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I hate the canyon drive, probably because I got bad directions there.....I also wonder how often they clean the ties that cover the walls n ceiling lol.
But the food is reallllly good. Brought out steaming hot n sizzling of the grill. The "tenderfoot" is delicious!
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I was there tonight
The Food wasn't as good as usual
The chicken was like Rubber
The waitress was terrible (she put her hands on my French Fries)
This is a Health issue
I will not return
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This place is very hard to find if you don't know what you are looking for. Finding this place at night can be difficult. I read that President Nixon use to come here back in the days. I like to tell people, "If it is good enough for Nixon, it is good enough for me."
The restaurant is very saloon/barn like. Pretty dark and have ties that have been cut off patrons shirts hanging from the ceilings. I always tell my friends to wear our ugliest ties so we can get our pictures on the wall of shame there. One day we won't think it is a joke and follow through with it.
This is one of those places where I say I liked the feel more than the food. The steaks were descent tasting but not great. It is a fun place and recommend you try it out for the atmopshere and to know that you could have eaten at the table of "I am not a crook."
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This place STILL haunts my dreams!
MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT MEEEEEAAAAATTT!! BBQ SAUCCCEE!!!
(me gurgling and salivating)
oh my god, the meat!..... all of it is good. done medium rare. BBQ sauce all over it. mmmm.
fries are too skinny. my coca-cola was a bit flat. but the SUNDAE made up for it!!!!
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I've been here a few times for spur-of-the-moment dinners and for a night out on my birthday. The food and atmosphere make this place worth while and worth the drive up through what looks like Sleepy Hollow. The only thing I would say is skip dessert and I wouldn't really go up there to have a drink.
UPDATE:
Went again tonight....I take back what I said about dessert, do the hot fudge sundae.
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I've been here a few times for spur-of-the-moment dinners and for a night out on my birthday. The… Read more »
Food: 3.5 stars
Location: minus too many stars
People sitting next to us: DISGUSTING!
Okay I have been wanting to try here for a long time since it seems to be highly rated and we all know I am a CARNIVORE! haha Bring me the steak! lol http://www.kats9lives....
My friends decided to take me out and I chose this place, but little did we know that this is in BFE! I think the map said 11 miles or so but we drove and drove and drove.. every twist and turn... barely a house around.. I mean it was a scenic drive but where the heck were we going!!! My friend drove and I felt really bad b/c we were all thinking that better be some damn good steaks for all this pain!
I think the interior decor is so cute with all the ties. My friend wished she knew b/c she would bring one in for fun! The people seem friendly. Actually the funniest part was when we got there, parked in the gravel and looked around. One of my friends made the comment about how we will stick out like sore thumb.. 3 Asian women .. and we are city gals! This really is in BFE! I am not kidding you. I feel like I went back in time a little! lol
The floor is uneven b/c the trees that the place is built around umm the roots have become too wild? Yes, the place is built around trees and stuff. lol I thought my steak was pretty good for a Filet Mignon.. the meat was tender and flavorful enough. It's not the best or out of this world but one of the better ones I have been eating lately... Mastro's.. blech! lol
The Lil Wrangler was not a crowd pleaser for the table, but the Chicken Skewers seemed tasty. They have homemade dressing for the salad which was not too bad. The bread is like fresh off the grill too.
So I had a good time UNTIL.. this disgusting guy sitting next to us starts spitting.. i don't even want to know what kind of food onto the ground... I think something hit my leg which caught my attention.. Sure this place is not high classed but I would hope ppl would have MANNERS! We are not uncouth and uncivilized. That table is just disgusting! I don't think I would ever drive out there again but my steak was not too bad. If only they were closer and no disgusting people there.. maybe!
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After reading most of the reviews for this place, I just had to try the steak for myself. My girlfriend took me here for my birthday and let me start off by saying, "BOMB DIGGITY".
First and foremost ,I almost had a heart attack the day I went to this place. Not because of the steaks, but because of the journey getting to the restaurant. The main road getting to this place was quite spooky especially if you're driving on a pitch black night with pouring thunderous rain. To tell you the truth, I was having second thoughts on the way there, but you know what? I am so glad I stuck with my gut and followed through.
As soon as I walked in the place, it definitely did not feel like a typical steak restaurant. I was amazed with all the unique decoration along with all the thousands if not millions of sliced neck ties hanging from the ceiling. I loved it...
The food was spectacular. I ordered the rib eye steak. It is by far the best steak I have ever had. They made it how I love steak. Really tender with just the right amount of seasoning to make my appetite fulfilled. It came with fresh cooked specialty fries and fresh baked speciality beans. My girlfriend rarely eats meat, but she also ordered a steak and she gave it two thumbs up.
