First, I would like to call out the bartender / server named Genesa that was beyond great. We went in at 5:00pm 7/11/26 with no reservation and were please to find seating in the bar right away, even though the place was packed. We watched her make & serve drinks with lighting speed, even serving food as well. This lady needs a raise! Second, the food was delicious, perhaps the best ribeye I have ever had in my 51 years. My wife and I shared a 16 oz spencer steak with baked potato, and chicken with ravioli and fries. They came with beans, side salad with the best ranch dressing ever! Of course, we could not come close to finishing all the food and had to ask for our included ice cream to go. Lucky, we had a room in Santa Maria with a big fridge and freezer. After our vodka soda and food coma wore off, we enjoyed our malted crunch ice cream in our room and finished our meal the next day. The smokey flavor of the steak and chicken was amazing. We will be going back very soon. Truth be told, I am getting hungry just writing this review. read more

Glad we tried it out, but the experience was just OK. The food ranged from meh to very good. While the service started off great with enthusiastic puns & jokes, we were later totally forgotten. Danny never came by for drink refills and I never received the glass of red wine I'd ordered with my steak. . That said, the giant $58 NY Steak was amazing! One of THE best I've ever had with great flavor and texture. The grilled artichoke appetizer was also delish with a great smoky flavor. . Unfortunately, the fried mushroom appetizer was just OK. They did not taste house made. And, the full-rack of pork spareribs for $47 were very chewy and dry. The ribs did not come with any sauce and it took ages to flag down our server to get some. We decided to simply take most of it home to re-cook :-( . After we'd finished eating, we sat around with 1/2 eaten plates (and a pile of uneaten ribs) for the better part of 30 more minutes with zero service or follow-up. And by that time (two hours later), it was not busy and we really needed to head home. Gosh, did he go on break or something? When Danny finally arrived, we had to then ask for boxes and the bill. . The mediocre food, plus the forgetful service definitely put a damper on our family gathering. For a nearly $300 tab, the service really should have been better. read more

Jocko's Steak House - Giant NY Steak - Steakhouses Near Me - Nipomo, California

After attempting to eat here for several years in a row while down for a sporting event that happens same time of year, we finally managed not only a reservation but 2 seats next to one another at the bar. We got super excited! With that, don't waste your time on this, go to Orcut to Far Western Tavern so much nicer, friendlier and just overall better experience for similar food. Reservations were for 7:15pm and we arrived at 7:05, were told not to crazy busy just hang out. Managed to find 2 seats at the end of the bar and were served pretty quickly. We don't typically mind a busy place and eating at the bar so I asked my husband if he just wanted to eat there. My seat was at the end and they kept puking up dirty glasses so I wasn't crazy for it but saw everyone else eating at the bar. He said no... Our bartender was attentive and also asked after we had been there maybe 20 minutes and we still said no. We finally got seated for our 7:15pm reservation at 8:30pm. Our server kept coming by telling us she'd be right with us, this happened about 5 times. We waited and waited for service. I got to over hear both our waitress and the others great others and go over specials etc. Ours never really seemed to know if they were actually out of something, she'd say I think. When offering ice cream her list was different from the other waitresses. All this before we got to order. We decided to get the big Ribeye and share but not add on the shared plates. Waitress recommended extra salad so did that. So glad as we didn't need an extra set of sides as everything was larger portions. Salad was basic; bug cuts of iceberg lettuce shredded carrots and one sliced beet on top, with watered down ranch. Main course took forever to arrive; baked potato had all fixings yet was dry. The Ribeye was tough and chewy. I enjoyed the beans and bread dipped in them; funny since I don't really like beans. The hubs who does like beans said they tasted burnt. We finally left at 10pm! It was so ridiculously slow! Don't think I could get the hubs to even try it again. Very disappointed. We tried so many times to eat there and waited and waited in their tiny hallway. At least this time the host and bartender was friendly unlike previous times. read more

This seems like the steak house the locals would hit up, so we thought to give it a try. 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. read more

