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    Cowboy Star

    4.3 (2.4k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSteakhouses, Bars
    Open 3:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Cowboy Star Photos

    Business Info

    COWBOY STAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Cowboy Star

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    The wedge
    Luisa C.

    My husband and I went there on a Friday at 5pm for dinner and our server Mark was great. He really took care of us and knew exactly what to do, very knowledgeable of the entire menu and their summer specials. Now the food! Amazing high quality steaks. I ordered the filet mignon and my husband the bone-in dry-aged ribeye. The wedge is simply amazing! A must try! Plus, a very special amuse-bouche. I'll definitely be recommending this place.

    Sangria
    Angela L.

    We came here to celebrate my son's graduation. We had reservations at 7 and arrived a little early. We were lead inside to a large booth. We were given drink menus, regular menus, and the specials. My son ordered the prairie blossom which was basically a floral margarita. My husband got a sangria and my mother-in-law got a glass of cabernet sauvignon. The prairie blossom was sweeter than the usual margarita. The sangria was fruity and dry. My mother-in-law liked her wine which went well with the steak she ordered. My son and mother-in-law both ordered the special aged rib eye. I got the mussels and my daughter got the Mac and cheese. My husband also got a rib eye steak but from the regular menu. The beef was cooked to a perfect medium rare. They were tender and full of flavor. The dry aged just had a bigger beef flavor. My mussels were good and plentiful. Unfortunately, a few of them had sand which made it slightly unpleasant. Another sticking point is having to pay for bread service. It was good but not $10 good. Overall a good meal.

    New York strip
    Briana C.

    We came here for my son's bday dinner given the fun theme and enticing steak menu. We had a reservation and were quickly seated at our table. (I regret not requesting a booth and was told it would be an extra hour to wait for a booth, so we took the table. But the half moon booths look awesome). Our waiter was somewhat stoic but professional, was knowledgeable about the menu and gave good recommendations. There are several serving staff who fill water, bring bread and clear tables which is nice. Service was truly excellent, plates were cleared quickly and my water was never below 3/4 full. The steaks were cooked perfectly- crisp and buttery. Steaks come w mashed potatoes and broccoli and we ordered a side of mac n cheese to share which was big and definitely sharing size (we even brought some home) Although they charge for the bread you MUST try it. It's basically a divine appetizer and one serving is enough. We enjoyed the bread pudding and banana cream pie for dessert and both were very tasty. I have no complaints at all and would def return for a good meal. Price is on the higher side but it's downtown and for the quality of the food was on point. I have lived in San Diego for 30 years and cannot believe I've never been to this restaurant, which apparently has been here for 18 years. If you're looking for a trendy western themed dinner spot, with delicious food, make a reservation at Cowboy Star!

    Wedge Salad
    Don B.

    Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop on Tenth Ave offers some of the best steaks in town. Dry-Aged beef as well all the classics such as Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Porterhouse and Ribeye. On this visit, I was excited to come back to Cowboy Star as its been years since my last visit. They definitely made some really good changes with increased seating a more intimate dining area. The night started of course with bread - buttery, soft and so fresh its melts in your mouth. Second on deck was the wedge salad which had one of the fattest piece of pork belly and it was so good that I could eat a whole portion. With my main I went with the 18oz Dry-Aged T-Bone cooked medium rare from Snake River Farms. I didn't know much about Snake River Farms but from what I am told that their beef is top notch and sure enough, it was one of the best steaks I've had as it texture and taste was outstanding. For sides - always have to get the creamed spinach which was great and always a nice side to compliment the meat. We ordered the Mac and Cheese as well and that was excellent as well. One of the great things that sets Cowboy Star apart from the rest is the complete dining experience. A friendly staff from the front of the house to the back of the house, service was excellent. Each staff had personality and were fun to chat with. Highly recommend Cowboy Star if you are wanting a steakhouse with an excellent experience from start to finish. You won't be disappointed, its well worth the visit.

