Red Fox Room Reviews

We had dinner here with a friend, the food was very good. Excellent service. The petite filet was 9 oz. there was nothing petite about it! The NY strip was tender. All of the portions were generous.

Very good steak! Amazing service. Try the French Martini. Steak was perfectly cooked. Some booths can be a bit awkward - very long, so you can't really chat with everyone at the table (We were a party of 4). Place is classic old style steakhouse, so it's dark, so best to watch your step. They are about to move locations. We were told they'll be open til August, then close until they relocate.

We enjoyed The Red Fox when living in the area 40 years ago. When we saw it was still open & the menu looked familiar we were sure it still must be good...we were not disappointed

My son and I had a celebratory dinner after the Golden State Warriors championship victory. The food and the service were great.

Heard of this place for years. It was okay and certainly not a place to run from...but it was just okay. Still decorated like the '50s, a popular dive bar was well attended, servers were pleasant and attentive. Food was just okay, and on the higher end of moderate.

I was in San Diego on business; met up with a friend afterwards for a couple of drinks elsewhere. I invited my friend to dinner at The Red Fox Room. I have been coming here since the mid-eightys! Everything here is good but the steaks are phenomenal. We both had the Lobster Tail and Petite Filet Mignon. This was superb!!! The steak was cooked perfectly as was the lobster. Dinner for 2 with cocktails was $85.! Chris was a superb waiter; great personality also! You have to try this place, if you have not been here recently, or ever before. It's better now than in years past! Great job, Red Fox!!!! Chef JP

We ate here twice as we thought the steak was so good! Big portions of delicious steak, which you can share between 2 for a small supplement. The waitress was lovely, and service was excellent throughout (we sat on at our table and had a couple of drinks after we finished eating). Would definitely recommend. The restaurant didn't have aircon, but it did have plenty of character and atmosphere. Live music playing (mostly piano with some singing in the adjacent bar (open plan so you could hear clearly from the restaurant area).

Every time I'm in San Diego, I have to eat at least once at Red Fox. The drinks are strong and honest, the steaks are great and the relish tray - tradition.

A stunning old English pub hiding behind cheap vinyl siding populated with an eccentric array of characters.

Grabbed a bite of dinner here while in town for business. Great location in the city and an eclectic atmosphere. Had the filet and it was cooked perfect. Bartender and waitress (sisters) made the dinner a bit more fun with their fun attitudes. Would recommend this place to anyone looking to have a meal in one of the "throwback" steak houses

The Red Fox has a dining room and a bar. This review only is for the bar which has a lot of charms. The drinks are stiff and inexpensive (when last I was there a well drink cost $4), they have a jazz duo almost every night and the crowd is a crazy mix of middle-aged tourists, local hipsters and regulars. You can always get a table and they have waitress service for the bar area. I have only ever had appetizers here (jalapeno poppers, they were excellent) but to be honest, the menu beyond that never really enticed me. The jazz duo is what makes this place unique. They start around 10:00 pm most nights. They are unpretentious and take requests. This is a grown-up seeming bar, a lot of people coming here for a quiet conversation with friends...it is not a meet market or a bumping club and does not try to be. It is also not a depressing dive with a bunch of alcoholics staring into their drinks and bathrooms you want to avoid. It is sort of my platonic ideal of a bar and there is really nothing else like it in San Diego. Plus there is a whole history to the place, the bar area was a pub in England in the 1500s and Marion Davies had the entire thing imported to her beach house and then it somehow got imported to an inconspicuous little spot on El Cajon Blvd. Just a gem!

I hoped for a better experience, but the meal and service were both just average. If I return to the area, I will go somewhere else.

My husband and I ate here last night for the first time. The food was excellent and reminded us of a hearty mid-western meal. Rolls, salads, huge steak, and potato. The furniture reminds me of an old gangster movie, very old, sturdy, red, but well maintained. This place is unique.

Had dinner at the old Red Fox with several friends and enjoyed a solid meal (steak) and great service. Have been here many times, always surprised and delighted that they keep up the good work.

This was an old dark piano bar type feel. Upholstered booths, wooden panels, dark lighting. It could be cool, but the food was outrageously priced and mediocre at best. The guy at the piano bar could play anything in any key. They need a different mic for the singers or it needs adjustment. This place has so much potential. Too bad.

Food and service were great! if you enjoy a lively setting, you will love it there. The waiters are all friendly and helpful. Just that our toddler are not use to the noise level, especially when someone do those surprise "Happy Birthday" songs.... made her cry. But, hey, this is our problem, not the place's fault.

A classic steak house! The food is great and the ambience takes you back in time! The garlic bread is delicious and we had the steak and lobster. Read the amazing history that dates back to 1600s in England. The red fox room was originally an Inn in England and a silent movie star had it shipped over. It's beautiful!!

We went in for drinks while staying at Lafayette, we enjoyed the piano and trumpet players. Cool old school vibe to the place.

We had a late-night dinner there and stayed for (strong) drinks. The decor and menu were from another era and we loved it. The steaks were perfectly prepared. The service was very friendly and prompt. We had a great time.

Good steak and sides but what really sets the Red Fox Room apart from other restaurants is the live music in the piano bar. If you end up drinking a little too much you can check into the hotel that the restaurant is attached to. Both places are so much fun in the heart of North Park.

If you like beef what's not to like about slipping into a booth at the Red Fox and dining in yesteryear with the glamour of a more nostalgic time. This is more than a tavern and it is part of the experience that is unique to the Lafayette This would've been where you went for dinner in the late 60's for prom. Best steak cooked to perfection and oh so tender my petite filet mignon. Relish tray is served up along with great cocktails and then add that yummy garlic bread and salads while awaiting the main course. Steaks portions are generous enough to feed tow and don't forget the Bearnaise sauce! The Irish Cream Cheesecake for dessert was a hit. This was my first time for dinner and I've eaten lunch here before on Saturday. Trust me, when I have a hankering for beef this is my new go to. Great old school service too.

