You pull into Pawhuska and the first thing you notice isn't the rolling Osage Hills or the roaming bison. It’s the line. People stand outside The Mercantile, Ree Drummond’s massive multi-concept venture, clutching their coffee cups like holy relics. They aren’t just here for the floral-patterned spatulas or the curated farmhouse decor. Most of them are hungry. The mercantile pawhuska menu has become a sort of culinary bucket list for fans of The Pioneer Woman, but let’s be real: when a menu is this large and the wait is that long, you need a game plan.
If you’ve ever watched Ree cook on Food Network, you know the vibe. It’s butter. It’s cream. It’s a distinct "more is more" philosophy applied to comfort food. But navigating the menu at the Deli—which is what locals and tourists alike call the restaurant inside—requires knowing what’s a classic and what’s just filler.
Breakfast is the Real Hero in Pawhuska
Honestly? If you can get there early enough, breakfast is the superior meal. The "Pantry Special" is basically the blueprint for an Oklahoma morning. You’re looking at two eggs—cooked however you like—served with either bacon or handmade sausage, a mountain of breakfast potatoes, and a choice of toast or a biscuit.
The biscuits are the size of a softball. They are dense, salty, and crumbly in a way that suggests a terrifyingly delicious amount of shortening was involved. If you want to go full "cowboy," you order the biscuits and gravy. The gravy is heavy on the black pepper and chunks of sausage. It’s not elegant. It’s effective.
For the sweet-toothed, the "Cowboy Breakfast" changes things up with French toast. But it’s not just bread dipped in egg; it’s thick-cut brioche that has been caramelized to a structural crispness on the outside while staying custardy in the middle. Most people make the mistake of ordering a full side of bacon with this, which is a lot. The bacon at The Merc is thick. Really thick. It’s cured with sugar and spices, making it almost like "pig candy."
The coffee situation is a whole different beast. The "Spicy Cowgirl" is the drink everyone talks about. It’s a cold brew base with chocolate, cayenne pepper, and cream. It sounds like a lot, and it is. The heat hits the back of your throat about three seconds after the sugar hits your tongue. It’s polarizing. Some people swear it’s the best caffeine kick in the Midwest; others find the spice-and-cold-coffee combo a bit jarring.
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The Mercantile Pawhuska Menu: Lunch and Dinner Heavy Hitters
When the clock strikes eleven, the mercantile pawhuska menu shifts into high gear. This is when the comfort food classics emerge. The Cattleman’s Sandwich is probably the most ordered item on the list. It’s thinly sliced slow-roasted prime rib, piled onto a toasted roll with melted provolone and a side of au jus that is salty enough to preserve meat for a winter.
Is it revolutionary? No. It’s a French Dip. But it’s a good French Dip because the meat hasn't been sitting in a steamer tray all day; it feels fresh.
Then there’s the chicken fried steak. You cannot have a restaurant in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, without a chicken fried steak that commands respect. Ree’s version is tenderized until it’s basically butter, then double-breaded. The crust is the star here—it’s craggy and golden, holding onto the cream gravy like its life depends on it.
- Pro Tip: If you’re split between two items, just know the portions are massive. One "Merc Burgers" order can easily feed two children or one very hungry ranch hand.
- The lasagna is another sleeper hit. It’s based on the recipe Ree has featured on her blog for years. It’s meaty. It’s heavy on the cottage cheese and parmesan. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to take a three-hour nap in the backseat of your car immediately after.
Don't ignore the salads, though. I know, nobody goes to a ranch-style deli for greens, but the "Merc Salad" with its pecans and goat cheese provides a much-needed acidic break from the fried everything else. It’s the only way to survive the meal without feeling like you need a bypass by the time you reach the gift shop.
The Bakery and The Coffee Shop Nuance
Upstairs is where the magic happens for the casual visitor. If the wait for a table at the Deli is two hours (which happens frequently on weekends), head to the bakery.
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The cinnamon rolls are the stuff of legend. They are drenched in a maple-flavored icing that pools in the bottom of the container. If you buy a pan of them, be prepared for them to stay moist for days. That’s the power of that much butter. They also do "Prune Cake" sometimes, which sounds like something your grandma would force on you, but in reality, it’s a spice cake that’s incredibly moist and rich.
The coffee bar is separate from the bakery line. They use high-end beans, but the focus is definitely on the flavored lattes. The "Hazelnut Macchiato" and the seasonal specials usually lean very sweet. If you’re a black coffee purist, you might feel a bit out of place, but the plain drip is solid—bold, hot, and consistently refilled if you're dining in.
Understanding the Wait and the Logistics
Here is what most people get wrong about the mercantile pawhuska menu: they think they can just show up at noon on a Saturday and sit down.
Pawhuska has a population of about 3,000 people. On a busy weekend, The Merc can see thousands of visitors. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations. You put your name in, they take your number, and you wander around the store or the town until you get a text.
- The Early Bird Strategy: Arrive at 7:00 AM. You’ll walk right in.
- The Weekday Pivot: Tuesday and Wednesday are the "quiet" days.
- The Takeout Loophole: You can often grab things from the "Grab and Go" section if you just want a taste without the two-hour theatrical experience of the dining room.
Why This Menu Works (And Why It Doesn't)
Ree Drummond has built an empire on "approachable" food. The menu reflects that. There isn't a single word on the menu that you need a culinary degree to understand. There’s no foam, no deconstructed anything, and certainly no tiny portions.
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However, if you are looking for light, airy, or avant-garde, you are in the wrong county. This is high-calorie, high-joy fuel. The nuance lies in the quality of the ingredients. They use good beef. They use real cream. You can taste the difference between this and a standard chain diner, even if the dishes themselves are familiar.
One thing that surprises people is the price point. It’s not cheap. You’re looking at $15 to $25 for most entrees. Some folks find that steep for "diner food," but you’re paying for the experience, the brand, and the fact that the portions are large enough to be two meals.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Download the Menu Online First: The menu changes slightly with the seasons. Checking the official Pioneer Woman website a day before your trip ensures you won't be heartbroken if the specific quiche you wanted is out of rotation.
- Split the Mains: Seriously. Order one Cattleman's Sandwich and one side of Parmesan Garlic Fries for two people. You will still leave full.
- Prioritize the Bakery: If the restaurant line is over two hours, skip it. Buy a box of pastries, get a coffee from the upstairs bar, and go sit by the Osage County Courthouse. You get the same flavor profile without the stress.
- Check the Daily Specials: The "Dinner Specials" often feature things like meatloaf or pot roast that aren't on the standard printed menu. These are usually the best representations of Ree’s "home cooking" style.
- Don't Forget the Drinks: The lemonade is fresh-squeezed and tart enough to cut through the richness of the fried food. It’s a mandatory sidekick to the chicken fried steak.
The mercantile pawhuska menu isn't trying to win a Michelin star. It's trying to give you a hug. It's caloric, it's nostalgic, and it's exactly what you expect it to be. Just make sure you wear your stretchy pants. You're going to need them.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the current operating hours on the official Mercantile website, as they can shift during local events or holidays. If you're planning a weekend visit, book your accommodation in nearby Bartlesville or Tulsa early, as Pawhuska’s boutique hotels—like The Boarding House—fill up months in advance. Finally, plan to visit the Lodge on Drummond Ranch if it's an "open house" day; tickets are usually picked up at The Merc on the morning of your visit.