Trabuco Oaks Steak House

We went to this place to celebrate my husband’s birthday last week. I made reservations and made sure that they knew it was his birthday. When we got there the service was awful. We waited a long time for drinks and throughout the evening they would not pay attention for refills… especially for ice tea or water and after we would ask 2 – 3 times when they past by our table. We had to wait a while for our food, which we got either over cooked or under cooked for the members of our party, but since we waited so long we were afraid to complain and wait longer. Plus the steak was just ok… Nothing outstanding. After dinner they just dropped off the check (which was incorrect and had to go back to be fixed!!!)…what happened with the celebration for my husband’s birthday??? Don’t think we will go back again. Not worth it!!!

Incredible steaks. The flavor and tenderness was amazing. The atmosphere was also great. Ine of my favorite steak restaurants.

This has been my favorite restaurant for longer than I can remember. We have gone there for my birthday for… ever. Lets just say that I was here the night the news came through that the Soviet Union had collapsed in 1991 and had been coming here long before then. So it’s fair to say that at least part of my rating has to do with personal nostalgia.
I ended up accidentally working a 14 hour day last week and when I got home I was TIRED! My wife asked me what I wanted for dinner and I said, «a good steak and a good bottle of wine.» We considered all of the options local to us in Lake Forest and couldn’t come up with anything that met both criteria. So my wife suggested Trabuco Oaks. This is how I know she really loves me.
I called ahead and made a reservation for 7:00 (it was about 6:30). We arrived and were seated immediately. Tina was our server and spent a lot of time going over the wine menu with us. On her recommendation we selected a very reasonably priced chardonnay which was OUTSTANDING and one I would have probably overlooked on my own. Unfortunately, because I had started work at 3:30 am, my brain was not working at full steam, so I have forgotten the name of the wine. Crap.
I ordered the Cowpoke, the 16 oz sirloin, and again because I was brain impaired, I ordered the baked potato. I always order the fries, because I LOVE their fries, but the little carrier they bring out with the baked potato toppings was shiny and by then I not only sleep deprived by a glass and a half of wine in.
The steak came and it was beef heaven. IMPORTANT NOTE: TO tends to cook a little under, so medium is going to be more on the medium rare side and MR closer to rare.
Are there better steaks out there? Sure… I’ll admit that, but TO still competes, and there is a giant freakin’ oak tree growing out of the floor next to my table and like 4000 ties hanging from the ceiling, so, you know, character counts.
The baked potato was… pretty much a baked potato. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t… the fries. When Tina came back and asked us how our meal was, I asked her (or at least the wine did) to remind me next time how much I like the fries. She immediately went and got me a little desert plate of fries so I didn’t spend the rest of my life regretting the baked potato decision.
Looking back, I now realize that this isn’t really a review of Trabuco Oaks as much as a quaint story about one of my experiences there. But I am like 8 paragraphs in, and really don’t want to start over. I guess that my coming here since the 80’s, and that when my Wife wanted to treat me to something special after a LONG days work, and thought of this place, is the review. So do what you will with that. But… add to that the FANTASTIC service provided by Tina because she earned the recognition!

Love the rustic ambiance of the place, sit in the back room where the trees are vowing through the roof and the tables aren’t even from the tree roots. Best steaks cooked on mesquite wood ever! We brought a nice bottle of wine and paid a minimal cordage fee. Don’t forget to order their skillet of mushrooms, yum and save room for their Apple gizmo dessert! Fun place to go that differ from the regular establishments. Will be back for sure!

This is a great little place to cap off a hike or even a trip to Tucker. Local flare. Great steaks done the way you want. Tell them Margarita Mike sent you.

First time here. Have driven by this place many times and heard mixed reviews. Loved the location and atmosphere. What you’d find in a mountain community or small town. I really wanted to love this place but unfortunately I didn’t. Ordered the fried chicken. Came with a salad and their house dressing. Seemed like Italian and the lettuce was drenched to the point of sogginess. Chicken was in the fryer way too long. Very dark on the outside, dry on the inside. If this was a Norm’s or Denny’s I wouldn’t have minded as much. Waiter was pleasant and accommodating. Young kid working as a valet was the high point. Very funny and pleasant. The menu prices were quite high and did not come close to matching to quality of the meal. With great food and pricing this place would be packed ²⁴⁄₇.

Tonight four of us had such a good experience at Trabuco Oaks, I must share with Unilocal.Firstly, the staff from beginning to end made us feel welcomed. Secondly we felt it was reasonable for a steak house as so many extras come with the price of the entrée (steak came with beans, salad, baked potato). There are 20,000 cut ties displayed, an old-​timey feeling, dimly lit with a table or a booth. The drive to the forest makes one feel like they really went somewhere, when in reality it is only 20 minutes from chaotic traffic. About $ 50 a person if you have a cocktail. Give it a try.

