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Backwoods Inn
Category: Restaurants Steakhouses Steakhouses [Edit]
17846 Sierra HwyCanyon Cntry, CA 91351
(661) 252-5522
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Sun 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for Backwoods Inn
Review Highlights
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"My lady had the porterhouse and I chose a New York steak." In 4 reviews -
"...New York is $23.95 and a petite Filet Mignon is $19.95." In 4 reviews -
"He made the BEST martini in SCV." In 6 reviews
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Kate C.
Los Angeles, CA
3/4/2012
Excellent food, cooked fresh daily. Lunch specials, retro decor, sawdust on the floor, vintage menu, wonderful service, and a good bar. I have never had a bad meal here. An overall great experience.
As an added bonus, if you are into '70s television, you will recognize this restaurant and Sierra Highway in several episodes of "Charlie's Angels," "Cannon" and a few others. And even in today's shows, like "NCIS." -
Review from Beckah D.
Sacramento, CA
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
After so many great reviews from friends & family, I really was expecting a better experience, but I have a major beef with this place. If not for the lovely server (JoAnn?), who took every contention with a smile, & perfectly executed onion rings, this place would only get ONE star from me. =(
My issue starts with the ordering; my father ordered the special (chicken fried steak) with soup & a stuffed baked potato, which he had been looking forward to trying all day. Our waitress nodded, wrote everything down, & put in the order. When the food arrived, my father was severely disappointed as instead of his much anticipated stuffed potato was a mound of mashed potatoes. When my father mentioned to the waitress that she had gotten the order wrong, she matter-of-factly stated that the special came with MASHED potatoes. IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN STATE THAT WHEN THE ORDER IS PLACED! Absolutely no excuse for the way that was handled. No mention upon ordering, nor an apology upon delivery. Unacceptable.
As it was my first time at Backwoods, too, I asked our waitress for her suggestion on what to order for dinner. One of her two suggestions was baby back ribs, & I took her up on this. The ribs arrived dry & tough! The steak knives provided were no match, unfortunately. I also ordered the stuffed potato, but was unimpressed. Also, my dinner came with 7 green beans (yes, I counted: 7); they seemed so few on the large platter that I laughed, at first. I truly believe that the plate would have made more sense if they had left off the green beans all together, but that is neither here nor there, simply an observation.
My mother ordered the teriyaki chicken, & she was the most vocal to the waitress about her complaints. First, the plate that the chicken arrived on was COLD! All of our food was pretty much room temperature upon arrival (except the perfect onion rings), mind you, but her entree especially. Second, her chicken was dry, overcooked, & bland, bland, bland. She noted that the only thing teriyaki about the dish was the small serving of teriyaki sauce served alongside the chicken. Third, the broccoli cheddar soup was overly salty & not worth eating. To this, I can attest because she took a few bites & passed it to me. I was actually surprised at how salty the soup was considering how bland the other food was.
All in all, I find it hard to give this place ANY stars considering how much it was built up, but I am hoping that the restaurant will take these complaints under advisement before some other poor patron has an experience as disappointing as we did. -
Review from JoAnn F.
CANYON CNTRY, CA
2/17/2012
We just moved into the area and based on the recommendations on yelp we tried the backwoods Inn. First of all our server JoAnn was fabulous and took great care of us.
The minor complaints:
The clam chowder tasted like Campbells and the bacon bits they offered on their salad was Bacos...yuck...but everything else (the important stuff) was wonderful.
I don't know who does the cooking there but they sure do know how to cook meat. My husband got the 32oz prime rib and it just melted in our mouths. ( I stole a bite) and I ordered the rib eye the meat was tender and juicy and sooooo good. They give you generous portions and the service is top notch. We also ordered the garlic cheese bread which goes unsaid it was so good.
If you want to kick up your business a notch. How about serving real bacon bits...and good soup. What a difference two minor changes would make to your business. -
Review from Karla O.
Canyon Country, CA
Updated - 2/12/2012
Came on a date recently and have to say that the experience was better this time. We ordered and shared the jalapeno cheese garlic toast..I don't know if I was just hungry or it was the best garlic cheese toast I had ever had. A thick layer of cheese melted over buttery garlic toast..((((HEAVEN))))))))
I'm a meat lover through and through so ordered the prime rib again and my date ordered the grilled chicken salad. He completely lost interest in his salad as I started feeding him bites of my prime rib with dollops of horse radish and sour cream. The whole meal was quite titillating. One of our fellow patrons as leaving passed our table and said, "you two have a good night now."
Our server Joanne was super sweet and helpful.
I think I'll be coming here again and seeing my date again pretty soon..lol1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/18/2011
Must say that I like the ambiance of this place..lots of dark wood and chotchkies to look at; they… Read more »
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Review from Donn M.
