We were on our way to SoCal and wanted to try out a new restaurant on our way down from the Bay…read moreArea. Originally, we had planned on dining at Harris Ranch but after checking out their menu, I was not impressed by the choices as we would be limited to order from their breakfast menu at the time of arriving at the restaurant, and it was not an impressive selection. We quickly pivoted and came across Willow Ranch and were very excited to try so many of their dishes. We walked into the coziest little restaurant that just gives you that small town feel. Real homey and we were instantly greeted warmly by the gal at the front. She asked if we wanted to sit at the corner booth, which we gladly accepted. She took our drink order, gave us menus and let us know our server would be over shortly. Our server Destiny came over a little while later, but my son was still undecided since there was so much deliciousness to choose from, he couldn't make up his mind (it was difficult for all of us, TBH!); Destiny had to give us more time, and come back a little later. He finally settled on the Tri-tip dinner, and oh my goodness... what a fine choice he made! It was sooo tender, and melted in your mouth as soon as it hit your tongue! Wow! I don't know if I've ever had tri-tip that tender before! It was served with a fresh side salad with Italian dressing, steamed veggies, a buttered roll, and baked beans. Any time I see anything close to resembling a French Dip, I have to try it. I had the Willow Dip, which was delicious! Hot and savory served on a toasted onion bun, and a yummy au jus to dip! A close cousin to the French Dip. I substituted my side for onion rings and they had a great crunch too. My other son had the sampler platter that included chicken strips, buffalo wings, onion rings and mozzerrella sticks but asked his chicken strips be subbed for all buffalo wings, and Destiny was so sweet and accomodating. My daughter ordered the Philly Cheesesteak with french fries and they were both to kill for!Sooo so good!! Literally like a slice of heaven that Philly Cheesesteak! It may have been my favorite of all the food we had today! My husband ordered the Plow Boy and it was loaded with meat and really tasty! We were so stuffed, we could not finish it all! We are definitely coming back here on our way back home, we still have so much more to try... the Ranch Benedict, the Chicken Fried Steak, the Ribeye steak! The staff is amazing! Hats off to your chefs! This restaurant is stellar! Will be making this a must visit on our annual SoCal trips!

So I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the trip-tip sandwich is fantastic! The meat is…read moretender and well-seasoned, quite lean but still unctuous. One gets a generous portion and the sandwich was big enough for my husband and I to share with a side of tasty sweet potatoe fries (a bit extra - or you can get plain potato fries for no extra charge). We also got a side of the creamy coleslaw which is ok and even better if you add salt and a dash of malt vinegar (it needs acid imo). I didn't take a photo of the sandwich because so many other yelpers have already done so. But trust me it's worth the stop. Service is super warm and friendly, the place is spotlessly clean, and I am a fan. We liked the sandwich so much we ordered another to go for lunch the next day. I only wish I had room for pie! They offer a wide selection of pies and I've gotta think they are yummy too. Next time.

Very very underrated place in Porterville! Food was super…read morecost effective and good! They have a really good lunch special for $16 you can choose (2) a pasta, salad or sandwich. It is very cute inside and nice for brunch! They also have party rooms to rent for work or fun. Definitely coming back and would definitely recommend for locals. Service was timely and the server Yvette was super attentive and friendly. Overall 8/10 :)

First time visiting the Palace for brunch and it didn't disappoint. The restaurant itself had a…read moregreat atmosphere with modern style but relaxed feel. As we arrived early, we had our choice of picking our seating. So we chose to sit near the huge windows facing Porterville's Main Street. The wait staff were friendly and attentive. Our mains took a bit to get but our drinks and appetizer came out fairly quickly. The drinks we ordered were refreshing and fruity. Not too heavy on the alcohol but more than enough to definitely get a buzz. The steak bites were very tasty. Hearty and full of flavor with the balsamic glaze we chose. There is another option to pick a more savory option which is a garlic butter. Would definitely order again. The avocado toast was delicious, not shy of avocado and plenty of toppings. My only complaint would be for a more hearty and thicker sliced bread. Otherwise a good breakfast choice. The Cajun chicken pasta was amazing! Full of flavor, creamy, with a touch of heat and great house made pasta. The proteins were cooked perfectly. I was genuinely surprised that they serve their FULL dinner menu as part of their brunch menu. My wife and I will definitely return.

