A Huge Thank You to All in the last days of The Ranch Drive In

It’s always hard to say goodbye- but the Prideaux family is offering a final farewell as the 46-year run of The Ranch Drive In comes to a close at the end of Sunday, Oct. 31. Above, Ed and Patsy Prideaux, who started the business in 1975, with current operators daughter Brenda Windsor and Kevin Beeson and grandkids Milo and Chase and great-grandkids, Jack and Scarlett

“Everybody grew up on The Ranch.”

- Ed Prideaux

The Ranch Drive In at 1950 12th Street in The Heights of Hood River.

By Tom Peterson

Behind the Baby Buckos, SuzieQs and Burst Cones, the Prideaux family has created a family icon for 46 years at The Ranch Drive In in Hood River. 

Not just a place to eat great fish & chips, but meet with friends, family, and grab those moments that make life worth living. 

So, it was with a heavy heart that the family announced the upcoming closure of the community hub at the end of the day Sunday, Oct. 31. 

The announcement has sent a wave of sadness, nostalgia and prompted great stories throughout communities in the Gorge.

“I will miss ordering my favorite Baby Bucko from you but plan to set a new 5-day record before you close. Thank you Ed, Patsy, Brenda, Kevin and Chase for the many years of delicious meals and for showing us what customer service looks like. Wishing you the best in your future endeavors,” posted Earline Millsaps on the restaurant's Facebook page. 

Grandkids Milo and Chase enjoyed the family business.

“It just blows my mind away because it has always been my business - 7 days a week 8 hours a day -  for 40 some years,” said Ed Prideaux earlier this week. “We put the announcement up that we were closing, and it got 30,000 hits on the internet. People were saying thanks for their first jobs and how they learned a lot and were able to move up. “

“It is an icon,” he said. “Everybody grew up on The Ranch.”

“Wow. My heart is breaking!” posted Audra Moffett. “Thank you for the sweet memories with my son and the memories he shared there with his grandma! We'll be by for a bite before you guys close!!”  

“It’s most rewarding as we’re retiring to get all these people saying, we'll miss you and it’s hard to replace you,” Ed said. “It makes you feel very humble. We have to thank everybody. If it was not for them, we would not be successful as we are.”

The Ranch Drive In sported a playgound in the early days.

“Just heard the news, so sad!” posted Janet Hall. “Hope to get there one last time this weekend to fill up on Baby Burgers, SuzieQs with fry sauce and Burst Cones! Going to miss my trips to Hood River just to eat at The Ranch!”

Ed’s daughter, Brenda Windsor and her partner Kevin Beeson currently operate the business but have decided to branch out in other business pursuits in internet sales. 

And the last year has been extremely difficult to keep the restaurant in operation as supplies have been difficult to get and employees hard to find. 

Prideaux said they hope to sell the restaurant in weeks to come. 

Watch CCCNews for details as that story unfolds. 

Ed and Patsy grew up in The Dalles and graduated high school in the early 1960s. He and his wife worked at Johnny’s Cafe, currently, the location of Petite Provence on Second Street in The Dalles. They also owned The Dalles Fitness and Court Club in the late 1980s.

The couple has no intention of moving.

The couple owns several commercial properties in Hood River, including Key Bank in The Heights. Ed said he would continue to maintain those buildings, doing the painting when necessary. 

“We might go to Palm Springs for a month and go to Lincoln City, otherwise we’re staying home and taking care of the rentals.”

But the memories of The Ranch will linger on with them forever.

Alas, all good things come to an end.

“It’s a heartwarming story,” Ed said. “It's sad because it's stopping, but everything comes to an end, and new doors open.”