa for his birthday. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated rapidly and he passed away before I had the chance to do so and I have regretted that ever since. I was able to take my mother to Ponderosa a number of times
@Doug Clark, we are so sorry for your loss. I’m sure that the plan of such a sweet gesture, along with having a loving wife and son caring for him warmed his heart and was a beautiful blessing gift to your father. That is awesome that you were able to carry on those memories of visits to Ponderosa with your mother, and your father was there in spirit. We appreciate you for watching, and we hope that you have a wonderful weekend! 💗
Remind me of my pops drive out town to Dr then we would stop at his favorite restaurant. Miss those trips
Sorry about your loss.
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Thank you very much for the kind words. The Ponderosa he visited was out of town, and to honor him I asked to go to Ponderosa for my birthday meal (my birthday was exactly one week after he passed). Several years later one opened up in my hometown so my mother and I could go more often. Sadly, a few years later, it closed due to some rumored shady business dealing involving the franchisee's company. I wish that Ponderosa would return to the area sometime in the future.
@@treyart1 Thank you for the kind words.
You have a wonderful family. All the very best for 2023
We appreciate your kind words more than you know, @The Oracle! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Thank you! Great video! The netherlands.
Wow. What a blast from the past! We had a Ponderosa in my town as a kid and I loved it. Good memories. Great video!
Ponderosa definitely, brings back great childhood memories with family, @R.J. Wheels! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
OMG...the nostalgia! One of my favorite restaurants to visit with my Dad! RIP Daddy!
@T Maria, we are so sorry for your loss, but so glad for the nostalgia of the great memories that you have with him. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome week!
Yo… this video is awesome! I can’t believe any of those are still around. Well done. Great job as always.
Thank you, Jonny! We couldn't believe it either. It was definitely like taking a time machine back to the 80s/90s visiting here. We appreciate you for watching and we hope that y'all have a Happy New Year!
Yummy I miss this place
We miss having Ponderosas in TN, too, @caesar6411. Brings back great memories, for sure! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a great evening!
I'm from Canada and I used to go to Florida every year as a child , so about 30 years ago now or so, and this was always a stop we made on those trips!! Thank you for the nostalgia!!!!
Did you go to the one in Kissimmee, Florida? We visited that one on our trips to Florida and it was a quick and convenient stop. Thanks for watching, Brandon.
They have one in Vandalia, IL. I used to travel for work and whenever I'd be working close to that area, I'd stay in Vandalia overnight and that was where I'd usually get dinner
What a great meal to enjoy when traveling for work, @Joshua Ferran! Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
Wow I'm surprised there is still Ponderosa around. My family use to eat there once or twice a month when I was a kid.(late 80's/early 90's). Loved making my own sundae! My mom would order a steak and baked potato. Other restaurants that I miss are Ground Round, Papa Gino's Pizza and Friendly's-(which you can still find). Thanks for showing!
There are just a few remaining Ponderosas, @Brian Dutton. Brings back great childhood memories. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Unfortunately a Ponderosa Steakhouse is where the DC Snipers killed an Innocent bystander outside of their restaurant in Maryland. R.I.P. But I would definitely love to try out their food. There are just none remotely close to where I live.
There’s not many Friendly’s around anymore. There’s no locations left in Rhode Island, and very few remain in nearby Connecticut and Mass.
@@stever7157 yes that's true, they were all over CT and I'm not sure how many are left. I think there"s still one in the town I grew up in but I haven't been back there in a long time.
@@Inspector-71 I’m pretty sure they’re all gone. The Stratford location became a 99 Restaurant after it closed, and now the 99 just shut it’s doors recently. Who knows, maybe Ponderosa will make a comeback?
It’s crazy to see the prices now compared to the late 80’s
It sure is, @Buck Fuddy! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
I live in Hillsboro Ohio and my first job back in 2004 was here. This is a newer building that opened in 2005ish I worked at the old building which still stands right across the parking lot. I was a waiter thru HighSchool and the owners John and Andrea Holt are pretty great people. My family and I still eat here from time to time and it's still the classic Ponderosa we all knew and loved growing up.
That is so cool, @JFoxx Browning! Such great memories of this awesome location. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
That is awesome, I live just under an hour from there and have been there, but been a while.
@@easyenetwork2023 I live literally 5-8 mins depending on the red lights from my driveway to their parking lot. My wife and I still go there time to time to get dinner either I get a steak n potato or fries n a salad n the bar she gets some sort of chicken either fried or grilled n veggies or the bar. Not too bad priced I mean we can both go and have whatever we want for less than $40 and be full as can be with to go boxes as well. Worth def making the drive to go grab a bite whenever you can.