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Jocko's always hits the spot for great food, great service and that home cooked restaurant feeling. The restaurant is always clean even though they're busy. read more

Jocko's Steak House - Sorry Lobster last log. - Steakhouses Near Me - Nipomo, California

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"Do you have a reservation?" That's the first thing the hostess asked as we came on a Saturday when they opened at 1 pm. Of course we didn't but it seems that if you want to sit in the back table area, you have to have a reservation. Since we didn't, she asked if we wanted to seat at the bar where it's first come, first serve. Since we were just the second couple who entered when they opened, we had no choice but to sit at the "no reservation" area. That area right in front of the entrance is super dark, no lighting and the only true light is when the door opens. Make sure you bring your phone with you since I saw several peeps who came after us and had to seat at the bar area have to use their phones flashlight to see the menu! Lol Service- our waitress Aniessa was nice, friendly and patient. For the most part, the staff was pretty good. 5 stars So salsa and pickles are complimentary before your order if you wanted to have the salsa with the packaged breadsticks on the table. My wife actually enjoyed them but for sure she was hungry before we came. I ordered the 8 oz Spencer ribeye - medium with bake potato and salad with bleu cheese . 4 stars- why? My ribeye was over cooked and had little pink. Outer portion of the steak was cooked too much and the center did have some pink. My wife had the 8 oz New York steak Medium also, but hers was under cooked and more a medium rare because of the thick cut. But yah, other than both steaks not properly cooked. The meal overall was good. Price is on the high end compared to other steak places but to me that's fine since it was a complete meal and not one where you have to order the sides separately. Would I go again? For sure and would recommend others to try. Waitress says there is no advertising done and it's all word of mouth. read more

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I had a lovely experience at Jocko's Steak House (Nipomo). I ordered the Spencer (20oz Ribeye - $61.95). This meal includes the thick, buttery Ribeye, Baked Potato, Salad, Garlic Bread, Ice Cream, and even more sides! It's a FEAST of food. That thick, plump Ribeye Steak dribbled with its own juices. I arrived at Jocko's Steak House (Nipomo) on Tuesday (around 4:20PM). Parking is cramped and crowded; however, I quickly found nearby street parking. Staff (introduced as Darlene) is a delight. Darlene is very knowledgeable; Darlene is very hardworking; and Darlene charmed the table. However, with all Staff, it's a little difficult to wave anyone down because this business is very popular and filled with customers. The main entrees arrived in 28 minutes. As mentioned, I ordered the Spencer (20oz Ribeye - $61.95). It's a juicy, buttery steak. It's very HEAVY. Each bite had a chew, but it broke apart effortlessly. Surprisingly, the Baked Potato was a show stopper. That Baked Potato is very fluffy and soft; its texture resembled mashed potatoes. It's also STUFFED with fresh sour cream and butter. I also enjoyed the fresh garlic bread, clean baked beans, and chill ice cream. I selected the meal's complimentary Chocolate Malted Ice Cream, and I savored its soft sweetness. Regarding ambiance, Jocko's Steak House (Nipomo) is very rustic-looking. The floors look very worn down, but the tables are very clean. The music is very soft, and the main sound derives from loud customers; the location is a little echoey, so the chatter is amplified. Overall, I had a lovely experience at Jocko's Steak House (Nipomo). The food is delicious; the portions are generous; and the Staff is a delight. If searching for a buttery, juicy steak, I recommend. 4.9 out of 5 read more

