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Cafe La Maze
Categories: Restaurants Steakhouses Restaurants American (Traditional) Steakhouses, American (Traditional) [Edit]
1441 Highland Ave(between Nordica Ave & 14th St)
National City, CA 91950
Neighborhood: National City
(619) 474-3222
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
66 reviews for Cafe La Maze
Review Highlights
"We also enjoyed the live music."
(in 11 reviews)
"So I had a new york strip with blue cheese on top."
(in 4 reviews)
"...I both had the prime rib with garlic mashed potatoes (yum."
(in 4 reviews)
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66 reviews in English
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Review from Gail P.
San Diego, CA
1/30/2012 3 photos
Just like Yelper Jeff I., my son and I managed to get into Cafe La Maze for the anniversary special right when they opened and the line at 11:00 a.m. wrapped around the building! This place is popular. The $7 prime rib was wonderful and I loved the fresh vegetables. My son thought the clam chowder was delicious.
However, I must caution peeps that, while quaint, the Cafe attracts a seriously older crowd. Yes, nostalgia is admirable and you have to love that flocked red and gold wall paper. The over-sized pics that adorn the walls of movie stars from the 30's is cool. Even the waitresses are right on. I get a feeling here of a Vegas steak house trying hard to be upscale. There is live music on the weekends.
Years ago, this was the place where my ex and I would go for birthday and anniversary meals, so there is a certain je ne sais quai romantic quality. Especially the cozy seating in the leather booths and the dim lighting. The fact that Cafe La Maze has been around for so long must mean something. That longetivity is most likely because the Cafe is probably the nicest spot to eat in all of National City. -
Review from jeff l.
1/29/2012
Cafe La Maze is celebrating their 71st Anniversary with a Prime Rib Special Dinner for only 7 dollars!
It includes soup or salad, prime rib, potato and vegetables.
There was a big crowd but the wait was only 30 minutes.
The servers were dressed up in retro uniforms from back in the 30/40s vintage.
The prime rib was good and medium rare, the vegetables were better than most
steak joints in that they used fresh broccoli and cauliflower and carrots.
It had the feel of being back in time.
Service was slow as could be expected for a large crowd.
Not the best prime rib I have eaten but it was better than average.
A super great deal at 7 bucks for a prime rib dinner!
I hope this special brings more customers to the restaurant. -
Review from Robert C.
1/27/2012
Old school places like this are always tricky for me, I get the allure because it's a blast from the past but often times it's a pure nostalgia trip and the food isn't really enjoyable. Not the case at Cafe La Maze, it was the right amount of old fashioned swankiness with food that matched its reputation. Let's get the negatives out of the way, as is expected with places like this, our waitress was old, crabby and not very attentive. I've met lizards with more personality, so that was unfortunate. The dinner salad was plain Jane and I ate it simply because I was hungry. It's 2012, time to forget the iceberg salad, romaine, spinach or arugula can really make a simple salad more impressive, get with the program. The vegetables were mreh, too crunchy and flavorless, I wasn't impressed.
However, the prime rib is just plain stellar. Melt in your mouth, combined with spicy horseradish and juice on the side that put it over the top. Cooked perfect, gotta love a place that listens to you when you ask for it cooked a certain way, I can't tell you how many times I get medium when I ask for medium rare, not the case here. I haven't eaten 12oz of red meat in a long time, I had forgotten how good a nice slab of cow can be. Mashed potatoes were delicious, I crushed them. Finally the ambiance, I love live music while I eat, in particular when they get the volume right. Too many times places ruin your meal because the music is way too loud, not the case here, it was loud enough to hear but not cranked to the point where I couldn't hear the people I was with. A live jazz band while you eat in a dark, red dining room with old pictures on the wall, I felt I was in a time warp.
Overall, the good outweighs the bad, I loved the swanky atmosphere and delicious prime rib. I don't find myself in National City too often, but I would definitely go back and if you're down there looking to spend a little coin I'd say it's worth it here. -
Review from Ana T.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Red. Red. Red. Red walls. Red booths. Red. This place is very red. Most Yelpers have yelped about loving the red decor. For me, the old time rojo makes me think of two things: 1) Casper the Friendly Ghost: add a few big cobwebs and I swear Casper and his gang will appear momentarily. 2) Italian Mafia: pop a cigarette in my mouth and get me a glass of something heavily alcoholic because I feel like I should be getting into trouble. Think about it when you go. I give you permission to use this as an icebreaker with your hot date.