This brings back memories. I used to work for Ponderosa. I cooked more chopped steak and sirloin tips than I can remember. To this day they had the best chicken wings ever. In 1990ish Ponderosa was bought by one very rich family and we had a meeting/rally to tell us all the awesome things that were going to happen. Nope. As a side note the steam table where the mac-n-cheese is in was out of water. That is why some of that stuff was boiling. You can also tell some of these workers have given up. Putting the mac-n-cheese out in the sauce pan you heat it up in is a dead giveaway. Those fried potatoes are left over baked potatoes. When I worked there, they you had to have new baked potatoes in every 15 minutes. That leaves a lot of left-over potatoes.
Best wings- I would visit this location only if the wings are still the same
We agree - We were really looking forward to the wings but all that they had on the buffet was fried chicken and chicken nuggets - We miss those wings. We are sorry to hear that none of the great things happened that were promised to your Ponderosa location with the new owners. Thanks for letting us know why many of the food trays were boiling. We never knew that those fried potatoes are left over baked potatoes and the standard for new baked potatoes being made every 15 minutes. You have taught us a lot. Thanks for watching, Dave. We hope that you have a Happy New Year!
I WANT TO TASTE THE WINGS AND SIRLOIN
I miss people like you working at places like this. Attention to detail
Lol I too worked at Ponderosa on the salad bar in the 80s it was not an easy job.They usually had one person do everything on the weekdays.
I actually thought Ponderosa was gone. Makes me really happy to see they're still around. :) I loved the restaurant so much as a kid.
Ponderosa brings back great childhood memories with family, @Ms. Kitty! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
I’ve been to this Ponderosa many times. Always enjoyed it
We agree with you, @Oterri nice! This is a great location. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
Really enjoy your family. The boys are very well behaved.
Thank you so much for your very kind comment, @Liz! We hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
As a side-note one of the other few operating Ponderosa's is near Orlando in Kissimmee, FL. So if you're there visiting for the theme parks, it is a good chance for a nostalgic dinner. And it was very good when we stopped there. There was a time the line at Ponderosa would be out the door on weekends. And Sundays after church it would be packed too. Hopefully trends will change and it will make a resurgence someday.
We have actually been to that very location on Irlo Bronson in Kissimmee. It's currently the only open Ponderosa location in the entire state of Florida. We remember those days back in the 80s and early 90s when you had to wait for a table because Ponderosa was so packed. We agree - hopefully they'll make a great comeback. Happy New Year, @dozenfury88
There used to be one on international drive I would go to with my family in the 90s . I do miss it
@robertnussberger6449 ponderosa and mini gold on I drive was the shit back in day!
The one on international drive was the first American restaurant I had ever had a meal in. I was there on holiday from the uk with my mum and dad as a kid.
So glad your Papaw got to join you. Merry Christmas everyone. 😍
@Tres Feles, we had such a great visit with PaPaw and our Ohio family. Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a wonderful and Merry Christmas too!
Takes me back to when I was a kid, me, my mom, aunt & cousins would go to ponderosa every other Saturday afternoon.
Great childhood memories with family, for sure, @Maddog Mcgraw! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
I loved Ponderosa as a kid. Sad they closed our local store. Brings back memories. Great video
Brings back great childhood memories for us too, @Brandon Weese. We miss having Ponderosas in TN also. Hopefully, they’ll make a comeback in your area in the near future. Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate you, and we hope that you’re having an awesome week!
Thanks for this. Growing up I used to go to Ponderosa with my mom and dad and sister. Such excellent memories. Love this.
We are so glad that you have many fond memories of visiting Ponderosa. Since we filmed this video around 6 months ago, the number of Ponderosas have gone from 17 to only 8 remaining in the U.S. It's such a nolstalgic restaurant. Thank you for watching and we hope that you're having a great week.
So refreshing to see an all American family enjoying the simple things. ❤ We need more channels like yours. Buffet looks awesome. The restaurant reminds me of The Sizzlar.
Thank you so much, Rayme. We really appreciate your kind comment. It really does have similarities to a Sizzler. The only thing that was missing were the chicken wings. Thanks for watching and we hope that you have a Happy New Year!
oh ya sizzler was really good too
Between big boys and now ponderosa your bringing back all these childhood memories. Thanks for the video. Happy holidays to you and your family.
@Laura Blassberg, we are so glad to bring back great childhood memories for everyone. Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
What a lovely family! Thanks for sharing your experience.