Came here after a LONG hike in Black Star Canyon. Thursday evening shortly after 8 not realizing that they closed at 9. The staff was so sweet, the place itself was not as busy as I thought it would have been.
If you are looking for a good BBQ place and you want a little bit of a rustic country vibe then this is your place. The clipped off ties hanging from the ceiling and pinned to the walls will let you know that «dressy» here is not the attire. Reminds me a lot of Pinnacle Peak in AZ.
The food is good, the salad and bread are REALLY good. Service is outstanding and they also have vegetarian options as well.
The BBQ sauce is amazing and the best part is that you can buy a bottle!

This is about the chicken fried steak… you’re a 5 star joint, but you need to bring this back! How could you take it off the menu??? This was the absolute best I’ve ever had and we always order it each time we come. Guess we won’t be back until we have the chicken fried steak on the menu again!

Have been to this place 50 times over the years. Went in recently and the wine list has completely vanished. Nothing but garbage left to choose from and their food prices are that of a fine dining joint– they are so not! $ 38 for a 8 oz filet served on a metal dish that moves around while you try to cut it, $ 37 for halibut, service that is always just the bare minimum, and a worn down restaurant that desperately needs some attention. I am all about tradition and always liked this spot but I truly can’t believe anyone goes here anymore. Too bad! My advice for what it is worth, decide what you want to be. A cozy spot with decent food at reasonable prices with a well priced decent wine list and mediocre service or a fine dining place with these prices, a great wine list, great service and a well maintained restaurant. Can’t have it both ways!

This is officially my favorite place for steak. Kick back hole in the wall with the most amazing food. Loves it! Don’t go here if you’re going to judge the book by it’s cover. This place is BOMB.
Expect to spend about $ 100 on two people. But it’s worth it!

We went to Trabuco Oaks this past week for an anniversary dinner after hearing good things about it. Very disappointed! We both had the steak and lobster. The garlic bread was nothing more than a thin slice of french or Italian toast with a little garlic flavor. My husband’s steak was overcooked. Lobster was not at all flavorful and small, plus mine was very tough. The salad was very basic and boring, nothing but lettuce and dressing.
He had one glass of wine, I had one drink… with the tip it cost us $ 160. Cute place, but for that kind of money I expected a phenomenal meal! It was a far cry from even «good»!
We drove over an hour each way to get there and won’t ever do it again. Waaayyy overrated!

I used you eat here as a regular about 10 years ago.
My husband and I decided to travel here for dinner last Tuesday night. When we arrive around 7:30, we were the ONLY customers in the entire restaurant accept for ONE women waiting to be seated? There were about 6 Hispanic speaking employees sitting in the lobby talking in uniform? It took the hostess about 2 minutes before she even noticed we were standing there and another 6 – 7 minutes for her to seat the lady who arrived before us?
Once we were seated, it took Gloria more than 10 minutes to come to our table and even take our drink order. She promptly left with out asking about an appetizer order? 15 minutes later, I got my hot tea and my husband, his diet coke? We ordered two appetizers which took more than 20 minutes to arrive.
In the meantime, we never saw Gloria even though we called for her out loud and tapped on our glasses, no one came? When the apps arrived, the poppers were not fresh but frozen grocery style and tasted terrible along with the awful ranch dressing and the onions rings with NO flavor were burned?
Still looking for Gloria as I have no hot water for more tea and we are not eating the crappy apps. She arrived many minutes later only after my husband asked for her at the front desk, did not apologize for the crappy apps and said our food would be out soon.
Almost ½ hour later… our food arrived. FROZEN butter for our baked potatoes, prime rib that was unseasoned, tasteless and of the lowest food grade possible! Husbands ribs were cold, tough and full of fat?
***NOTICE the staff walking right past our table to the out door dumpster with two large bags of restaurant trash!*****
Meanwhile…NO GLORIA? I finally got up and went to the front desk. The women/​hostess who sat us had the; «deer in the head light look»…no body home and was frozen with nothing to say about our service or meal? I asked for the Manager «OH, he left about ½ hour ago»…“who’s in charge”…no answer?
I went back to the table as we were getting ready to leave and all the food was still on the table. The hostess came to give us a business card and told US to call the manager???
Then, Gloria came over and proceeded to ARGUE vigorously with US about the fact that she gave us service? WTH? I have never had a waitress argue over top of me in defense of her shitty service.
It quite possibly is the worst service we have EVER received at ANY restaurant. ever!
My husband left his business card for the meager and asked for a; call back as we walked out of the dunner and the food. We have never done anything like that before.
UNBELIEVABLE if I had not experienced this for myself. 30 years ago, I was a waitress in a few TOP restaurants in Washington DC. We can’t believe this restaurant is even still in business. Perhaps, we should have gotten a clue when at 7:30 on a Tuesday night we were the only patrons along with one other woman.
STAY AWAY!!!