Saugus, CA
5/15/2012
First off, let me say I don't really like writing negative reviews and I've been dining at Backwoods Inn for more then 20 years. The sad part is, this place has been going downhill for for the past year. I used to recommend Backwoods to everyone and bring my friends from out of town here. The last few trips here the service has totally sucked. Word of caution: when they seat you, don't let them sit you near a large party. You will be totally ignored. The food was always great. Garlic bread is fantastic, the stuffed potato is awesome. The last couple of times (seated next to a large party) our food came late and cold. When we asked to return it, they said they couldn't replace it. They could only warm it up (which doesn't help when you order medium rare and it comes medium). I've called and sent emails to management and they don't reply. It has become very unprofessional and sadly to say, they have lost my business. I hope everyone else has a good experience and watch out for big parties.
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Review from Jennifer H.
Canyon Country, CA
2/11/2012
I've only tried the backwoods inn once- for lunch. We just moved here, and this is less than 5 minutes from our home.
We both tried the lunch special (cheeseburger and fries for $4.50) and it was great.
The food was tasty, they were friendly. It's very country which is ok if you like that kind of stuff. I kept wondering where the shelf full of old cupie dolls was...
We will try it again. -
Review from Lawrence P.
Santa Monica, CA
11/23/2011
My girlfriend and I had dinner at The Backwoods Inn last weekend and we had a great time there! This is an old fashioned steakhouse that serves good food at reasonable prices.
We started with onion rings as our appetizer....they were cooked fresh and were delicious. My lady had the porterhouse and I chose a New York steak. Both were cooked perfectly!
You can have the best food in town at your restaurant and fail because you don't provide your patrons good service. Everyone we came in contact with were genuinely attentive, friendly and helpful. We will definitely dine at The Backwoods Inn again. -
Review from Michelle M.
Northridge, CA
8/21/2011
I have no idea what the draw to the food is here other than people may not know any better. My husband and I are staying in the area temporarily and decided to venture out to a local restaurant. When we pulled up here, the outside was unassuming. We opened the door and we were pleasantly surprised. The place was full of people, had a nice homey atmosphere and frankly looked like we found a gem. The service was very friendly and pretty good overall. Since this was a steak house, we thought we couldn't go wrong with the steak. We asked our waitress what she suggested and we went with all her suggestions. We ordered the garlic toast, half with cheese and half without, the porterhouse steak, new York steak, twice baked potato, salad with blue cheese dressing, clam chowder and The Backwoods coffee.
First let's start with the garlic cheese toast (that they're known for). The half without the cheese tasted like warm buttered toast. The half with the cheese had a glob of processed American cheese or maybe velveta - we weren't sure but we almost spit it out and that's saying a lot because we love garlic and we love cheese. Who can screw that up? Well, these guys can.
Next I got my crisp-less salad (probably from a bag) with runny blue cheese dressing. My husband got his clam chowder soup, probably straight out of a campbells soup can. I tasted it myself and wow, did it taste just like campbells. So so disappointing.
We were trying to stay positive and thought, well this is a steak house and it's packed. Surely that will be the redeeming factor. Wrong!
My husband got his new York steak and when he bit into it, he got a whole mouth full of fat that he promptly spit out. He was done after two giant fat bites of his $27 steak. And for him not to eat steak I would almost consider a medical emergency. He tried his green beans that were just plain cold and probably from a freezer bag. I had the same so I am speaking from the same experience.
My porterhouse steak was kind of blah. Just ok. Definitely needed more seasoning. I make a better steak with my eyes closed and I also cook from scratch quite a bit so I can easily tell what's fresh and what's not and nothing we put in our mouths was fresh.
The twice baked potato was actually pretty decent. Not horrible but not amazing either.
The only redeeming factor was The Backwoods coffee. Coffee with liquor, whipped cream and a cherry. Now that was good.
Anyhow, our meal came to $80 and we were completely disgusted. Before you rate this place anything other than a 1 star establishment, get out there and get some experience with how food should taste.
We definitely will not be back. It's a shame because we like to support local businesses and I think the owner is a woman which makes it even more important to support. I know running a restaurant is tough and food costs keep rising, but don't give in and make awful food and then charge crazy prices. But I guess it's been working for them so why change? Sad. It's not the way it should be. Get out of your mediocrity people! I'm talking to you Backwoods Inn AND your customers. -
Review from Mellisa S.
San Diego, CA
So todays my birthday and i was craving a nice steak so we decided on this place . I have been coming to this place since I was young , the decor is still the same , which is not a complaint of mine. The music is very old and twangy, was putting me to sleep .The service here is always top notch and friendly. The garlic bread is pretty dry but still was flavorful. I ordered the petite filet mignon and it was perfectly cooked and even the bacon was crisped. But then , I lifted the potatoes and steak and there was a small pile of cold green beans that tasted like they were just thawed. Oh well , the stuffed potato made up for the green beans.