As for the food, it's A-OK, nothing special. Prime Rib is good enough, and the sauce that comes with it helps with the flavor. The sweet side of veggies is made a la overcooked, and the salad is meh with plenty of rotten tomatoes. King Crab Legs are fine (garlic butter sauce helps), but again nothing special. On the plus side, the mashed potatoes are fattily good, and the Coca Cola is satisfying... ahem, just pointing out some positives... don't want to sound entirely like a winy byatch.
At least the place is clean with an interesting ambiance. In four words: good enough, but overpriced. If you're in the mood for a sweet, buttery meal of this nature, Red Lobster usually does the trick - same price for a reliably good meal. Lesson learned: just because it's a Groupon, doesn't mean I should buy it. -
Review from Marti L.
San Diego, CA
1/1/2012
This is a very swanky joint perfect for special occasions!
We went to Cafe La Maze on Christmas Eve. We were looking for a place to have dinner near my mother in law's church and it seemed that all the area had to offer was taco shops. Don't get me wrong, I love a good taco shop, but for Christmas Eve we wanted something special...and Cafe La Laze was perfect!
I had the prime rib. It was as advertised...melt in your mouth. My husband had the filet mignon and he had praise for his meal as well. My 6 year old even loved the chicken strips and steakhouse fries. The portions were rather large and the prices reasonable.
We will return. Friendly staff. Nice quiet back room, front room has live music. -
Review from Dave D.
San Diego, CA
1/30/2012
Been going to Cafe La Maze for most of my life. Stopped going about three years ago when the long time owners sold. The food was bad and didn't like other changes. Was here for lunch last week, had the Prime Rib Sandwich, it was great. Came back on Fri evening. My wife ordered Halibut, I ordered Top Sirloin. Well the Halibut was good but not exelent like it used to be. I was unable to cut the Sirloin with the big steek knife provided, Got our server to bring a better knife. Well it was only a little bit better, but I was able to cut the meet. The sirloin was cold, It had been cooked at an earlier time and just reheated, absutly no flavor and still very hard to cut. I saved half the sirloin for my dog. When I got home I used one of our 40 year old Cutco Steak knives and it cut like it was butter. It seems to me that a restaurant would provide the sharpest best steak knives available to make their food look the very best. This is just "felony stupid" to have dull knives, who is watching the store. La Maze has been spending a lot of $$$ advertising lately. What's the use if you don't deliver the goods when you get people in.
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Review from Daniel A.
8/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I was very surprised. What a great place to go if you want that "old school" feel...red booths, dark lighting, you know what I mean, the type of place you expect Tony Soprano to walk in and sit down, and order up a plate of pasta.
I was there for lunch and had one of the best Prime Rib sandwiches I have ever had. The meat was thinly sliced and the bread had just enough crispness so that I could dip it in the delicious bowl of juice and still eat it without it falling apart.
I will definitely come back again. I was told they have live music every night, so I will be back to see what shady characters come in to have an old school cocktail. -
Review from Mitch K.
Corvallis, MT
Updated - 11/13/2011
Back again. Great meat & service. Very neighborhoodie. Read the one & two star reviews and those rare reviews mostly involve other than the food or service. This is a good, retro 50s or 60s atmosphere & food place. A date place.
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/6/2011
Yep...went back, again and this time tried the 12 ounce filet. Super good and I was stuffed. Had… Read more »
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Review from Brian H.
Solana Beach, CA
12/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This was my grandfather's favorite restaurant for fifty years. Since the remodel I have to say I have taken a a fonder appreciation for Cafe La Maze. The food is great, the service is good, the prices are affordable and the ambiance is very good. They also offer live music very often now which is very cool. The only reason I'm going to knock off a star is because the neighborhood isn't the greatest.
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Review from Roberto R.
National City, CA
8/18/2011
As a guy from the Midwest, I have noticed a shortage of classy places that cater to the prospect of a nice evening out in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Cafe la maze in no way disappoints.
Venue, there is live music with some very talented jazz cats from the area as well as a karaoke night on wednsday and a showcase on Thursday's, if your lucky enough to happen in on one of their Greek Nights, it's an absolute party and great time.
Food, I splurged and ordered the surf and turf one of my first times there and didn't know what to expect, my plate arrived and I was amazed, the steak was cooked to medium perfectly and was a very nice cut, not the disappointment of some thin small cut, rather a nice steak. The lobster was actually huge by comparison to some others that I have seen in SD, you know what I mean, the tail was huge, not one of those ones that are around the same size of the cup of drawn butter, served with a baked potato that made me homesick for a moment the meal was flawless.