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I read about Jocko's in an Eater article as one of the places you must try on a road trip along California. I'm always a bit of a skeptical but an optimistic one so okay, why not give this spot a try. We came here for a super early dinner, basically right after the restaurant opened at 4 pm. We wanted to avoid the dinner rush and having to wait forever without a reservation. So we got seated very quickly. Now, the ambiance and decor is very bare bones and honestly, no frills. Nothing fancy and not a fancy, romantic date night spot but a great pragmatic date night spot or solo date spot. Our server Christian was wonderful and very prompt and attentive. We ordered the 20 oz Ribeye and shared it among a heavy eater and a light eater. The meal comes with crunchy chilled pickles, a side and a salad and also, a basket of crackers (Ritz, saltines and breadsticks), a cup of salsa that's meant to be eaten with the steak but we started eating it as a dip with the crackers. Also came with their signature beans and also garlic bread. And also ice cream at the end. When the steak came...it has that perfect crust and sear from the Santa Maria style, where the steak is cooked over an open flame. There's just nothing like a flame grilled steak. We ordered it medium rare and upon the first bite, WOW!!! Super tender and juicy and tasted so fresh, also lightly seasoned already. Nipomo is kind of in the middle of nowhere but if you find yourself driving along the 1 Highway and going either south or north, plan and make a stop here. You won't be disappointed. And overall, great value for the money considering the price you pay for the steak comes with everything. read more

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After all these years, still my #1 The 20 oz Spencer Steak medium rare Is a great value for sharing a meal. The sides are great, but it's all about the steak! However, waiting in line in front of me was a lady with a huge empty pot. She was coming to buy their famous beans to go! Also, to give props to the sides, our lovely server Rachel brought us a fresh basket of garlic bread... perfect on its own, but it's true purpose is to sop up the juices from the steak. Try not to fill up on pickles, and the salsa that also comes to the table is a condiment for the steak. Not that it needs it, but I tried a few bites and it elevated the flavors! Who knew??? Baked Potato, solid and cooked perfectly too. All dressed up with butter sour cream and chives, it's a party! One of my favorite parts of the experience is going outside to watch the magic happen on the grated grill over an oak fire! The smell will waft you into bliss. I thanked them and said my favorite part are the little crispy bits of charred fat on the end of the steak. Love you Jocko's you are perfection every time! read more

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I had heard so many great things about Jocko's over the years and just never made it there. Finally! I went recently with a friend. First, service was outstanding. I had a reservation and we were seated immediately. Dan was our server, and he was gregarious and efficient. We liked him a lot. I ordered the pork ribs and hash brown casserole while my friend ordered the ravioli. We enjoyed the beans, pickles and crackers while we waited; it wasn't long before our meals arrived. The ribs were delicious and huge! Very meaty, not skimpy at all, and just enough seasoning to make them pop. The hash brown casserole was also terrific, and I enjoyed those leftovers the next day. The ravioli is stuffed with meat, and the meat sauce was thick and, well, meaty. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit! I recommend you make a reservation if you can. They do take walk-ins but you might be waiting a long time. read more

Went here for dinner on Monday, right when it opened The aerospace community has been bragging about this place for years! How big the steaks are and how entrees are deliciously served with the platter. Had Open Table for reservations. Was greeted briefly. The host did not accommodate me on where to sit. There were 3 areas for seating. I just sat in the bar with no direction. Waited a good 15 minutes, nobody came by to greet me and take my order. Just felt stupid and out of place. So I spoke to the host I will just sit in the Other room. I sat down and waited patiently, still no one attended for a good 15 mins until I finally had it and asked if someone is going to take my order. A waitress by the name of Aniessa said Im sorry, did you happen to check with the front host. I clearly stated the the Host does not guide anywhere where to sit. I was a bit annoyed about the entire situation. I ordered the $50 steak along with broccoli. Received my order in 20 mins. Long wait time for a steak perfection. Honest opinion, steak was good but not great. Over cooked and charred on the outside. My broccoli was cold and pickles as some sort appetizers is absolutely overrated. Over all above average. This place needs to catch up with service and compete with other steakhouses. Times has change. With all the gossip and praise about this steak house. I find it just average. The service was my first impression. It was disappointing! No direction at all. This place hires a bunch of teenage girls that are not aware of customer service. They are loud with their gossiping. While seated. The topic of conversation was about boyfriends and social media. Imagine eating amd hearing the teenage chatter for an hour. Very unprofessional. My experience only by facts. You might have a better experience if you visit. Probably my one and done visit. I work in the Aerospace community and the praise and glory did not meet expectation. :( Props to my server for accommodated service read more