Overall, I cannot think of any other steak restaurant as good as this one where you don't have to wear a button up shirt with slacks. This place rocks and I can guarantee you will not forget about this restaurant once you've been there.
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This is not really a steakhouse, but more of a BBQ place of the sort you find in small towns outside of California. They are trying to imitate a fine Texas steakhouse (where the necktie gimmick originated) but they don't really compare favorably.
The steaks were good, but not anything to rave about. Service was about average.
The restaurant is in a ranch house, but tables are packed so close together, and the ceilings are so low, we felt cramped. There are a few trees growing inside and poking through the roof. Various memorabilia and trophies hanging on the walls.
The interior is dark, but the ambience is far from romantic. It's more of a small town dive feel than anything else.
I guess I felt let down after all of the raving I had heard about this place. If this were northeast Oklahoma, this would be the nicest restaurant in town. Unfortunately it's in Orange County, where you have a lot better options.
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Great food great envirorment and yes they cut your tie off to hang on the ceiling. The frys and steaks are awesome. The portion size is quite big so come hungry and be ready to eat.
I found the place very mediocre. Sure, it doesn't feel like you're in OC on the way there and you get about half a mile of backroads...but the road doesn't feed me...the restaurant does.
The ties were overwhelming. It's a novelty when hanging on the wall in the entry, but I really don't need 10,000 ties hanging over my head when eating, and hitting my head when I stand up...and I'm only 5'8.
I had a NY...nothing special really and to be honest, I can grill a steak at home that taste even better. My wife had a rib-eye, it was good but again, not great. My mom had the filet and she liked it...but she's never a judge of good food.
So...2* for my food, 3* for the ribeye....so I'll give them a generous 3*. Where's that darn half star system when I once again need it.
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I have to give them credit for their unique ambiance, decor and location. But ya know...it's kinda like that other steak joint that cuts off your tie if you come in with one on. Yeah...kinda lame...kinda not. This place has over 20,000 ties hanging on the walls and ceiling. But the real reason for the A-OK three stars is because this place was just mediocre. The food and service both. I had the filet and had a bite of the ribeye and both were just okay. The salad was okay...kinda had too much dressing though. I liked the fries and the wine. It's just a casual steak place...don't need to dress up and pay an arm and a leg for a slab of meat.
It's kinda hidden in the woods. Like a place where Bigfoot would reside. And you know I have a semi obsession with Bigfoot. Well...some of you do anyway. It would be a cool spot to take out-of-towners to. Out-of-towners meaning...people not from OC. It was novelty to me...an Angeleno.
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Went there last night with my cousin.
The food is about 3 stars since i think their steaks are above most other places.
I had the Cowboy steak (32 oz of top sirloin) I had to split it because of the size of this bad boy. It was very tender but overall was lacking flavor. Don't get me wrong though it was still a very good steak.
The only reason I'd go back again is to take some outsiders or someone who wants something a little out of the ordinary. The drive there is half the fun lol.
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Waay overrated. The food is just OK! Not worth the drive to BFE..
The fries are good, and the filet was decent.. but it isn't better than what I can get somewhere else for less.. The desserts also were a letdown.
I guess I wasn't really missing out on anything by waiting to come here..
Overall, just OK..so what if they have unique stuff all over their walls?
http://www.trabucooaks...
There are some people who swears by places like Morton's, Ruth Chris or Mastro's fro good steak. Yes those place does have good steak. but if you are a serious meat eater and love the flavor of steak and not just the nice cars in the valet spots and gold diggers sitting around you. THIS IS THE STEAK HOUSE TO GO TO!!!
the place is on the small size. but I've never had to wait long even with a full house. It is located in a valley and make sure you drive slow in the dark....it's really dark.
I have been here a handful of times and have never been disappointed. This is seriously the place for meat lovers, no fancy stuff for $50 and up, just plano cow. $46 for a 2lb steak, more than worth the money, why would anyone need fancy anything after that amount of beef?
As a suggestion I would NOT recommend their Vegetable skillets. I order one before and it was literally cooked in 1-2 cups of oil. it was really gross.
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Overall great spot. Historic, great food, unique atmosphere, and good service (just dont wear a tie).
I've eaten here several times and have never been dissappointed. All of the steaks are awesome, and the Beef ribs are fantastic as well...actually some of the best Restaurant Beef ribs I've had.