Beer and wine, they are stocked with the standards of course but also have on tap brands such as Stella Artios as well as Shock Top and Becks, icy cold and perfect with a great meal. There is a massive stock of Red and White wines available and there is no shortage of top end liquors, recently had a crazy great time involving Patron and a lot of toasting to great company, which culminated with cab ride and smiles for days, and that is priceless.
Overview, great place. Perfect for a night out with the peeps and certainly fit to take a date for a great meal with the right type of atmosphere.
This is my first Yelp review, so impressed with this place on so many levels am I, that I felt inclined to share as I believe this is one of those gems in the 91950. -
Review from Dave O.
San Diego, CA
6/14/2011
Went on Saturday night with a friend and was surprised to see that it wasn't very busy at all. Maybe four or five other tables occupied which I attribute to it being after 8pm and it's "off the beaten path" location. Fine by me, nice to walk into a restaurant and not have to wait for a table.
The thing that struck me most about this place was the cleanliness. I have been to a few of these older steakhouse kind of places and most of them are a little tattered. One of them I even walked out of because the smell in the foyer was so musty. Not this place! Though it's 70 years old it must have gone though some regular renovations at it was in beautiful shape and completely comfortable and clean. The decor was spot on. The live music (a man singing with a guitar) was great background but not at all intrusive. An older couple dancing made the experience even more charming.
But why am I at a restaurant, to eat! And eat we did. I started with a French onion soup which was some of the best I've ever had including the toasted crouton. I ordered the 12oz NY strip and it was huge. (The waitress even commented that it was larger than usual) I like my steak medium and it was cooked perfectly (warm pink center). The garlic mashed were great without being over garlicy (which is sometimes the case at other restaurants) and the mixed vegetables were obviously fresh. In the end the steak was so big I didn't finish it so I'll know better next time to order a smaller cut and maybe still have room to try their deserts.
Our server was nice and attentive, again without being intrusive. And the timing of our starters and meals were perfect.
Overall an extremely positive experience for both of us and I look forward to returning to this hidden gem. -
Review from Robert S.
7/15/2011
This is your place if you like old-school, clubby, dimly lit steakhouses that have a retro jazz and standards band playing background music. I liked it especially because the star of the show, their prime rib, was so good. A thick slice, cooked to order, with horseradish and au jus on the side. A few steamed veggies so you can call it a balanced meal, baked potato with all of the fixings on the side, and you have a feast fit for a king.
There are higher-end steakhouses that want to have the atmosphere that La Maze has but don't quite capture it yet charge much higher prices. Whatever the secret is, don't ever change it!
The service was great and I was tired or would have stayed for a nightcap and to listen to the band. -
Review from Jonathan V.
San Diego, CA
3/7/2011
Walking into Cafe La Maze was pretty much how my dad described it, "Get ready to sit in a restaurant like the Godfather." With red draped walls, low seated booths, and pre- 1950s pictures lining the walls the ambiance is pretty much set for Cafe La Maze. We went there for my parent's 33rd wedding aniversary because they said the Prime Rib which they were known for melts in your mouth. Suffice it to say I wanted to try this steak for a pretty long time to see if it lived up to my expectations.
Menu from my family and I:
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
French Onion
Clam Chowder
House Salad
Regular Cut Prime Rib w/Garlic Mash
Carrot Cake
I was really overll impressed with the Prime Rib, The seasoning of the beef was a nice mix of spice and salt the the fact that I didn't need to incessently chew was the mark of that nice melt in your mouth goodness my Mom was talking about. Appetizers was of note too, the shrimp was nothing special despite their size, the soups were really good and I for one can tell what good French Onion tastes like, that was great. Dessert also impressed me because I usually have a disdain for carrot cake. Call it the five year old in me but I reserve veggies for appetizers rather than my culinary coup de grace, That carrot cake was spiced and textured perfectly that I ended up eating a majority of it.
Now I had originally planned on giving this place a 4 Stars but the extra star came from the live entertainment that played there that night. The lead singer and his wife were actually celebrating their 27 years anniversary. What a coincidence huh? They had some great classic hits from the 40s to the 60s. Also that bartender was easy on my dad's and I drinks. More rum in my rum and coke and more seagrams in his 7-7. Overall a great night which was a special night for my family and a place I'd recommend for yours. -
Review from Claudia B.
San Diego, CA
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
My steak was dry and flavorless. The ribs were good. Customer service was great but the place was very loud. The area in which this restaurant is located is a bit on the ghetto side.
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Review from Marisol F.
