If you are looking for the Ponderosa Steakhouse menu, then you landed at the right place. Here you can easily explore the full Ponderosa Steakhouse menu with prices, updated for 2026.
Ponderosa Steakhouse Menu USA Prices 2026
If you are looking for the Ponderosa Steakhouse menu with prices, then you landed at the right place. Here you can easily explore the full Ponderosa Steakhouse menu with prices along with images and full details, all updated for 2026. Ponderosa is the old-school American steakhouse buffet where flame-grilled steaks come with a colossal all-you-can-eat buffet, and honestly, few places feed a family this cheaply anymore. Below you will find every menu category with current prices, nutrition info, deals, hours and the most common questions answered.
What Does the Ponderosa Steakhouse Buffet Cost in 2026?
The buffet is the whole reason Ponderosa still exists, and it is still one of the cheapest sit-down dinners in America. Pay one price, hit the line as many times as you want, and pile on the fried chicken, mac and cheese, salad bar, soups, baked bread and soft serve. Lunch is the steal here. Dinner adds the heavier proteins. Seniors 62 and older get a discount and a free drink, which is genuinely one of the best senior deals left in casual dining.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch Buffet (Adult) | Mon–Fri, 11 am–4 pm, all-you-can-eat | $14.99 |
| Dinner & Weekend Buffet (Adult) | Evenings + all day Sat–Sun, expanded hot bar | $17.99 |
| Seniors Buffet (62+) | Includes a FREE drink, lunch or dinner | $13.99–$16.99 |
| Kids Buffet (Ages 9–12) | Full buffet access for older kids | $8.99–$9.99 |
| Kids Buffet (Ages 4–8) | Full buffet access for little ones | $6.99–$7.99 |
| To-Go Buffet | Fill a box by the pound | $9.49–$10.49/lb |
My pick? Go at lunch. The $14.99 lunch buffet is only three bucks less than dinner on paper, but honestly you get the same fried chicken, the same salad bar, and a lot less crowd. And if you are taking grandma, the senior price with a free drink is the best value on this whole menu.
What Are the Ponderosa Steakhouse Grill Prices?
Every grill entree comes with the full buffet and your choice of potato, which is what makes these $9.99 prices kind of wild in 2026. Order from the grill, get your steak cooked to order, then load up a baked potato with cheese sauce, bacon bits and onions from the line. That is the Ponderosa experience.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sirloin Steak | Grilled to order, served with buffet + potato | $9.99 |
| Chicken Breast | Flame-grilled, served with buffet + potato | $9.99 |
| Sirloin Tips | Tender tips, sauteed peppers and onions | $9.99 |
| Filet Mignon | Lean and tender cut, grilled to order | $9.99 |
| Top Sirloin | Classic steakhouse cut | $9.99 |
| T-Bone Steak | Two cuts in one, big appetite pick | $9.99 |
| Double Tips | Extra portion of sirloin tips | $9.99 |
| Ribeye Steak | 10 oz, richly marbled, cooked to order | $9.99 |
| Sirloin Steak Extra Cut | Thicker sirloin for serious hunger | $9.99 |
| Extra Cut T-Bone | The biggest steak on the menu | $9.99 |
How Much Are Ponderosa Seafood and Pork Entrees?
Not in the mood for steak? The seafood and pork side of the grill menu runs the same $9.99 with buffet included. The fried shrimp and the fried seafood platter are the two worth ordering. Trust me, get the platter, then raid the buffet for steak fries and broccoli to balance it out.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fried Shrimp | Golden fried, with buffet included | $9.99 |
| Broiled Salmon | Flaky fillet, lighter option | $9.99 |
| Baked Tilapia | Baked with butter and seasoning | $9.99 |
| Baked Fish | Simple baked white fish | $9.99 |
| Fish N’ Chips | Crispy fish with steak fries | $9.99 |
| Garlic Shrimp | Sauteed in garlic butter | $9.99 |
| Fried Seafood Platter | Assorted fried seafood feast | $9.99 |
| Pork Chop | Grilled, juicy, old-school | $9.99 |
| Baby Back Ribs | Slow-cooked, BBQ glazed (delivery price ~$22.99) | $9.99 |
What Are the Best Ponderosa Combo Meals?