Only downside is that none of the offerings are PRIME, but the preparation makes up for it (real coal grilled).
If they had PRIME steaks this place would be a 7 out of 5
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I grew up not far from Trabuco Oaks, heard the legend of the secret steakhouse for years, but never actually stopped by for a meal until recently.
As noted in many of the other reviews, Trabuco Oaks is famous for being a hole in the wall with a minimalist menu where the staff will cut your tie off and integrate it into the decor. In fact, I'm sure that's why a lot of people go here, judging by the number of business cards stapled to the ties like little grave markers. If you're imagining Morton's, Fleming's, or Ruth's Chris, you will be disappointed in the atmosphere, but it certainly is unique. If you're imagining a more intimate place like The Arches you'll also be disappointed, it's not nearly that nice inside.
The quality of the food and the service also fall short of the southern California competition. There's no beet or endive salad with baby greens here, just shredded lettuce with italian dressing. Likewise, don't expect gourmet sides, they only have the basics like fries, baked potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and zucchini. They do serve their steaks on hot plates, but presentation is virtually nonexistent and the steaks I tried were lacking in flavor and texture. With other menu items including BBQ ribs and beef & chicken skewers, Trabuco Oaks strikes me as more of a BBQ joint than a steakhouse. Try the house BBQ sauce on something though, it's real tasty.
I hate to shoot down a local landmark, but I've always maintained that when it comes to steak, if you're going to charge upwards of $30 for it, then it had better be well beyond what I can do with your cut of choice from Costco and the dusty Weber grill in my backyard. I can appreciate the character and charm of Trabuco Oaks though, and agree with those reviewers who suggest it as a novelty for kids or out of town guests.
It's a cool place, for sure. Definitely fun to GET to, in the backwoods of Orange County (barely feels like California up there) but now that it's like behind my house I should be there more often. I don't remember the steak being anything to write home about, it's good and for a decent price, but really the atmosphere is the coolest thing. Indoor trees, decapitated ties posted everywhere, it's different. Oh and the dessert...god what do they call them there...gyeero...gryo...gizmo something like that - they're good! Like a fried ice cream concoction, different flavors varying between the months I believe. Worth the trip, for sure.
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Spent Xmas Eve here. The atmosphere was far better than anything you are used to getting in Orange CO. You get a taste of what this area used to be like before the Hummers and Housewives moved in. Check it out!
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Came here the same week we ate at Flemings. Came to get some steak because the first time we came we had the ribs and those sucked (which is why they are getting a 4...). Glad we had reservations otherwise the wait would have been over an hour - even with a reservation we had to wait 20 minutes.
My husband loves his meat - and he said the flavor of the steak was almost as good as Flemings - that says a lot....So, now we know where to go when we want a cheaper dinner that we don't have to dress up for. I had some grilled lobster here, not a fan of this method, makes it taste a bit sour. And note that their desserts are sub-par. We got a cobbler thing and it was frozen in the middle - Gross.
Next time my husband came with his friend, both wore neckties. Whatever. Apparently the song and dance routine is all nostalgia because they couldn't care less and were inconvenienced about cutting it off and needed to be reminded - they are at around 13,000 ties cut. And the steaks weren't as good this time either. Oh well. We'll still go back, a not as good steak from there is still superior over others...
After my wife found this restaurant on Yelp, she and I been wanting to go to this restaurant. Finally over the memorial weekend, we had the chance to go. From Mission Viejo, the drive was about 15 minutes toward the mountain. After reach the end of the civilization, we started driving into the mountain. After a few big and sharp turns, we finally arrived to our location.
From the outside, this place looks no different than any other country side restaurant. Once walked in, you can see the decor is very different. Even though we had our reservation, we still had to wait about 10 minutes before shown to our seats. The whole restaurant was built on a slant floor, so if you felt leaning one way, don't worry. That is normal.
There were not much choices on the menu. Therefore it did not take much time for me to find what I want. I ordered the beef rack and my wife ordered the sirloin. The meat overall is tender. My Beef rack was very tender. The meat practically can be pealed off the bone. However, the dish was a little bit too greasy for me though. My wife ordered the sirloin medium rare and the meat was prepared as ordered, with a pink center.
If you are in search of a different kind of restaurant, then I would strongly suggest Trabuco Oaks Steak House. However if you are not a nature person, and is not looking for a different type of decor, then I would suggest just go to Lonestar or Clam Jumper.