San Diego, CA
9/27/2011
I was there for dinner friday night , it was a full house, my husband and I both ordered filet mignon, it was tender and juice, delicious! Food is great. We also enjoyed the live music.
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Review from Phil S.
San Diego, CA
3/11/2011
Great food. Very nice wait staff.
Best secret in SD area.
More seating than parking.
40/50/60
Kids won't get it.
Ssssssh -
Review from Dayna F.
San Diego, CA
9/19/2011
I had heard so many great things about his little gem in the middle of national city, but was left pretty disappointed. Since we arrived with great company we did have a really nice time here; however the food was very ordinary, but served in large portions. Our waitress was sweet, but not the brightest. She brought out the wrong bottle of wine two times in a row. On her third try, she apologized that they were out of it and offered to give us a different bottle at the same price as our desired bottle...but the different bottle was $15 cheaper than our desired bottle! The only thing this place has going for it is great decor and ambiance.
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Review from Maggie M.
Chula Vista, CA
Updated - 2/1/2011
Before I start I will say THIS IS THE PLACE for beef.
BUT! For their Anniversary event ...
We had reservations for 6:45pm. on the night that they had the Prime Rib special.
We show up and are told there will be a minimum 45 minute wait, even with reservations. Then it gets topped with "We're out of Prime Rib". HELLOOOO? That is what we are THERE FOR. This is what you ADVERTISED for today, and you are OUT OF IT at 6:45pm?!?!? What the HELL?2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/29/2008
We went back again a couple months later.
What a difference.
The beef is (of course) fantastic, and to… Read more »
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Review from Kaysi R.
San Diego, CA
10/10/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I had posted my previous experience about La Maze..... I personally was contacted by the owner a really nice sweet down to earth man. He did everything possible to make our next visit a great one the duo band was Awsome!!! The meal was so full of flavor and si delish!!!
The place was packed and still romantic I LOVED IT !!!
Every ingredient is fresh and has a homemade taste to it.
I had new York strip w/ sauteed mushrooms....
Garlic mashed potatoes.......
Fresh seasonally veggies......
Everything was Awsome full of flavor.
Thank you Chris we'll be back soon :) !!! -
Review from Adrienne G.
National City, CA
7/15/2011
Oh cafe la maze... You have been serving national city for so many years. This place takes me back to being a kid and not appreciating the prime rib or history behind it. The red vinyl booths and mob-ish vibe is truly a site to see. I really do love it here, even if I only stop by once maybe twice a year. The service and food is consistently good, hard to find. Clientele is pretty interesting too :)
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Review from Leslie P.
San Francisco, CA
4/17/2011
I really wanted to like this place, but the service was BAD!
We arrived there and got seated right away. Our waitress, Liz, comes up to us shortly after sitting to take our drink and appetizer order. We put in for an order of calamari. She verifies the order by repeating it back to us, "Calamari Strips?" We were pretty much ready to order our main course so we put in that order as well. So, our soup and salad came out first. Some time has passed and we were still waiting for our order of calamari. Even more time has passed and we noticed that a couple that was seated AFTER us received their meals. We were very irritated at that point. We see our waitress pass us a couple of times and after giving the waitress the look of "where the hell is our food??" each time she passed, she finally comes up to us. She came up to let us know that our food is taking longer, because the filet mignon was ordered medium well! SERIOUSLY? A couple seated after us had already finished their soup and salad and started eating their steaks before we got our meal. Does it really take that long to cook a 9oz filet mignon? My boyfriend and I have eaten at several steakhouses, but we've never experience food to take as long as it did that night.
When the waitress came up to us regarding our steaks, I asked about the calamari order we put in. She had this confused look. She obviously completely forgot about that order. She said that we never ordered it so we had to remind her that it was the first order we put in and she even REPEATED the order back to us!!! Her response to that was "OH, well I didn't write it down!" So, she didn't write a customers order down even after she repeated and verified the order immediately after we put it in? We had to just forget about that order, because we just could not wait for it any longer.
The food finally comes out and it is nothing to rave about. I ordered the prime rib and seriously nothing special about it. I can go somewhere else, order it and get better service without a waitress forgeting an order. The filet mignon that my boyfriend ordered was very dry. It was hard to finish the few bites that my boyfriend let me try.
The one star that I am forced to give this establishment will go to the decor. I will give them that, because it is a very cool vintage feel, but It was probably the worse dining experience I've every had. I will definitely not come back to this restaurant ever. -
Review from Ellie V.
Seaside, CA
2/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
My husband and I ate here for our anniversary which coincides with Valentine's Day and the atmosphere was right up my alley. Everything from the live band to the wallpaper to the black & white movies playing on the tv screens set a very old time mood. Another good thing was that we were seated on time for our reservation even though it was very busy.