From service to food to music, imagine 1960's classy Vegas, somewhere just off Fremont Street. The food is OK but not great. The music every night of the week is lounge piano and trumpet, which I think is kind of awesome. Worth going on a Friday or Saturday.

I love the feel of this restaurant, and the food is amazing. The crowd is eclectic and the piano bar atmosphere is great for a first date. They are no longer in the old location attached to the Lafayette Hotel, but rather across the street, but I imaging they will reproduce the old smoky piano bar feel in the new location.

Entering this dark cavern of a restaurant, one is thrown back to the days of naugahyde and Frank Sinatra, but the Red Fox Room is an anachronism which needs to be updated with the rest of the Lafayette Hotel. The bar is a nice place to sit although very dark (most likely so you cannot see the food). Drinks are good pours and talent is behind the bar although the bartender was more interested in watching TV than serving his customers. The best thing about the bar is the live music with old school pianists and singers belting out Golden tunes of days gone by. I ordered the steak and scallop dish with a salad and baked potato. The salad was full of wilted and brown mixed lettuce, the kind you find on sale with an orange sticker at Ralph's before throwing it out. Croutons and watery blue cheese dressing were on the salad. The garlic bread is actually quite tasty but no better than frozen. The steak was a tough cut of sirloin I think and was grossly undercooked and like cutting through rubber without even the slightest meat taste. The baked potato was fine with traditional accompaniments, but the scallops were from a bag and previously frozen with thick batter and slimy centers: Really dreadful unless you cover them with one of the sauces. And the food does not come cheap. I would recommend going for cocktails and music or to relive memories of 1955; otherwise, much better places for steak and seafood in San Diego. They are open very late at night so if you are starving this might do.

It is small, just two rooms, really two sides of the same coin. Side one, the Dark Bar complete with built in piano, is very cozy. I regret that I did not get the full piano experience, I am sure it would have been just great. Side two, Clubby dining room, surrounded in circular booths with red Winchester Style tufted leather, loved it. Private rooms for large parties are unavailable, our evening there had a large group in the center of the dining room and they raised the ambient noise level making conversation at the booths strained. The food is Rat Pack, complete with relish tray, house salad, and baked potato option! We all had steaks, of course, they were good and fixed to our individual orders. I highly recommend it as a very fun trip back in time, that was not recreated, just preserved. Suggest asking, when making reservations, if they have any large parties coming and work around it.

We had a bit of a family reunion here. My wife and I were staying at the Lafayette while visiting our daughter who lives nearby and my brother and his wife had driven in from Phoenix. We came to the bar for drinks and that morphed into dinner. I personally liked the dark, quiet atmosphere. It was a good place to relax and chat. There was no entertainment on this Monday evening. The drinks were good, the service was quick enough. We moved to the dining room for dinner. My wife and I shared crab cakes for an appetizer. She had the Athenian salad with shrimp which she enjoyed. I had a filet and crab legs with a baked potato. The crab legs were really good, the steak wasn't all that tender and had too much fat for my liking. Not horrible, just not the best cut of meat I've ever had. The potato was a potato. We had coffee and shared a chocolate mousse for dessert. I don't remember what everyone else ordered but the reviews were all favorable. Overall it was an enjoyable meal and we will return the next time we're in town.

You would think this restaurant wanted to be a Ruth's Cris take off when you see the prices. They want to pay off the new location in a month. Way overpriced for what you get for steak. Even a chopped sirloin is $27.95, glorified hamburger without the bun. Yes the salad is good and so is the garlic bread...A small grilled chicken breast with 3 frozen butterfried shrimp at $37.95 is really a rip off. A small, and I do mean small, glass of house wine is $10. The box it came out of was probably $12. Service good, too dark for my taste, I like to see around the room.

Welcome back you Foxy thing, you! We came in with a group of 8 last night (Wed.) at 8pm. Wait time was about 50 min. We came in for a memorial night of a friend. The old location used to be Danica's spot so & it felt nice to be back in almost the same spot to reminisce. A plate of celery, carrots, and olives has never made me more happy. The garlic bread is still crack. They were out of Lobster and crab but still good food & same great service as it used to be. Live music every night. I felt bold and in the moment and got to sing with the fellas last night. ("At Last" - Etta James if you were wondering). Located across the street from the previous location. Same cool vibe. Same stiff drinks. Good times had by all. Come support the Red Fox!

Absolutely love the Red Fox. Been going there for years and years. The service is always sassy, but good. There's always a fun vibe and great live music.

The Red Fox Room is adjacent to the Lafayette hotel. While staying at the Lafayette for a wedding we went to the Red Fox for dinner and drinks. The decor is like stepping back to the 50's or 60's. Dark wood, dark lighting, tuck and roll booths. Reminded me of a English Pub. Food choices are mostly steak and seafood. I had the Athenian salad with shrimp which was very tasty, anchovies, kalamata olives, feta cheese and about 5 medium sized shrimp perfectly cooked and cooled, not overcooked. My wife had the fried prawns. Others had steaks. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we left pleasantly surprised at the basic but good quality of the food. The wine selection is limited by the glass and fairly priced at $7 per glass. Specialty cocktails such as Manhattan made with Bulleit Rye Whiskey were only $8.50

This is a great steakhouse, old school!! And live piano some nights. The House made salad dressing in an extra bonus to the main courses.

