The Butcher Shop Reviews

This restaurant does have the old feel of a Chicago steakhouse. It is many rooms, all with a cozy feel. Linen tablecloths and napkins, candles, and lest I forget...amazing food. There is a hard to beat Early Bird dinner offering but if you like to dine later it is still a good hearty meal at a more than fair price. Quality meats prepared almost any way imaginable. The trio medallions of beef with crusted bleu cheese is a favorite. Salad choices come with the entrees as well as a wonderful basket of garlic bread. Service is topnotch. Dessert tray at the table lets you see before trying to decide. Good wine choices as well.

A place that evokes memories of better days gone by. Somewhat opulent in it's decor, cozy and romantic, and photos of some of the great stars of years gone by. And to top that off the food and service is great. Steaks are terrific, the prime rib is excellent, and the garlic toast is outstanding! Certainly one of our favorites in San Diego.

We have been going here for our Holiday garden party for years. All the members had the petite filet mignon with a few having fish. The cuts of beef were outstanding. The vegetables were fresh and not overed cooked. the garlic mash potatoes we the weak link, nothing special, kind of starchy. Great service a crew of three and a manager also helping out. we were in the large room off the bar. A great night.

Didn't look open at lunchtime but so glad we stopped. Great steak and delicious Caesar salad! Service was first class. Would be a great place at night for a special meal

Here for a birthday dinner. make sure you do reservations so you don't have to wait that much when you get there. with that out of the way, i enjoy everything that was served at our table (yes we shared hehehehehe) from the steak to the lobster and the mash potatoes and bake potato... OMG... it was all delicious. worth the trip and the price. The atmosphere is really nice and the lighting (lack of) its realy nice. make sure you dress up a bit so you wont stick out like a sore thumb

It was very good. A group of 7 and they took very good care of us. The food was great, prime rib, and Real horseradish, outstanding. Will come back.

The Butcher Shop is a great place for good food and a nice relaxing atmosphere. The service is attentive, but not overwhelming. We take out of town guests, have birthdays and just stop when we want good food.

I had an excellent steak! It was cooked as I requested. I liked the ambience, it had a 1950's feel to the restaurant. Like something you would see in a Humphrey Bogart movie. The price was reasonable for the quality of food. Only missed 4/5, because of rather lack luster service.

Been going to the BS since it was located in a Mission Valley hotel many years ago, and have only visited the National City outlet once, which I understand is now closed. My step father knew the owner, Roberto, so it was neat to go there, be welcomed and recognized but alas, time passes, people retire, pass away and things change. Visiting SD again this year and booked in a reminiscent dinner for 4 last week. The decor was virtually unchanged except for the female wait staff no longer wore high heels and short mini skirts :-( LOL. We had prime rib all around and a couple of appetizers, drinks, etc., and it was just fine, nothing special. Seemed more mechanical and sterile, lacking character the decor and memories want to cling to. We clocked out at $220 and while I have no regrets, I feel like it was the last trip there after 20 odd years of patronage.

Visited this place on Tuesday night (Dec 11), it was a business dinner and we were a group of 10. Place was busy and we had reservations so did not have any problem. Service was very good staff was friendly, I had Cajun Shrimp and Onion rings(huge portion), I enjoyed my dinner. My colleagues who had Steak said their dish was good and really enjoyed. Overall, a very good place.

We were visiting the area staying very near the Butcher Shop. The restaurant was very crowded, and although we didn't make a reservation, the hostess was very welcoming and found us a lovely table for two by the fireplace. French onion soup, veal Oscar and extra veggies were all prepared to perfection, as was the creme brulee dessert. My husband liked his veal picatta, but said it could have been more tender. That is why I'm rating it as Very Good rather than Excellent. (It tasted quite tender to me!) We will definitely come here again when we are in San Diego.

Somewhat pricey but the food is wonderful. If you can order before 6pm they offer discount pricing. Can also accommodate larger groups on short notice.

