We were celebrating my cousin's birthday, and from the moment we sat down, Kiana brought such a warm, positive energy to our table. She was incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely cared about making sure everyone was having a great time. Her positive attitude and joyful spirit was infectious, Kiana was very sweet and attentive. She constantly checked in to make sure we had everything we needed without ever being overbearing, allowing us to enjoy our time together while still feeling well taken care of. She also gave fantastic recommendations, and everything we ordered came out timely and perfectly prepared. One thing that really stood out was when I asked if they happened to have truffle fries, even though they weren't on the menu. She explained that they normally only serve them during happy hour, but she offered to check anyway...and to my surprise, she was able to bring them out for us! That small gesture meant so much and showed how willing she was to go above and beyond for her guests. To make the birthday celebration even more special, she brought out a beautiful tres leches cake with a candle so we could all sing happy birthday to my cousin. It was such a thoughtful touch and made the moment feel truly special. After we paid, we had the chance to chat with her, and it only confirmed what we had already experienced throughout the meal--she is such a positive, uplifting person. She's the kind of employee who lights up an establishment and makes people want to come back. We left talking about how wonderful she was, and she played a huge role in making our celebration so memorable. The food was just as amazing as the service. We started with the crab and spinach dip and the bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer, both of which were absolutely delicious and the perfect way to start our meal. I ordered the Caesar salad with steak, and it was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Everything we ordered came out fresh, timely, and exactly as expected. From the appetizers to the desserts, every dish was excellent and made the experience even more enjoyable. FYI if you're going to get any appetizer the CRAB & SPINACH DIP + THE BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP IS THE WAY TO GO!!!! The ambience is perfection, beautifully decorated with lights. Such a great experience. read more

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What a disappointing experience. We arrived around 4:30 PM, and the restaurant was uncomfortably hot. It was obvious the air conditioning either wasn't on or wasn't being used until the early dinner rush started coming in. For a restaurant charging these prices, guests shouldn't have to sit through dinner sweating and uncomfortable. The cleanliness was also a major issue. Our water glasses were stained and dirty, and the tables were sticky, making the entire place feel poorly maintained. These are basic details that should never be overlooked, especially at this price point. Considering how much our bill was, we left feeling like we had wasted our evening. We honestly would have had a much better experience at Houston's or Nick's. What makes it even more disappointing is that the location is absolutely phenomenal and has so much potential. Unfortunately, the atmosphere, cleanliness, and overall experience simply did not justify the cost. A beautiful location can only take a restaurant so far. We learned our lesson and will not be dining here again. read more

Worst experience ever. We went to eat dinner and enjoy the band Family Style last night 23may26. They seated my gf and I at a table, waiter came over and asked it we wanted a drink and we replied "yes" and told him we also wanted to order dinner as well. We ordered our drinks and the wait was unacceptable. We then get another server who brought our dinner and still no drinks. It shouldn't take longer to get drinks over dinner ‍. I ordered a salmon dinner which was cold. I had to send it back (and by the way I'm not that person to send food back), Our drinks finally come and now waited another 25min for the return of my dinner, which I almost canceled, but finally came. Now done with dinner and out to the patio to listen to the band. Some ladies were vacating their seats and welcomed my gf and I to sit in them..they left and a waitress came by and we asked her if we could order a drink. Abruptly she said "NO" I can't serve you because you did not reserve those seats....really....OMG When the band was finished we went to the bar had 1 more drink while waiting for our uber and almost missed our uber waiting for our check. Btw the bar was pretty empty at that point so why so long for a simple check. In conclusion I will NEVER recommend this restaurant to anyone. I do want you to know I have lived here for a long time and frequent Salt Creek Grill under prior ownership and am appalled of what has happened to this wonderful restaurant in beautiful Dana Point. read more

Went to this place for brunch for the first time. The ambiance was beautiful and they had great service. The food here was very delicious, I had ordered a crab omelette and it was fresh crab . I definitely recommend this place if you are in this area. read more