    Beef Skewers , C-Star Fries
    Annie B.

    My party of 7 walked in for happy hour with no reservation. It was so busy and packed! we were SO LUCKY that 6 seats opened at the bar and we quickly sat there, staff was sooo accommodating and so friendly! We quickly ordered food and drinks before happy hour ended, I appreciated our waiter (I believe his name was Daniel? sorry I don't remember) and the hospitality he provided!! The STEAK was the BEST steak I have had so far, it MELTS and was so JUICY! Talking about it makes me salivate! overall first impression of this place was amazing. Will definitely come back to cowboy star for the steak and service!!!

    The Wedge
    ERIKA L.

    I'm so grateful for having had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday at this masterpiece of a steakhouse. Everything was perfect, the ambiance, our waiter, I believe his name was Mark, the drinks, chef Arnold ( súper agradecidos por el servicio)

    Ribeye
    Ronnie F.

    I love this place. It doesn't matter whether you're at the bar or in a booth. Warm, relaxed atmosphere, some of the best bartenders in SD, and food that is consistent, prepared right, and absolutely delicious. Bar this time with colleagues from out of town. Happy hour. Exceptional. Thanks To the team here for never letting me down. If you skip dessert you're missing a major reason this place is so well loved. It's not just the steaks.

    Filet mignon
    Maeve A.

    The service was great. We had a table reservation and got there a little early so we sat at the bar. Once our table was ready they moved everything over for us. The steak was flavorful but just slightly overcooked. Mac and cheese was really good as well. We hadnt even ordered it but saw it at another table and knew we had to try. It is extremely dark inside though, had to use a flashlight to read the menu.

    Sokha L.

    Cowboy Star came highly recommended by my friend who lives in Little Italy and knows the San Diego food scene well and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Service was excellent from start to finish: attentive, knowledgeable, and well-paced without feeling rushed. They have a strong wine selection that pairs beautifully with the menu, and everything I ordered was delicious and cooked perfectly. As expected for an upscale steakhouse, it is on the pricey side, but the quality, execution, and overall experience justify it. The ambiance is cool and energetic, and the restaurant was packed, which says a lot. Overall, a great steakhouse experience and definitely one I'll be returning to.

    American Duroc Pork Roulade
    Mayra G.

    They accommodated a slightly bigger party than we had reserved which was so kind of them. The service was outstanding and my entire party enjoyed their steaks. The star of the show was the mussels and bone marrow starters along with my pork dish. Each so flavorful, unique and outstanding. This is such a fantastic place to have happy hour, special occasions or just a night out. The sangria hit the spot too!

    Sophie K.

    Came here for Christmas eve dinner and it was so cute and cozy, and food was good. We got to try steak with creamy horseradish sauce, beets, french onion soup, as well as cocktails. I forgot the names, but cocktails were sweet and good. I really liked the beets, it came with some sort of cream, I think mascarpone, it was so yummy! Also french onion soup was so rich and good. Steak was huge and I liked it came with sides.

    Chefs at work
    Vanessa G.

    What a lovely place to take your date!! I felt so special it was just beautiful. I am a huge fan of steak and have tried many. The rib eye was impressive and these mashed potatoes were to die. I wanted more and more and still think about them. I was let down by the Brussels they were dry and needed a sweet chili drizzle or even some kind of balsamic reduction. I asked our server and they couldnt accommodate me. It would have made this dinner. I also felt my brussels were a little burnt. I still won't hesitate to come back. There are plenty of other dishes I would love to try. Ohh I forgot all anout the rolls. They were fantastic!!! I had to stop myself before I couldnt eat anymore. Soo soft and buttery.

    Parker House Rolls
    Mya T.

    Doesn't disappoint! Tried their house rolls this time and wanted to bring back 2 orders home . Service was great , our server was attentive and funny. I got the New York Strip again and my partner got their dry aged ribeye .

    Foraged Mushrooms

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    Cowboy Star Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cowboy Star

    Is this kid friendly?