Allow me to over use the term "true original" yet again. This place is a real treat for out of town guests and locals alike. It's far from fancy, yet you feel privileged to be a part of its cozy rustic confines. Wear a tie and they'll cut it off. The steaks are good, the experience trumps the generic repetitiveness you find in most any other OC eatery. It's authentic, far from gimmick, and far enough removed from your everyday that it's a great escape.
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Yay for Trabuco Oaks! Fun to get to, fun when you're there. EXCELLENT beef.
- Don't go if you want something freeway-friendly; you really have to want to go there, if you're coming from points north or west.
- Don't go if you want something to impress that hot chick with. Kitsch and country galore; this ain't Morton's.
This place seems like a time capsule from a hippie 1970's commune built in the backwoods. Even the general store next door has the old Texaco gas pumps (non-operating) that have the Indian head symbol on it. You might even see an occasional horse rider passing by. In contrast and what feels like a world away but just a mile down the road are the modern cookie cutter McMansions of "The OC".
Casual is an understatement. The tables are covered with a plastic red checkerboard clothe. And the placemats resembling the back of bluejeans are something that your grandma made in her sewing class with "cute" pockets to hold the utensils. Cut off ties are hung from the low ceiling and by the cashier you'll see Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon's cut off tie behind a plexiglass montage.
As for the food, the quality of the steak was good overall. You can taste the smokiness of the meat from the mesquite wood they use and it does give it that extra flavor. The presentation was something special as the steaks were placed on a hot iron plate so they came out sizzling from the kitchen just like fajitas.
There is a squeeze bottle of bbq sauce on every table. The sauce was a great addition to the the steak. There are raves about the french fries but I found them a bit ordinary, the same goes for the salad and garlic bread.
Only gripe is the corkage fee, since we brought our own wine, is imposed per bottle of wine they open for you at $12. Of course, this might have been due to our waitress trying to earn an extra buck but still unnecessary. We tipped her accordingly.
Is there an echo in here? I guess there is, because I'm just going to parrot what all the past reviewers say...So I'll elaborate on the things that have been criminally ignored.
The salads are addictive. They tend to put a lot of dressing on the salad, but that's OK by me. I suspect the vinaigrette uses some sort of animal fat as the oil phase...amazing.
There's a side dish that you must try. The zucchini/ mushroom combo...platter thing, ah i forget it's name. Whatever it is, it's the most succulent zucchini and mushroom you'll ever have, ensconced in a blanket of melted cheese. Don't miss it!
Good steak, unique atmosphere, and good service. What's not to like?
First time here, everyone says the steaks are good. The restaurant seemed small and ties are hanging all over. My steak was not that great for the price they charged. Sat by a tree, hope there were no bugs in it. The parking is terrible, probably won't be back.
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I love this place!! I had the best dinner! It reminded me of great good home cooking and the service was the best! I had chicken that was juicy, not over cooked at all! The vegies were really good and the bread, yum! My favorite to be sure and I love the whole atmosphere of the place.
I love this place! I rarely eat meat and I have to say this is the best steakhouse I've ever been to. Yes, to answer your question, I have been to many a steakhouse as past BF's have felt that need for beef on a regular basis.
The place is a little obscure, not just in terms of location but...literally. There is a tree growing in the middle of the dining room, it's dark with ties older than me swinging from branches, rafters and covering the walls. How did they get there??? Well, wear a tie here (not a good one) and find out!
I went there last weekend and ordered the special: 6 oz petite fillet and 2 massive crab legs (the "massive" is from me, they didn't have that on the board). I was starving and trying to do math at the same time (not a good combo for me) and figured, hey, 6 oz...that's nothing so I ordered a mushroom appetizer, devoured my salad, ate two Texas sized pieces of garlic bread and pre-ordered something called a Gizmo (more about that later). So the huge pewter looking plate comes to the table, with these pre halved crab legs sticking out of the top looking like something from the movie Alien but strangely appetizing. I see the perfectly prepared fillet and the wonderful match stick fries covering the plate with crab legs and a vat of melted butter and I think I shed a tear, or the roof was leaking. I'm not going to say much more than the steak melted in my mouth like good sushi...I ATE IT ALL and don't regret one bite! Let's go back to the Gizmo. I had the banana Gizmo, and to be very honest I was drunk off butter so I'm not even sure what was in there but I can remember something rolled around a banana (some kind of pastry) which was fried, covered in ice cream and chocolate sauce. HEAVEN.
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I thought this place was just okay. I read all the reviews and I was really excited about eating here but I was underwhelmed. Maybe it was because I set my expectations too high. It's a really cool place but I was there for the food. I ordered the cow poke and I wasn't too impressed. It lacked flavor. I got the fries as my side, instead of the baked potato, after reading all the good things that were said about it but again I wasn't impressed. There were pretty much just regular fries. I give this place 3 stars because I was expecting one of the best steaks of my life and that was definitely not what I got.