Can’t decide between land and sea? The combos pair a steak with chicken or seafood for just two dollars more than a single entree. The Steak & Lobster at $11.99 is the most popular combo on the menu and an absolute steal by 2026 standards.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sirloin Steak & Chicken | Best of both, with buffet | $11.99 |
| Sirloin Steak & Fried Shrimp | Surf and turf classic | $11.99 |
| Ribeye & Chicken | Ribeye marbling plus grilled chicken | $11.99 |
| Ribeye & Fried Shrimp | My pick for special occasions | $11.99 |
| Steak & Lobster | The fan-favorite combo | $11.99 |
| Lobster | Solo lobster plate with buffet | $11.99 |
Homestyle Favorites (Delivery & To-Go)
Participating locations also list homestyle meals on DoorDash and pondotogo.com. These are comfort-food plates built for takeout, and prices include delivery markups.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Meatloaf | One of DoorDash’s most ordered items | $15.99 |
| 4 Pc Fried Chicken | Crispy, to-go | $14.99 |
| 6 Pc Chicken Wing Meal | Tossed wings with sides | $14.49 |
| 4 Pc Fried Fish | Golden fried fish | $14.99 |
| Macaroni & Cheese | Creamy classic | $12.99 |
| Steak / Chicken Salad | Entree salads | $17.99–$19.49 |
What’s on the Ponderosa Kids Menu?
Ponderosa is genuinely great with kids, and the prices show it. Every kids item is $4.59, which in 2026 is basically unheard of. The kids buffet is the smart move, it turns dinner into an adventure of trying things, and the buffet desserts alone will make you the hero.
| Item | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kids Buffet | Ages 4–10, full buffet access | $4.59 |
| Kids Burger w/ French Fries | Kid-size burger | $4.59 |
| Kids Pizza | Cheesy kid favorite | $4.59 |
| Kids Fish or Chicken w/ Fries | Crispy strips | $4.59 |
| Kids Hot Dog w/ Fries | Classic kid plate | $4.59 |
Kids 3 and younger eat FREE with the purchase of an adult entree at many locations, so the cheapest items at Ponderosa are honestly the toddler’s free plate and the $4.59 kids menu.
Ponderosa Steakhouse Nutrition Information
Here’s the honest truth about Ponderosa steakhouse nutrition: with a steakhouse buffet, your plate decides everything. A grilled sirloin with salad bar veggies can be a reasonable dinner, while three trips to the fried chicken and mac and cheese line is a whole different story. Below are ballpark estimates for popular items so you can plan your plate.
| Item | Est. Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled Sirloin Steak (6 oz) | ~450 cal | One of the leaner grill picks |
| Grilled Chicken Breast | ~350 cal | Lightest grill entree |
| Ribeye Steak (10 oz) | ~600 cal | Higher fat, richer flavor |
| Fried Chicken (4 pc, buffet) | ~800 cal | Worth it, but counts as a splurge |
| Fried Shrimp | ~450 cal | Without heavy dipping sauce |
| Mac & Cheese (1 cup) | ~400 cal | Creamy comfort food |
| Mashed Potatoes (1 cup) | ~200 cal | Gravy adds ~100 more |
| Loaded Baked Potato | ~600 cal | Cheese, bacon, sour cream all add up |
| Garden Salad (plate) | 150–300 cal | Dressing is the swing factor |
| Soft Serve (1 cup) | ~250 cal | The classic Ponderosa finish |
Ponderosa does not publish a single national nutrition PDF, so treat these as estimates and check with your local restaurant for exact figures. The smartest move? Fill half your plate from the salad bar first, then go back for the grilled stuff.
Ponderosa Steakhouse Deals & Money-Saving Tips
Ponderosa has always been the budget steakhouse, but there are still ways to pay less than the menu says. These are the Ponderosa deals and coupons that actually work in 2026.
- Eat lunch, not dinner. The $14.99 lunch buffet vs $17.99 dinner is the easiest $3 you will ever save, and the spread barely changes.
- Watch for $9 to-go specials. Locations like Hillsboro, OH run weekly $9 to-go meal specials (grilled ham, salisbury steak, country fried steak with sides and a roll) ordered through pondotogo.com.
- Seniors eat cheaper. The 62+ buffet discount plus a free drink saves a few dollars every single visit, no coupon needed.