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A no frills steakhouse with great steak. Expertly cooked beef over oak. The homemade pickles are crisp and garlicky. The salad is simple and satisfying. Jocko's is a meat mecca. read more

Happy to report that Jocko's has returned to its pre-pandemic glory! A frequent post-wine tasting stop, it always had the best steaks at a great price. Things were pretty shaky for a while after the pandemic... but last night's dinner was terrific all around. read more

Jocko's steak and chicken are amazing. The staff is usually fun and the dining area is packed but a great place to spend some time in. Come hungry and not in a hurry and you'll leave happy. read more

Such a great time, the staff is amazing, the locals make it truly unique. The beef rib and pork chop combo were tasty and filling. Definitely try this place! read more

Jocko's Steak House - Steakhouses Near Me - Nipomo, California

Oh my god!!! I have been waiting a long time to try this place. I hear stories about it all the time. My boy had a baseball tournament in the area. As a result, I made reservations. We arrived and were seated right away. I was planning on getting a smaller cut rib eye, but my boy said to get the big one and he would eat the rest. He got the larger filet. The steaks were everything I dreamed of. They were absolutely wonderful. We both finished them without a hitch. The place has an old school feel. I love it. I will be back again. read more

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This place NEVER fails, early Fathers Day Dinner for my other half. We were greeted and checked in 5 mins before our reservation, we waited maybe 10 minutes. Everyone here is nice the staff, the locals. It was someone's birthday and we all sang. We started with drinks 2 of us had cokes while my hubby enjoyed a Luna Paloma...the waitress brought out garlic pickles those were to die for lol we love pickles. Next we had a house salad basic but good wish it had croutons. We then ordered our entrées...3 Spencer's all around. 1- 16 oz and 2 - 20 oz.....the meat was cooked to perfection medium it melted like butter 1000000000000/10. My hubby and I enjoyed a baked potato and our son ordered the Mac n cheese. I had never tried their Mac and Cheese it was good nice and gooey. We each had a to go box our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs but now our fur baby Luna will get to enjoy some steak. We definitely recommend Jackos .... read more

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Jocko's is my favorite steakhouse. Whenever I'm going through Central California, I try to stop in. It's harder to get reservations now that people know about Jaco's especially on Friday and Saturdays. They cook all their steaks over red oak outside on a large grill for dinner but if you come for lunch, it's not the same because they don't cook it over a barbecue grill. They cook it in the kitchen today, I had the 20 ounce Spencer steak with a baked potato with everything and we brought our own bottle of wine. They allow you to bring your own. They have Jocko's merchandise- had to get a T-shirt. The steaks here are amazing, a little hole in the wall spot looks like it was built back in the 70s or 80s, but I'm sure it's older than that has an old feel to it. Today we the bar area was lively and packed. We had reservations for 5:30 and we got there before the rush. They serve you crackers and pickles before your food gets there a little bit different but the pickles are great. My dinner came with a 20 ounce Spencer steak, a loaded, baked potato, a salad, bread and a bowl of ice cream for dessert. Everything was great. read more

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Took an impromptu weekend getaway to Pismo Beach for my B-Day. Asked a fellow co-worker & avid Pismo vacationer for a good steak house in town and he adamantly said that THE BEST steakhouse is a little drive out of town and was unmatched! Made the drive and I have to say it was totally worth it! Everyone needs to be aware, they DO get swamped on the weekend and were completely booked for the night! So make reservations if possible!! Me and my gf got lucky and managed to nab some seats at the bar. This place was the highlight of my birthday trip! The natural smoky oak flavor on my steak was incredible and genuinely impressed me! Definitely rated this place in my top 5 list! Highly recommended to any and all steak aficionados! read more