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Salt Creek is my go to place for steak. They always cook it to perfection. The staff is incredibly kind and provides exceptional service. The place is always spotless, and the overall ambiance is great for date nights. Also, a big shoutout to Nasmy. She's the best. She remembers your name and always greets you if she's ever served you before. That alone makes me return. read more

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Had not been here since they changed hands. Very good! Very very nice Aaron helped us pick out something delicious on the menu. He took his time to explain the menu. Such a pleasant experience. He made it even more pleasant! Very warm and friendly, very sincere. I will definitely be back read more

Salt Creek Grille - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

Salt Creek Grille absolutely knocked it out of the park. Everything we ordered was incredible from start to finish. We started with the bacon wrapped shrimp and the crab dip, and both were packed with flavor and perfectly prepared. The wedge salad was crisp and refreshing, and for our mains we had the sea bass, pork chop, and the French dip. Every single dish was cooked beautifully and tasted amazing. The sea bass was especially outstanding, but honestly there were no weak dishes at all. And then there was the butter cake. Wow. It was the perfect ending to an already fantastic meal and easily one of the best desserts we have had in a long time. On top of the food, our server was wonderful. Attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. We will absolutely be coming back. Highly recommend! read more

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, OR HOME ALONE, COME HERE, FOR SOME CHEERS... SALT CREEK GRILLE, Dana Point, California! Family in Town, or if you're Home Alone, You Gotta come here for some Happy Holiday Cheers! My Husband and I have been coming back to Salt Creek Grille for so many many (27) years! And we were sad to see the original owners sell, but excited for the New Owners to do well! And I must say, all the renovations they have made to this place, are better then ever and made the place Great Again, ever since they opened in June 2024! It's definitely a more Upscale Dining Experience indeed! I Love how they've brought back the Welcoming Fireplace at the front entrance! Their outdoor patio is lovely too! It's a perfect place for their evening concerts & a great space to host a private party! There is even an area with Sand for the Kids to play! Their updated menu has some Delicious Options! And I love how they've kept some of original SCG favorites! Their Chilean Sea Bass is Always Ahh~Mazing! My Husband and I often share our version of a Surf & Turf... We Love their Blue Fin Tuna, so Fresh & Delicious and it pairs well with their Mesquite Grilled Double R Ranch Filet or their 18 oz. Ribeye! Their Steaks are Melt in your Mouth delicious and pairs Wonderfully with one of their Fine Wines! OMG! ~25+ Year Old 5.5 lbs of California Grown Spiny Lobster Sighting Found Here! We rarely have room for Dessert, but when I do, I'm going to get their Butter or Lava Cake! And I Must mention their MONDAY NIGHT Worthy SPECIALS... Ohhh, My Oh My, they have a Freaking Massive Chicken Pot Pie and their Prime Rib Special is also a Touchdown, it's so tender & both are more than enough to share! They have a Lively Lounge with a Piano Man! And their back door "Walker Lounge" space has been recently expanded! It's a Great Spot to Watch a game! And now they're Hosting Cool Party Events there, too! They Have a "Locals Only" Menu in the Lounge M-F, 4-6pm, Sat & Sun, 3-6pm, and All Day on Mondays! Their Weekend Brunch is a Must! We Love their Bloody Mary's and Egg Benny's! Service has Always been Superb here and we Always can't wait to come back to SALT CREEK GRILLE again! read more

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We had dinner at Salt Creek Grille last night. Keep in mind, we had my son's rehearsal dinner there a few years ago and had a great experience. We have been many times over the years and always have good service and food. Last night was the exception. It was too busy for the kitchen to keep up. They had a band outside and it was packed. Standing room and a long wait at the inside bar for any drinks. We finally say for dinner. No water even though I asked 4 times. Our drinks took 45 minutes. There was also a mix up at the bar on my friend's credit card they had to refund. Our steaks were over cooked and took so long to come out. Our reservation was for 8pm and our dinner came after 9. I hope this is a one off and not how it is there now. Too expensive for the poor experience read more