My husband and I were both disappointed in a few things however. Our waitress had to come back and ask us our drink order more than once and the same happened with our dinner order, it seemed as though it would have been much more efficient to just write down our order rather than trying to remember it. She also refilled my husband's iced tea without asking if he wanted more, which is generally ok when refills are free, but its less than appreciated when they charge for them and he didn't want the refill in the first place. We both also disliked the flow of the food. We ordered the potato skins as an appetizer and our soup and salads arrived before we got the appetizer. In fact, we didn't have a chance to take one bite of the skins before our entree got to our table. There was also a huge gap between the soup and salad and when the appetizer did arrive.
The prices were decently affordable for what you were served, but the only thing that really impressed either of us as far as taste was the chicken noodle soup and dinner rolls. -
Review from Adrian D.
San Diego, CA
I love this joint! If anyone knows me, this is exactly my type of place. Live Jazz and a great steak! what more can you ask for? Oh yeah, cheap drinks as well. Just go over there!
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Review from R S.
Los Angeles, CA
10/17/2011
I happened to be stuck on the south side of San Diego recently after a work meeting in downtown National City. My client had deserted me unexpectedly but my boss was paying for dinner so I figured, where is the most expensive place I can go on this side of town?
I'm not too familiar with the area south of downtown San Diego (National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach) but it only took me an hour to drive from one end of things to the other and I didn't see anything that made me look twice. The area is mainly working class suburbs and if you ever wondered if was possible to stick 500 taco/burrito stands in a single mile stretch I urge you to merely take a drive down the main drag of Chula Vista! I get enough great Mexican food in LA so I finally just pulled up Yelp and picked a steakhouse that was highly rated, that being Cafe La Maze!
Driving up to the place I almost thought it was too late and they had gone out of business. The exterior is a windowless box of a place that doesn't really come alive until after dark when the big 1940s style sign lights up. Walking into this place I was taken right back to that time period. Their website describes this place as getting started when an LA chef who was popular with celebrities decided to create a stopover point for his celeb clientele and friends who were on their way to the Mexican resorts popular back in the 30s and 40s. And not surprisingly this place seems just like one of the old-time red-vinyl booth and wooden panelled places you'd find in Hollywood next to Musso & Franks. Most of the space is taken up by the dining area but the rest contains a small area where a band sets up to play jazz alongside the bar area where a group of mostly out of place looking locals holds court.
I was dressed in business casual but it didn't seem to matter here as most customers seemed to have drifted in from the beach in flip flops and shorts! (Oh California!)
The Yelpers were pretty high on the prime rib which was called 'melt in your mouth' and it took a lot to convince me to depart from getting a steak but ultimately I decided on the surf and turf based on some of the photos on the yelp website.
My waitress was very folksy and accomodating, calling me 'hon' and touching my arm and shoulders several times over the course of my meal. Ordinarily I wouldve figured we had gotten to 2nd base but since she appeared to be on the far side of 60 I let it slide.
I chose the steak chili appetizer which was homemade and probably made using leftover meat scraps as most steakhouses seem to do. It was good but the dinner rolls that came were just okay. I've made pillsbury rolls out of a can that tasted fresher but you don't go to a place like this for the rolls so who cares.
When my meal finally arrived I wanted to take a picture, it looked that good! The prime rib was over an inch thick and unlike most restaurants that serve it, there was very little fat in the center and only enough around the edge to flavor the meat. The chef clearly trimmed the meat well! I had asked for medium and it was exactly medium with a nice pink color. There were plastic cups of au jus and horseradish sour cream along side the veggies. I had chosen the garlic mashed potatoes and they were done well, clearly homemade with chunks of potato here and there not quite mashed but suitably tasty with a little of the au jus over the top. But the standout was the lobster tail which was huge! and completely popped up from its shell attached only at the tail alongside a cup of drawn butter. This is not the crappy little rock lobster tails you get at Red Lobster folks! These babies were huge! I had to stare at all the food for a moment before digging in. The presentation was excellent. The only thing that could have made it better was if they hadn't used those plastic cups. At these prices I expect to see real dinnerware. This isn't Carrows or Cocos afterall! But its all about the food right? So who cares.
If only things couldnt have tasted as good as it looked. Perhaps my expectations were set too high because the meal looked so great but everything just tasted....'okay'. The prime rib was good, better than what you'd find at say...Black Angus or Outback Steakhouse, but not nearly as good as what I have had at Lawry's or even some of the better buffets in Las Vegas. They do use good quality meat but I can't say it was 'melt in your mouth'. It was definitely good tho.