This trip to Butcher Shop was so annoying! We waited and waited for our waitress to take our drink order, then our drinks sat on the bar until the beer glasses were warm and the martini wasn’t cold anymore! It was a Sunday night and the waitress kept apologizing for only having one bartender and one waitress for two sections! The food was good when we finally got it, but it sat covered on a tray next to our table too long. Butcher Shop has always been a consistently good place to go for good food and good service, but whatever has happened it seems they need new manager. The last time we went, my granddaughters left their headbands on the table and when I called the next day, I was told they weren’t there! Ugh! This was it for me!

With the outside of the building screaming retro once your in its like stepping through a portal back to the early 50's. We showed up for a lunch time meal. Once we were inside we were immediately seated and handed menus and drink orders taken. Just looking around the immediate room we were seated in, it was clear this joint lectured history. One can only imagine the "deals" that were dealt here and the possible "family business" done. A gem of place with a flair for the old. Our server was of the same caliber the restaurant itself bragged for. Very attentive and bang on with replacement drinks and a "is everything to your satisfaction?" Just an awesome experience from the parking lot to the building itself!!!! Prices are all over the board....a lot for all. And the menu selection was outstanding!! Enjoy this awesome time machine just once if you can.

We had some really good news that afternoon and wanted a nice dinner to celebrate. This place fit the bill and was perfect! I usually start out by rating the food, or the service, whichever seems to be best. It is rare that a restaurant gets both outstanding but this one did! Plenty of parking in the large clean lot, the building is well maintained and very inviting. Upon entering the establishment its like walking into an old fashioned steakhouse! The hostess was very nice and got us seated immediately. It is nicely decorated and very comfortable. The staff are very attentive without being overbearing and bothersome. Our server was "Lindsey" a very polite, and helpful person. A great representative of this restaurant!!!!! I chose the New York strip steak and highly recommend it, I had it medium leaving a little pink in the middle, very juicy and quality meat. If you look at the price, it may seem a little high but is very much worth it. You will not leave here hungry and the food is delicious. We have been meaning to eat here for quite a while, Now I know we will be back!

Fortunately, some things never change and that's a good thing. Went back to this restaurant after three-year interval because we just figured it was too far away from Rancho Bernardo. We were wrong, it's only about 18 minutes from RB. Their sunset supper is served from 4 PM to 7 PM every day except Saturday and you get soup or salad, garlic bread, entrée such as prime rib or top sirloin, side dish, and even ice cream and coffee for $19. Show me a value like this in Rancho Bernardo! Now that Bernardo's is closed and Carvers is rather expensive and Outback has gone downhill, this will be our weekly couples dinner place from now on.

Food was decent, nothing fancy. Standard. Cocktails good. Bartenders friendly. Wine selection is horrible and below par. Truly unacceptable for a steakhouse.

Was met at the maitre d counter and immediately seated. Not busy at all for a reservation at 6pm. Waitress introduction was completed and water glasses filled. However one of the glasses was covered with Lord knows what inside and outside of the glass. Dinner was delivered by the bus boy to the serving stand and we waited for the waitress to serve the plates. Apology#1. Three different meal orders all very well prepared. Thumbs up! Ordered coffee with dessert, Luke warm, couldn't get waitress to swap it out because she had disappeared to place the dessert order. When she came back, she was informed and apoloy#2, No more coffee for us. After another 10 minutes, comes back and asks if we have had dessert delivered? No, that's your job. Apology#3. Gets the dessert, which was delicious! Meal gets high marks, service not so much.

First visit and if I'm ever within 20 miles of the Butcher Shop I'll definitely be back. Much like the atmosphere of a Buca di Beppo, the Butcher Shop décor and background music sets a great ambiance. I didn't get the name of our waitress but the entire wait staff provided superb customer service. My order consisted of a cup of French Onion soup (finally got a cup size as desired vice a bowl), Beef Tenderloin Bleu Cheese Medallions w/grill asparagus and a slice of Key Lime Pie to go. The meal was prepare exactly as ordered and delivered a robust flavor burst. Almost for got the Macallan 12 neat. Located at 5255 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego

Been eating here for years. Have been dining weekly with family and friends but this has all come to a disappointing end. Like our old favorite the 94 th Aero squadron they ruined another. Poor quality food and poor service. We had a NY steak and Halibut, amazing how the quality disappeared in no time. The place was empty.