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Jocko's Steak House in Nipomo was the venue for today's dining experience. The "locals" rave reviews...and the "wafting Red Oak BBQ Smoke" permeating the air elevated our expectations...oh yes my dear Yelp Review Readers, this was going to be the Steak House experience of a lifetime! We made our lunch reservations thru Open Table for 3, requesting a private table. As we entered and made sure to asked the Hostess if she would accommodate our request...she replied there wasn't any note on our reservation. Fortunately I had saved a picture of the submitted request and showed it to her. She look very puzzled. She replied that she had several large parties coming in for dinner this evening and she was looking to find us a table. It was 1:30 in the afternoon...I told her "we probably won't be here at "dinner time", and asked again if she could accommodate us at a 4 top. Again, she looked very flustered. (Explanation : last time we were here was in 2010. The only seating Jocko's had back then were long "communal tables" like in a school cafeteria. We hadn't been back since then because we really didn't enjoy not having the privacy of our own table.) She finally led us into the dining room and sat us at a 4 top table in the middle of the room instead of a 4 top with a bit more privacy along the wall. The whole experience was very strange and uncomfortable. Moving on...the restaurant had a good "buzz" going. The Ambiance: Ceiling wall boards covered in Ranch Brands of the prominent Ranch's of the area in the late 1800's (1886). That was pretty neat. Okay...we were here, menus, salsa and a pickle dish were brought quickly to our table. The prices were...well, they were on the "high side". I noticed the Steak Sandwich (8oz) was $36 dollars and said something to my daughter (this was her Birthday celebration). She laughed and commented "for that price it better be served in Jesus's shoe and gilded with gold". About this time our Server (Kylie) arrived. She was very nice, friendly and polite. My Wife didn't think she was very attentive...but that's really not what bothered me (I'll explain in a moment). We ordered: Drinks: Margarita w/Rum - 5/5 (this drink was a request by my daughter and it was really very good) and a Chocolate White Russian - 5/5 (this drink was on the specialty board and it was also really good), Entrees: Jocko's Cheese Steak - 4/5 (The sandwich was fine but nothing special), Beef Sweetbreads and Ravioli w/Grilled Asparagus (WOW) - 5/5 (Winner, Winner...would recommend as a must try) and a Steak Burger w/Cheese - 4/5 (Again, this was fine...just nothing special). Each Sandwich and or Entree included a side Salad (once again, it was okay, but nothing noteworthy...chopped iceberg lettuce w/dressing and a Beet slice on top), a Garlic Bread basket, and a bowl of Jocko's Beans. Everything was edible and we were hungry. You see dear readers, we had waited for our order long enough that I started to wonder if the food would ever arrive. Just when I was going to speak to Kylie about this...she brought our order out to the table. The ordered Sandwich/Burger also included Fries...unfortunately, the fries were cold. Disappointing. Normally, I am not the kind of patron that doesn't bring issues like these to the Manager's attention...but my daughter asked me to just "forget it", it was her birthday sooo I wasn't going to "rock the boat " so to speak. Ultimately on this occasion...in this Yelper's opinion, Jocko's Steakhouse in Nipomo wasn't an out and out terrible experience. The food was fine, the service might have been better, the prices seemed "elevated"...and as a result, ultimately, we weren't as impressed as most of my Yelp brethren. Our dining experience earned Jocko's a "go if it's calling your name" 3 Star review. The overall consensus of the table was...not worth another visit, yet we were happy to have given it a try. read more

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Worst service possible. Sat there for 20 minutes and not once did anyone come and ask for our drinks or anything. From the minute we walked it just felt off. Stares from the staff there basically told us what we needed to know. We were sat in a corner and just completely ignored. Do not come here if you are Latino. read more

Outstanding service!!! WE come from the valley to eat here! Best steakhouse ever!! It's a great kept secret! read more

Jocko's Steak House - Salad and drinks first! - Steakhouses Near Me - Nipomo, California

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Jocko's Mix in Nipomo, California, remains an absolute must-visit for anyone craving an authentic, world-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 read more

One of my absolute favorites! I recall many past meals there with fondness! Can't wait for next time! Highly recommended!