I would love to give five stars for the service , but the food needs some sprucing up .
Oh and they have a wide variety of desserts. :)
Suggestion would be to add new sides or better soups/ salads. :) maybe even BBQ beans . .? -
Review from Jesse F.
Santa Clarita, CA
3/25/2012
Classic local eatery.
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Review from Rick L.
Canyon Country, CA
3/28/2012
Our group of 12 was there on a Tuesday night. We all hit a different restaurant once a month and this was our pick for March/ Aside from us and another group, there were few other diners. Our waitress was pleasant, but one person trying to serve 12 people at once cannot go well. My biggest complaint was that the beef brochettes I ordered medium well was cooked to "almost leather." I would have returned it but that would have delayed my friends' orders so I let it slide. I don't recall anyone really raving about their dinner, so I'm wondering why the other reviews are so high.
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Review from Lori K.
Canyon Country, CA
4/12/2011
I would love to give 5 stars for our sweet waitress but because two of the side dishes were wrong, and my friend never got her diet coke I have to scale down. Two members of our party got the steak and I tried a bite. That was some tasty meat! I had the jumbo shrimp and they were indeed jumbo. I could easily go into a shrimp coma but I got full after just eating 2 of them. The kids plates are huge and I highly recommend ordering the garlic bread. We ordered both the regular garlic bread and the one with cheese (I think it was American cheese they used) and I liked the one without far better which is saying a lot for me because I love to put cheese on everything.
I loved the dark woodsy decor. It reminded me a lot of the Northwoods Inn located in the San Gabriel Valley where I used to live but the first thing I smelled when I walked in was the sawdust and it reminded me of a hamster cage. Thankfully some of their famous stuffed potato's had just come out of the oven and were within eye-sight. I instantly forgot about the smell almost instantly. Those stuffed potato's are also a must!
They had quite a big menu selection and because it's local I believe we'll be going back, but probably just for special occasions.
We didn't have room for dessert but I saw a piece of cheesecake go by and it looked really good.
P.S. We found plenty of parking for a Sunday afternoon around 5'ish. -
Review from Gary L.
Santa Clarita, CA
Updated - 12/2/2011
Our dinner outing led us back to the woods. (our parents place)
I was thinking about sauteed scallops but you can only get deep fried breaded. So the boasted chicken sounded good (pressure cooked) Prime rib was ordered and a petite fillet along with a steak salad. I was shocked when the chicken came and I got a wing, drum and a breast. We did enjoy the dinner salads and now there are lids on the pepper/bacon bowels which they say is grind daily, still don't know why they won't use a hand grinder. The beef as everyone said was good. We enjoyed a bottle of chardonnay.
We did not enjoy the server caller/bell with the numbers, Yes the ones I would see 20 years ago in a dinner. So don't sit at table 3 or you will listen to this all night and the air registers above will keep you with your jacket on. The best part about this dinner was the server Mary, she was right there with ALL of our needs , What a great employee !
I wish this place would hire a chef !1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/30/2011
I think this is the oldest steakhouse in Santa Clarita. Yet this place will not evolve. Decor needs… Read more »
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Review from Anh T.
Pasadena, CA
5/23/2008
For once, I found a steak worth driving out 40 miles for.
To celebrate The Manwhore and Manwhore Sr.'s birthdays (yes, its on the same day = weird), I decided to take them to a steakhouse in SCV. After reading the reviews, I was totally excited to check out the "bugles-and-muskets" theme as mentioned by Greg K.
When I stepped inside, I was pretty amazed, for it was everything I hoped for - an old school hunting cabin with dim lighting, red leather booths, and a divey bar area with trucker-esque clientele. Even the old crabby waitress played the perfect character in this setting. All of a sudden, I wished I wore my flannel dress and boots.
My old manwhore went all out with a rare cute of filet mignon, while his pops went for the beef ribs. Not too hungry, I settled for a chicken salad and a stuffed baked potato.
Their entrees came with bowls of new england style clam chowder. Though it was good, it was not memorable. After 10-15 minutes, our real food came out. The sides of baked potatoes were Fat-ilda heaven, mixed with tons of cheese, butter, and sour cream. Manwhore Sr. seemed to like his ribs, though he mentioned the lack of barbecue sauce on the side.
Unfortunately, my grilled chicken salad was dry and unappetizing, with a bland blend of iceberg and tomatoes. However, I did recognize it's my fault for ordering a salad at a joint like this. Seriously, I must have tripped over the retard stick on the way in.