We love to sit at Table 22, a booth just inside the first side room. Our server Kelli is just wonderful. When we ate there for lunch today, she had a tabe for 4, a table for 3, a meeting set-up for 13 and our table for 2. We still received outstanding service. The Lunch specials are a great price and we can recommend both the fish sandwich (with sweet potato fries) and the diced filet mignon sandwich with regular fries!!!

The service is outstanding and treat you like a valued family member even if it is your first visit. The meal was great! I was very impressed with the combo appetizer platter which was enough for 3 people or if you want that and a salad for a meal plus leftovers.

Although the restaurant is dated, I loved its Hollywood quaintness. The food was delicious and the wait staff should be praised. Thanks Jen and Rebecca.

What a surprising find. We came to celebrate a birthday. Don't be swayed by the outside. The inside is classy and very romantic. Although several families enjoyed it as well. We had the best crabcakes for an appetizer. We could have ordered ten more. Spinach salad was awesome. Best salad and dressing I have had in a long time. We had the prime rib and porterhouse for dinner. Huge portions and meat was so tender. We didn't care for the mushrooms because they were in a lot of very sweet sauce. Had the creme brulee and cheesecake for desert. Wow, what a great way to end dinner. We will definitely be back and highly recommend!

We love the food here and love the old school atmosphere. This is our go to place when we eat out and eat here several times a year. The food always agrees with us, which I can't say for many restaurants.

Family dinner out on vacation. We all enjoyed our meal a great deal. We had prime rib, sirloin, and ribeye. All cooked to order and to perfection. Atmosphere is wonderful old school reminiscent of little Italy, NY. Staff was accommodating and friendly. We'll surely go back for another great meal with great anticipation.

Best prime rib ever. Never fails. Been going here for years and this place is classic! Reservations recommended and they are not open all day so best advice is call first.

Old school funky Sinatra type vibe bar – love it! The drinks are very good – I would stick to happy hour in the bar. The steak dinners were not good – all were overcooked and not real steakhouse quality – all three times I have dined there. The filet medallions with blue cheese tasted ok but were very tiny pieces of filet and such, cooked well done as opposed to the medium rare I ordered. The prime rib was very dry and lacking flavor – it’s sad when you really need the auj jous just to eat it. The highlight of the meal was the baked potato, which we all agreed was amazing in that it was creamy and melted in your mouth. However, that wasn’t enough though to make up for the rest of the meal. I would never dinner eat there again but would certainly go back for lunch or happy hour. Side note - the booth were in was so high in the back that my feet didn’t touch the ground and the top of my legs were pressed on the booth. The most uncomfortable dinner I have ever had at restaurant. Again, stick to the bar and you’d be happy.

My aunts and I decided to go out for a steak dinner. We got there before 6pm and our waitress recommended we order the Sunset meal. Can't really remember the exact name. For $21.00 bucks it comes with an 8 oz prime rib of beef with two sides, a salad or soup and for desert, ice cream, sorbet or spumoni. Also a basket of garlic bread... toasty the way I like it. This restaurant has been around since I was 8 years old. The decor is like leather booths, wood and pictures of movie stars past and present. The waitress had our food ready in less than 15 min. Ok... so... I was disappointed with the prime rib of beef. It was cool, tough and a bit dry. Therefore, I probably ate 2 oz of the 8oz served. My two aunts just played around it and like me did not finish it. I've had some of the best beef and someone highly recommended this place. I guess it's based on personal taste or they've never had anything better. Sorry folks, just being honest. Best thing about this place are the staff. Go try it... let me know what you think.

This old school Steak House makes you feel like you're eating the best prime rib in town while being seated next to Frank Sinatra! If trendy is what you want, learn what tradition is. Their house salad is perfect and their service is great, plus their sour dough with au jus, hmmm some new places could learn a world from tradition and tradition is respected here!