Much of the wood in this room, which is on the dark side, comes from a 17th century English inn. Atmospheric! Bustling, attentive waitress. Menu is standard broiled steaks and seafood. My salmon was dried out.

my friend and I stopped in for a cocktail and ended up watching the guests perform Karaoke!! It was fun!! It is like something out of the movies. Like an Old Tavern that sits on a waterfront. It has old solid wood a kitchen, just incase you wanted a burger or fries with your cocktail. The food is actually pretty good! My burger was huge and cooked to my perfection! My friend had a salad and fries which she ended up taking the salad home because she ended eating all the fries!! Cocktails were great and the price was not bad! Parking on the street if you can find one since it is like in a residential area. We had a blast! the staff members are fun and friendly!

My husband and I were staying at the Lafayette hotel right next door to this restaurant as part of our honeymoon. We went to this restaurant for dinner one night and it was fantastic. We both had a steak dinner with the house wine (which was Argentinian - great for those of us who are not generally fans of California wine). The sides were great as was the salad that comes with the dinner. We thought the salad was a great touch as sometimes restaurants don't do this well enough with steak dinner. The extra veggies were very appreciated while on vacation! The service was great here as well. Our waitress did an awesome job! I also thought the atmosphere was fantastic. It was dimly lit with a piano bar. Great vibe! This is probably my favourite restaurant that we visited while in San Diego.

Steak is exceptionally good at this traditional steak house. Enter the dark mysterious interior, grab a booth, slide in and enjoy a delicious meal. Minus one star for being a little on the pricey side. Check their schedule for live music. Dress is casual and you can feel very comfortable is eating alone. Interesting menu with a history. Cocktails are good. A flower lady will come by your table, very cool. Recommended.

We have been a part of this restaurant for 50 years. My mother was a server here and I used to help her set up banquets. The New York is my favorite with the unbelievable blue cheese dressing. I hope they find another place for the restaurant to continue.

The restaurant look larger from the outside. Dark decor which needs soundproofing. Food was tasteless and overpriced. Much better places to eat in San Diego.

The Red Fox Room has great steaks and it's not ridiculously overpriced either. However, it is LOUD and the piano bar... not so great. Beware the horrendous parking situation as well, when the sign says the business across the street will tow your car (late at night, when it is closed) they mean it. The voice of experience speaking here. : - (

Good steaks, great service, fun atmosphere. Pork chops were a little dry. Went there twice in one weekend... enough said!

This restaurant has a lot of allure and historical relevance. Please take the time to read the menu with all of that information. The food was excellent and the service staff was well trained.

Our last night in San Diego, and we were psyched for a farewell dining experience in North Park. The evening got off to a rocky start when our navigation system threw us a curve. When we finally arrived, we had big-time difficulty finding a parking spot. The parking is around the corner behind the Lafayette Hotel to which Red Fox appears attached.Tip: take Uber or Lyft. Fortunately the night improved. History buffs will find the history of the Red Fox Room fascinating; keep your menu and read all about it. Our party was seated in a roomy cushy corner booth in the rear dark paneled room featuring an ornate fireplace and red ceiling. As others have mentioned, it is a bit dark; but, that contributes to the Old English vibe. A relish tray and excellent garlic cheese bread were served as we perused the menu. The menu offers a wide variety of steak and seafood dishes. Our party raved about the shrimp and the steak entrees. I personally was very pleased with my perfectly prepared Filet Mignon with Bearnaise Sauce. For dessert, we gave the Mud Pie very high marks. Our server was outstanding-attentive, helpful re menu items, friendly, and fun! She made us laugh. Perhaps the highlight of our visit was when the piano bar musicians began to play our song, "Moonlight in Vermont". Yes, it was a perfect dining experience to end our stay in San Diego.

Love the old school supper club feel. Great food and wonderful martinis and drinks. Great steaks with flavor and cooked perfect. Had the haddock and halibut and they were great as well. Even the rice side dish had flavor over your basic rice dish.

We went in not knowing if it was a bar or a place to eat. We turned around, LOST, and walked out, walking into the hotel to ask which one it was. So we go back, and there isn't a waitress in sight, we had to ask multiple times if someone was going to seat us and we see the menu and it's just not what we wanted. As we get up and head for the door, the RUDE guy on the piano yelled "Thanks you loopers!" And we walked out. Will never step a foot in this place again!

Do not miss this classic steakhouse in the historic Lafayette Hotel. Aside from its super old and slightly tacky decor (I love) this place screams 1940s tavern. The whole experience is a blast from the past. Small but perfect cocktails, simple menu (complemented with relish tray, salad, garlic bread) of steaks, chops and seafood. Everything is awesome. The calamari strip are not to be missed. Order your own, cuz you won't want to share.

Great steaks of course. This place has been here for along time, located adjacent to the Lafayette Hotel and Swim Club in University Heights, San Diego North Park. The hotel was built in early 1940's and The Red Fox has been there probably since. Most of it's décor was dismantled and shipped from England. Hence, the dark artistically carved wood and fireplace mantel. Nice bar, with tables and semi-formal restaurant. Steak, seafood at it's best. With wine and dinner for two about $58.00.

Was super intrigued since it was an old inn from Surrey England, brought over in the 1940's... Loved the low red lighting and cozy nostalgic vibe.. Service was very good and the meal was good.