More importantly, the highlight of the meal was J.Lo's filet. Wrapped in bacon, the meat was so rare on the inside that it looked ready to buck and charge off the table. I was getting excited just watching the bloody juices trickle onto the plate with each slice of the steak knife. Despite my full belly and untouched salad, I couldn't stop stealing bites of the perfectly charred beef. No salt, pepper, or sauce was necessary, because it was perfect au naturale.
As Dave G. [sorta] says, there's nothing like a girl going to the backwoods to put meat in her mouth. -
Review from Greg K.
Los Angeles, CA
3/6/2008
It didn't impress me that this place has display cases housing relics from a bugles-and-muskets era of Tom Mix, the famous cowboy movie star adored by John Wayne when he was a boy, and I could do without the sawdust on the floor and the red vinyl booths, but my prime rib w/ two styles of horseradish, grainy & hot, creamy & mild; it's the best I've had.
Better than Ruth's Chris, better than Fleming's, even Morton's.
No contest. And the waitress was crusty-old-school-and brutal-efficient. And chummy somehow. You had to be there I guess. -
Review from Mandy M.
Canyon Country, CA
1/6/2011
I have been coming here since I was born. This is a great place to have any type of steak and one of there DELICIOUS twice baked potatoes. I love the ambiance of the place. I have never been disappointed eating here.
Definitely suggest it to someone who wants good steak and seafood without going to a chain restaurant. -
Review from Jonathan C.
Glendale, CA
2/29/2008
The first time I went to Backwoods Inn was on my birthday and I had a nice prime rib with their famous stuffed potato. Seat waiting is less than 5 minutes, servers are very kind, and waiting for the food doesn't take too long.
Nothing really special about their prime rib other than it is juicy and very filling. If you get the stuffed potato becareful when you eat it because it will be very hot! I think they also put too much ice on their sodas. Their soup is also very good.
Inside the restaurant is a bit on the dark and I would like to see more lighting. -
Review from Jacob V.
Santa Clarita, CA
1/24/2009 1 photo
So for some reason, my mom now has a "tradition" of coming to Backwoods Inn every year on her birthday. Its been 3 years, and she turned 69 today, but somehow she's being "coming here forever"...
So my family and I stroll into the Backwoods Inn and were immediately sat down. The decor is stuck in the mid-70's, but quaint in a way. Tiffany lights are all over the place, and there is sawdust on the floor. It was different, and I liked that part of it.
On to the food... We ordered garlic bread as an appetizer, which was quite tasty. Not too garlic-y, not too hot or burnt or anything... So far so good.
But here is where I started being disappointed. I ordered the clam chowder, which was tasty, but quite watery. I tried a few bites of the split pea soup my sister ordered, and it was nothing special.
Our steaks showed up, I ordered the New York steak, and it was good, but not overly flavorful. I had the loaded potato on the side, and that was good, but the problem I had with it, was it had the temperature of a hot pocket... Good for the most part, but LAVA hot in other parts... Kept me guessing, but nothing special...
At this point, our waitress (who was very polite) disappeared for LITERALLY 30 minutes. I had ordered a beer, and wanted another (a little too much family time at this point), but she was nowhere to be found.
We then wanted dessert, but after waiting 30 minutes we figured it would take another 30 to get out of there, so we skipped that. We paid and left.
So my take on this restaurant... At $30 a head, I honestly expect more. The food was decent, but nothing special, and the service was halfway decent at best.
Looking at some of the other reviews, maybe I just got there on an off night, but the 2 stars I gave were a gift. I'm not picky, but for the money, there are plenty of better places to go.
Guess we'll see what happens next year... Gotta keep the "tradition" alive. -
Review from Aaron R.
Los Angeles, CA
9/25/2006
Dan is dead on...
Decent Steaks served in a sawdust strewn old style place. Half-way between Phillipe's and Peter Luger. The muskets and beer stein's make the place feel downright cozy...
This is the antithesis of LA in every way...
The two bartenders were older than my father, and far grumpier but amusing none-the-less. Steaks were good, not great, the ribs my friend raved about.
All in all a great place to stop on the old 14. -
Review from Bruce K.
Valencia, CA
4/22/2009
I LOVE this restaurant. And I will admit that it's solely based on the throwback decor. There's just a vibe that you get from the staff and the 'look' of this place that's hard to find anymore...and I'm a sucker for it.
Full disclosure: My rating has nothing to do with the food. If I were rating food only, it gets a 3.
I love a good steak, and I wish I could say that the steaks here were great, but they're not...the food is just passible.
BUT I come back time after time just to soak in the nostalgia. I really do love it! -
Review from Chad F.
Castaic, CA
3/19/2008
My good friend Josh S. hit the nail on the head on Backwoods. It's old school SCV. No frills, but a lot of character. If you live in the SCV and haven't been here, you should definitely stop by, if only to break away from the monotony of hitting up the same ole steakhouses.