We appreciate your kind comments very much, @Natasha Mayton! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
I always loved Ponderosa so much growing up! There was one about 45 minutes away up until a few years ago and they closed it. I have to say that I think it was better back in the day before they added the buffet. You would order when you went in and it was more like a cafeteria style where you picked your sides and ordered a steak, shrimp, hamburger, hotdog, etc. Then they would bring out your main entree. Great seeing your Papa, Brent! Wishing your family a Very Happy New Year! 💞
I wonder if they went back to their old business model and eliminated the buffet, if Ponderosa would be able to make a comeback. We were really impressed with their steak but the buffet was very hot or miss with taste and quality. Thank you for watching, Tawna. We hope that you have a Happy New Year!
Absolutely disgusting now 🤮 Everything has been sitting out a couple days it seems like. They don't clean either. Ice cream machine probably have mold.. Everything just looks nasty
Got more expensive and quality has went way down. I remember when Chinese buffets we're edible too.
This was a staple of my childhood I am planning a road trip with my kid's now thank you
We hope that y’all enjoy your meal and spending time at this awesome, nostalgic restaurant with your kids, @abensryan! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an excellent evening!
This video is a freaking milestone. Epic! Johnny Paycheck rocks!
That steak looks so good. I remember going to Ponderosa back in the 90s on a trip to Florida. I don't remember much about it, but this video makes me want to stop in and try one with the fam.
Thank you! We couldn't believe it. For a while, the video was getting over 2,000 views per hour. It just goes to show that no one ever knows which video may take off with some views. We love Johnny Paycheck too and his outlaw style of country music. We tried to look for the bar where Paycheck shot the guy, but the bar is no longer around. We've been to the Ponderosa down in Kissimmee, FL....it wasn't the greatest. The buffet at the one that we filmed at was ok....for $6.00 it's hard to complain but some of the food was very bland and flavorless but other items were not bad. We don't remember the steaks being that great at Ponderosa but on the day that we went, we were highly impressed and we actually talked about how their steaks were better than some larger named steakhouses. Since each location is individually franchised, we noticed that each location is not as consistent as the next and that may be why this location is 1 of the remaining 17 locations. Let us know if you end up trying one out and what your thoughts are. We hope that you guys are having a great start to your week.
Thanks so much! You as well. This video is a sign of things to come.
Good
Blog. Welcome
To the overcrowded food blogger channels. !!! Good job.
Thanks for watching, Andrey. We do much more than food vlogs (theme parks, hotel reviews, etc.)……but about half of our videos for the past year just somehow seem to include going to a restaurant. Thanks again for watching.
I SO miss Ponderosa. No longer a presence in my area. Disappointed to not see one of my favorite items on the buffet, chicken wings. Chicken wings and dark gravy along with potato wedges kept me busy until the steak and baked potato arrived. We had a waitress that knew I loved corn and gravy on my mashed potatoes and would have the kitchen cook up some corn when she saw my then girlfriend and myself in line. Such great memories of that restaurant.
Such a beautiful family you have. Merry Christmas and Happy new Year!
@: ) SMILE, we miss having Ponderosas in TN, as well. I believe that they still serve their famous chicken wings, but it may just be a supper buffet item. We visited this location at lunch time. That is such great customer service that your server was so kind to have the kitchen cook bring out your favorites. Great memories, for sure. Thank you for your kind words. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too!
Even if the chain made a comeback, I doubt they would return them to the buffet, unfortunately. Chicken wings have gotten hella expensive these days... I kinda miss that fried tastiness.
i just stumbled upon your channel this morning. enjoying your videos. my brother used to love ponderosa as a kid. always picked there for his birthday dinners. the building our local one was in is how a mexican restaurant.
thanks for sharing your videos.
and i’ve got a 3, almost 3 1/2, year old. we love that some places she can still get a free meal. 😊
Welcome to our channel, @Heather Rowe! We are so glad to hear that you are enjoying our videos. Ponderosa brings back such great childhood memories with family, for sure. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an excellent week so far!
@Heather Rowe, we love that kids can still eat free at some places too! 💗
Here is SE Wisconsin we had a Ponderosa, Sizzler, and a Bonanza all within a mile of each other. I worked at Bonanza and was cross-trained in all positions. Many of items on the salad bar were prepped daily. We sold a lot "homestyle" burgers, sirloin tips, and ribeyes. We had regulars that would come-in almost daily Many customers would load up on the buffet and take the entree home for a second meal. Back in the day you could get a ribeye including potato, Texas toast, and complete salad bar for $5.99. It was quite a good value. Min. wage was $3.35; I worked up to $6.25 which was not bad money. A friend of mine worked at both Sizzler and Bonanza. He would often complain about having to cut meat at Sizzler, ours was already cut. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for sharing your awesome story and wonderful memories, @Mark Hayden! Brings back many great childhood memories for us as well. We miss having these restaurants in TN. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a great evening!