My family loved the turkey special on Wednesday. We have been multiple times and had no issue . We took the whole family , and they said " we had to reserve the special " and we couldn't get it. We have been here multiple times and never had this issue . Let's say this , if you want to pay 70 bucks for a super mid steak , terrible service , pickles and salsa , then this is the spot for you ! All of the servers I have ever had are super unfriendly. Slow slow slow service, super expensive meal for the worst atmosphere you could imagine . Please save your money and go to guiseppies in pismo and get the ribeye , it's going to be a way better experience!!! Never ever coming back :) I've been here 7+ times , every time had a mediocre experience. read more

Jocko's Steak House - Steakhouses Near Me - Nipomo, California

Finally made it out to try out the highly recommended Jocko's! It's a bit of trek for me but worth the effort. We were waiting on friends to join so we ordered an appetizer to hold us over which was a big mistake. Ordered the fried mushrooms which were delicious and a nice proportion. Since it was our first time we had no idea of all the sides of crackers, salad, beans, garlic bread holy heck that is a lot of food. Split a steak which as expected was cooked as ordered. Cool old steak house vibe that is family friendly and quick and friendly service. Come hungry! read more

Classic. Always a favorite spot. Oak grilled Beef ribs and big pours of whiskey!! Love that it's NOT fancy.

Jacko's is famous for their red oak barbecued steaks which my husband loves. But I am a fan of their steak burgers (large hamburgers ground fresh from steak). The side dish is either French fries or their Santa Maria style beans. Pickles, crackers, salsa, and green salad are brought out first. The salad comes with a beet slice but I ask for a tomato slice instead. We had amazing service from Jake who even brought out Jocko's gear so my husband could try on a new hat. The ambiance is literal cinder blocks and mortar. Down to earth real old style BBQ. They open at 1 pm on Sat and Sun. 4 pm on M - F. They now take reservations. PS: try the pan fried chicken. It's a secret wow dish that rivals a steak. read more

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Wow, has this place changed a lot in the 15 years since my previous visit. It has bigger and fancier quarters, a bigger and fancier menu, a much bigger and somewhat fancier customer base, and bigger and fancier prices. But along with a vast selection of other entrees, they still have the big and crusty ribeye steaks they became famous for, which come with plenty of sides (a much bigger selection than the automatic plate of fries you used to get). You want a powerful steak dinner, you can get one here. read more

We were driving down from the Bay Area to SoCal and our friends kept telling us we need to eat at Jocko's Steak House. It was off the beaten path but we came after being recommended by several friends who are big foodies. We made a reservation on Yelp in advance and we were so glad we did because we were able to bypass a big line. The restaurant is casual and has a friendly vibe. We got the Spencer steak which was the ribeye that was perfectly cooked to medium rare. We can taste the red oak taste which made the steak very flavorful. We also got a side of lobster tail and it was very fresh and delicious. We also got beef ribs but it was a bit tougher than we would like. Jocko's is a good stop if you are doing a CA roadtrip and the price is very reasonable for the amount of food you get. We enjoyed our dinner experience there, the staff was very friendly. read more

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This steakhouse is a true small town classic that's been around for years and it's easy to see why. It has that cozy country feel that makes you feel right at home the minute you walk in. If you're driving through town, this is definitely a must stop to grab a great meal. The service is quick fast and friendly, which makes the experience even better. And whatever you do don't leave without trying to stake bites! They are flavorful, tender, and absolutely worth it. Even my picky eater loved them, which says a lot. Overall, a solid dependable place with great food and that welcoming hometown charm you just don't find everywhere anymore. read more

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Jockos is great and their steaks are very flavorful, no doubt about that. The only thing that made me not give 5 stars is that I ordered a 10oz filet mignon dinner meal for pick up and when I got home I weight it and it was only 4.8oz!! I understand steaks shrink a little when you cook them. But that's a whole half of steak that I didn't receive and when you are paying the prices they charge ($52.50) you expect to receive what you are paying for. I didn't want to drive all the way back so I'm writing this review to let everyone know. If you can weight your steaks!!!! read more

