In recent weeks, the Times has received several inquiries about the historic and landmark Branding Iron restaurant on 16th Street in downtown Merced.
The doors of the restaurant — the oldest and arguably the most famous fine-dining venue in town — have been closed for the past month.
Times reader Susan Boykin wrote: “Your paper has covered The Branding Iron restaurant in Merced in the past. I wonder if you will be covering the reason why it has suddenly closed. I think your readers would be interested in knowing the reason a Merced institution for 50 years would shutter.”
The Branding Iron actually dates back to the 1940s, when Ray Douglas built out the site next to the railroad for The Pine Cone — one of a chain of restaurants in the state. Eventually it became the Branding Iron, and it was acquired by longtime owners Greg and Kara Parle. They kept the elegant, Western-style steakhouse and bar going successfully for decades until they sold the establishment last year to pistachio farmer Raj Kahlon and his wife Jeena.
Over the past year, the Branding Iron has been leased out to a local family of restaurateurs — the same ones who operate the Bar B-Q Pit downtown — but they apparently decided to drop the fine dining endeavor at the end of June.
The Times contacted owner, Mr. Kahlon, about the matter, and he said the Branding Iron location will be opening up again soon — perhaps “in the next couple of weeks” — with an anticipated new vision and a new menu variety. Days of operation may be expanded to six days instead of five days like before, and the restaurant and bar will be open later, up to 11 p.m. There will also be brunch times available.
Kahlon admitted the fine dining establishment, as it has been traditionally run, has had its challenges due to the local economy, but he’s optimistic about its future.