My boyfriend and I were camping in Kennedy Meadows the night before when we realized we did not…read moreprepare for 20 degree weather. So we drove down and randomly saw this place and decided to have dinner. We ended up speaking with the owner. We asked about lodging and he told us he did not have anything available. He came back to ask us how we're doing and we asked if there was other lodging close by. He said they would most likely be booked. We told him about the night before and how we were very unprepared for cold weather. In front of him I told my boyfriend that we can sleep in the truck again, no worries. Next thing I know the owner came by again and said he has a camper for friends and family that no one is in and he offered it to us, saying he felt bad that we froze. We were elated. I have never felt more grateful and it reminded me that there really are kind souls. He walked us over and provided us towels and turned the heat up. It was perfect. We sat by the fire pit with others, who all had nothing but kind words about this place. People come every year and stay here. I felt such a warm welcome from everyone. My boyfriend and I are so thankful for the owners. We both said we can't wait to come here more and hopefully decades down the road we can stay in the same camper and reminisce. I will tell everyone about this place. It's nothing fancy but it's definitely special! Thank you for making my entire weekend.

Good food but not the service!…read more I came here few time because that's my mom in law's favorite place to dine in. My husband and I drove from LA to take her and her husband for birthday dinner. Here is my positive and negative review based on our experience when we were there. Positive: Food cook perfectly as we asked for. We have 12oz and 8oz fillet mignon, 2 orders rib eyes steak for mom and her husband, large suchini appetizer. Pickle is delicious, you can ask as much as you want for free, good bread. The owner stop by at our table, my mom gave him compliment about the website video he done such a great one, so my mind automatically expect great service. Neg: My mom has reservation at 6PM, we arrived 5 mins b4 6, they didn't have or can't find my mom reservation. Waiting a bit then get our table at the last room due to a large parties were at the patio and crowded and noisy which no big deal for us, we can see the big parties from our window room. It took an hour for our steak, salad served with a warm bowl, suchini too dry to eat. By the time the steak ready, we are half full with bread, salad, pickle and appetizer. 5 minute after the waitress brought the food to us, my mom asked a box to go, my husband ate not even half of his steak, I can't finish my meal either. We are so full end up to bring our food home. The waitress take too long to bring our bill and we still waited again for our debit card back then walk to look the waitress at the bar ask our card. The whole experience is not my expectation with the money we spent we should get better service, also few flies and mosquito flying around on our food. I hope they consider to improve the service better in future

Had my Birthday dinner there tonight and can't say enough good things about it. The view in amazing…read moreand the food was superb. The staff was personable and very attentive without being pesty. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone, and we will return to try other items on the menu.

We went to Ewings about 8:30 on a Friday night, and though the kitchen closed at 9 pm, we were…read moreseated immediately, and not rushed to order or finish one bit, which I really appreciated. The host, Jeff, was so cordial and relaxed, he made us feel as though we'd been friends for some time. April waited on my wife and I flawlessly. She was extremely prepared and knowledgeable about the food, all the daily menu items, and the beer and wine list as well. The jalapeno poppers were an excellent twist on the same old "deep fried with goat cheese" that's been around for years. These peppers were sliced, loaded, then baked, much like potato skins, and were an excellent appetizer. Perfect amount of "heat". We both ordered the chicken breast and ribeye combo with an assortment of sides, and it was really, really a great plate. Prepared well, served well, and portions so large, we each took leftovers home. Wonderfully seasoned and prepared meats, and all the sides were very good as well. If you're fortunate enough to land on a night when the soup du jour is split pea with ham, do not pass on this. One of the best pea soups we'd ever had. A+ on the meal, the quality of the food, the staff and service, and the beautiful view from our table at the window, overlooking the Kern River at sunset. The background music that included The Tesky Brothers, and Marcus King was a nice bonus. Loved our dinner.