    I don't think so... it's hardly adult friendly. The tables are very close together, the noise is considerable, and they don't have a kids menu. The prices are high and I think of this as more of an expense-account dinner place than a place to bring… 

    If we have a reservation at 5pm, can we use it for happy hour? or do we need to sit in the main dining area when we have a reservation?

    Happy Hour is Monday through Friday in the bar and lounge only, 3:00 - 6:00 PM. $7 draft beer selections, $8 well spirits, $9 hand picked wine, $10 select specialty cocktails,… 

    Can you pay with multiple cards?

    Yes

    What type of cheeses are in the mac and cheese?

    Toe cheese

    What is the parking situation? Is there a lot or is it street parking?

    There is parking on the street. But it isn’t very good. It is over priced & I would skip it.

    Can you order French fries during dinner time or is it bar only?

    Yes you can! I just ordered fries with my steak during dinner time on 9/29/2024

    Can you reserve a standard seat or only counter is available?

    You can reserve a table but do it weeks ahead of time.

    How are the steak and sides portions? Run on the smaller side or bigger? thank you in advance

    Great portions and you really don't have to order sides as it come with

    Do you need a reservation to sit at the bar? Also can you eat at the bar?

    The bar is first come first serve. No reservation is needed. The bar has a happy hour/bar menu from 3:00-5:00, and then offer the full dinner menu after 5:00.

    What's their corkage fee?

    If I remember correctly, I think it was $30 or$35 a bottle. because of that, we chose not to drink the wine we brought, and just go for a few glasses of wine off of their menu. The restaurant is amazing and the food is amazing in the wine was… 

    Do they do take out orders?

    Your best bet is to call the restaurant and ask them directly.

    What time and days is happy hour?

    According to their website Happy Hour is Monday through Friday in the bar, 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

    Is there outdoor seating available?

    Simple answer is no. During the time when restaurants could set up outdoor tables, Cowboy Star had no place to do so. The sidewalk isn't wide enough, the front footprint of the restaurant is narrow, and there are lots of challenged outdoor campers… 

    What is the dress code?

    There isn't any dress code. Some people are casual in jeans and tees while others show up in a suit and tie. It's all accepted.

    Can we bring a baby?

    You can, I'm sure. But this is not the kind of place you would want to bring a baby. It is not a place for kids at al. While you can can bring a kid or a baby, it is probably not a good idea.

    Any word on a reopening date?

    June 17th!

    How much is the current corkage fee? I'm seeing different amounts in the posts.

    When we were there the end of December we called and asked about bringing our wine (be sure to call to verify they don't have what you want to bring.) if they have the same on their menu you can't bring yours in. The corkage fee was $25.

    Do you have highchairs?

    I've never seen a highchair here because I have never seen anyone bring their kids.

    Do they have gluten free or dairy free options?

    Hi Niks We do have several Gluten Free options listed on the menu. All have a GF logo next to them so you can see easily which items are gluten free. Some of our menu items… 

    What is counter seating?

    https://www.cowboystarsd.com/make-a-reservation/ If you click on the url above, look at the… 

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    Born & Raised

    Born & Raised

    4.1
    (3.5k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$$

    Always such a treat! For the last few years I've enjoyed dining here while visiting for an annual…read moretrip with family and friends. This place has quickly become a "must have" when we visit and each time has been such a wonderful experience. We try different things each time and have not yet been disappointed. I'd like to give a special shout out to our server, Scott, who has always provided exceptional service and elevated our personalized experience each time. I would highly recommend the steak flight, dirty hashbrowns, and the carrot cake! We had a slight issue one time, however it did not detract from our experience and was more than made up for. We've sat downstairs in the restaurant which offers a beautiful interior and a more intimate experience, as well as upstairs in their beautiful al fresco seating area which provides a beautiful city view and sea breeze and is for sure our preferred seating for our dining experience. Thank you for making our trip that much better and for always providing the most exceptional service and experience!