Aaron was great!! Came for my niece's high school graduation celebration and we had a great time. Aaron was so personable my brother actually said, "I love waiters like him". Food was tasty, chowder amazing, habanero mango margarita was delicious and so were the desserts. read more

Restaurant was fabulous. My server Alex was amazing! Alex recommended the coffee crusted new york strip that was an absolute delight! Alex was very attentive and knowledgeable, and made my birthday one to remember. Thank you so much Salt Creek for making my birthday dinner a night to remember! read more

Shout out to Colton!! The service was impeccable. I went with a group of friends to celebrate my birthday on a Thursday afternoon (before line dancing). I was a little disappointed to find out happy hour only applied to the bar, but we sat on the patio and still had a great experience. When we got there around 4:30, it was quiet and we had the whole patio to ourselves. Eventually it started filling up and service became slower (reasonably so). But, I ended up missing all of line dancing! A little disappointing, but I still was able to enjoy the live band and pretty atmosphere. All our food was fabulous and I LOVED the complementary birthday cake! We had such a great experience and I can't wait go back soon! read more

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I've previously enjoyed Salt Creek Grill and was excited to go this weekend to have a cocktail while the band played outside followed by dinner. Our experience was so disappointing and frankly embarrassing. We checked in with the young overwhelmed hostess an hour before our dinner reservation as outside tables were allocated on a 1st come 1st served basis: they were all booked-no problem-but she promised a seat on the lounges outside in 2 minutes so we waited and waited by the stand for an hour-she had no idea what she was doing and should not promise something she can't deliver. Another more capable hostess seated us for our reservation inside, and again we sat at an empty table with no server coming by for what seems like forever. We ordered drinks, 20 minutes later were told they couldn't make a cocktail from the menu so it was another 15 minutes before the replacement drink finally arrived-now an hour and a half after we arrived! Our poke appetizer arrived with no plates or silverware, but was tasty when we got to eat it. We ordered the 18oz steak to be split with a salad, the steak arrived on 1 plate and was gone for a long time to be split. It was tender and tasty when we eventually got to eat it, but it had quite a lot of fat. The salad was below par. We were celebrating a birthday, they do offer a complimentary dessert but sadly it was a tasteless sponge cake covered in canned cream. This was the worst restaurant experience I have had in memory, disorganization all around and to add insult to injury, the restroom was absolutely filthy. read more

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Easy to find, ample parking and plenty of seating on a Tuesday night. Met girlfriends for appetizers and girl time. Servers were attentive. Live music was a plus. Booths were comfy and the fireplace added a nice ambiance. Indoor and outdoor seating. Extending dry January so can't comment on the bar offerings. Appetizers were a gold mine. Bacon wrapped shrimp - nice and crispy while the shrimp remained juicy. 3 per order. Yum. Taquitos - star of the night. Served two (cut into halves) per order with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and some amazing crema sauce. So good we ordered 2! Steak bites - holy moly. Served 3 skewers per order and accompanied by a side of chimichurri sauce. If only I'd have paused to snap a photo. Again, ordered 2 of these and split among 3 of us we all enjoyed this app. Finally the sourdough bread. Cut into 6 wedges this small boule was the perfect size with garlic and cheese stuffed into the center. A nice way to mop up any leftover chimi, I really enjoyed downing these carbs. Pleasant experience and would definitely come back for happy hour, live music or a nice dinner out. read more