Unlike Greg K, I can appreciate the decor. Backwoods reflects your grandparents' generation. It's the type of place that was created for people who worked hard, lived hard, and dammit, wanted a steak.
The steak is well... steak. Not all too flavorful, but they'll bring you steak sauce. I seem to recall the stuffed baked potato of my youth as having more flavor than the one I got last night.
As for the garlic bread, come on Josh. While the flavor was solid, it was as though the cook had used the bread to mop up after knocking over some cooking oil. Then again, I felt as though after eating a couple slices I had an oily coating along my tongue that helped usher my sirloin steak to my gut. -
Review from Eve B.
Newhall, CA
2/18/2010
I think glassware matters, as does atmosphere, when having wine. Hubby doesn't. You decide.
On our Valentine's Day we made an impromptu stop at Valencia Wine Company for a glass of Champagne about 4 in the afternoon. When their wine educator, Jeff Prange, suggested a split of a newly acquired brand, we readily agreed. (The Ployez-Jacquemart Champagne seen here.)
We enjoyed our first split outside on the patio so that we could enjoy an unseasonably warm afternoon and people watch. We held hands. And, as the atmosphere was so pleasant and unhurried, and the Champagne a special treat, we ordered another split.
Eddie asked what I wanted for dinner, I said steak and a really nice red wine. Then he got it in his head to stop by the house and pick up a bottle of a 2001 Joseph Phelps Backus that needed to be drunk and get over to Backwoods for dinner before the crowd.
So, we shot by the house, got the wine, shot over to the restaurant. We got a table in the back. Hurried waitress reminding us what night it was and the hectic time we were surely to have. Nonetheless, when she saw the bottle, she quickly told us of the $8.50 corkage fee. I recalled it being $5 the last time, but as both fees are lower than standard, I didn't quibble at all.
But, then, I remembered their wine glasses. The kind of glasses used in places that don't really serve much wine. In fact, when we usually come we just have Glenlivit or Glenfiddich single malt Scotch. And their glassware is fine for that.
I wished I had brought my Spiegelau stemware, or even the big-bowled Silver Oaks glasses they used to give away at the winery. (No, I don't have Riedels except for their tumbler.)
Ed said it wouldn't matter. Before our waitress had returned with the glasses I switched lamps with the emply table next to ours as theirs had been lit. I removed the sugar packets and wine menu as well in my attempt to "dress up" our table.
As you see I took the photo without the stemware in it. I couldn't get a nose at all, most likely because I couldn't fit the bulb of my nose into the tiny glass. Ed said he could, but, yet, didn't share much beyond "Berries".
So, for me, the atmosphere and the glassware made my Champagne experience far more pleasant than my Cabernet. And my husband? Well he finished every last drop of the Backus. With his Filet Mignon, my Prime Rib and, I'm pretty sure, the sawdust that normally just sticks to the floor. Aw, romance. -
Review from Dan M.
Los Gatos, CA
9/6/2006
Decent steaks, strong drinks, resonable prices. Why go to Outback?
My own prejudice revealed: 99 times out of 100 I will choose a non-chain to a chain restaurant. There is much to be said by the owner or proprietor being involved in the restaurant operations.
Backwoods Inn is a retro-throwback to 1966, a time before rampant development in the Santa Clarita Valley, a place that likely did host the ranchers in the area when there were still ranches and movie stars and crews when many movies and TV shows were produced there. The current ownership dates back to 1968. The interior is Old West Style to a fault, big red upholstered booths, western memorabilia on the walls, in some display cases, and is complete with sawdust on the floor.
Backwoods Inn has several different rooms with different levels of decoration. Try to get a table on the bar side of the restaurant. The bar can get pretty crowded and noisy from locals tossing back a few and with people waiting for their table but depending on your mood that can be a good thing if you are in the boisterous kind of mood yourself.
The servers here are not college age. The server's children may well be past college age. Some of the servers (all women from what I have seen) have been there for 20+ years. It is the "What can I get you, hun?" kind of service.
I must admit I am not too adventurous when ordering at a steakhouse. The classic steakhouse meal is what I seek and almost always order a New York steak. The 12oz New York is $23.95 and a petite Filet Mignon is $19.95. Steaks are grilled over real wood charcoal to the actual level of doneness specified. The real mesquite charcoal grilling imparts an unmistakeable perfume to the meat. Entrees are served with soup or salad and choice of several styles of potato, rice, or vegetables. One of the specialties served at Backwoods Inn is their stuffed baked potato which is similar to a twiced baked, with sour cream and cheese on top. Garlic bread is good, but skip the cheese. Sides such as sauteed mushrooms and grilled onions are $2.50.