- Join the e-club. Ponderosa’s email club has historically sent birthday discounts and meal coupons. Sign up before your birthday, not after.
- Skip delivery markups. That $9.99 dine-in ribeye becomes ~$25.49 on DoorDash. If you want Ponderosa cheap, go in person or order direct to-go.
What Are Ponderosa Steakhouse Opening Hours?
Hours vary quite a bit by location since Ponderosa is franchised, so always call ahead. A typical location runs something like this:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday – Saturday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
Some locations open earlier for a breakfast buffet (the Orlando-area spot runs breakfast 7–11:30 am at around $6.99). Ponderosa is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, with shortened hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at many locations.
About Ponderosa Steakhouse
Ponderosa Steakhouse opened its doors in 1965 in Kokomo, Indiana, founded by Norm Wiese, Dan Lasater and Charles Kleptz, and the name comes from the Ponderosa Ranch on the TV show Bonanza. Ponderosa and Bonanza later merged under one company and are now owned by FAT Brands, headquartered in Plano, Texas. In 2026 there are about 15 Ponderosa locations in the U.S. and 36 worldwide, and the formula hasn’t changed in 60 years: flame-grilled steaks, a massive buffet, and prices that let a whole family eat out without flinching.
Ponderosa Steakhouse Menu FAQs
What is the most popular item on the Ponderosa Steakhouse menu?
The Steak & Lobster combo at $11.99 is the fan favorite, followed closely by the classic grilled sirloin steak. On the buffet, the fried chicken and the build-your-own salad bar get the most traffic.
How much is the Ponderosa buffet in 2026?
The lunch buffet is $14.99 for adults and the dinner/weekend buffet is $17.99. Seniors 62+ pay $13.99–$16.99 with a free drink included. Kids buffets run $6.99–$9.99 depending on age and time of day. Prices vary by location.
What is the cheapest thing at Ponderosa?
Kids 3 and under eat free with an adult entree purchase at many locations. For paying guests, the $4.59 kids menu items are the cheapest, followed by the $9.00 weekly to-go specials at participating locations.
Do Ponderosa prices vary by location?
Yes. Ponderosa is franchised, so buffet prices, grill prices and hours differ from one restaurant to another. The prices in this article are national averages; check your local Ponderosa’s menu for exact pricing.
Does Ponderosa have a secret menu?
Not an official one. The closest thing is the buffet itself, where regulars build their own combos like loaded baked potatoes with steakhouse chili or fried chicken on top of mac and cheese.
Does Ponderosa serve breakfast?
Some locations do. The Orlando-area Ponderosa runs an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 7–11:30 am for about $6.99. Most locations are lunch-and-dinner only, so call your local restaurant first.
Does Ponderosa deliver?
Yes. Ponderosa offers delivery and pickup through DoorDash at participating locations, plus to-go ordering through pondotogo.com. Expect delivery prices to be higher than dine-in prices.
Are there healthy options at Ponderosa?
Yes. The salad bar, grilled chicken breast, baked tilapia and broiled salmon are solid lighter picks. Load up on vegetables and grilled proteins and go easy on the fried buffet items.
Does Ponderosa offer catering or party packs?
Many locations handle group dining and to-go family orders. Groups of 25 or more can ask about special group rates. Call your local Ponderosa to arrange catering-style bulk orders.
Where can I find Ponderosa nutrition information?
Ponderosa does not publish one national nutrition PDF. Use the calorie estimates in this article as a guide and ask your local restaurant for specific nutrition details.
Prices last verified: October 20, 2026. Source of truth: the brand’s official menu pages (ponderosabuffet.com and the Ponderosa & Bonanza brand site).
📍 Find Ponderosa Steakhouse Near You
⭐ Ponderosa Steakhouse Google Reviews
Google Rating: 3.7/5 (thousands of reviews across locations)
Customers praise the unbeatable value, the friendly servers, and the nostalgia factor. The fried chicken and the salad bar get the most love. Honest reviews note that quality varies by location, which is typical for a franchise, so check your local spot’s recent reviews before you go.
Related Menus
Still hungry for steakhouse value? The Ponderosa Steakhouse menu remains one of the best budget nights out in America. Grab the lunch buffet, order a sirloin off the grill, and finish with soft serve. That is money well spent.