I always liked Bonanza. As a kid I LOVED the Swedish meatballs and gravy in the buffet. I used to eat two plates of just that. I miss the all you can eat fried shrimp too.
Subbed. Love it. I used to get through Hillsboro frequently. Gonna have to get down there again soon and eat some childhood memories!
We really appreciate you for watching and subscribing, @Nathaniel O’Vaughn! We hope that you get to enjoy a great meal at Ponderosa soon. This location has a nice atmosphere, great service, and good food. Thanks again, Nathaniel! We hope that you’re having a wonderful week, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
Hello from Gatlinburg Tennessee
Hey there, Sean! Hope you’re staying safe and warm! Merry Christmas!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV merry Christmas!!!
Man. Do I miss Ponderosa, also Bonanza steakhouse both were very similar
We miss Bonanza as well - both were great. Since this video was filmed in December, there are now only 8 Ponderosas still remaining instead of 17. We plan to travel and film another one in October before they completely disappear. Thanks for watching, Edwin.
This makes me miss the ponderosa restaurants. I wish we had one near. I love their food.
We miss having them in TN too, @Chameela torrence. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
Great place to eat. Food looked delicious. Had forgotten that chain. Definitely a must do if spotted. Thank y’all. God Bless
We agree, @PT_II! Definitely, a must if you spot a Ponderosa. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that y’all are staying safe and warm! Merry Christmas and God Bless!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV very cold here
So I live in Cincinnati and this Ponderosa is about an hour and a half away. I had no idea it was there until driving back from a camping trip and my wife and I had to stop. Unfortunately, this was a couple years ago during Covid and THERE WAS NO BUFFET! We were so disappointed but the steaks and sides were just as I remember. Going to have to make a trip back now! Glad to see this video.
Ponderosa brings back great family memories, @Jason Houchins! We hope that y’all get to enjoy a good meal there soon! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
thanks for bringing back good memories!! used to eat at the one in cuyahoga falls ohio mmm mmm good!!!
@Simone Wright, you’re very welcome! Great memories for sure! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we hope that you’re having a great week!
I am surprised there are still some ponderosa steakhouses left. My parents used to take me to them sometimes as a child. I am 46 now. This really makes me want to book a couple days off work and go to one
@Michael D’Hondt, we are too. They have closed all of the Ponderosas in our area. Brings back great family memories. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re staying safe and warm! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Me too.
Lived right outside of Cleveland. I loved going to Ponderosa as a kid.
Love the lucky dog hat. My home town had two ponderosas for many years. I miss that place
Thank you, @Dime We love Lucky Dog guitars. We're sorry to hear that the ponderosas closed down near you. Hopefully Ponderosa can make a comback. Thanks for watching and we hope that you have a Happy New Year!
Omg, memories! All the Ponderosas around me disappeared over 10 years ago. I'm going to seek one out next time I'm on a road trip for sure. Great review! 👌
@ydmf, we agree! So many great childhood memories. They still make a great steak. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a great week so far!
I believe there's another Ponderosa in Maysville, Ky. I haven't been there in awhile, but it was open then.
I've been to the one in Hillsboro a few times.
Nice I love about 20 minutes away from that ponderosa, brings back memories with my grandma, we used to eat there. Subscribed!
@Enoch Nichols, that’s awesome! Our family enjoyed this locally-owned location. Brings back great childhood memories with family for sure! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Thanks! You too!
It all looked good 👍
Looks good… tastes not good.. 😂
I shouldn’t say that haha. They do an ok job. A lot of restaurants between me & Harrison … but if I am out that way I’ll keep ‘em in mind
The steak was really good and far exceeded our expectations. Have a Merry Christmas dp Mart 🎄
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Merry Christmas to you both and the kids
Looks great! God bless y’all.
We enjoyed it, @Ekitt! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
i miss that place
We miss having Ponderosas in TN too, @Robin Hoodlum! Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having a great week!
Love Johnny Paycheck! It's sad that many of the restaurants that we grew up going to are now non-existent or very few locations left. Good to know that you were a fan of the steak. Great video!
@vafunseekers, we love Johnny Paycheck too! We agree….so many of the awesome restaurants that we grew up with are no longer around. Ponderosa still has some tasty steak. Thanks so much for watching! Merry Christmas!
this place brings back memories when i was a kid wish we still had it , enjoy !
We agree, @sneskerz409! So many great childhood memories! We miss having Ponderosas in TN. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
In the 70's we had a Ponderosa in Toronto (no longer open). I remember it being a very good deal!