The bigger crime was the lobster which just didn't seem to have any flavor and was a bit tough, dare I say, over cooked? I've had this same experience with Mexican lobsters but this was advertised as Australian so I thought it might be more tasty but this was just disappointing. Overall, this place was good, definitely among the 10 best places south of downtown S.D. so if you're looking for a place to drop 50 bucks, you can't go wrong here and you will definitely leave full. Next time, I'll try the steak! -
Review from Steve P.
National City, CA
Updated - 3/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
On 2/24/10, Ed B. writes: "Wow for being a National City Business, the food was excellant, i will return again!"
Thanks, but... what is that comment supposed to imply? National City is a slum that primarily specializes in poor food quality and sub-par service? That there are no trustworthy, or sanitary restaurants within a ten mile radius worth noting?
The potential implications within such a carefully worded review such as Ed's are mind-boggling, but I forgive...
...and I forgive because I'd like to state that I had the shrimp scampi at Cafe La Maze for the first time on 3/19. The service at the restaurant was prompt and exquisite. The scampi was delicious, nutritious, filling and my bowel movement the following day was completely healthy and on schedule, okay ED?!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/11/2010
Do you like steak? No? Well, you're an idiot if that's you're sole determining factor for shunning a… Read more »
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Review from Alexis D.
5/23/2010
Every time I've driven by Highland, I always thought it was just an old man's bar. For many years I believed this.
I'm a big time coupon lover and one time I was looking through the daily junk mail, and I always browse through the "Get1Free" coupon booklet and I came across a few coupons for Cafe La Maze.
Since that day, I soon found out that it was a restaurant, bar with live jazz bands on certain days. So, I invited the girlfriend out to Cafe La Maze.
The parking lot is a bit small and can get a bit tight to back up.
As soon as I walked in, I absolutely loved the atmosphere and decor. I always prefer well dim lighted restaurants and this place had it just right. Except, my table was no lit enough to take a picture of the food. That was huge bummer. All the seats were red leather, black and white portraits on the walls, decent chandeliers, candles on the tables and it just gave it that old school 70's look.
I ordered the New York Strip 12 ounce with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. Our food came at the right time with a good amount of people at the restaurant. Our waiting time was approximately fifteen minutes. The steak was really good. I always order them well done and that's why my steak was just a bit difficult to chew. But, that's not they're fault. Now, I usually order any steak medium or medium well done. The mashed potatoes were also really good. I didn't like the vegetables that much.
Before we were seated, I had a few words with the owner and I told him it was our first time here and what led us to come here was the coupon that I had. He seemed pleased that those coupons are attracting customers. So, as a result, at the end of our dinner, he brought us a free cheesecake. That was really nice of him to do that. The cheesecake was OK.
Some of the entrees were really expensive. I noticed many of the steaks no larger than 12oz were between $20 and $30. I think some of the food is overpriced.
Throughout our dinner, the band was playing some great jazz music. The vibe and atmosphere was perfect and the food was good.
I almost forgot, the service is excellent. Our waitress was attentive, polite and informative about the food.
I'll definitely visit this place again and next time ill try they're filet mignon. -
Review from Mollie N.
Chula Vista, CA
5/13/2010
Really quick review here...
(1) Parking was adequate
(2) Atmosphere was old school and adult
(3) Hostess and waitress were very friendly and competent
(4) Bread was good
(5) Blue cheese salad dressing was runny
(6) Ribs were 4-star
(7) Prime rib was 3 star, cooked medium-rare as ordered
(8) Baked potato was above average sized
(9) Good beer and wine selection -
Review from Mike H.
San Diego, CA
2/15/2010
First, the food is not 4 stars. In the food department CLM ranks in the middle of San Diego's old line steak places. That ranking reflects the improvement they've been making over the last 8 months or so.
The decor, atmosphere and jazz wafting through the restaurant inspires the magical. On our recent visit the staff went out of their way to make us feel like lord and lady of the manor. We don't have a reservation? "No problem, would you mind waiting 30 minutes?" Can you make Leap Year cocktail? "No problem, tell me what is in it." Can we change our order? "No problem let me run to the kitchen" All of these 'no problems' came on their busiest night of the year.
Don't let the $$$ scare you away. We imbibed in 4 drinks, two dinners, a bottle of wine plus dessert and got away for less than a C-note including tips for all. Perfect for these economic times.