    We had a lovely time dinning at Born & Raised. We sat upstairs in the outdoor lounge and had…read morebeautiful views. We started with the Caesar Salad and they were very accommodating to any allergies we had! We got various dishes and they were all so delicious. We came here for our anniversary and they made it so special by writing us a card, giving us a Polaroid picture, and free espresso martini shots with our name on them! Put this on your list becuase you won't want to miss it.

    Photos
    Upstairs bar
    Upstairs bar
    Dirty hash browns with trout roe, chives and crème fraiche
    Dirty hash browns with trout roe, chives and crème fraiche
    Steak sampler

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    Steak sampler
    Rare Society

    Rare Society

    4.2
    (691 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$$

    We've been to Rare Society a few times now. Each time we've had a great time, but the last time we…read morewere here we had an outstanding server name Abraham. He was very attentive, especially to the two toddlers we had. He brought out kids cups right away without us asking, and something that really impressed me was when he noticed my son trying to eat the ice cubes, he brought him a cup of crushed ice instead which he we thought was so nice. He was very friendly and talkative and we enjoyed having him as our server. Food was also exceptional. My MIL raved about their Caesar salad. We ordered associate board and added the bone in ribeye. Our steaks were cooked to our liking and was delicious. We are also huge fans of the lamb lollipops so definitely try those as well! I saved the sauce it came with and dipped my steak in it :) soo good!

    Great ambiance.....however…read more.. I use red oak frequently as I do a lot of Santa Maria Style grilling as well as live fire grilling. The first red flag was I did not smell any indications of any wood fire grilling going on. Even with an industrial hood the smell would at least linger to the dining area. The Executive Board looked amazing but once again the lack of taste and smell of the familiar red oak that I've come to love just wasn't there. Wondering if these steaks come off a gas grill or even a broiler? Our dry age ribeye did not taste dry age- these are flavors I know only too well. Maybe this is the case of dining too early as we were there at 5pm. My server was really cool as I tipped him generously for his attention. The hunt for an amazing steak house continues.....

    Photos
    Restroom
    Restroom
    Parker house rolls
    Parker house rolls
    View of the inside dining from the entrance.

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    View of the inside dining from the entrance.
    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen

    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen

    4.7
    (282 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    Family-owned & operated
    Established in 2023

    This is probably the longest overdue review I have ever written, but at this point, not writing it…read morealmost feels selfish because I would very much like to always be able to get a table here. But alas, Carbon Angela's Kitchen deserves every flower, every reservation, every "you have to try this place" text thread, and every bit of love. This place has become one of my absolute favorite hidden gems in San Diego. Easily top five for me, and as someone who dines out a lot for a living, that is not a casual statement. There are places you like, places you recommend, and then there are places that start to feel woven into your actual life. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is that for me. Angela is truly the heart of this place. She has this way of making you feel like you are not just coming in for dinner, but being welcomed into something she deeply cares about. And Emanuele is absolutely part of that magic too. Together, they have built something that feels warm, generous, soulful, and so special. They feel like long-lost friends and family now, and I am honestly just so proud of them and all they are creating. The food is the kind that makes you want to order with the whole table in mind. The griglia mista is hands down one of the best investments you can make if you are dining with a group. It is the meat platter, it is the moment, and it is absolutely worth ordering. Four to five people can split it, especially if you are also doing appetizers, salad, wine, and a few extra things for the table. It is such a perfect nod to what Carbon was before Angela took over, when the space leaned more BBQ, but now it feels beautifully married with Angela's warmth, Italian influence, and the kind of hospitality that makes the whole meal feel like an experience. And please do not sleep on the rest of the menu. The short rib is fire. The arancino trio is always a yes. The eggplant croquette? Obsessed. The crespelle? So good. The Everything Salad is my favorite salad on the menu, and the street corn should never, under any circumstances, be skipped. I said what I said. The wine selection is top tier, the appetizers are memorable, and the whole place has that rare magic of feeling cozy, intentional, and completely unpretentious. You can come for a low-key dinner, a girls' night, a celebration, or one of those "we just need a really good meal and a really good glass of wine" kind of evenings. And the back patio? Perfect for an evening under twinkling lights. It is one of those spaces that just begs for a long table, good conversation, clinking glasses, and the kind of night that accidentally turns into a core memory. They also have catering menus available, which is very important information to keep in your back pocket if you are hosting anything soon. What Angela has built is honestly something to behold. One of the hardest-working restaurateurs doing the dang thing in a city like San Diego, and now opening Bedda across the way too? I am in awe and wonder watching it all unfold. It takes so much courage, grit, taste, excellence, and heart to build what they are building, and you can feel all of it in the room. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is a true labor of love, a hidden gem, and one of those places I will keep cheering for again and again. Go hungry. Order the griglia mista. Get the Everything Salad. Do not skip the street corn. Share Share Share, so you can try a little bit of everything and do a tried and true family style meal, you won't regret it.