have been here 3 times in the last few months. I did not like it under the old owners and could tell right away that it had changed owners which I was very pleased about. And to find out they have live music next to the bar (that is a good thing so it is not too awfully loud if sitting nearer the area the band is in). My friend who just moved to laguna Niguel suggested we go there and I fell in love with the food and the people running the bar. super nice and friendly. to be honest with you I hate it that these places close their doors so early. If it was my place I would open up longer because the area needs places that stay open later than other ones. I am not sure when this close early came about but none of my friends like it and I really hate it. It is so Orange County.. so my friend and I only had 45 minutes to get out food eat what we could and leave. the band was ending when we got there probably about 9:15pm. Hardly a sole was there which was just perfect. We sat at the bar ordered our favorite martinis that were excellent (Kettle One only no vermouth) stuffed olives with blue cheese). Excellent and big....and we just thought we would get burgers because they are usually excellent in these kinds of places. We weren't allowed because of timing to order regular dinners. The burger was to die for. One of the best I have ever had and reasonable. We could not finish even our martinis let along the burgers. So, we took them home and walked outside to the lovely patio and took some pix of each other. A guy that worked there came out and he gladly took more pix of us. cannot say they were the best pix I have taken but fun. The prices are not cheap. The drinks are excellent and another time we went for dinner had salmon with pesto and baked spuds and vegies nicely prepared on our plates. But the best thing was the Lobster Bisque. It was absolutely the best I have ever had in my life. I am always searching for the best lobster bisque. Well, I could not wait to go back for that. It is expensive and I recommend splitting that bowl as it is quite large and it is not all that great at home if you take it with you. The music was okay and I cannot say we got into that because that is not why we went there. But it looked like several singles were there looking around the place and dancing. It was fun watching. I love this restaurant now. Just fantastic. If there is one thing that I would like to see improved that is that the music was too loud to have a conversation under. Could have easily turned in down especially in and nice restaurant like that is. read more

We've found the Salt Creek Grille a very worthy return over the last several years - from Sunday Brunch to date nights. The atmosphere is always most pleasant inside and they've continued to provide outdoor opportunities worthy of one's consideration. The sand play area outside is great for small children with lounge seating to enjoy spirits and conversation. The entry deck has nice high tops - with glimpses of the ocean across PCH. Heaters scattered throughout. Note: PCH drivers / vehicles can be interruptive when trying to enjoy the outdoor settings - but it is typically brief and intermittent. Host / Service staff have always been knowledgeable, attentive and on point. Food (options / preparation) is consistently well done with delicious options to indulge or share together. read more

Update: My mom and I keep coming back and thing just keep getting better and better. My mom had had the sliders for Happy Hour and loved them and the last time we were in there she tried the steak bites of the Happy Hour again and this time it was perfect. Everything was cooked and delicious as is my virgin passion fruit martini. Luis, Ted and Thomas are all phenomenal people behind the bar. This is one of the best places to go in OC for Happy Hour or dinner or just to bring your family and friends who are visiting from out of town. I know you'll be completely satisfied from the moment you step foot into this wonderful establishment. read more

Sadly this was my birthday dinner and our experience wasn't great. Our waitress Chelsy was so rude and not professional. She was upset that I sent my soda back for not being fizzy. Come to find out the machine wasn't working correctly. She gave my husband such a hard time he wanted to leave. The manager came and apologized to us about the soda machine so my husband provided feedback. We ended up getting a new waiter who was much nicer and was in fun sprites. Be mindful when going here. As for food: yellow tail crudo - not worth the price, all the add ons took away from the fish. It also needed some salt Seared ahi tuna - delicious, perfectly balanced and full of flavor Firewood steak - Juicy and perfectly cooked. The fire really enhanced the meat, 10 out of 10 Desserts - Butter cake was good but very sweet and rich Tres Leches - moist and delicious read more

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The last time I was here was before Covid. I started coming here two weeks ago because my girls wanted to do line dancing on Thursdays. We've asked for our favorite waiter, Sterling, for the second time. He is awesome, tentative, cheerful, personable, and most of all great customer service! The food we ordered were tasty and great for sharing: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp , Baked Sourdough Loaf, and Brussels Sprouts. And, you can't get any fresher than this...they have a tank full of live crabs that are FRESH served to order. Under new management, this place has completely come alive! The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, making anyone feel right at home. The staff and customers are so friendly, and visits are always looked forward to with live entertainment. read more

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We came on a Sunday evening with reservations. Checking in was easy and we got seated right away. We seemed to get a lot of attention and so hospitality is great at Salt Creek Grille. We wanted to try the Rock Crab Dip but they were out that day which was fine because the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp and Roasted Bone Marrow hit the spot! I literally crave the Roasted Bone Marrow. Our server recommended the Coffee Crusted NY which was a great rec! We also ordered the braised short ribs - no regrets there! So much flavor! Our server also recommended the brussels sprouts which was soooo good! The butter cake also hit the spot. I totally appreciated the conversation we had with our server after our meal. I know the restaurant was closed so I appreciate the time he took to chat with us. read more