The Red Fox Steakhouse and Piano Bar is a quaint restaurant and bar in the University Heights section of San Diego. It is full of charm and atmosphere. According to the restaurant’s web site, the building was originally The Red Fox Room, an inn in Surrey, England during the mid 1500s. The building was brought to the United States in 1926. We wanted to celebrate our anniversary at a restaurant that was new to us. By chance, we happened upon the Red Fox Steakhouse and Piano Bar (note, you may also see it listed on Google Maps as the Red Fox Steakhouse, or the Red Fox Room). It turned out to be a wonderfully pleasant surprise. Atalie was our server, and we were so glad that she was. She had an upbeat personality, and a welcoming smile. Her knowledge on wines was commendable. When asked for a wine recommendation, she identified her top choices, and provided a brief explanation of her selection. The restaurant was not full, as it was (to most people) a random Monday night. After our meals, I asked her to remind me of the wine brand (Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon) that I had. She did an exceptional job of summarizing the history of the vineyard, and made additional recommendations. The meal was outstanding. As my wife had specifically been planning to eat steak, we both had filet mignon. Both of us agreed that our respective meats were cooked exactly as we wanted – which is unusual. The cut was tender, with no gristle. It was flavorful, and melted in my mouth. The bread! Yum! It was heavenly. The bread (what kind, I don’t know) was grilled after being covered with a spread of butter and other things. Whatever the spread, whatever the bread, the flavor was delicious. Usually, my wife might eat a slice of bread before or during meals at restaurants; but this time, she had several – and her eyes sparkled as she savored it. For dessert, we had the carrot cake. As with the rest of the meal, it was delicious. As with bread, my wife usually will eat a bit or two of desert, when we eat out. I can safely say that this time, she and I split the dessert evenly. Before leaving we bought a second piece, to eat at home the next day. As the full name of the restaurant implies, it is also a piano bar, in the evenings. It was so romantic having live music playing in the background, as we ate our meal. It helped make this perhaps the best anniversary meal I’ve ever had. One last comment about Atalie: she had good knowledge concerning the history of the physical structure of the restaurant. How amazing! Few have been the times when our server has taken time to learn about the company, let alone the structure. She is a real gem, and I hope she continues with the company for many years. I whole-heartedly recommend the Red Fox Steakhouse and Piano Bar. Try it. You will not be disappointed.

Very cool piano bar in SD. I was recommended to come here by the Staff at Lafayette. The atmosphere is perfect if you are looking to relax and enjoy a cocktail.

Went for dinner with friends on Wednesday night. Fantastic! It was our 1st time and I read some reviews that were making me a bit apprehensive in recommending the restaurant to our friends - well luckily I ignored those as we had an awesome time. Our server was Cynthia - she was a joy. Pleasant, helpful, funny and on top of things even though the restaurant was busy. She also was patient with our elderly friend when he had trouble ordering. Love the old school feel of the place - comfy big booths, dark wood, red painted ceiling. It is dark in there - but feels like another world away! When you sit down you are given a nice veggie bowl with carrots, olives, celery, etc and ranch dressing - very nice! We started with the jumbo shrimp cocktail - delicious! 5 shrimps of a good size and very tasty. Good start. I like that the entrees are all inclusive instead of ala carte. They came with house salad with choice of dressing - the blue cheese was very good - the entrees come with choice of baked potato, french fries or rice pilaf and yummy garlic bread. I had to hold myself back from having a 2nd piece of that bread! We had a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio - which isn't usually my favorite, but it was nice - forget the name of the winery. Negatives were that I thought my fish (Haddock) while cooked nicely was a bit flavorless - needed a little something. Hubby thought so as well and his steak a bit overdone. Everyone else loved their meals (salmon and a steak and shrimp entree). I would recommend reservations - we lucked out but the place was busy. I wish they would start the piano music a bit earlier than 9pm (at least on the weeknights)...... Good mix of what looked like regulars, younger people, older people. It exceeded our expectations and we will be pack.

The food was great. The service in the restaurant was slow... which is great if you are having a two martini lunch. The bar scene at night was lively and included entertainment.

I find it difficult to leave negative reviews for restaurants, because there are people who really work hard and do their best and then getting a bad review is like a kick in the teeth. BUT, there are SOME restaurants that just can't get good reviews and hopefully the management will take it as a motivation to change things. The Red Fox Room is a little odd, because some people here on Tripadvisor give them 5 "stars" and others only 1. I can't give more than 2 and that is already generous, but it is beyond my comprehension how anybody can give 5 stars. The food was extremely poor. I ate the worst burger I ever had in my life and my partner had the blandest and least attractive Caesar Salad that you can imagine. MAYBE their steaks are much better, but just maybe. (And I would have some doubts!) The waiters were very friendly, but that couldn't make up for the bad food and the extremely dark and unappealing interior. We stayed in the Lafayette Hotel next to the Red Fox Room for a good few days, so the Restaurant would have been a convenient place to eat. But we had enough after one attempt. I heard that the Red Fox Room is moving in 2019!? If that is true, I hope the management will take the opportunity and fix the problems.

One of the best hamburgers I have had in a long time! We tried three different dishes and everyone was very happy with their meal. Service was excellent and staff were friendly.

We (4 people) went there after reading reviews etc. We were really really disappointed! The steak was served with fries and everything was really dry. The steak was also burned so it did not taste good. Cost us 200$ and i can do it ten times better at home. Would nerver go there again!! You should try another steakhouse!

I was in San Diego on personal business and wanted a good low fat, low sodium meal. I’ve gone to the Red Fox often but only for their fabulous steaks. I ordered the grilled salmon filet, with only lemon wedges, wild rice pilaf, and a salad with only a bit of oil and balsamic vinegar; excellent meal! The salmon filet was thick and juicy! So, what I’ve learned, is the Red Fox can accommodate most all dietary requirements well! I’m going back again! Chef JP

I ate there twice during a recent stay in San Diego. Loved the atmosphere of the place and the staff was very friendly and attentive but the food was overall pretty average.

Can't beat a dirty martini while listening to live music any night of the week. The people are friendly, drinks are stiff and the food is great! I believe they will be at the original location until June so stop on in!