The bar specializes in mixed drinks, and serves a very good Cadillac margarita for $9 and that is with no skimping on the tequila. Given the enthusiasm with which the cocktails are comsumed there, all of the drinks must be old school strong.
Is it the best? No. Is it good? Yes, and can be very good. 3 1/2 stars. -
Review from Mike L.
Alta Loma, CA
8/14/2010
I haven't been here in 13years or the area.
I had a golf tourney down the street and I had to come here and I'm glad i did.
I got to celebrate my win with some prime rib. It was probably the best prime rib I've ever had. It was perfect. My daughter loved it also and kept asking for more. We also ordered there backwoods coffee which comes hot with some amaretto. It was pretty good also. great day!
You know how you go back to a place that you use to love and then you go back after years of not going and it lets you down. Not this place! -
Review from Dave W.
Canyon Country, CA
7/22/2008
I grew up with this steak house. Came here as a small child with my grandparents. Then in high school servered here as a bus boy. Now I go here with my children from time to time.
I still love the filet. Has always been a favorite. Of all the steakhouses I have been too... Ruths crisp, claim jumpers, outback this is stil he best. -
Review from Nicole H.
CANYON CNTRY, CA
7/22/2010
Disclaimer: This is NOT a frilly place. If you are looking for current and trendy steak house ala Claim Jumpers or Salt Creek Grill you are sniffing up the wrong tree.
My family and I have been coming here for as far back as I can remember and even before that. The wait staff has seen me grow up and I have seen them grow older. However, every time we walk through those double doors it is like walking into a time warp...literally. The restaurant is bigger than you might expect hearkening back to the days when it might have been the finest steak house for 50 miles and movie people would stop by after a long day of filming.
They have a full bar and a menu filled with steak house staples. The cooking is very good and very consistent. The wait staff (if you can call them that) have been working there FOR YEARS, and have the sass to to go along with it. Which makes me love them even more.
If anyone is a fan of AMC's Mad Men then you are familiar with those old steak houses they are always boozing, picking up waitresses at, and doing "business" in. They modeled it after this place. -
Review from Matthew H.
Santa Clarita, CA
5/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is my Mom and Dad's kind of steak house.
They have a complete no-nonsense "cowboy" style approach to their restaurant. The place is visibly old outside and in (which is fine by me)... it's more of a novelty than anything else. They have sawdust on the ground and display cases of all kinds of old... pardon my brutal honesty... crap.
I have been hearing from some of the people I work with that this is the best steak in the SCV... Grant-it I do not conceder these people foodies , hence the reason it has taken me four years to finally give it a shot. None the less, I had a small glimmer of hope that this may be my SCV version of the famous Nipomo, Jockos.
Sadly, Jockos it was not...
We ordered the Ribeye and the petite filet, both with baked potato, salad and clam chowder.
-The salad with ranch was exactly what I had expected (nothing special) - definitely needed croutons
-Clam chowder was not good. Very watery.
-The baked potato was exactly what you would expect.
-The petite filet was wrapped in bacon and cooked to the right temperature. The bacon was soft and not appetizing, and overall the steak lacked seasoning..
-The Ribeye was the biggest disappointment of the night. The cut was very thin in my book... maybe an inch thick. When I come to a place like this I am looking for twice the thickness, at the very least. I expected the preparation to be simple, but this also lacked seasoning. But, even though the steak was thinner than I would have liked, it was also cooked to the right temperature.
Some positive notes...
-The waitress and her service were very good.
-Drinks were promptly refilled and the food was brought out on time.
-The temperature of the steaks were spot on.
-Prices were very reasonable.
They need to work on a few things... the seasoning of the steak especially. It would be nice to have some homemade BBQ beans, I was very surprised & disappointed that they did not have these on the menu. I felt like my stake was crying for some sort of sauce or flavor... And I'll be damned if I ever use A1- no thanks.
In the end, I would choose this place over Black Angus... But if you want the best steak in The SCV - go to Maru. -
Review from Mary S.
Santa Clarita, CA
12/20/2011
My husband and I visited the restaurant this past Saturday Night and were TOTALLY disappointed. This is one of the worst meals both of us have ever had. It started with the highly recommended sourdough bread with melted cheese. It tasted like week old bread with some sort of cheap cheese (worse than velveeta). It was disgusting to say the least, we sent it back and then the waitress (who was very very sweet) brought us some place bread which wasn't much better but edible.
I had the prime rib and my husband had the rid-eye, both very very cheap quality with very little taste. I ate about 4 bites of my meat and took the rest home to my dogs. My husband is a HUGE beef eater could barely finish his meat. The best thing on the table was the house Cabarnet Wine which was an honest wine for an honest price. The stuffed backed potato was also very low quality (no sour cream or chives here).