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Food was average at best. Service was moving at a snail's pace. And they definitely determine where to seat you depending on what brands you're wearing. Given all the great restaurants in the area, this one is a skip. read more

Since it was sold, the food menu is small and unfortunately the food is secondary to the bar and drinks/The night we were there, it seemed to be scream night due to the decibel of noise. In addition, there was a loud piano playing with an even louder singer trying to shout over the general noise. The bar was overflowing with mainly25 to 35 year old women hoping to be seen. We used to go to Salt Creek for the bar as well as the food. Too bad it's a no go restaurant now read more

Had early Christmas dinner with my in laws on a Sunday. We sat outdoor where they had a tent set up with a Christmas tree and pretty lights. Service was great, got our food in a timely manner. I had the sea bass which was cooked well but had a bit of fishy taste to it. Hubbs got a burger which he enjoyed. read more

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Well, we had to try it. Great setting. Way over priced for the quality of food. Ask for dressing on the side for any salad. Wine pours are small. If you sit outside staff takes a while to circle back around. Unfortunately we probably won't be back. Staff was nice. read more

We were super excited to take our friends here. We ended up really embarrassed for mentioning Salt Creek Grille. For years we have had good service and good food and was really disappointed tonight. We asked for certain things for our food and did not get it. Our drinks took forever to get to us. We were told it was because there was only one bartender for the whole restaurant. When I finally got my nice wine it was brought to me in a plastic cup.... weird and so inappropriate. The next glass ordered I asked for a wine glass and not a plastic cup. It took way to long, so I finally cancelled that order. By the time it was ready for dessert, our dirty plates had not been removed off the table. We had to ask them to please take our plates away. For over a $500.00 meal, I expected a little more. We won't be back and neither will the friends that were with us. There are way too many nice places to eat in that area to not be on top of your game. read more

Chris was an awesome server. Super friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel welcome from the moment we sat down. He knew the menu well, had great recommendations, and made sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. Service like his is a big reason we'll be coming back to Salt Creek Grill. Thanks, Chris! read more

So my husband and I came here for our date night. The remodel looks really good. The booths are comfortable... thankfully the right height for the table! ( a pet peeve of mine ) the lighting, just right and the live music is great without being too loud to talk Tonight we had a server and a server in training, both were fantastic. My husband had the lamb chops because apparently those are amazing here!! I had the salmon and for appetizers we had the steamed artichoke and the shrimp cocktail. I don't know how they make their artichokes, but I find them absolutely delicious ! Because it was a special occasion, we finished up with crème brûlée and shots of espresso. Everything was really good! read more

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It was a brunch reservation with my partner and our first time trying this place. We started with bacon wrapped shrimp which was really good; Their Steak and eggs was delish and my partner had the steak frites which was also to her liking but the best part was the dessert - we tried the butter cake and it was perfect paired with a good cup of coffee and this is a must try. Service was great combined with exquisite atmosphere. I would definitely come back for their dinner selections. read more

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The fish and French fries were very fresh, savory, crispy, fluffy, flavorful, and delicious. Also, the ketchup was super tangy, and the strawberry lemonade was really tasty, sweet, and refreshing, and the calamari was crunchy and chewy, too. Good service, nice atmosphere with pretty live music, and I had an excellent experience here tonight. read more

Salt Creek Grille - Fish, French fries, and ketchup. - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