Crowded and noisy but a terrific bar. Definitely an great after dinner place or for dinner. Reservations a good idea.

This place is the closest thing to "Cheers" on TV, as far as everyone knowing everyone else. The ambiance is like a speakeasy. It's downstairs and feels like you are in an underground Prohibition venue. It's very dark, very noisy and very fun! The waitress told me that only things that have changed since 1947 are the carpet and the waitresses. There is a piano bar and that's where the action is. The piano player is fantastic. He knows every show tune by heart. Some guy on a trumpet showed up and added that 40s style waaaah-waaah to songs. Patrons would get up and sing songs. Some of them were very good. One elderly lady was not very good but nobody cared. She was singing her heart out and we loved it. We sang loudly so we didn't hear her as much! We were hungry and our waitress brought us menus. (Note-- we were in the bar area but there is a dining room to the right where you can sit in a more formal atmosphere). Hubby ordered fried shrimp and scallops. I ordered the shrimp salad. Before she brought out my shrimp salad she brought me a dinner salad. Are you kidding me? She looked at me sternly and said everyone gets a salad before their entree! Then she winked. The homemade Italian is amazing. Very zesty and very steakhouse-like. Their dinner salads are big. The fried shrimp were very good. My salad was good but the shrimp were just OK. They tasted like they had been previously frozen, as most shrimp are in So Cal, but these were lacking integrity in flavor. The dressing though, made up for it.I might buy a bottle of it if they sell it. The charred bread was also very good. It was kind of a cheese bread. It was put under a grill and tasted great although the bread did not stay warm very long. I had two glasses of wine, a dinner salad (LOL) and a shrimp salad, hubby had three beers, a dinner salad and fried shrimp and scallops and the bill was $75. I threw the waitress $30 because she was just so much fun. Great deal! Will I come back here? Heck ya. We will stay at the Lafayette Hotel again so we can drink and be merry without having to drive anywhere afterward. I'll also order steak. That seems to be the specialty. ***The waitress told us their lease has not been renewed after 70-plus years so they will move across the street. They will also take the bar motif with them.

If you're feeling nostalgic for the "good ol' days" then head to the Red Fox Room. Great live piano bar music, stiff drinks & the best grilled ham & cheese sandwich!

The charm of this old time steakhouse comes partly from the ambience of the fireplace and mantle from 17th century England by way of Marion Davis but the real charm is provided by the all inclusive friendliness of the happy staff. Bartender Linda and server Susie obviously like where they work and impart that conviviality to to their customers. Steaks, hamburgers and grilled knock wurst and onions at lunch were excellent.

Stopped in to this place after Comic Con and loved the vibe, atmosphere and food! It’s an awesome classic spot that is very Rat Pack kinda cool with live piano music and great prices. I had great meal with lobster and steak for $37 and fantastic calimari and shrimp appetizer, I will definitely return here and love that they serve so late!

Amazing bar that makes you feel like you are in the movie Swingers (even though it was not filmed there). Old school booths, decor, piano bar, cheap drinks, professional servers and late night. Love it! great bar that you must visit!

This restaurant had been mentioned in a NYTimes story as another funky place to eat. While the decor, part English castle and part thrown together, was interesting, the food and service were not worth the visit. Everything the four of us ordered was dry and tasteless. Staff was very slow in serving and responding to requests.

Tender and delicious meat. Chris our server was excellent, he was very attentive and fast. We will come back for sure.

Great eating house. Good portions, good service and right beside our hotel. Good to see regulars use the place. Karaoke by the piano an interesting change. Seniors enjoying themselves. Good to see.

Don't let the appearance of this place scare you off. It's kind of dark and old looking in here, which I think I heard they're relocating, but right now they are with the Lafayette Hotel. The woodwork inside is beautiful. This is an old school supper club. The filets were really good and I got the side of Bearnaise sauce with mine. They come with salad and a side. The baked potatoes were large and nice and soft, and came with butter and sour cream (with chives if desired) on the side so you can add as much as you want. Another person ordered the broiled cod and fries which he said were the best. The salads are made by the waitresses right there in the dining room. The bleu cheese dressing was great. We got an order of mushrooms to go with the steaks too. They were a little salty, but very tasty. The dining room isn't too big, so make a reservation. We were there on a Sunday night and it was packed. Leave through the hotel and look at all the old pictures of movie stars on the walls. I would say the prices are standard with this area.

Yes, this is a good restaurant, but non deserving of charging $38+ for a Petite Filet Mignon!!! Or 4 fried shrimp and a side for $28+!!!!! I remember, just in recent months, the prices were half of what is being charged now. If you want good advice, go to a better restaurant for the same price, like Top of the Market restaurant, on San Diego Bay , with a view! Too bad, this was regarded as a place to go for good steaks, not the best steaks, at a reasonable price. Guess greed prevailed! At these prices, there are better choices in San Diego. Fair warning! Chef JP

This restaurant is very unique with an old time flair. The service and food were excellent. Very dark inside, but that adds to the ambiance.

We went in a family group, had a variety of foods-- and everyone was happy, Caught part of the after dinner music --and it was pretty good too!

situated in a historical hotel. this place has low lighting and a piano bar. awesome steaks, great drink and service. we went there for a dinner date and was quite surprised.

Food was okay live entertainment was average an old English type pub but there was a funny smell. Reasonably priced

Food was great from start to finish.....too full for dessert which I really wanted to try. The filet I ordered was cooked to perfection and the scallops were delish-wish they offered grilled instead of fried but I enjoyed them. Very big portions for the price, mid-range for a steakhouse. Will definitely go back when we are in town.