@Joseph, we miss having Ponderosas in Tennessee too. They still have great deals. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re staying safe and warm! Merry Christmas!
Yes and it gives us so many memories back in the day but it was fun and a good time
Worked at a Ponderosa in Pittsburgh for 15 years. Many memories. Too many to name. Oh the stories I could tell. Thanks for the memories.
@John Heid, that’s awesome! Great memories, for sure, and we bet you have some great stories! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
This was great to watch! Im in Canada, and we used to have a Ponderosa and 3 Bonanzas in our city(Saskatoon) Sadly there are no more Bonanzas or Ponderosas in Canada anymore, and I sure miss them! My favorite thing used to be the steak and chicken Monterey. What I wouldn't give to eat that again!
We miss having Ponderosas in TN too, @Bdarlene! Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
Bonanza and Ponderosa are now the same company, but few locations left. Used to be great back in the day.
Another fun video. The buffet looked pretty good steak too. Great prices. Fun meeting grand pa. Thanks again for sharing. Just love the family videos' you all put out. Thanks again.
We appreciate your kind comments, @Don Bustle! So glad that Ohio still has a Ponderosa, and we always love visiting our family there; especially, PaPaw. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Ahhh the memories...I used to take my son to Ponderosa on our "date" nights when he was little once a week. He's soon to be 43 and now takes me on dates. :) Sure wish we had one close by. I used to LOVE the bleu cheese dressing on their salad bar....was my favorite ever!
Poor Henry....come to Indiana and this Nana will buy you ALL the 🌭🌭🌭you want little buddy!
What sweet memories for you and your son to treasure forever, @Candace Hill! We miss having Ponderosas close by too. Their salad bar was still as awesome as we remembered at the one we visited with our family in Ohio. Henry would appreciate that very much! Y’all have a Portillo’s in Indiana too. 😊 Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re staying safe and warm! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
It was nice meeting your Papaw your meals look great and the price was good for what you got👍Merry Christmas 🎄☃️🎄☃️
@Cheryl South, we had a great visit with PaPaw and our Ohio family. We all enjoyed Ponderosa and the great prices. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Thank you so so much for this video. My first job was waitressing at a ponderosa steakhouse and I was more interested in eating than I was in serving 😄
@peanut butter girl, Ponderosa brings back great memories! We can imagine that it would be hard to be around all of that delicious food all day. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
I LOVE THE PONDEROSA STEAKHOUSE RESTAURANT TOO AND IT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME TOO MY FRIEND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO MY FRIEND AND I HAVE BEEN TO A PONDEROSA STEAKHOUSE RESTAURANT TOO
We do too, @Joey Demitro! We miss having them in TN. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV THAT IS VERY TRUE TOO MY FRIEND
Cool 🥰
We appreciate you, @Michael Coffey! Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Nice healthy food for your kids and yourselves :)
Our family really enjoyed it, @J CaaM. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
One was opened in my area in 1972. Waiting an hour to get in was common. There was no buffet; it was a cafeteria-style operation, where you ordered your steak and proceeded down the line for sides, desserts, drinks, and etc. The seating was a wooden tables and benches affair; salt and pepper was shared with complete strangers.
Ponderosa brings back great memories, for sure, @Mike S! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We hope that you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Wow, didn't even know that Ponderosa Steakhouse was still around. My wife and I loved eating Ponderosa when we were in our teens and 20's (70"s/80's). Loved the sirloin tips with onion and mushrooms and the salad bar Crazy we live only 40 miles. Need to check it out.
We really enjoyed the steaks here. If you end up going, you'll have to let us know what you think. We hope that you have an excellent day.
There’s one in butler pa
That’s awesome, @Chad E! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
Omg your so lucky! I'm in NY and years ago my mother and I would eat there all the time. One day we showed up and the doors were locked and it was dark inside😥
We're so sorry to hear this, Laura. Ponderosa Steakhouses used to be everywhere. We don't know where you live in NY, but there are still a couple of remaining locations in Pennsylvania if you're ever driving through the area. We hope that you're having a great start to the week and thanks for watching.
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Your welcome. Have a good week!
Looks great for the price. I haven’t been to a Ponderosa in like 30 years, and when I did go, I used to load up on the chicken wings. Didn’t see them on this lineup but the fried chicken looked good.
@Chris, we really enjoyed the steak here. We remember the awesome chicken wings as well, but didn’t see them on the buffet on this visit. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re enjoying your week!