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The atmosphere? Smooth as hell. Boogie, upscale, got everybody feelin' like they walked into some celebrity afterparty. But strip away the fancy lights and overpriced cocktails, and the truth comes marching in like a pissed-off tax collector: the food is mediocre and the service is straight garbage. Now I don't know if the bartenders don't give a fuck, the servers don't give a fuck, or management built this whole operation on not giving a fuck, but the entire night was a slow-motion train wreck. Took damn near 30 minutes just to get a drink order in. Meanwhile people are piled up at the bar like it's a fast-food drive-thru at midnight, with random loudmouth assholes cutting the line and screaming their orders over everybody else like uncivilized jackals fighting over scraps. Hell, In-N-Out during a lunch rush got more structure than this circus. This place is a fucking joke masquerading as efficient. read more

Had 5:45 reservations for a Saturday night. No parking was available so we had to walk 15 minutes just to get there. Then had to wait 20 minutes to check in. Now it 6:20 and we finally get a table. Then we wait another 20 minutes to take our order, and we had to ask the water guy to get someone for us. We were about to order a pizza and have it delivered to our table to prove a point but Ivan showed up and was clutch. Ivan was working a different section but totally saved the day. The food came out quick and was amazing. If It wasn't for Ivan we would have ate or dominos and left, and I would have given no stars. For a couple to spend $200 for dinner, my expectations are high. This place fell very short. Saw other people leaving too because of the trash service. Hope they get their sh!t together. read more

Went here with my bestie to celebrate the night before her wedding day. We decided to share the ceasar salad, chicken sandwich and fish and chips. They were all good, but for the prices I was expecting a higher quality of food. Same went for the $20 cocktails, it was just lacking for me. The service was great and had a really nice ambiance. They even had a piano player singing, thus the 4 stars I gave them. But for the amount of money we spent ($65 pp) I just expected more. It would have been nice if they did a little something special for my friend as well! read more

Salt Creek Grille - Shared half blackened chicken sandwich and order of fish and chips - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

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My husband and I tried this restaurant recently, it took a minute to be seated as the hostess was nowhere to be found. Our server was very nice, I don't drink alcohol so I asked about a mocktail I ended up getting a berry mojito, it was delicious My husband had the Bluefin Tuna and Mac and cheese. He really enjoyed his meal. I had the salmon, it was pretty good but I tasted my husband's Bluefin Tuna and I liked that better. The seating was nice and cozy, and the restaurant has a warm feeling.. It was a nice experience. read more

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The food has gone completely downhill the bar menu very little like if you're a woodpecker picking on little bit of food, they got cheaper and cheaper same atmospheres same friendly waiters no problem there but management has a big problem with food and prices overpriced and it's not that good I wouldn't recommend this place go to Banderas's. read more

Salt Creek Grille - Shit, the little pieces of beef are like scraps for dogs - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

I have driven by this place a million times and some friends have said they loved it. Especially their sushi? Well turns out, the ownership changed, as did the menu. The photos on yelp are inaccurate if they are over a year old. We came for happy hour. The bartenders were very friendly and helpful. The food, however, was just okay. We got the buffalo wings, taquitos, sliders, and a salad (the salad was not on happy hour) The taquitos were the best. Clearly homemade and really good. The wings were standard wings. The sliders were inedible. We retuned them. They tasted like they came from frozen meat. The vibe inside feels like a hotel restaurant. Drab colors. No real soul. Just really ho hum. They do have a big TV for watching sports in the back. That's a plus for weekend brunch. There was nothing about this place that made me think "We have to come back again!" read more

First time here. Saw the mixed reviews and wondered what the truth is. Well, I think this place is good but has room to seriously improve. The staff are very friendly and surfer like. The food is good. I had the prime rib dip and my husband had the baby back ribs. Where they came short: My prime rib dip on the menu said it came with horseradish cream. When my food arrived it wasn't on the plate. I asked for it and it felt like I was asking for something extra. Then looked at the menu and there it was. Sadly, it took about 15 minutes to actually get it to me after I ate almost half my meal slowly. The waiter said the staff was having issues. I also ordered a cherry coke when we arrived and still didn't have it when my food came. I had to remind the waiter about my cherry coke. Then I finally got it. Lastly, our water was only refilled once (not a big deal) but we're big water drinkers. This place kind of reminded me of Nick's restaurant with similar prices but very much lacking in service in comparison. The vibe is good and it could be a nice place to hang out and have a drink or play horn hole. Hopefully, they work out the kinks with their staff. read more