Bottom line if you're looking for the ultimate steak or even a decent baked potato go elsewhere. If you are looking for the complete evening and don't mind dodging the occasional oxygen tank this place is worth seeking out and that is 4 stars. -
Review from Cali C.
Imperial Beach, CA
7/24/2009
This place is freakin rad.
old school red leather booths, super dim lighting, jazz band playin on the weekends... geeeeez get me a manhattan STAT!
and you can have one too since the menu includes a whole listing of drinks straight from the 1920's.
So I had a new york strip with blue cheese on top. goodness gracious. tender and very flavorful, and cooked rare (perfect). baked potato was marvelous as well.
my mom claimed her prime rib was overdone but hey she ordered medium when she should have gotten it bloody.
my brothers pasta was absolutely god awful so i told him not to eat anymore of his dish, then gave him a bite of my steak and the kid was hooked so we very politely told our waitress that he wasnt feelin the pasta and she had no qualms about switching it for a steak (i think she knew the pasta was crappy). I wouldnt take a star off for the pasta because this is a freakin steak house so i rated it as such, not to mention how cool our waitress was about the situation... Did i mention the service was fantastic? Bottom line: great vibes, great steak, great music what more could you want?
TIP: the restaurants website offers a ten dollar off coupon when you spend 30$ or more. -
Review from liz l.
La Mesa, CA
11/21/2009
What a find! I happened to find this place on the internet somehow. I mistakenly thought it was part of a restaurant card deal. Turned out it wasn't but what a happy accident indeed!
There was live music playing as we walked in. I was pleasantly surprised by the decor, which has obviously been updated recently. It's a cozy, romantic ambience- red and silver flocked wallpaper, shiny red booths, and low lighting. The service was friendly and capable, our food came quickly and everything tasted great. My husband and I both had the prime rib with garlic mashed potatoes (yum!) and sadly were left with no room for dessert.
Maybe next time...we'll definitely be back. -
Review from Max G.
San Diego, CA
8/2/2008
Brown Derby take 2.
Great steaks.
Great music in the background.
Ate like a king.
Not a lame crowd.
Me thinks I like it. -
Review from Big V.
San Diego, CA
3/20/2011
I'm sorry but just because a place has been around forever doesn't mean it should. The service sucks and the food is ok at best. The restaurant is dirty so of that matters to you, go to downtown only a few minutes away.
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Review from Lawrence D.
San Diego, CA
4/17/2011
This had to be one of the worst dining experiences I've had.
The interior had a cool oldies vintage look and feel and they had a live music which is probably the best thing about the place. We sat down and decided to order. Our waitress (Liz), brought us drinks and took our orders. We decided to go with the Calamari strips, Filet Mignon and prime rib entrees. While eating our first course of soup and salad, we noticed another couple arrive and sit in the booth next to us. A while later that same couple were through their first course and into their entrees before we even received ours. I looked at the waitress and she knew what I was thinking so she came over and let me know that my filet mignon was taking long because I had ordered it medium well. Of all the steakhouses I've been to, thats the first time I've heard of an ordered backing up because of a medium well steak. We then asked about the Calamari strips we ordered and she had the nerve to tell us that we did not order them. When I told her that we did and that she even repeated the order "CALAMARI STRIPS" back to us, she did not have anything to say. Not too long after, We received our dinners. The prime rib was not bad but my filet was over cooked and tough to chew. After the meal, I just wanted to handle the check and get the hell out of there. Not worth the time and money in my opinion. In the future (Pricewise) I'd choose Black Angus or Outback over this place anyday. -
Review from Christopher V.
Chula Vista, CA
3/11/2010
I heart beef.
So I heart Cafe La Maze.
The other reviews adequately extol the virtues of this place, so it's difficult to add much, um, meat, to the discussion. What's inside this nondescript building in a quasi-crusty neighborhood belies all first impressions.
I've had lunch here twice, and both times I ordered the 9 oz filet mignon. Heaven. And that's coming from someone who was raised in Iowa, and fed a regular diet of home-prepared beef that was hand-selected by a family friend, from the cattle he raised himself. While it doesn't get any better than that, the filet at CLM is close enough to induce a swoon. Especially when compared to the beef one can conveniently purchase in chain grocery stores, which by comparison tastes more like it was carved from a horse.
This week my lunch partner also declared the prime rib sandwich, "Amazing. One of the best I've ever had."
For me personally, the location is also a great compromise between my own personal and willing banishment to Otay Ranch, and where my cooler, hipper friends live in Little Italy, Hillcrest, etc.