Review for the resort and the restaurant incoming!…read more Stayed with the family for a night on our way to Southern California as we were in need of respite after crushing Bay Area traffic. The room was very clean, and solidly appointed for the price (under $200 with AAA discount). In the morning we took a swim in their gorgeous swimming pool. It was an early morning because he had to get back on the road. But, if I were to linger it would be right next to that pool or that awesome horse shoe bar across the lot at the restaurant. Breakfast was awesome. I had the country fried steak and eggs. It was a very tender piece of tenderized steak and the gravy was lights out $29.95. Kids had the "little cowpoke" which was a pancake, bacon slice and an egg for $8.95. The pancake was tasty and the bacon was a large cut (I had to get my Dad tax in). Only downside was the avocado toast (but who would order that at a roadside cow restaurant?) My wife would! HA! It was $18.95 and she felt like she was being punished as it was just a single slice of bread with avocado and two poached eggs. She was really hoping for a larger portion for the price. Overall, it was a really solid 5/5 experience. We left something in the room accidentally and the front desk called us before we even noticed. They said they'd take care of it and we will cruise by on the way home to grab it. Really awesome customer service. For a resort in the middle of nowhere I get no real complaints. I mean it smells like poop outside but there's like a million head of cattle down the road so that makes sense. Also, no foul smells in the hotel or restaurant. They do a good job keeping it out.

I had the rudest bartender tonight. Who gave me attitude for asking about delayed steak…read more Got nothing but bad vibes after that. She ruined my dinner. Management didn't seem to care. We come here with our dogs and stay every year. We will not be back!!!!

I'd give Sebby's a 3.5, rounding up to a 4! I had dinner around 8/9pm on Valentine's Day so the…read moremenu I got was a little more pared down than their usual. What worked: -- servers and staff were all very kind -- there's decent menu variety and something for everyone to enjoy -- the music and vibe inside was a nice mix of busy yet intimate, it's a great place for a date or fancy night out What didn't work: -- I think this is likely due to it being Valentines Day, but the service was pretty spotty. Servers almost gave us someone else's food twice and it took a while for our food to get to our table. -- my dish (shrimp primavera) could have had a little more going for it! The pasta and veggies could have been a little more seasoned (and I would have loved more veggies), and the shrimp was waaaaay too salty, it was difficult to eat it all. It definitely wasn't a bad dish but a few small tweaks could have made it really wonderful Overall, I'd come here again! I think this might have just been an off night and I'd love to return to try some of their other dishes. The environment was a pleasant one to be in and I enjoyed the meal (and, of course, the company).

The food wasn't the greatest but the drinks were good…read more The happy hour deals were enticing and the covered menu included a variety of appetizers and beverages. Unfortunately their specialty cocktails weren't included but they were reasonably priced regardless. *Artichoke, Spinach, and Cheese Dip: had a grainy, chunky texture made predominantly from the artichoke. There needed a better mixer and creamy element. The flavors resembled a thick pesto. The toasted bread was the best part. *Spicy Calamari: nicely fried but a tad too salty. Would have appreciated a lemony component to cut through the grease. *Garlic Fries: thicker cut with slight crisp. They were garlicky but the Parmesan left a strange aftertaste. *Green Tea Shot: pleasantly fruity and the pour was generous. The service was friendly and we look forward to when they'll hold music nights again. Ultimately the drinks tasted better than the food. Although not perfect, the pricing makes Sebby's the ideal post work spot. I hope Sebby's hones in their flavors and textures they're aiming for so then people can come for the food too.

Jocko's Mix in Nipomo, California, remains an absolute must-visit for anyone craving an authentic,…read moreworld-class central coast barbecue experience. From the oak-fired flavors to the welcoming atmosphere, it delivers on every front. ​Here is what makes it a standout: ​The Spencer Steak: The absolute star of the show. Cooked over an open red oak pit, this cut is incredibly juicy, perfectly charred, and packed with a distinct smoky flavor that you simply can't replicate at home. ​The Drinks: Perfectly poured and remarkably stiff. Whether you're grabbing a classic cocktail or a cold beer before dinner, the bar vibe sets the perfect tone for a hearty meal. ​The Appetizers: Classic, no-nonsense starters that pair beautifully with the main courses. The relish tray and standard starters get the appetite going without overcomplicating things. ​Great Service: Despite being perpetually busy, the staff handles the crowd with effortless hospitality. The service is fast, friendly, and deeply rooted in that warm, small-town hometown feel. ​If you are passing through Nipomo, make sure you show up hungry--Jocko's never disappoints