We were looking for a nice restaurant to have a celebratory 50th birthday family dinner with 4 adults and two children. We decided on The Butcher Shop, but ended up regretting our choice. The staff was told it was a 50th birthday celebration and assured us they’d take care of it. There was no waiting and we were seated promptly. We placed an order for a bottle of wine. They brought the wrong bottle of wine and eventually came back with the right wine. Dinner orders were taken and the children’s meals were served a full 20 minutes before the adults meals were served! All the dinners were delicious and there are no complaints there at all. Then came time for dessert...a beautifully decorated cheesecake with 5 lit candles. The waiter passed dessert plates all around, we sang “Happy Birthday”, the candles were blown out, and just as we were ready to cut the cake the waiter hurriedly came back to our table. He said there’d been a mistake and the cake wasn’t for us and proceeded to take it away! Another waiter brought the honoree a single piece of cheesecake. No offer was made to the rest of the adults to bring the dessert menu. (Children’s meals came with ice cream which we waited on for another 10 minutes before we finally had to ask for it to be served). No apology was offered and when the bill came, it was for the full amount with no compensation for the terrible mistakes. What was meant to be a great evening turned into an embarrassing event. Even though the food was good, we certainly won’t bother to go back.

Reading all the reviews I was expecting amazing steaks and food, I must admit to being a little disappointed. The restaurant seems to be aiming high but I think they missed the target. It is very formal surroundings and formal staffing however service was very rushed - 'what do you want, do you want baked or mashed potato with that, what sauce, salad or soup, what dressing on the salad' - rattled off as if it has been asked the same 1000 times over. No personal service at all. The salad I had was nothing special, standard lettuce, tomato and cucumber with a dollop of my chosen sauce on top (obviously from a massive bowl of salad out back and pot out sauce). Colleagues had soup, it was thick and stodgy and none of them finished it. The steak I had was ok but it didn't blow my mind and wasn't near the best I've had by a long way. As I said, I was expecting to be wow'd but came away thinking meh!

Great food and service. Food came out quickly. Wait staff were very efficient and attentive. The steaks were cooked perfectly and comparatively priced. I would go again.

Amazing place, just like an old Chicago style steakhouse. Had a New York strip done to perfection with a loaded baked potatoe, the staff were very good, our server particularly helpful

Went to the butchers shop for lunch with a friend that lives in San Diego. We had the Rib oh my god it wonderful and the last was perfect. The sides that were served with the meal were plentiful and also tasty, large size meal.. The restuarnt is very dark and a little bit dingy but the food makes up for it. Not too expensive mains average $23-30. All up a great meal. Wouold recommend.

I read the reviews and ended up very disappointed. This is at best an average steakhouse. The atmosphere was nice, food was average. The only reason I give it 3 starts is that the manager noticed how disappointed I was and tried to make things better but he couldn't overcome the average nature of the food. Not sure if I would recommend or go back

This review easily would have been 5 stars if I was just reviewing the food but the service was so poor I had to take 2 stars off. I ordered the sunset dinner-8 ounce top sirloin-well done. The server even asked me if I was ok with it being cooked butterfly style to insure it was well done. I said no problem and stressed I wanted it well done. Included with the sunset dinner is soup or salad (I had Caesar and it was excellent) and a side (I chose the garlic mashed potatoes which were also amazing. Also included is a scoop of ice cream and coffee or tea. We ordered soft drinks and they sat empty through most of the meal. My food arrived and was brought out by someone other than the server. The steak was medium rare. Blood was pooling on my plate when I tried to cut it. We tried in vain to flag our server down to no avail. We did flag another server down who took my steak back. My husband finished his meal before my steak came back out. This time cooked to perfection. The steak was amazing! The server did not re appear at our table until she took my husband’s order for his dessert included. I was never brought my ice cream or offered coffee or tea. Someone else delivered his dessert and it was incorrect. We then did not see our server again until the check was brought. It was such a disappointing experience for what started off as such an amazing meal. My husband’s food (beef short ribs) were cooked to perfection and he said the rice pilaf was very tasty. We will come again because the food was so good but we will definitely make sure we have a different server. The people at the table behind us were also brought incorrect food so maybe it was just an off night but the price for the food isn’t cheap and a higher level of service is needed.

Excellent food and excellent service. We showed in very casual clothes and they said we are a family restaurant and it was no problem. We highly recommend.

The Butcher Shop. Just saying the name makes my mouth water. This restaurant has been a San Diego institution for 40 years. Originally in Mission Valley , they lost there lease and moved. Thank goodness they didn't change the way they cook there steaks. Real old school. If you try the porterhouse, you'll never eat it at any other establishment again.

