Ranch Hand Catering

Ranch Hand Catering is a caterer in Austin, Texas. It is a Texas protein-based healthy food concept and full-service catering company serving the Austin community, built around pasture-raised proteins from local ranchers and produce from Texas farms. The kitchen handles corporate lunch drop-offs, holiday parties, festivals, weddings and galas, and offers holiday menus with a minimum order of 15 people per menu. Custom menus are available on request. The company holds a rating of 4.80 based on 73 reviews.

Ranch Hand sources its food from local area ranches and farms, and its chef hand-selects and tastes ingredients at local specialty stores and with suppliers. Among its ranch partners is the Beeman Family Ranch, whose Heart brand Akaushi Wagyu brings pasture-raised proteins to the table. The aim is food raised in a manner that does not exploit. Keith O'Riordan is owner and general manager, and Joan Isett is director of catering and events.

Ranch Hand began in a classroom at UT, where two MBA students set out to create an experience in which even a college student would have access to something delicious and nutritious. They sought local ranchers in the Austin area for ethically sourced proteins and hunted for Texas-based organic farms, producing dishes clean and melt-in-your-mouth. After their presentation, orders arrived daily from students who told other students, and the professors became the first investors in a food truck. The founders later moved on to launch Ranch Rider Spirits, and ownership transitioned to the original general manager, who is committed to upholding and expanding the concept.

The business sits on Bratton Lane, about a tenth of a mile from Wells Branch Elementary School. Wells Branch Parkway is roughly four tenths of a mile away, as are the Bratton Park and Jack's Pond neighborhoods. Wells Branch creek and Mills Pond park are each about half a mile from the location.

Ranch Hand's standing in Austin rests on a strong local reputation reflected in consistently high customer ratings, along with a steady record of repeat and referred customers. For a city that takes its food seriously, that combination of local ranch sourcing and a menu built around healthy, protein-based cooking is what keeps Austin customers coming back.