Miss those wings
I'm from East Orange, New Jersey. I'm now 41 living in Tampa, Ponderosa used to be a staple for my family and I growing up in Jersey. We used to go to the one in West Orange New jersey. Wow, memories I didn't know they still had them around. Btw: Henry is the 🥰 cutest! 8:48
@Taurus Sun 222, Ponderosa brings back great childhood memories with family, for sure! Thank you for your kind words. That is so nice of you. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
I have been wondering what you were going to Highlight in Hillsboro outside of the largest horseshoe crab 😂, Ohios Oldest Continuously Operating Courthouse or maybe the Marching Mothers exhibit so you surprised me on this one. Well done! They have a specials menu weekly where you can drive thru and get a decent meal for $7 and their tea is the best. They may know me by name for the drive thru tea! Lol Seems like you needed to swing by Gold Star and get Henry at hot dog! 😊
@Kranky Krew, we didn’t even know about the horseshoe crab until you mentioned it, but it looks very interesting. We’ll definitely, have to check it out when we’re back in Hillsboro. They do have some excellent sweet tea at Ponderosa! That’s awesome about the weekly specials too. What a great deal! We didn’t get to make it to Gold Star this trip, but did get to go to Skyline. Thanks so much for watching! We hope y’all are staying safe and warm! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Wow this and the ground round where my fav restaurants when I was a kid
Yes, @Andrew Peterman! Brings back great childhood memories, for sure. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an excellent evening!
Wow, this brings back good memories! Some times we'd go to Kmart snack shop in the store, or we'd go to Ponderosa at the other side of the Kmart parking lot lol
Anybody remember eating salad plates at Kmart?? I remember getting a plate with potato salad, tuna salad, and macaroni salad, and maybe some cottage cheese and a boiled egg. That was my kind of eating! 😄
I loved that Ponderosa was so warm and comfortable. It was like going to grandma's house. They had great choices in food! 💖💯
Thank you so much for posting this! 💞
@FourFish47, great memories for sure! We miss having Ponderosas nearby. Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Right back at ya!! Blessings to your adorable family for the new year! 💞
Our KMart had a Little Caesars near the checkout lanes!
what location?
Wow! Memories of Ponderosa steakhouse back in Green Bay, Wisconsin. My first visit was in the 1970's with my parents and brother. I remembered the buffet and my dad always loved the ribeye. Both of our parents are gone as well as the Ponderosa but maybe one of these days I will take the family to the one in Wisconsin Dells. Great video!
Brings back great, childhood memories, @tom awen. We are so sorry for your losses. We hope you get to enjoy a great meal soon with your family at the Wisconsin Dells location. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
Food looked awesome and seemed to be a fairly decent price. I love to hear Gentry tell us where you all are going. Loved to watch them enjoying their ice cream and bless Henry's little heart he just wanted a hot dog. I laughed out loud when he said he licked the corn. Great to meet your papaw. Merry Christmas again, safe travels and God bless you all.
@Carrie Poe, the food was really tasty, and we agree that the prices were good as well. We appreciate your kind comments. Even though Henry didn’t get a hotdog, he still enjoyed a great meal and dessert there. We had a great visit with PaPaw and our Ohio family. We wish you and your family safe travels and a very Merry and Blessed Christmas too! Take care and God Bless!
I remember eating there as a kid only once. I went with a few of my friends. The only thing I remember eating was the hamburger and fries. This location I went to didn't really have a buffet section but the place had booth's and the restaurant is dimly lit. The waitress that served us was knowledgeable and friendly. Sadly the restaurant closed down when I got older. If I ever want to go to another Ponderosa I would have to take the journey out of state to do it. Hopefully by the time I do that I just have to hope that the closest location would still be open. Thanks for making this video. May you all have a blessed 2023.
@Anthony Mcmillan, we hope that you are able to enjoy a good meal at Ponderosa in the near future. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Wow...now I'm hungry for some Country Style Steak and gravy! Never heard of the Mrs. Winters that Jennifer spoke of. Is that from a restaurant or in the store? Never saw it locally. Growing up, whenever my family was near a Ponderosa we had to eat there. I think it was because we watched Bonanza whenever it was on TV. My mom and dad were huge fans...well my brother and I loved it too. So nice to meet your Paw Paw! He looks like a very friendly man...someone that I would like to sit on the porch with a cup of coffee and just listen to him tell stories. I bet he has some good ones!! Merry Christmas to ya'll! God bless!
@Cathy Hendrix, country fried steak and gravy sounds so good right now! Sadly, Mrs. Winner’s is another great restaurant that has closed down many of their locations. There are still some locations in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and only one in Tennessee (but, it’s not close for us). They have some of the best country fried steak biscuits, mashed potatoes, and sweet tea. Ponderosa brings back some great memories. You would love Brent’s PaPaw. He is one of my favorite people. He is so sweet and funny. He makes some of the best homemade pies, and he sings too! He does have some great stories. Our boys just adore him. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
I was a manager for Ponderosa in the Cincinnati area back in the early 1980's. Your video brought back some memories.