Let me also say that the price does not reflect the low quality, you are better off at Sizzler or Black Angus. I love steak n stein in Pico Rivera which is also an old-fashioned steak house so I was really hope this restaurant would be along the same lines, NOT AT ALL.
The fnal straw was when the waitress brought the check and hadn't removed the $7.00 unedible so called cheese bread. I spoke with the manager about the experience and he had the nerve to tell me that they buy the highest quality of beef possible. I was completely speachless at this point.
Save your money and go else where!!! -
Review from Bob P.
Valencia, CA
1/24/2011
In reading others reviews I had to ask myself what I did not get with this establishment. Rustic, yes it is that with sawdust on the floor and nic-nacks from an era I love, but the food was horrible!
As a steak house I did receive a choice cut of beef, but the cook did not understand the idea of searing (I like my meats pretty rare) or it sat around for 20 minutes before I received the plate, so it was served to me cold; unacceptable. The clam chowder was Campbells, the french fries were out of a bag, the green beans & vegetable "medley" were overcooked to the point that my guess was that they were frozen and they were both insipid. Others in my party had fish & pork.
I had chosen this place to celebrate my mothers 80th birthday; never again will I go to this restaurant! When I queried the guests all had the same reaction, minus two, one which suggested the restaurant, another whom I think is being polite.
For the life of me though, I could not understand the attraction, for when we left, the place was packed -- either folks enjoy mediocrity, or I am missing a point to this eatery. -
Review from Michael R.
San Antonio, TX
1/31/2011
My girlfriend took me to dinner here last Friday for my birthday, and I'm very glad she did.The Backwoods Inn came highly recomended from friends who have been going there for years, and now I know why.
Right when we got out of our truck to walk inside I could smell that tantilizing aroma of meat cooking over hot charcoals. We walked in and this place has charm. Big booths with red leater seats, sawdust on the floor, and antiques lining the walls in display cases. A complete throwback to a by-gone era of steakhouses.
Their menu isn't huge but that works to Backwood's advantage. That way they can focus on what they do best. The steaks are of course front and center with a myriad of different cuts, but there are some chicken and pork dishes too. But there is a decent seafood selection as well. In all standard fare for a steakhouse. I ordered the porterhouse and my daughter the petite fillet (both ordered rare), and my girlfriend ordered the seafood plate.
The steaks were cooked perectly. Nice cross-hatch grill marks on the outside of the steaks and perfectly rare inside. I read the reviews on this place before coming, and others have complained about the lack of seasoning onthe meat; as far as I'm concerned the beef is of such a high quality that its flavor speaks for itself. My steak was tender, rich in beef flavor, and not much excess fat on it. Definitely the best steak that I've had at a restaurant since I've moved to California. My girlfriend's seafood platter was packed with all manner of fried seafood bits. oxymoronically large shrimp, scallops, clams and a cod fillet. All the seafood was very fresh, but the steaks are the real reason for coming. I will definitely be back. -
Review from Ruth K.
Updated - 3/6/2011
Sorry, but dropping to a "3". Pros: super comfortable booths in the preferred dining area near the bar that one's butt just settles into, good waitresses, plus we like the old-fashioned ambiance. Cons: food just isn't what it used to be over the decades we've eaten here, and recent menu changes have increased the net price while the quality has dropped a little. Bumped into some friends here recently and they pretty much felt the same. We'll definitely go back again, but not with the same degree of relish.
Listed in: Mr. Pickey is happy if he eats…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/16/2010
The Backwoods Inn is an old classic left over from another era, and a real pleasure to visit from… Read more »
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Review from Amber M.
Santa Clarita, CA
4/7/2011
I really liked this place! Crowded, so we sat at the bar, the bartender( Cathy ) was so nice!! I ordered the steak sandwich, and although it was not a traditional Sammy, the steak was, juicy, tender, and yummy. The garlic bread was good,and the fries were hot and crispy. My hubby got the fried clams, also very good! It was our first time, so we were not " regulars" but everyone we talked to was super friendly! We will definitely be back! :)
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Review from Josh S.
5/10/2007 1 photo
This is one of the oldest restaurants in SCV area. It has the red vinyl booths, waitresses named Flo, and a no-nonsense menu. BEEF, its what's for dinner. They have a variety of cuts of beef but don't expect any fancy sauces or butters on your beef. They cut it, grill it, and serve it. This is the kind of place that gave birth to Outback or Black Angus. I highly recommend the garlic and/or garlic cheese bread. Its the kind of guilty pleasure that makes this meal even better. Prices are on the higher side and its not Morton's but this is a quality steakhouse and not your run of the mill chain. Definitely worth the drive.
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Review from Frank R.