The Red Fox, located at The Lafayette Hotel on El Cajon Blvd. is the kind of steak house my parents used to take me to when I was a kid in the 50s. It's all dark wood and red leather, allegedly brought over from England. They serve a variety of steaks and other entrees, and the prices are very good. The food is excellent. The adjacent bar is a real treat. It has live music every night, sort of an open-mike karaoke type of thing, with a regular crowd that's mostly past retirement age. Most of the performers are very good, and the music is usually standard from the 30s through the 50s.

Staying in the Lafayette hotel on business and found this great little restaurant next door. I eat there every night and had a perfect steak. Even better was the live music with various people getting up to sing. The wood paneling even came from England so made me feel at home.

We decided to come here since we were told it was a piano bar, had atmosphere... found that the piano bar is only Tuesdays, we were there on Wednesday! So that was disappointing for us. Menu had many choices, but the prices were quite high, and the quality of the halibut was considerably lacking.. I love a good halibut steak, but this one was served skin on, and very dry. My daughter's steak was mediocre in quality. They certainly serve a LOT of ranch dressing!

Conveniently close to the hotel. I believe it is affiliated with the Lafayette. This is a no frills place with nothing but great food and great service. We will certainly return to the Red Fox.

In the afternoon, come to the red fox for some good snacks and cold drinks in a quiet, dark space. At night, come hear veteran musicians play and sing classics while enjoying a well crafted cocktail in a raucous, dark space. A fun place to say you've been.

We hadn’t been there for many years plus the Covid shutdown but, they moved across the street & built a new building with the same name. We went there for my husband’s birthday & were greatly surprised. The drinks were amazing & the food was outstanding. Everything we had was excellent & the service was also excellent. We highly recommend this restaurant & will be returning from now on!!!!

Remember the movie swingers?? They go to the Dresdin?? That was kind of like this vibe. The place is dark and creepy but in an awesome way. It was my first time in SD and the dude sitting next to me at the bar confessed to me that he had killed a man. Met some awesome people over martinis. The atmosphere in this place is out of sight!

We were staying at the attached Lafayette Hotel and visited the Red Fox Room after a night out with local friends. This place has so much vibe! There was a small jazz combo playing in the front corner of the place, while we sat at the bar and had a couple of drinks. The menu looked great, with a variety of surf and turf options served until very late.

everything, excellent fish, service décor, gorgeous fireplace with original carvings from the 40's. Did not dislike anything, my boyfriend had King Crab and was in heaven....great service and hospitality

Decided to visit this restaurant as it was close to my Mission Valley hotel and had great online ratings. It was awesome. Really an old school, dark and cozy spot. The menu is extensive and the service is great and very professionally done. Attentive but not intrusive. I had the filet, which is 11 oz, and it was one of the best that I have every eaten in any restaurant, including all of the tops steak houses.

This place was great! The bar makes the drinks strong and the live music was really fun. Great atmosphere and food!

Loved this place! Great atmosphere, great cocktails! Our waitress, Cynthia and our bartender, Mitchell were so much fun and really added to our experience. Enjoyed the piano playing guy too!

This restaurant has a very unique feel to it - really old school! Food was great as was the service.

This is an "old school" (leather, dark with wood) restaurant...but don't let that scare you away. The service is excellent, food is good and you'll have a feeling of being in old New York. Parking is this part of town always a challenge.

A co-worker and I went for dinner here and it was fantastic. The steaks were incredible as was the accompaniments. Service was also spot on. What a great experience. The place is dark and classic. We went early and I almost wish we had gone later when there was live music. Definitely going back on our next trip to SD.

This was a great restaurant for a nice steak and a side of ambiance. The hotel was originally an English pub I believe, and was brought over and recreated. They offer piano entertainment in the evenings as well. The steak and baked potato were pretty good, the wine was lovely, and the artwork was a great backdrop to dinner. The service was prompt and excellent.

We had a great meal here. Steak and lobster was fab. Service is excellent and you can't beat the decor.

The Red Fox Room at the Lafayette Hotel is family-friendly and the menu features beef, seafood and other entrees in large portions, the bar is top-notch, and everything is reasonably priced. The bar and dining staff are very friendly & knowledgeable about the menu choices and can make dietary substitutions if needed. It is an original and authentic “old-time” dining room and lounge, complete with a piano bar and live jazz in the lounge as well as groups playing in the ballroom below.. The restaurant and bar have English roots that go back to the 1600s, with everything having been dismantled and shipped to the US in the 1920s. It eventually found its way to the Lafayette Hotel in the 1950s.

A local chef I randomly met told me the Red Fox was his favorite place to eat in the city, so I thought I'd better not pass up the chance to meet there. It's an ICON and totally old-school in almost every way. The atmosphere, the decor, the menu are all the types of things you'd see in an old movie which is just the way I like it. My fear is that it is almost too old-school. My food was very good, however, my cocktail was nothing to write home about and the bartender wasn't allowed to take my food order? Management is obviously set in their ways and don't want to change (who could blame them). In today's "hip" word of fancy cocktails and fancy foodies I hope this place can maintain forever. It is my fear they won't be able to maintain the old-school ways in the years to come. I will never forget my experience, and will return. Try it at least once.

As others have mentioned, this is definitely a throwback to the 50s-60s, complete with the "relish" tray to start your meal. I was a bit surprised at the prices (on the high side, I thought) but the food was really very good. Steak was cooked perfectly. And the service was very efficient and friendly, too. If you want that throwback experience, look no further!!

Came in here on our first night in San Diego I ordered a cheese Burger and my wife ordered a Chicken meal. after a wait of over an hour we were presented with two plates of burnt offerings my burger was so black and un edible. The fries were also scorched must have had a fire in the Kitchen my wife's meal also was very over cooked she could not eat it. In all my travels I have never had a meal that was so bad.