That’s awesome, @Kenneth Huber! We are so glad that our video brought you great memories of Ponderosa. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
We used to have at least 5 Ponderosa steak houses here in Western Pa . I always wondered how they made money for how much you could eat at the salad bar . the steaks were amazing as well . I really miss it not being around anymore . even if they raised their prices , I would still eat there.
@RayinPa U.S.A., we mis having Ponderosas in TN, too.? They still make great steaks, and we really enjoyed the salad bar at this location. Hopefully, they will make a comeback everywhere someday. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
Still one in butler pa Still good
they just knocked the one over in Chippewa the other day
Steakhouses were everywhere before the late 90s. Bonanza, Ponderosa, Long Horn Steakhouse, etc. & etc. I think the internet and the death of mall culture did most of them in. Also, the increasingly high cost of beef prolly had something to do with it.
Great video. Brought back many memories. Lost our local one about 10 years ago.
Thank you! Many great memories, for sure, @OhioFred! We miss having Ponderosas nearby as well. Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
They used to have one in Eddyville in western Kentucky. I don't know if it's still there. Their steaks were pretty good.
@Lonny Bush, we just checked their website, and we don’t see any locations in Kentucky or Tennessee. We agree that their steaks are great. Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
we had one in our town growing up in south jersey. loved the hot dogs and ice cream bar!
We miss having them in TN, @Mister N. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
Our Ponderosa used to be a Bonanza and it sat empty for years after it closed. Now there’s the Cast Iron Kitchen in its place. My buddies and I used to have steak eating contest during their All You Can Eat Sirloin promotions. I never won 🙁
Ponderosa and Bonanza bring back great memories for sure, @Faub! What a fun eating contest! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Great review🙌 Adorable fam❣️
We appreciate your kind words, @Katie Aldana! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a fabulous week!
The Ponderosa French dressing is the best ever!!!!
Brent’s Dad really enjoys French dressing too, @Scott Thompson! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an excellent evening!
We used to go as kids and i loved the baked potato with butter and sour cream
Brings back great childhood memories, @candy Dane! They do have great baked potatoes. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having a great week so far!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTVGod bless you and your family, your wife, and kids. We went to the zion, IL ponderosa when i was little. : )
God Bless y’all too, @candy dane!
Ponderosa is the definition of America. I miss that place so much!
We agree, @Sean G! We miss having them in TN too. Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
We done several videos of ponderosa 2 it was a classic place 4 every 1 ty 4 doing this video I'm very glad you where in ohio guys enjoy yourselves have a very special Christmas food look good
@Michelle talks Gh, we love visiting Ohio! So glad that they still have a Ponderosa too. We really enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching! We wish you and your family a very blessed and Merry Christmas too!
In New York, years ago, they also served the most amazing hot rolls. Does anyone else remember them?
They do have some awesome yeast rolls, @Derek E.! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
Yes! We remember those well - they were amazing. They had a separate area where they stayed fresh and warm in a heater. Thanks for watching, Derek.
It looks great!
Hi, M&N Distribution! We really enjoyed our experience at Ponderosa. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having an awesome weekend!
i miss them we use have like 10 mins from me they closed down they had best chicken wings too
@Aerial Ross, we remember them having great chicken wings too. They didn’t have them on the buffet the day that we visited this location. Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you and your family have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!
@Every Day Is Saturday merry to u guys and that suck there didn't have wings
Oh my gosh! I adore your papaw!! ❤
He is the best, @Melissa! Thanks so much for watching! We hope that you’re having a blessed week!
We just recently lost our last bananza steakhouse in Maine here a couple months ago I've been going to it for the past 25 years of my life And let me tell you it is sorely missed by everyone here
@Morgan Dore, we are sorry to hear that your local Bonanza has closed. Brings back great childhood memories with family. We miss having them in TN, as well. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we hope that you’re having an awesome weekend!
