Local Wally's Guide to San Diego
The original locals guide to San Diego...since 1996
Make Mine Prime and Make it Medium Rare!
The doc said no more read meat, no more butter, no more wine, but I say "Look, you're on vacation" and nothing says indulge more than a great steak at a great steakhouse. When it comes down to it, is there really anything better, anything more satisfying than a big juicy steak? Make mine a rib eye, please!
And while San Diego has the big chains like Ruth's Chris and Morton's, we also have smaller local places that cater to everyone from locals to big spenders. Some with views, some with booths, all of them delicious.
Of course, nearly every big restaurant in town has a steak and most do them very nicely, but when it's a big night out for red meat I set my sights on a restaurant that specializes in steaks and these are my favorites!
Go ahead, get the big one! I won't tell, and you'll be back home and back to the gym before you know it so live a little!
8970 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA 92122 / 858 535-0078 380 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101 / 619 237-1155
Fleming's, I heart you. No, that's not a Brokeback Wally moment, I just love high end steakhouses and Fleming's is my favorite. I love the valet, I love the dark wood yet contemporary setting, I love hearing the sizzle the moment I walk in and love the mouthwatering aroma of prime steaks sizzling on the grill. Now I know, Fleming's is a chain much like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse but somehow the setting is less business meeting and more like a San Diego celebration dinner. With over 100 wines by the glass, you're sure to find your favorite or go Napa style and get a flight of three small pours to find one you love. Tremendous appetizers like the tenderloin capriccio or the decadent chilled seafood tower. Steak lovers will have their favorite cuts but for me there's nothing like a rare prime ribeye served with double cut shoestring potatoes, one order of fries big enough to share (and just try to get a few without spilling the whole basket!) And yes, the steak is big enough to share as well but tell the wife to get her own steak - a petite filet sounds good - and to leave you and your steak alone. If she loves you as much as you'll love this steak she'll understand.
THE LOWDOWN: Ruth's Chris quality in a more comfortable setting, still dressy but not stuffy. Two locations, La Jolla (near the freeway, no view) and Gaslamp District.
LOCATION: Two locations, La Jolla (near the freeway, no view) and Gaslamp District.
LOCAL TIP: On a budget? Check for specials in the bar like discounted appetizers and drinks till 7PM.
WALLY SAYS: High end steaks don't get much better than this!
880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego CA 92101 / 619 298-6802
Vacation dining is often about compromise. Go for the sunset view and you sometimes get a restaurant that's average at best, a Black Angus steakhouse at Ruth's Chris prices. Tourist trap restaurants with fantastic views are plentiful in San Diego, but lucky for you Island Prime isn't one of them. Serving up beautifully prepared food like prime steaks, chops, and seafood in a restaurant that overhangs the bay and offers stunning views of the cityscape is what you get at Island Prime, located next to the more casual C-Level restaurant. Get there early and get a table next to the window for the sunset show, sit back and enjoy one of their specialty drinks like the Black Bramble Martini (infused pineapple vodka shaken with fresh blackberries) and don't miss the Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Stack (blue crab salad, avocado, papaya-mango salsa, lotus chips, and caviar). Prime steaks, of course, and unlike some steakhouses where the non-steak entrees are mere afterthoughts, Island Prime's steak alternatives share equal billing and are equally fantastic.
THE LOWDOWN: Local restaurateur making beautiful food in a beautiful setting!
LOCATION: Harbor Island, near the airport and right on the bay
LOCAL TIP: On a budget but still want food with a view? Next door is C-Level, owned by the same people with a more casual menu and a bit lower prices.
WALLY SAYS: Killer views and excellent food, a great dining choice for a sunset dinner!
REI DO GADO BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE 
939 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 / 619 702-8464
Yes, I know I'm pushing the definition of "steakhouse" but where else can I put a Brazilian BBQ place that serves up "all you can eat" meat, meat, and more meat all cooked on skewers? Scary place for vegetarians but if you love animals it's like unlimited lap dances once the meat starts flowing. Here's the deal - the salad bar is filled with delicious sides and veggies, but warning, warning, this is not the proper strategy for Rei Do Gado. Go sparingly at the salad bar and do not fill up - and do not touch the bread! Once seated you turn your shaker to green and the waiters start arriving at your table with skewers of meat. Bacon wrapped fillets? Yes please. Baby back ribs? Of course. Leg of lamb? Sausages? Skirt steak? Beef ribs? Yes, yes, yes! You keep eating and the food keeps coming until you have the strength to turn the shaker to red, meaning no more food. All the meats are roasted over mesquite and everything is delicious. Now turn that shaker back to green, I want another filet wrapped in bacon.
THE LOWDOWN: All you can eat mesquite cooked meats on skewers, a carnivores dream come true!
LOCATION: Downtown, across from Horton Plaza
LOCAL TIP: Lunch menu is a lot cheaper at around $17 per person - fewer meats but you won't notice. Park across the street at Horton Plaza and get your ticket validated at Starbucks before you leave.
WALLY SAYS: You might not eat for days after dining here!
658 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 / 619 232-0225
THE LOWDOWN: In the heart of Gaslamp in the old Bijou Theatre, Greystone takes advantage of the dramatic architecture with upscale dining featuring aged beef, fresh seafood, and exotic cuts like elk, veal and buffalo, as well as pork, lamb and chicken.
LOCATION: Gaslamp District, downtown
640 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 / 619 450-5880
THE LOWDOWN: Part butcher shop (really!), super high end steaks, don't let the Cowboy theme lull you into thinking this isn't going to be pricey. Gaining a lot of attention these days from steak lovers as a contender for one of the best steaks in town.
LOCATION: East Village, on the edge of Gaslamp
WALLY SAYS: I like it that you don't have to order all the sides a la carte, making the initial high price seem pretty reasonable for steakhouse food.
DONOVAN'S STEAK AND CHOP HOUSE
570 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101 / 619 237-9700 and 4340 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA 92122 / 858 450-6666
THE LOWDOWN: Elegant steakhouse like the old days, dress up to fit in. Expensive with most steaks around $50, but unlike others that a la carte you Donovan's steaks actually come with the sides. Great seafood, too.
LOCATION: Gaslamp and La Jolla (no view at either)
1404 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014 / 858 755-1660
THE LOWDOWN: A 70's styled steakhouse - not because it's retro but because they never remodeled! Locals love Bully's for their reasonably priced prime rib, younger Yelp'rs pretty much hate this place, but if you're in Del Mar and it's late and you want a steak, none better.
LOCATION: Del Mar, but there's another location in Mission Valley.
1335 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 / 619 233-1422
THE LOWDOWN: You know these guys - they practically invented the high end steak, sizzling with melted butter. Once considered extravagantly priced, it's now right in the pocket when compared to the other options and the view of the bay on Harbor Drive gives it an edge for the superb location.
LOCATION: Embarcadero, close to the airport, across from the Star of India.
Need a few more minutes? Go ahead, start your restaurant search all over again!
I don't blame you, take your time. But know that no matter what you pick, if you pick it from my list you're virtually guaranteed a great meal because these are the places I eat at! Back to Cheat Sheet?
TOP OF THE LINE || MODERATELY PRICED || FAMILY DINING
LOCAL'S FAVORITES || CHEAP EATS
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