Wow, my husband and I stayed in the Lafayette Hotel. We discovered the history of the lounge while walking the halls and reading the history of the hotel. You can get to the lounge from several places in the hotel or the outside of the hotel. Our Daughters had spoke of the piano lounge when recommending the hotel. When we found it we were excited to visit. That evening we were busy doing other things so it was late when we got back. My husband had to get to bed as he gets up extremely early. My daughters and I went to the lounge. It was so fun. We sat at the piano bar. The piano player and the trumpet player were amazing. It was like Karaoke on a really good scale. Different people would come up and sing a few old songs apiece. I have to say, these people could sing really well. It was such a joy listening to the great music and the banter between the musicians and singers. The atmosphere was so fun, everyone one having a great time. We had a wonderful time ourselves. My husband really wanted to experience the whole thing. Unfortunately when we went back the next night he couldn't stay up late enough to see hear the music. He did however enjoy the lounge and the old time feel of it. My daughter (as one moved to Oregon that weekend) that will stay in San Diego is excited to take her friends to this lounge. My girls are only 26 so that just goes to show this lounge is fantastic for the very young to the very elderly. If you are close to this lounge you really should go and have this experience no matter your age. Such a great place. I recommend the Red Fox Martini. Yummy! We did not eat so cannot comment on the food but would bet it is good.

This is a hidden little gem of a steakhouse in the heart of San Diego. It is a classic steakhouse, older but well maintained. The menu is simple and straightforward but everything we had was delicious. My steak was perfectly prepared..no need for additional sauces. Our waitress was really great, checking in on our party regularly,she provided some great suggestions about the menu and gave us some fun historical facts about the restaurant. It is dim inside which was a little frustrating when trying to read the menu, I used the flashlight from my cellphone for assistance however my partner has no such problem so it just maybe my poor eyesight. They have a fully stocked bar but the wine offerings were lacking in variety. It was a little chilly on the lounge side of the restaurant which made me glad that I had brought a sweater along. They don’t have a dedicated parking lot which is a little frustrating as parking in the area isn’t always easy to find and you may end up walking a block or two. I’d recommend this place to locals and visitors alike.

The actress Marion Davies had this 16th Century English inn/tavern brought to San Diego in 1926 to serve in some form or other as her beach house. The warren of small rooms, low ceilings, hearth and bar surface are vintage 16th century. The whole place has a crazy vibe that works. The bar tender is terrific and the jazz singers/musicians are first rate. Definitely a trip to experience.

We loved reading the history of the place and the building was really neat. The food was okay, and they service was good.

What a WONDERFUL trip back in time. The first thing I want to rave about .... NOLA! I am 53yo and Nola is, by far, the BEST waitress I have ever had. Her humor, her professionalism, her sincere personable-ness ..... we all love Nola!!! She is worth every cent of the 40% tip we left her last Wednesday! Of course, she deserved it after my Caesar Salad went flying (my fault) . Everyone who works there is wonderful and I am VERY, VERY picky about service. Okay, the atmosphere; what a slice out of history! Dark and cozy. AND THE PIANO! AND THAT INCREDIBLE HORN PLAYER!!! Some places like this can be not-so-friendly but EVERYone is friendly from the bartenders right through to the piano player's wife. Even the regulars are welcoming and that isn't always the case in places like this. Food ... so far, within the past month, I've eaten here three time (and I will be back on my 54th birthday, next month!). I am typically the vegetarian type but this menu is not for vegetarians. But ... I've loved everything I've had there. The lobster, which I don't usually like, is excellent! The Filet Mignon, wonderful. Baked potatoes, great. The salads, cold and crisp. I just wish they had a wedge salad because their blue cheese dressing is out of this world. The bread brought to your table, different and great. And their "relish tray" ..... so, so good. We typically order two. Can't wait to go back!!! March 31st! Nola doesn't work on Fridays but, as I said, everyone who work there is wonderful.

Décor is perfect for a good steak dinner. Staff was friendly, food excellent. A vegetable besides the relish tray would be nice with the steak and potato.

My husband and I were in S.D. for a relaxing weekend. We went to the computer at our hotel to figure out where we wanted to eat dinner. The Red Fox Room had some good reviews, so we decided to give it a try. From the looks of it outside, we weren't to sure we made a good decision. But once we went inside and was greated by such nice and freindly people. We were happy. The place has a old time feeling to it, the room is kept dark and the boths and tables and chairs are in the dark red leather. The ambience was great. Our Server Chris was "Awesome" as were everyone that worked there. We enjoyed the Filet Mignion and it was very good. Potatoe and salid with home made dressings were served along with the stake. We enjoyed our meal and would recommend anyone in the area to give it a try !!!

Your old time steak house, with dark decor, big booths, , piano bar with wonderful entertainment the sunday night we were there, the prices have not changed much either, extremely reasonable . The presentation and the food was like a step back in time iceberg lettuce with blue cheese dressing, carrots and celery and black olives and wonderful warm bread served before our meal.

Well done, great ambiance, yummy food, dark cozy and the perfect midwestern atmosphere. We had filet, and crab legs, no dissapointments. If your iffy on underdone meat go warmer than usual.