Salt Creek Grille - Baby Back Ribs - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Sorry to report. Not a good experience. First thing we see when sitting down is how dirty the water glasses were... some just had water spots, but others had greasy fingerprints all over them... one steak knife was "sticky". Get a better dish washer and polish your glasses and check the utensils. The service was extremely slow, due to the kitchen that was way backed up. We waited 75 minutes for our entrees. The chicken was dry, but my braised short-rib was delicious. And the restaurant was only 25% occupied from 6pm to 8:30pm on a Sunday night. The molten lava cake wasn't, the creambrule had zero carmelized sugar (it was torched hours before being taken out of the refrigerator). This restaurant has seen better days. Sad to see. read more

Perfect beach day and opportunity to enjoy an outside meal. Salt Creek fit the bill! It was a random choice after a soccer match in Mission Viejo, we hit the PCH. We smelled the grill as we passed by and turned around and went back! We are so glad we did. My wife (birthday girl) was feeling fish and chips but we didn't find it on the brunch menu. Our delightful server Brynn charmed the chef to prepare an order even though it wasn't on the brunch menu. Boss move! We started with a signature Bloody Mary for me and my wife had a glass of the house cab. We had bacon wrapped shrimp and baby spinach salad as an hors d'oeuvre. The bloody was just spicy enough and came with cocktail olives and bleu cheese stuffed olives (I didn't have to ask). Well done. The shrimp was plump and juicy and the bacon was cooked perfectly and didn't unwind as you bite it. The salad was fresh and crisp with a variety of textures and tastes. From the goat cheese to the thin sliced apples and the sun-dried cranberries made it upscale. Packed a flavor punch for such a tidy package. I finished with the Ahi Tower and fried wontons. Again a flavor bomb as the ahi paired with the edamame and avocado enjoyed with the crispy wontons. My wife really enjoyed the fish and chips and shared a sizable batter fried fillet. The birthday surprise of thres leche cake with sparkler sealed the deal! The band was just setting up for what promises to be an epic evening in the OC. When they ask "why is so expensive to live in Southern California?" My answer is "because it's worth it!" Salt Creek Grille was certainly worth it! We will be back and next time it won't be by chance. read more

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Disaster Birthday. Unfortunate Went to Salt Creek Grill for my birthday with my girlfriend and my parents while we were back in Dana Point. We picked it because we've driven past it forever and it always seemed like one of those solid local spots. Saturday night, special occasion, figured it was a safe choice. It ended up being one of the more disappointing dinners we've had in a while. Prices are high across the menu, which would be fine if the food matched, but it really didn't. Nothing was awful, just very average for what they charge. The kind of meal where you keep waiting for something to justify the price and it never does. Service was also strange the whole night. We put in the reservation notes and even called ahead to say we were celebrating a birthday, and when we got there nobody mentioned it at all. My girlfriend went up to the host stand to check on it and got a scoff and a very confused response like she was asking for something unusual? High schoolers can be great employees but need genuine training. Our waiter didn't seem rude exactly, just very low effort. A lot of mumbling, short answers, not really paying attention even though the restaurant wasn't busy. At one point we ordered a Sprite and a sparkling water, and when the drinks came out we asked which was which. He told us to taste them and figure it out, which kind of summed up the level of service the whole night. The birthday dessert finally came out right after we paid the bill, right before we were about to leave, like someone remembered at the last second. Overall it just felt like a place that isn't trying very hard anymore. You can't charge those prices, have a half-empty dining room on a Saturday, and give that level of food and service and expect people not to notice. Sad it did not live up to its lore. Food was maybe a 5/10 Service around a 3/10 Overall experience probably a 4/10 Not the worst restaurant ever, but definitely not somewhere I'd go back to, and not somewhere I'd recommend if you're looking for a nice dinner in Dana Point. I have told many people not to go there. read more

Excellent service, great ambiance and furnishings/dècor, amazing sunset/oceanview & reasonable prices!