Branding Iron Saloon & Restaurant – Friendly Atmosphere and Delicious Food
Photo © Branding Iron Saloon
This story was not one that was intended to be written. Perhaps not the opening line to draw a reader in, but a story I was compelled to write about. Let me begin.
Friday night we went to dinner with a couple we have known for almost 50 years. He suggested a new restaurant. We had known about the restaurant but being in Murphys, California, about 25 minutes from Copperopolis, we hadn’t visited. He had volunteered to drive, so off we departed to Branding Iron Saloon & Restaurant to try out this new establishment opened on August 31, 2025.
Photo © Branding Iron Saloon
The owners, Jenn and Craig Baldi, previously owners of an establishment in the Town Square in Copperopolis and unfortunately for Copperopolis, they departed and created the restaurant at 75 Big Trees Road in Murphys. One of their goals in establishing Branding Iron Saloon & Restaurant is to have a “Ranch to Table” motif. Their mission is to celebrate the bounty of Calaveras County, both the ranchers and farmers. By having the freshest ingredients, they can provide some of the most delicious foods.
Now back to the reason for this “non-story”. Brought a nice bottle of wine to have with dinner and share with our good friends fully intending not to write a story. However, when we met the waitress, from their previous restaurant, ran into Jenn, it felt a bit like old home week. A friendly and welcoming reception.
When hearing about the specials and their incredible listing of steaks, we made our selections. One had their fish tacos, known at their previous restaurant, another chose the steak and lobster, and my wife and I selected the eight-ounce filet mignon. As you can see from the only picture taken, it must have been 10 ounces before cooking. I could not finish the meal! It also came with a house salad with choice of dressing, a side of steak fries and freshly baked and warm rolls.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
What compelled this “self-written” story are some of the key trademarks of a first-class restaurant:
- A warm and friendly welcome upon entering
- Attentive and friendly wait staff service
- Menu with a variety of options and daily specials
- The meal served warm, promptly and as specified
- The quality and taste of the meal meeting the expectations of the guests.
They hit five out of 5 for 100%. What was a wonderful surprise is that the dishes all came out at the same time and the steaks were sizzling on the plate when served. Speaking for myself the filet mignon steak was equal or better to any steak I have eaten in the past from well-known houses like House of Prime Rib (San Francisco), Flemings Steak House (Tucson), Ruth Chris Steak House (Las Vegas), Abe & Louie’s Steakhouse, Smith-Wollensky Steakhouse (Boston) Three Forks Steakhouse (Dallas) etc.
With hitting all the high marks of an excellent restaurant, this story “wrote itself” and I was simply compelled to type a few words. A wonderful venue, a nice bottle of wine, excellent food and company this evening and Branding Iron & Restaurant is a place worthy of a short or even a longer drive. I can hardly wait for our next visit!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://murphysbrandingironsaloon.com
P.S. for a story on the 2010 Trespass Vineyard Escapade, I wrote a story on a previous bottle enjoyed about two weeks previously: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/10/08/2010-trespass-vineyard-escapade-continues-to-impress/