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I've been here 2-3 times and it is FUN! Just the feeling you get when you go through the canyon and you pass the old gas station...you really feel like your stepping back in time. You walk into a crowded and over decorated lobby and you're always greeted by the NICEST people! I know that it was President Nixon's favorite restaurant and its probably because of how totally laid back everyone is there. We usually sit where a tree is growing out of the ground and through the roof. The salads are like your everyday salad- just much much better tasting. Josh thinks the steaks and seafood are succulent and very fairly priced. I usually don't end up finishing anything but I always have room for their dessert! Order the Gizmo. I didn't want to because I don't like the idea of something being deep fried but when I smelled what my fiance ordered I attacked the plate. So freaking delicious. I want to go there now just thinking about the gizmo.
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It is the best steak house you will ever go to. The steak is excellent, the salad is delicious, and the fries are good too. Try anything you want on the menu, its all very good and fresh. If you are really hungry, try there Cowboy (its a 2 pound steak)
Big ass steaks, crazy lumpy floors, trees growing inside, and neckties hanging everywhere...you can't ask for a cooler atmosphere or better food.
THIS IS AN ORANGE COUNTY MUST-SEE!!! A classic, with old southern california charm...rural, but GOOD FOOD, great variety, and good for families and little ones... BUT dress casually, no stuffiness allowed!
I love this place! It's a great piece of old orange county, and I hope it's always there. With all the chili's and friday's and applebee's and all that other cr@p, it's so refreshing to be able to go to a good old fashioned independently owned restaurant for some real home-cooking!
No one will beat this steak house for the taste of beef. Kobe beef does not have the caliber for this place. A little warning and advice, this place has a collection of expensive neck ties on the ceilings, and original patrons have told me that they cut neck ties off "suits" who ate at the establishment back in the days bacause it was strictly a cowboy place. I saw allot of expensive ties hanging like a memorial shrine from lost love ones. This place has been around South OC way before my time. Tucked and hidden, the location and setting will surprise you. But don't be frightened, if it deters you from going inside, just think of red meat going down your stomach. OK, once you order the meat from the menu and cut a piece of that heavenly choice beef, trust me it is soft and tender like cutting butter and the choice beef's fatty glazed is way better than Kobe beef. I was a fan of Kobe beef, but this one won my stomach again for high grade beef, and the anti "Wall Street" environment. You will leave here full and happy on the pockets.
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neckties hanging from the ceiling, placemats made out of old jeans, and the sweet smell of mesquite bbq... what more could you ask for in a steak house? my friend introduced me to the trabuco oaks steak house just last night and i must say..... i'm impressed. generally a prime rib worshipper, i decided to take a chance and get the 16oz tenderloin. i dont know what i was expecting, but what came out of the kitchen was this brick 'o steak that smelled like the most godliest thing ever. did i mention the ginormous pile of shoe string fries? did i? oh yeah, they were there too. the steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and i ate the entire thing... i thought i was going to have tenderloin coming out of my pores. this place is absolutely amazing and a real treat if youre ever up in the canyons. enjoy!
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I can't believe 1) that this place is still in business; and 2) how many people think this is good food. The salad looks and tastes like it came out of a plastic bag from Costco, the steaks are reminiscent of Sizzler, and it is so dark and damp down around the floor that I really worry about what is down there. I have been there twice in my 14 years in the Saddleback Valley; once because I kept hearing it was good, and the second time 10 years later just to see if I was wrong the first time. I wasn't.
i remember coming here for the first time when i was about 5, wearing one of dad's ties. they cut it off and hang it from the ceiling. everywhere there were ties and business cards stapled to the walls. i think back then i probably got terriyaki chicken. i went back several years ago with my family and it was absolutely wonderful. i was transported back in time, and it was exactly the same. the steak was delicious, and i remember they actually had a nice wine list. i think we got an opus or a willems selyam. i can't wait to go back.
Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse is a very special restaurant. This restaurant was established when RSM and surrounding cities did not exist. The atmosphere is amazing because it captures what Trabuco Canyon / Coto de Caza were all about 20 years ago...a peaceful life, away from the city, with down-to-earth people who love nature. Trabuco Oaks captures this atmosphere in a unique way. The steak and fries are outstanding. Note: Don't wear a tie, unless your mother in-law gave it to you and you're looking for a good excuse to lose it. :-) Enjoy!
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