I used to go all the time but they closed them in my state ...Connecticut!!!😓I loved going and getting my dinner then the salad bar it was a weekend treat ,I really wish they didnt go away !!!!It looks great guys!!!!!I hope u enjoy bc I really miss it !!!I also have to say this is my 1st video to watch of yours and I really enjoyed it ,your family is so adorable and Jennifer is just as pretty as a diamond !!!!I am going to SUBSCRIBE!!!!!Thanks guys happy new year 🥳🥳💞🍾🍾👍💥♥️💜💙
@CHRISTINE Chance, we are so sorry to hear that they have closed in Connecticut. Unfortunately, they have all closed in TN, as well. We appreciate your super kind compliments more than you know. You are so nice, and you have made our day!💗 Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV Thank you for your kind words I'm watching all your VIDEOS now I'm loving it, you have such an incredibly beautiful family, and Jennifer is also a pleasure to watch ,the 2 boys are way too adorable!!!!!👍🙏🙏😘💜♥️
I really wish they would bring back the ponderosa. They existed in Canada as well buddy. So I really wish it makes a comeback not only in America but Canada as well
It would definitely be nice for them to make a comeback in the U.S. and Canada. It seems like the pandemic wiped out a good majority of the franchises. Hopefully, they’ll restructure some of their business model and make a comeback. Thanks for watching, Brad.
I so remember Ponderosa back then there wasn’t such a buffet. Great food and memories
@Donald Parlett, brings back great family memories, for sure! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and wish you a Happy New Year!
Ponderosa is legit epic. Why they closed up most is a mystery to me. 😢😢😢
We're not quite sure. They always seemed to be busy and full of people when we visited. It's always sad to see any business close, especially one that was so large and popular in its heyday. Thanks for watching, GP
@@cadetrenew totally disagree.
@@cadetrenew dunno but somehow sizzler and golden corral make it. They are just versions of Ponderosa imo.
Just found your channel. Love it. 😊
Thank you so much, GP. We really appreciate that and hope that you're having a great evening.
Aww, I bet your Papaw Franklin was a wonderful grandfather!! Gentry, you were robbed with that claw machine. You were right on that tiger! Speaking of robbed... poor Henry didn't get his hot dog!!!😂🤣. Merry Christmas to your entire sweet family!! I pray many blessings on your family as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! 😊
@KDE, PaPaw is such a wonderful grandfather! He is so sweet and funny. We just love and adore him. Gentry totally had that tiger! Although they didn’t have any hotdogs on the buffet, Henry still enjoyed a great meal at Ponderosa….lol. We appreciate you and your kind comments. We hope that you’re staying safe and warm, and for your family to have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas too!
😲 WOW Man All that food looks so ☺️👍 good Lucky 😋 mmmm🙏
It was good, @Roy Curly! Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an excellent day!
Our Ponderosa was really good here in Ohio and the buffet was great as well , The place was always busy but closed about 10-12 years ago !
Yes I’m in Cleveland loved ponderosa - best wings
We miss having them in TN too, @Kelly Wilson! Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an awesome evening!
@Kp da 6’5 Respect, we remember their awesome wings too! Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an excellent evening!
8 years old going with my mom, dad, brother, sisters and grandparents not exclusively but most of the time on a Sunday afternoon. Getting the buffet and getting some of my grandmas baked potato and a piece of grandpas steak. Or a piece of my grandmas chicken with a bite of my grandpas baked potato. How I wish I could go back. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
What great family memories, @a pfeiffer! Thanks for sharing! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We appreciate you, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
I loved Ponde-gross-a. I went there with a friend for chicken dinosaurs and nacho cheese. We were told that the chicken dinos were a Tuesday only item. The manager offered to make a whole bag as long as we promised to eat them all. I think he just wanted to see if we'd do it. I like to think he learned an important lesson on the stupidity of youth.
That sounds like a really fun memory, @Robert Bishop, and a great way to make sure that kids clean their plates. 😂 Thanks so much for watching, and we hope that you’re having an excellent week!
I remember going to Ponderosa and Sizzlers back when I was a kid. Good times.
@TSD4027, Ponderosa definitely, brings back great memories and good times with family! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
An American icon! Hometown Buffet was amazing too!
An American icon indeed, @Will James! We miss having Ponderosas in TN. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!
I shared the same enthusiasm when I saw a I saw that p!ace also. Thanks for sharing.
@Matthew Douglass, you’re so welcome! Hopefully, our video brought back some great memories of Ponderosa for you. Thanks so much for watching! Hope you’re staying safe and warm!
@@EveryDayIsSaturdayTV many great memories! I hope the same for you and your family.
Fantastic video. We use to eat at Ponderosa back in Detroit all the time. Or Bonanza. Love them both as a kid. Who is the gorgeous blond at the 10:02 mark and why is she working at a Ponderosa? She's stunning.
Thank you, @TheDiva25! Ponderosa and Bonanza bring back great childhood memories with family. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you! We hope that you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Wow this brought back memories. I used to go to the one in my area all the time back when I was a kid, (2000s) with my dad and grandma. It's obviously not there anymore but my family at one time liked it lol.
Ponderosa brings back great childhood memories for sure, @M! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate you, and wish you a Blessed New Year!