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    Cowboy Star

    4.3 (2.4k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSteakhouses, Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Cowboy Star Photos

    Business Info

    COWBOY STAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dressy

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    Recommended Reviews - Cowboy Star

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    Reviews With Photos

    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!!!

    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.

    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.

    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!

    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.

    Natalie H.

    Came back here and I had THE best birthday dinner. Our server Omar was so accommodating and made sure to let us know all the specials. He was patient with my talkative group and brought everything out at the perfect timing. Also shout out to the manager or GM that helped my mom suprise me with a cake she said you were super kind and easy to work with. Also the bottle of wine sent to my table from my BFF in Texas! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday, thank you!!

    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.

    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 .

    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.

    Bouche Mouche
    Alicia P.

    I've dined at Cowboy Star on a couple special occasions and the service is always on point and very personable. The quality of the steak is top notch and I love the dim ambience that steakhouses share. Most recently I stopped in for happy hour and was not disappointed. I grabbed the last seat at the bar. I ordered the potato skins and the beef skewers. The skewers were by far my favorite during happy hour. They also serve a mean C-stat Old Fashioned. If you haven't given them a try, you should!

    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.

    Single Barrel Select Old Fashioned
    Molly G.

    Cowboy Star is one of the best steakhouse experiences in San Diego. The atmosphere is intimate and polished without feeling stuffy, and the service is attentive and seamless. Steaks are cooked perfectly, the sides are rich and shareable, and the French onion soup is genuinely the best I've ever had, deeply flavorful and perfectly balanced. Solid cocktail and wine options round out the experience. Consistently excellent and always worth it.

    Foraged Mushrooms
    Anna C.

    So much cow! We ordered the 40oz porterhouse for two, and I think it should really be advertised for four. We stuffed ourselves and still ended up taking the bone and one piece home. Definitely could have been more comfortable eating less of it. It was cooked perfectly and very salty as a steak should be. Steaks come with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans, and they were good and super buttery. We also got the bread service, Caesar salad, and side of mushrooms. All were good. At this point, I was stuffed to the brim and skipped dessert even though I had originally planned on it. Drinks were hit or miss. The Rancher's Elixir was fantastic. Whiskey Sour and Aloha Cowboy were meh. Service was attentive. They checked on us frequently. Parking on metered street spots weren't an issue early on a Saturday night.

    Parker House Rolls

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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… Read more

    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,… Read more

    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… Read more

    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… Read more

    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… Read more

    What is counter seating?

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

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    Moe's

    Moe's

    4.4
    (387 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    Excellent selection of spirits (Top Shelf)!…read more Food was amazing. Steaks cooked to perfection. A bit on the pricy side, but worth it in my opinion. The duck was also cooked perfectly with a crispy seasoned skin that was spot on. We ordered the crispy mushrooms. Not what we expected but so good we ordered another dish with our dinner. We had the Basque Cheesecake and the Crème Brûlée. Both were outstanding. The restaurant itself has a rich mahogany feel and comfortable booths. Our waiter was always checking on us and making sure we had everything we need The family had a great first experience and will be back for more! Cheers!

    Moe's in Mission Beach is a must when you're in San Diego. What we love most is they're an elevated…read moresteakhouse but are a true neighborhood joint. Their locals are both actually local but also have many out of town regulars like us since so many travel to enjoy the amazingness of San Diego. We try to stay as close to Moe's as we can when we visit because they're in the perfect spot at the edge of Mission and the start of Pacific Beach where all the fun is. The food and cocktails are as good as the service. It's easy to chat up a new friend at the bar because their San Diego happiness is contagious. There were a number of new recipes on the cocktail menu this trip. They had me at "Party With Elvis." Although I was drawn to the fun name, the walnut-infused bourbon was too enticing to pass up, especially because they paired it with Montenegro (Amaro) and sweet vermouth. So it's a fancy Manhattan variation. It was delish!!!!!! Make sure when you go to the amazing beaches next time in SD, check out Moe's. You'll love the food and cocktails as much as the vibe. Salute @thejohnnycocktail Party With Elvis Walnut-infused Bourbon Montenegro Sweet Vermouth Tiki Bitters Orange Bitters Candied Bourbon Walnut

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Caesar (no croutons)
    Caesar (no croutons)
    Whiskey Business

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    Whiskey Business
    Rare Society

    Rare Society

    4.2
    (683 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
    (275 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    Family-owned & operated
    Established in 2023

    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).

    I had a really solid dinner at Carbon Angela's Kitchen in South Park. The atmosphere is warm and…read moreinviting, and the team makes you feel welcome, like you're at a neighborhood spot rather than a generic chain. The menu leans into Italian-inspired dishes with grilled meats, fresh pasta, and seasonal plates that are generally flavorful and well-executed. Reservations are a good idea because it gets busy on weekends. Service was friendly and attentive throughout the night. A few dishes stood out more than others, but everything we had was well prepared and clearly made with care. Portions were satisfying, the wine list was thoughtfully curated, and the happy hour offerings added nice value. While not every bite was a personal favorite, the overall experience was enjoyable and consistent, and it's a place I'd happily return to and recommend for a relaxed night out with good food and a welcoming vibe.

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

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    Cardellino

    Cardellino

    4.3
    (568 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    Dined in for the first time and had an amazing time & meal at Cardellino! My boyfriend and I…read morestarted with the Chop Salad & Sourdough Boule - both were fantastic. The Chop Salad was a healthy portion, great for sharing and the Sourdough was baked fresh to order. For entrees we indulged in the Sunday Supper Spaghetti and Spicy Rigatoni. The crème fraîche in the S.S.S worked perfectly with the short rib & the spicy rigatoni was rich in flavor. The service was great & loved the attention to detail for decor. I met Jeffrey, a newer manager, and he was so kind! Will be coming back soon, looking forward to trying more from the menu.

    I had heard about this place for a while now, but hadn't gone. We had tickets to the show so we…read moredecided to go here prior. It's so cute inside with the lemon wall paper and wood walls to contrast. The very high ceilings and chandeliers are a very nice touch. Serve was very on point and our waiter really knew his stuff. Explained different dishes what they came with abd how things were cooked. I had no questions! Hee hee. We started with red wine from the extensive wine selections and sparkling water with lemon. Then we got our sourdough bread omg! So good with the garlic paste and perfect with the wine. A friend and I couldn't decide on what to have so we shared the fillet and the Sunday Spaghetti. The fillet was so amazing and I'm not much of a pasta person but the Sunday spaghetti was "chef's kiss"! So delicious and the crème fresh with the short ribs was such a great combination. I'm going to dream about that. I can believe I waited this long to come here and will most definitely be back! Thank you for all the great food and hard work! Also had a bite of the pork chop! Yum. Our other friend had ny strip in our pic.

    Photos
    Calamari
    Calamari
    Lamb lollipop
    Lamb lollipop
    Dining Room

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    Dining Room

    Cowboy Star - steak - Updated June 2026

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