The red fox is an old school steak house, it’s off the beaten path. I was looking for a steak house restaurant with old charm and character, and man this is it. The red fox is old and dated with red booths in the dining room. As you walk into the restaurant you enter into the bar. It looked like a local’s hangout and in the corn of the bar sat a old piano. This restaurant features live entertainment. The music was kind of bad, but that’s what made so much fun for me. The service was outstanding and food was not over the top, you didn’t pay over the top pricing. This was a fun place to try as long as you don’t expect a 5 star experience and if you can appreciate an old funky restaurant feel. This maybe the place for you

The Red Fox Room is always a fun time. Drinks are fairly cheap if I remember correctly. Stop in while you're visiting the Hotel Lafayette or eating at Pomegranate or Flavors of East Africa, and ask them to play you a tune. There are lots of piano bars in San Diego, but only one has this history: The inside of this bar was an actual pub in England that got moved over to San Diego, piece by piece! Very cool history.

There were 11 of us for dinner. We were promptly accommodated and served very quickly. I admit that it was elbows & knees in at the table!

Great food and really friendly waiter who was so attentive. The wine was really good as well which is always a bonus. Would recommend.

I had the steak and shrimp. The food was good. A bit heavy, but it's right along your expectations of a steak house. You can tell the cook/preparers have an eye for quality food. I enjoyed the salad, the steak and ... ... the wait staff was friendly, and polite. They deserve a raise! The overall meal was a bit expensive.

Dude, this place was old school and FABULOUS! Our server was SO nice and the relish plate was devoured by our 5 year old. The kids menu was great and our steaks were super tender and TASTY! Great bleu cheese dressing for the salad. Can't say enough how much we enjoyed it. And prices were VERY fair. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I was visiting in San Diego and Googles Dives and Drives. This place was close to my hotel so we stopped in for a bite. I had some killer Halibut that was cooked to perfection. Great salad - dressings are all homemade. Enjoy, you cannot have a bad meal here.

A dark place with little atmosphere, the food looked good but the prices seemed high for what we saw in other places. We came here our first night and didn't come back s there were many other choices that were more appealing

Old fashioned atmosphere, including a piano bar, dark lighting but you can see just fine, it's an old San Diego standby and still has great food at good prices for a steak house. Drinks are strong and service is excellent. Come hungry, leave full and probably with leftovers. So far, I can't comment on the desserts because I've always been too full to have one.

We loved our meal here. The restaurant is in a hotel, which we loved. The entire property at one time belonged to Marian Davies, famous actress in the 20s, 30s and 40s. She fell in love with a pub in Surrey, UK and had it dismantled and brought back to San Diego and it is now this restaurant. That pub was built in the 1500's and much of the original woodwork is still intact. It's gorgeous and a good bit of history. The food also happens to be really good and priced fairly. I look forward to returning. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60750-d80618-r293150736-The_Lafayette_Hotel_Swim_Club_Bungalows-San_Diego_California.html#

The food here was predictable steak house fare. Good, tender steaks, average sides, but great service. The room was actually disassembled in Europe and transported to the U.S. where it was first re-assembled in Marion Davies beach house before being bought by the owners to be used in the interior of this restaurant.

Being from England, this place seemed kinda weird to me! I think there's a lot of this around though, and I like their style. Good for a late night drink if you fancy something different and a little unusual.

Host was very accommodating with booth selection near stage. Food was old school fancy. Starters were carrots, celery and olives along with bread were predictable. Filet Mignon was superb!

Our office does a big holiday party every year so this year we did a dress up - End of Prohibition Eve party in the Red Fox's private dining room. It was perfect. Looked right out of the roaring 20s. The steaks and service were excellent as always. The staff can't be more accommodating from beginning to end. We are already planning to go back next year. And if you do, plan to get a room next door at the Lafayette Hotel. Makes for a great holiday adventure!

Liked the staff The restaurant is attatched to the HOTEL Lafayette Hotel and Swim Club and Bangalows...my favorite USA hotel to date...

Ok place to get a drink. Did not eat there. The music is awful - mediocre pianist giving opportunities to no talent walk ins at the mike. The music is loud. Good background music or better talent would be preferable and that comment comes from one who loves live performance.

We walked next door to the hotel where we were staying. The decor was very charming and added to our evening. The booth was red leather. The food was all excellent and good sized. The staff were pleasant and attentive. The prices were moderate. You could get a full course meal or a burger and fries. There was live music but we did not stay.

Eating at the Red Fox is indeed a step back in time, a time we'd all soon forget. The dark lighting, walls, and mood, hides the lousy service and food. I had eaten here many years ago and found it dreadful, but it's a neighborhood restaurant for some friends, and I was the visitor, so off I went hoping against hope that time had improved my earlier concerns. The restaurant is eerily dark, way too dark. The same waitress I'd had many years ago appeared and her mood had not improved. When I asked if any of the seafood was fresh she informed me there was no such thing as fresh seafood in California, it was all flash frozen and that was the God's truth. Are you kidding me? For $28.00 my halibut better be fresh. Against all better judgement, and to not cause a scene with my friends, I ordered it. My bad. My husband ordered a steak, equally expensive, same result. The salads were iceburg lettuce with no vegetables and sodden from the abundance of dressing. Dessert was out of the question. Since the Red Fox is a retro kind of place it seems to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity with it's 50's and 60's cocktails. If you truly appreciate good food and service, however, this is not the place for you.

I love the Red Fox Room Steakhouse and Piano Bar. Since the closing of Albie's Beef Inn, this is the iconic San Diego joint for a steak. The restaurant is currently located next to the Lafayette Hotel in North Park (it is set to move across the street in 2019). Most of the art and decor are antiques from England. They have nightly piano bar entertainment starting at 9pm. Drinks are inexpensive ands stiff. I wouldn't say that they have the best steak ever, but it is a lot better than chains like Black Angus. The price is also reasonable ($24 to $32 for a dinner with sides), and a better value than places like Cowboy Star. I usually split the 11-ounce filet meal--for $5 you each person gets a salad, side, and bread. A great, unique, and iconic San Diego institution.