This seems like the steak house the locals would hit up, so we thought to give it a try…read more Reservations? We got one just in case, but didn't seem like you needed one if you visited on a weekday. We ordered the spencer steak, which is a fattier ribeye. It came with 8, 16 and 20oz. We went bang-for-buck and got the 20oz. It came with all sorts of stuff. The steak came with a side item, salad, beans, garlic bread and ice cream! Wow, that's a lot. All the tables came with salsa. Its nothing special, and legit tasted like the jarred salsa from a local groceries store. Pretty bad but pairing it with steak made sense. Idk how, it just did. The steak flavoring was fine, the burnt taste was great. A bit on the saltier side, but didn't bother me. The baked potato was great, esp to ease the salty steak. We definitely looked forward to finishing out with ice cream, which we learned was just Thrifty ice cream. No matter, tasted great! The ambiance of this place was definitely not fancy steakhouse. Think of old-school steakhouse. Lots of worn-out charm, but an amazing oak grill that does all the work in the back. Yah, worth checking out.

The impeccable service and seasoned meats here set the bar incredibly high. This steakhouse will be…read moreour newest go to celebratory restaurant. There were two options: the full experience rodizio or the salad bar and side dishes only. However, when we were seated, we were immediately told the instructions for the full experience. Personally I would only do the full experience as the salad bar wasn't varied or tasty enough for the $34.95 price tag. The salad bar and hot foods were on the mushier side. I wished the sauces were formatted in a different format as the chimichurri sauce was very far from the edge. Hence, there was a high risk of cross contamination and spillage. The mustard pasta salad was bland and limp. The potato salad fared a similar dull taste and resembled a starchy lump. The tomatoes were grainy and dry. The pao de queijo was disappointedly under the ray of death so they weren't too hot nor crispy. I wished my party got to experience fresher baskets of bread. =FULL EXPERIENCE= We were told that there were 17 available meats but we only experienced some of them. However, we enjoyed how we got to taste them when they were hot and cooked perfectly. *Picanha: one of my favorites. The fat cap was rendered and seasoned well. The meat was medium rare, tender and juicy. This had the greatest beef flavor. *Chicken with Bacon: the chicken was tender but the bacon had a stronger smokey flavor. The bacon shone more than the chicken. *Pork Belly: my other favorite piece. There were bits of fat dispersed throughout so it was moist and flavorful. There was subtle crispiness from the fat browning. *Spicy Linguica: the spice was subtle and the casing gave a satisfying snap. The interior was juicy but it was on the saltier side. *Pork Ribs: surprisingly tender and fall of the bone. The sauce was a sweeter barbeque and the ribs were on the wetter side. There wasn't any smokiness, char or caramelization but the flavors and texture were still good. *Peppered Steak: on the tougher side but still oozed out meaty juice. *Garlic Steak: similar to the peppered steak only saltier. The garlic flavor wasn't very prominent and this piece left me thirsty. I would have preferred a garlic sauce as opposed to the concentrated garlic powder taste. *Tri Tip: the best option for a leaner cut. The meat was tender and juicy. This was similar in flavor to the picanha but without the fattiness. *Grilled Cinnamon Pineapple: the cinnamon hardened around the pineapple, offering a satisfying crunch followed by a gush of sweet fruitiness. The simplistically made this my favorite rendition from a Brazilian steakhouse. This was a great meal ender despite us getting flan afterwards. *NY Strip: this was a daily special. This was a leaner cut so the beefiness was prominent but I preferred the other meats with more fat. =A LA CARTE= Not included in the all you can eat experience. *Mojito: refreshing and citrusy. There was a good amount of alcohol included. *Pudim: great way to end the meal. The Brazilian flan was dense and creamy. There was a thin layer of caramel sauce on top but it wasn't too sweet. The portion size was nicely shareable between two people. Unfortunately, they didn't bring out the shrimp until we were full so we didn't get to try it. Otherwise the service was consistent and attentive. Our server even asked about which meats were our favorites so they could bring them back out for us. There were multiple groups celebrating birthdays and they brought out their staff to sing happy birthday. During an all you can eat experience, good service is the lifeline and this was some of the best service I've received. The ambiance was stellar and this was my favorite dining experience in the Central Valley. The meats blew the salad bar and sides out of the water so I would return just for that. Although this was a pricier option, the quality and service were 5 stars.