    We dined on Sunday for the first time and tried their Sunday Funday Feast. This Sunday the feast…read moreincluded a Choice of one Pasta Dish; Fresh baked Focaccia and fresh salad. It's served Family-Style and is enough for 3-4 people which was only $60. The restaurant is small and charming with a window into the kitchen. They make their pasta fresh (be sure to include your pasta texture preference when ordering (Al Dente or Softer, etc.) We were greeted by Angela (the owner) and she made us feel welcome (as if we were dining over a friend's home which I absolutely loved). She started us off with some fresh baked Focaccia which had herb + cheese baked into the top (of course it was delicious). We added an appetizer called Crespelle which was a really yummy spin on a Manicotti made the right way (with a Crespelle). The salad was fresh and tasty. We order the Rigatoni Sugo which has a Tomato based sauce and assorted meats (Meatballs, Sausage, Cubes of meat) and was delicious along with the meats as well. We also added the Picanha Steak Entree with the Brie Fondue and that was so different while being soooo yummy. We enjoyed some wine with our meal and we finished with this really delicious Bavarian Cream Filled Napoleon with a Berry Coulis (desserts do change so check with restaurant to see what they have available the day you want to visit).. We can't wait to come back and try their Grigliata Mista (Meat Feast for 3-4 people).

    Photos
    Arugula Salad
    Arugula Salad
    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen
    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen

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    C Level

    C Level

    4.3
    (5.5k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at C Level as part of our 45th wedding anniversary…read morecelebration. I almost never write reviews but after our experience, I felt compelled to do so. All in all, it was simply wonderful. The hostess was very professional and welcoming and set the tone for our celebration. We were seated by a window to enjoy a beautiful, relaxing view of the bay which enhanced our experience. We were greeted promptly by Kyle who was our kind, knowledgeable, and patient server. He went over the complete menu and wine list with us and made suggestions when asked. We had the blackened chicken sandwich and the c level wagyu burger and both were terrific. The burger was cooked perfectly and went very well with the wine that was suggested. Kyle made the experience memorable for us and we hope to see him on our next visit. Thanks to all the staff for taking such good care of us.

    went here with sweet friends who came to visit for thr weekend and a few days. Rode back with them…read moreto the airport ;( . We had a late-ish dinner at this place. It's pretty nice, food was good and the view is beautiful! Service was great. Servers were very kind and attentive. I had the warm spinach salad and friends had korean tofu bowl and mediterranean bowl. I tried to have some french onion soup too but i could only have a little. It was a fun time but as always sad when friends leave, but i'll see them soon in SF! Def recommend this place, was really good!

    Photos
    Skyline views
    Skyline views
    Hawaiian Ahi & Salmon Poke
    Hawaiian Ahi & Salmon Poke
    Steamed Mussel Pot

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    Steamed Mussel Pot

    Cowboy Star - steak - Updated August 2026

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