Jocko's just isn't the same since the change in management/ownership. My guy has been coming here for over 40 years--sometimes several times a week--and while we've been disappointed the last few visits, we kept giving it another chance, hoping things would improve. Unfortunately, they haven't. It starts right away with the pickle. No more relish tray--just a single sliced pickle. Nobody wants that. Then came the salads. We both ordered ranch, and within two bites our stomachs were in knots and painful. I don't know if the dressing was bad or what, but it was not right. I ordered the filet medium (I usually prefer medium rare, but I know Jocko's tends to undercook). It came out raw--cold in the middle, truly raw. I sent it back to be cooked a bit more, and it returned still rare. I couldn't eat it. My fiancé ordered the ribeye. He eats ribeye exclusively, and this one was extremely lean--questionable whether it was even a ribeye at all. Even the waitress said she asked the chef before bringing it. It was NOT a ribeye. It was burnt on the outside and also far too rare. He doesn't complain and ate it anyway. The pinquito beans were sour, and we overheard the table behind us complaining that their steaks were also way too rare. To top it off, a little girl at the table next to us was upset because her Shirley Temple was wrong. Honestly--how do you mess up a Shirley Temple? This place used to be a sure thing. Sadly, those days seem to be gone. read more

Jocko's Steak House - Ribeye? - Steakhouses Near Me - Nipomo, California

Jocko's is an experience! Food and environment are a 5 star! I just wish this place was open for lunch, my only complaint is I can't get more of it... but seriously I don't live in this area so I only get to enjoy when driving through. So make sure to check when they are open if you are driving through the city. This is a spot worth stopping at... as long as you are a full fed vegetarian read more

Worst service in the world!!! Bartender, they don't have one!!! wait forever!! Denver's is better what a joke !!!

Who'd a thunk such an amazing little steakhouse would be in the heart of teeny tiny Nipomo?! I had one of the smallest steaks on the menu and by the end when Rachel (our wonderfully pleasant server) brought us our ice cream, I was feeling very full and content. Thank goodness for the sound dampening tiles on the ceiling because it got very loud inside the restaurant, which makes for a very energetic experience. I'd absolutely recommend reservations. read more

Oh yes. Stumbled upon this iconic restaurant 3years ago. Looks like a biker bar / restaurant. I was wrong.. sorta' Everyone is there for the steaks! Absolutely fantastic. Service is great and such a great atmosphere. Enjoyed their food 3 times now. Never been disappointed. Check them out when in SLO read more

Food is always good the steak yummy. I love to see the all the people enjoying their selves. The place is unique and the service is aways with a smile. read more

Dinner 4 pm March 22, 2025. Made a reservation for 2 and we were promptly seated. Ambiance: Tables are about 10" from adjacent group of people. Chairs are actual banquet chairs. Years ago they were metal folding chairs. The building looks same as always. Pretty awful. Zero ambiance. Actually good food or not I do not plan to return. It's just a depressing place to dine and you feel very cramped. Like tearing in a friends basement with concrete block walls painted beige. Old art on the wall. Boring art. Also the other patrons, most were not really the people I'm comfortable being around. Some looked like they just crawled out of bed, hair a real mess, etc. Service: We had a fantastic waitress. She was just the best. Quick helpful service and asking if we needed anything. Food: We ordered a 16 oz Spencer steak dinner and the extra plate meal for me with just the sides and I took a small piece of Dans steak. The Spencer was supposed to be medium and my piece was overcooked but it was tender. Beans were great. I really liked them. Great fresh made chunky salsa. They gave us crackers, cracker breadsticks and some really good homemade dill pickles sliced nice and thick. We also had dinner salads with ranch that were great! Very crisp lettuce with carrot shreds and 1 beet slice. The baked potato was loaded good. The garlic bread needs more garlic and was buttered and cooked inconsistently. The dinner meal comes with a bowl of ice cream and they had about 4 choices. Even though it was overall aboit 7/10 meal and pretty good with the awful atmosphere I really do not want to ever go back. read more

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Went there since I was from out of town staying over in Santa Maria for work. Great place! I went there on a Wednesday night, thinking it wouldn't be too crowded. Place was jammed! Got the last seat at the bar. Great food. All the locals seemed friendly. The cute bartender Aniessa was great also. Fast service. Highly recommend read more