Look y'all there's a reason why this place has five stars. Absolutely forget all of the other…read moreBrazilian steakhouse chains and 100% go to this one family owned, with super unique delicious out of this world. 17 meats to try and we haven't even covered how amazing the sidebar is. Everything from the super friendly service to the waiters ensuring that you try the best of the best. It just feels like you cared for from the moment that you step in we had the opportunity to sit next to the owner and hear a little bit about his story. The service is amazing. The food is out of this world. Definitely make sure that you get a drink and try all of the meats, including the warm cinnamon pineapple!! Ambience is also gorgeous. You just feel like you transfer into a different world. It's so peaceful, romantic intimate fun five out of five stars if I could give six or 10 (hint hint yelp lol) would totally do that!! MUST VISIT!

We were visiting bestest friends in California Hot Springs and they wanted us to try their favorite…read morelocal spot known as the Cowpuncher's Saloon at Fountain Springs. A local lunch and dinner spot for ranchers, locals, hunters and travelers coming and going from the Sequoia National Forest and surrounding areas. Place was busy when we arrived but we were able to be seated, great friendly staff who seemed to know the regulars and locals. Gretchen was our server happy smiling greeting us and ready to get us started with cocktails and reciting the evenings specials. Greatly prepared cocktails quenched our thirst from the Central Valley heat. Gretchen happily took our order as we enjoyed our cocktails and the western decor throughout the interior, full bar with high top seating and also outside seating under a covered patio. Our salads came out and I was very impressed with the quality of this dinner salad, delicious house made croutons were in the salads as well as fresh local produce but the pièce de résistance was the blue cheese crumbles. Plenty of them along with thick cut bacon. Not your average dinner salad included in an entree. The other salads were just as good with house made dressings. Our entrees came out and let me tell you there was plenty of them, Cowpunchers is known for their "Grandmas Green Beans" which comes with the dinner entrees and the best green beans I have ever had (don't tell my mom ). The chicken fried steak was outstanding smothered I. Country gravy, the butterflied shrimp was cooked perfectly and very flavorful, and my steak was cooked to perfection. A very good cut of meat and I would only assume from local sources because we were in cattle ranch country. Great seasoning on the steak with perfect marbling. The sides that came with our entrees were all perfectly paired with the proteins, whipped buttery mashed potatoes, good sized baked potato with the fixings. It was a delicious dining experience for us all, Gretchen checked on us numerous times with her pretty smile and happy demeanor. The menu is very reasonably priced making it very affordable in these unaffordable times. Great food located in a remote area, with friendly staff and cold libations the Cowpuncher's is like an oasis to anyone passing through or working hard in the Central Valley heat. This place is worth the trip and you truly will not be disappointed, well done Cowpuncher's. Bravissimo e delizioso tutti!

Mexican food was great and the service was great. Lots of parking. Room for a large party. TVs…read more Western decorations.

I think a Steakhouse should be known for at least one good steak. My God the Pork Chops are thicker…read moreand bigger than their 14oz Ribeye. When I think Ribeye you think a thick cut of good meat not a thin nearly smashed skirt steak looking piece of meat that cost $44 Now the Pork Chops were on point however, I really wanted a good steak. Their steak bites are thicker and better than the steak I ordered. Recommendation add thick steak options or change your name to River Pork Chops because they are money!!

Yummy food, excellent waitress! Comp cake for my bday, so sweet & yummy! Never dissapoints when we…read moredine here.