We love the Trabuco Oaks steak house! I actually get the chicken, which is always amazing, and my husband and father get steak and are never disappointed. My mom actually gets their lobster — but they have been out a couple times in the past, so now when we call to make our reservation we request one in advance for her.
Try putting the BBQ sauce on the garlic bread. Basically changed my life.

I was going to give them another chance but to my amazement on a Sunday they have Valet Parking now
Who are they kidding making Valet Parking mandatory
I never Valet park my car so I drove in and drove out
They had 5 cars in the Parking lot at 6 pm
Surprised this place is still in business after all these years
I will not return

Definitely overpriced for the quality of food and service. We would have had a more satisfying meal ording a steak from a waffle house at 3 AM…
Went for the first time today for a birthday. The drive was fun if you like driving in the canyons, the décor is outdated but unique to see.
We had «reservations» but when we arrived they seemed confused about where to seat us. After a minute wait we were led to the back of the restaurant through the bar into a room that looked like a wine cellar. Random pictures from kids pictures and random pictures from my great grandparents generation.
For a steak house the food is mediocre at best, I ordered steak medium rare but when it came out the cook was rare on some parts and medium on others. Their fish and chips looked more like corn dogs and even more disappointing was the amount of breading.

Arrived for a birthday dinner, and my first though driving down to Trabuco, was, sh*t, this is a steakhouse, was I supposed to dress nice, or is it casual?! I walked in and noticed that my jeans, and hoodie were A-​OK!
The drive to Trabuco Oaks was totally sketchy. I thought Jason was going to appear on the road with his machete and jump on my hood.
I have eaten at better steakhouses, but all in all, this is a decent place. I had the Porterhouse steak, potato and all the fixins. Sooo good! One thing I must say, that the prices are some-​what high. Maybe I’m basing it off the plaid table cloths, and cut ties hung about the whole restaurant, but hey, I’m not knocking the décor, but personally, when I think of a steakhouse, I think, nice ambiance, etc. No big deal, though (for me at least).
*random* There was a cute, little, love bug, tabby cat that was chillen in front of the restaurant. When he/​she meowed it sounded like it had smoked a back of ciggs. Such a cute little lover. The bus boy that happened to come out before we all walked in said, it belonged to the neighbors. So, be nice to the little baby. Give it a pet or two, and don’t forget to wash your hands before you eat.
I would definitely recommend this place and for sure go back.
PS, if you go there late at night, watch out for Jason.

It’s hard to rate this place. I want to love it. I really do. But when I think of an awesome steak dinner I just can’t marry it with plastic table cloths and garlic toasted wonder bread.
The steaks are amazing. There is no questioning that. The service was very good. Baked potato came with all the fixings on the side. I like that. The cherry gizmo dessert was awesome. The salad could have been better. It was bagged lettuce tossed in a house vinegar dressing. So much can be improved there.
What I didn’t love is the atmosphere. It felt old and outdated. The booth we sat in was broken down to where you felt you were on the floor. The place really needs a face lift. With that said my BF loves this place and couldn’t stop raving about his dinner. I guess I’m just a snob.

I used to think highly of this place but not last night.
I am fine with the outdated décor and the simple casual style. The cut off ties all over the walls is okay too. I like that it is a local, unpretentious, restaurant where you can show up in shorts and not worry about a dress code
The problem is that the food is mediocre and my steak was pretty bad last night. I had the 16oz ribeye for $ 40. I ordered it medium rare. The steak came out with fat/​grizzle all over the outer edges and was cooked medium well. It was low quality meat and didn’t taste good at all.
it was greasy and gross. My boyfriend ordered his steak medium well and his came out medium rare and just average taste and quality.
The salad was meh.
The beans were meh.
The bread is meh.
I was very underwhelmed with all the food and probably won’t be back.

This place is way out there. You certainly would not find it by accident. It is also quite unique. It has a rustic, divey feel inside. The ceilings are low, and the rooms are crowded with stuff. There are a few trees in the dining room. It is an interesting touch.
We had a large group and that is never easy. They sat us on time. Our server was nice, and did a decent job. The busboy struggled to keep up though. He was nice, but clearly was better suited for tables of four or less.
For my meal I chose the The Rustler. It is a 12 oz. filet. The steaks come with a salad, baked potato or fries and baked beans. They also bring garlic bread out with the meals. The garlic bread was tasty and buttery. The salad was ok. It is quite simple but has good flavor. The beans were solid. I enjoyed the potato. It comes with everything on the side so you can doctor it up how you like. The steak was solid. It was cooked as ordered. I would have liked a little more flavor from it, but it was ok. It was juicy.
They brought around deserts for the table to share. This was definitely the best part of the meal. I had one of the churros and a little bit of cheesecake. Both were very tasty. They had rich flavors. I would recommend both.
This place is worth the visit. It is certainly unique and the food is solid.