Saugus, CA
5/1/2009
While certainly not the best "Steakhouse" in SCV, it's old and charming and so is everyone that works there. I've been there many times and I usually leave wondering why I went there. If they stepped up the food a couple of notches, they'd get more people willing to spend more doe. I can bet my house that this place will never change, not everything has to, they have their followers. It has a very cool old wood bar and everyone there is nice but I want great food for the money and that ain't happening at Backwoods Inn.
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Review from Karolina G.
Santa Clarita, CA
7/28/2009
This place is strictly for locals. If you haven't been coming for years, don't expect good service. Pass this place if you live more than 10 min away. The lighting in the place is dark, with nut shell/sawdust on the floor and mismatched decor all over the place. Just confusing. And the food was extremely greasy.
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Review from Scott B.
5/4/2011
For 6 years I've lived a leisurely 5 minute walk from this place. I've wanted to go the whole time, but nobody would go with me. Tonight I said "F%ck it, I'm goin." Boy, I wish I'd done that sooner! I walked over there, and sat down. The waitress placed a tomb-like menu in front of me. I expected centuries of secrets to be stored within the great book, but it turned out to only have 4 really thick pages. I figured I should get meat of some kind, and I ordered the cow ribs. The waitress asked me for the sides and I ended up with cow ribs, sweet potato fries, and a salad with Italian dressing. The ribs showed up and they looked great. Meat hanging off the bone, a mountain of fries and some green beans for color. The first rib I tried to eat with a fork and knife. After I got the easy meat off, I got frustrated with working via tools and picked the thing up in my hands. I chewed off as much meat as I could without biting bone. The second and third rib I tore apart with my hands as well. Towards the end of the third one I was getting pretty full, and I got BBQ sauce up my nose. The waitress all the while kept my deliciously cold iced tea full. She asked if I wanted more ribs, and I patted my belly and groaned, "No more, I'm done." I asked if they could bag up the bones for my cats, and I went to the bathroom to wash the BBQ sauce from my face, out of my nose, and hands. The place had a great atmosphere, and the food was great, but I think next time I'll try the steak. Now my cats work on the extra meat on the ribs. All three of us love the place.
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Review from Tedd S.
Leesburg, FL
9/11/2009
You know I've probably been in a dozen restaurants with the same "tilt" toward a little quirky slant on their operation...and thats ok with me, quirky can be good. All in all our meals were uninspiring, including the good service by our waitress "Flo" (sorry, i don't remember her name, but Flo fits). Salad was a ho-hum mix of bagged salad from a restaurant supplier...something I consider the biggest no-brainer in the biz...take the time to make a nice salad...the rest is gravy. My NY strip was 12oz. ($26.95) and worth about 1/3 that...seriously, I cut nearly 5 oz of gristle off of mine...3 adults, one child...$110.00 (1 round of beer ea.) Sorry, not again.
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Review from Jessica H.
Canyon Country, CA
10/8/2009
I eat at the Backwoods Inn at least once a week. I'm never disappointed with anything I eat, from the Prime Rib to the Steak Sandwich, it's all great. The steak that I had yesterday was cooked to a medium rare perfection and the flavor was amazing. This was the first Steak house in Canyon Country and it has amazing history. If you're looking for an Outback style place go else where. Backwoods is a family owned business that is ran with a lot of love and care. I appreciate the quality of service, food and decor. How many restaurants do you visit that can count as a museum as well? If you're looking for great food and a charming atmosphere then look no further.
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Review from Karen L.
Santa Clarita, CA
3/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not as good as it used to be! My husband and I have been eating here for the last 15 years. Used to eat here three times a month. Haven't been here in a while so we decided to revisit, and boy have things changed. They've brought in new management and cleaned house. Only saw one waitress that we recognized. The bartender that used to serve us has vanished. His name WAS Lee. He made the BEST martini in SCV!!! This time my husband ordered a martini and the bartender served it in a scotch glass. It looked like a measured one-ounce pour. Have you ever seen a one-ounce martini? VERY little vodka!! He looked down at it and remarked to the bartender if he could get it in a normal martini glass. The bartender said the manager makes them pour it in those glasses. The antique cash register has been replaced with makeshift computer terminals and the hostess is very direct and ultra businesslike. She should be working in a law office, not a restaurant. There used to be this bubbly blond woman that was so welcoming and friendly. She alwasy had a smile on her face, even when this place was packed. My husband and I always used to say to each other and other friends that this is the last of the small non-corporate restaurants. This place has lost its homey welcoming feel. Bring Lee back! I want a good martini! Very sad.......
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Review from Jessica D.
Canyon Country, CA
11/15/2008
This place was better than I thought it would be. I ordered prime rib and it was very tasty. The clam chowder I had was also very good! I didn't really care for the inside decor, it was a little too dark for my liking!