The service on my first visit was good. On my second visit this week it was exceptional. Our waitress clearly enjoyed her job, smiling constantly, and must have refilled my Diet Coke four times, even though in total, I don't think I consumed a full glass.
The prices? For the quality and experience, (shh) this place is a steal.
You must go here.Listed in: 5 Star Rarities
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Review from Amber R.
San Diego, CA
4/26/2011
I would definitely recommend this place to everyone... The food is amazing and if you are in the mood for a delicious steak your in the right place... The atmosphere, bartenders, waitresses, ALL of the staff as so nice and attend you in a timely manner. They make you feel at home and not to mention the drinks are perfect as well. if you are looking for a place to take you loved one too for a nice dinner than go to Cafe La Maze :)
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Review from LILY W.
Chula Vista, CA
2/19/2011
Really wanted to try this place since there's always a coupon advertised in my Buy 1, Get 1 book, but what a disappointment!! Let me start off with the decor and ambiance since its probably the only thing I enjoyed. Although, the location is less than desired so that's a fyi for others trying to find this place to have some grub and the parking is a bit of a mess because you have to enter on 15h St. or something like that or else you'll pass it quickly and all the parking stalls are faced from that angle. The place itself inside is pretty nice, reminds me of those old Italian and mafia steak joints style with their big red booths and dim lights. Was thinking I would see some dark haired man in the corner back booth with a guard standing on his side ;) Now one thing to remember, I do like the fact that this place has withstand the times and has been open 40s, which I think is awesome, but it means that's also something to keep in mind as in the crowd you'll find here.
Now even with that said, we had a bit of a wait, 15-20min, even though it was obvious to us that there were empty tables so that was a bummer, but we didn't mind and read the cool 1940 article/info papers they had on the wall. When we finally were seated we entered the land of the abyss. We were taken all the way to the back room where there was no music or sound of any kind. It was eerie and we felt like we couldn't have a conversation because the only other two groups that were there would have heard everything we said, YIKES!! This also meant service was slow and lacking!! I also could not understand why even in the back room where there was no one else, we got seated at a flimsy fold out type table with fold out chairs, can you say uncomfortable? When surrounding us there was multiple empty booths, ugh!!
On to the food. Even with service like that, I could easily give a place 3-4 stars if the food spoke volumes to me, well the food was definitely nowhere near stellar and only spoke on mute. My husband and I opted to not get an appetizer, my sister did and the fried calamari itself was okay in texture with good crunch, but the supposed cocktail sauce tasted more like sweet ketchup, which was odd to say the least. My sister and I both got New York steak and man was it bland then to top it off, my sister got rice pilaf, which was so dry and crunchy that you could hear it moving around on her plate. When she explained that to the server they asked her to put the rice on another plate so there would be evidence of it or else she could not have another side, REALLY? That is terrible customer service. On top of the steaks being bland, it was still pretty dry/tough even when I ordered medium. The only thing that I could speak of that did taste good was my husband's prime rib, definitely order that since even if not full of flavor, it comes with dipping sauce as it should and it was tender. And to bring it back to service, everything took so long!!!! From beginning to end, we were there for 2 hours, no bueno!! -
Review from Bruce W.
Austin, TX
6/29/2008
If there were a machine that could actually gauge human coolness, your readings would go off the charts upon entering this place.
It reminds you that a classier time existed in this country. And the food delivers. We all had cuts of prime rib that are talked about to this day as a standard of big-time dinner experiences.
This place passed my old-school cocktail test as well. I asked for a bourbon Old Fashioned, and it was made well. You can't get that drink made correctly very often.
Better than Albie's. And I really like Albie's. -
Review from Dianne M.
Gretna, NE
9/18/2011
When we were sat at our table, there was something sharp that cut my husbands leg. Prime Rib was overcooked and dry. The waitress got two orders wrong, which the manager fixed right away, but she argued with us first. My son's steaks were very good. I will not be going to Cafe La Maze again. Oh and there was a "singer" there that night, yeah, he was not very good, but he was loud which made it hard to talk.
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Review from shey b.
San Diego, CA
8/23/2010
in a ghetto spot but you get inside they did well with remodeling and re decorating! Jazz nights good food....parking sometimes sucks but I would take my family here for something different. It looks like a cougar spot but ignore that hahaha
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Review from Carlos C.
Spring Valley, CA
10/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
My girl and I went to La Maze last Friday because of some of the reviews mentioned live entertainment. We made reservations for a Saturday night 8:30. Place had a decent size crowd and a live music duo (actually really good 60s, 70s and more). Ordered the ribeye, soft big and juicy. Will definitely be back...
