The Branding Iron

We went in for the first time last evening since the new owners opened back up. This place has been a staple fixture in Merced for nearly a century. We have always had great steak and other food here. I ordered my favorite cut of steak, a 10 oz prime rib which usually comes out juicy and tender and mouth melting. This time, the prime rib didn't even dampen the plate with its juices. It was tough, chewy, and dry full of fat. I ordered a premium baked potato on top of what my sides would have been but I only got a small itty bitty baked potato with no flavor a tough skin. I ordered an Aperol Spritz and they had no sparkling wine at all. The Tom Collin's was only gin. The Bloody Mary was good. The lighting made the bar dark and welcoming for a bar. They turned the lights up and it was easier to see. The bartender and owner were very attentive. However, overall, being an institution in Merced, currently this place does not rate on my wanting to return. The new owners need to look at what they have changed and it is a good idea to have an Indian/American fusion cuisine but it needs to be solid and make people want to come out and right now, that isn't happening.

OMG just don't. The name is the same, but it's nothing at all like the prior restaurant. The gazpacho is completely different and completely mediocre. The few chips that came with it were stale and soaked in grease. The bread is meagre, dry, and tastes store bought. The steaks are WAY more expensive and arrived--after a VERY long wait, and after some prodding-- stone cold, both the prime rib and the filet. The chef pushed back on the temperature so we walked out. A sad end to what was once a decent, if old fashioned, steakhouse.

Well, where do I begin...my party of six is presently being seated at Bella Luna (a HUGE thank you for accommodating us LAST MINUTE!!) On a brisk 108° waiting to get into this restaurant, we were told, it says it outside and on Yelp that this restaurant opens at 4:30 pm, so I made reservations, FOR SIX, at 5 pm, no problem....THE PROBLEM: We pulled in at 4:35 , ready for a good meal and we were greeted to LOCKED DOORS!!! The parking lot was a ghost town but we figured we were early so we waited until 5pm, IN HOT AIR CONDITIONED CARS...5:05...NOTHING!!! Called at least 5-7 times, all but one were HANG UPS, theone we got through, it was voicemail...wow, great service!!!We have now finished our WONDERFUL dinner w/drinks, had an ABSOLUTE GREAT TIME AT BELLA LUNA!!!! I don't know who is running the ship but am I to assume that the rats are jumping off of it????This was a destination trip between those in Fresno and others from Manteca, a birthday celebration...thanks guys, the first 5 minutes of this day SUCKED, courtesy of the Branding Iron...NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!

Simply delicious! The food doesn't disappoint! Soooo many flavors in this dish and very impressed. Dined in the lounge and the service and ambiance were wonderful. If the change of ownership has you on the fence, it's time to give our hometown restaurant another go! You won't be disappointed. Cheers!

Philly steak sandwich has no flavor :(. Mayo peppers and meat and super expensive and its small size of regular roll bread nothing fancy.. I hear so many great things about this place from friends but in my experience I am a Philly steak fan everywhere I go and this is by far the place I wouldn't return to eat . Definitely not your money worth . But customer service is friendly and it's very pretty inside

The food is good. I ordered 14 oz rib eye medium rare. Very good with onion and mushroom as toppings. The service is good. They're very prompt to items asked and they will check what you need frequently.The thing I don't like the most is there are flying flies throughout the course. That's really bothersome.

Update on branding Iron I believe they are shut down since the beginning of July no cars been there and it's totally empty. Phone has been disconnected. I think they could be out of business! sad because it was a great restaurant and one of Merced's only good steakhouses . What Happened Branding Iron not even a notice to customers of this news? My friend had a scheduled dinner and when they all showed up, it was totally shut down and nobody even called to cancel reservations so sad

Most amazing full service historic restaurant anywhere!! Almost perfect !! Steaks were great. Had a full 4 course meal. Love the rustic yet very classy feel.

Nope. New owners. New menu. Not one of our meals did we love and there were 5 different meals ordered!!! And it is NOT CHEAP!!!We love Indian food, but had no clue the menu had COMPLETELY changed to an indian/cajun steak house!!??Everything had a "different" taste per our kids. As in Indian spices were integrated "curry" specifically in almost every dish, which we were not expecting!I mentioned to the waitress we were shocked at our salad! It was absolutely not as described as the menu! "An alligator salad : chicken, balsamic and avocado." When I ordered I made sure to ask NO ALLIGATOR RIGHT? It says chicken, she said yea! Edible yes, but absolutely not as described! There were onions, curry and I have no idea what else, because it ingredients were NOT all listen on the menu! 2 orders and both who ordered were not impressed and did not expect what was served.The waitress did ask her manager for the salad to be taken off our bill, since it is not at all what the menu stated. We thought a bed of lettuce with grilled chicken, avocado and balsamic dressing .. but was served what is pictured! The manager said only 1/2 price of one salad. We ordered 2. That was so amazing of the waitress to even ask, but just 1/2 off one? And no manager came up and asked us how our meal was at all. No apology. Waitress was good.Pic of wagyu burger meat left behind. Not wagyu grade, unfortunately. What a bummer! We wanted a really great meal.The mashed potatoes I thought were boxed. I literally asked. I really did. Waitress said she sees them made! And reassured me they were not. Who knows, but did not taste like delicious homemade like American mashed potatoes I used to get here. :( We used to come here for special bdays, anniversaries or anything big. It was such a great steak house. We sure are gonna miss the previous BI. :( We had no clue new owners had taken over. My suggestions would be to change the name and serve delicious Indian gourmet food at a decent price! If you keep the name, then hire a chef that specializes in an American Steak House, because that is what the "Branding Iron" means to me and I am sure the majority of previous customers!

Actually be open they are not been open on Saturday even though yelp says open very frustrating when your want a good meal for dinner