Since our last visit the Butcher Shop added a "special" lunch menu. We have always had great steak and extras so ordered the chopped filet sandwich. I asked for meat as rare as possible with small bites but was served the hard re-cooked ends. The server told me there was a big party in the back and they probably ordered the same thing. Bad excuse. But since this place is one of our "go to" places we will go back - but order something different and question if there is a big party getting preference!

We had just flown in and were exhausted! The front desk clerk at the hotel recommended this place (my travel buddies were looking for a steak). Talk about fine dining on a budget! The atmosphere is perfect for a date or friends hanging out. My friend's baked potato was slathered with topping table side! I would recommend a reservation but even without one we only had to wait about 15 minutes. If I'm ever back in San Diego I will make a trip back!

I love the Butcher Shop any time and especially for their Thanksgiving buffet. They are conscious of families with small children, oldsters with mobility issues and solo diners and all the staff treats us well. The food is plentiful and exceptional. Earlier in the dinner is less busy and more likely to keep your reservation time. If you don't have a place for Turkey Day, the Butcher Shop is worth the drive.

Booked in with a busy group & I found the service very good. I had Ahi Tar tar & was a little disappointed as it wasn't as fresh as it could be. Presentation was outstanding.

My work collegues and I went to the Butcher Shop Steakhouse for our Holiday Lunch. I am not a meat eater, so I selected the Salmon which had been recommended to me. It was delicious! From what I could tell, everyone present really enjoyed their lunch, from Prime Rib to Steaks to the Soup. This is a very popular restaurant and going by the good food, one can see why.

Wanted to try something different and this looked cool in an old school kind of way. It was just ok. Server Evan was great. Steaks are USDA Choice but priced almost at USDA Prime levels. Sides were ok. My guests loved the desserts.

Great old style steakhouse. Dark wood, fireplace, movie star pictures, regulars at the bar, everything you remember from 30 years ago. Lots of business folks go here for lunch but it is a little more quiet at dinner. Excellent meats, good sides, wonderful French onion soup. Definitely a go to place for special events or visitors.

Been going here for years. Always been our go to place for a great steakhouse meal. Went in tonight for our anniversary. Wow, what a great thing the new owners are doing! The food was great, salmon and prime rib, and the new Executive Chef Jay, spent a great deal of time explaining their plans going forward. We were impressed! If you haven't been here in a while or had a bad experience (as I see in some of the reviews) give it another shot. I feel you will be happy you did!

The food and the service were poor at best. The steaks were tough and cooked more on one side than the other so instead of a red center there was a dark bottom and pink top (no middle). Baked potato was not quite fully cooked and the service was so slow while attentive to other larger tables we wanted to leave but couldn't catch the server to close tab. The vegetarian options were ok according to my friend.

The food was very good BUT, they only offer side dishes if you order prime rib. If you want steak or any other beef, you have to pay for your sides. I can’t believe 10 spears of asparagus are worth $12, and I think a potato was $7 or 8. I chose to have prime rib because of the above, though I would have preferred a filet. I asked for a baked potato and was told “ the order didn’t come in” and they were not available. I then asked if they could sub risotto for the missing baked potato and she said no! I have no doubt there was a pot of risotto sitting in the kitchen next to the mashed potatoes. Lindsey was a little bit snarky. At these prices, they should have been more accommodating. There were 8 of us and we all left with a bad taste in our mouths. We won’t be back. Save your money and go to Black Angus.

I ate here during a business trip to San Diego in mid November 2013. I had one of their lunch specials. The food was delicious and was a good value. The service was excellent as well. I would return if i were in the area for business again.

I grew up in San Diego and this place use to be a great place to eat in San Diego. Its now about as good as a Black Angus or a cheap steak house. They are resting on their laurels and count on they old reputation. The waitress was young and not knowledgeable, they didn’t offer any water, our white wine was left on the table not in an ice bucket, the bread was out of a box or microwave, the bus boy slammed all of our plates, our entrees were all terrible. They acquire nothing but cheap ingredients. I would not eat here if it was free. Worst meal I have had in years.

The food was OK (prime rib? excellent; the veal? ummmmm. OK) but the atmosphere is rare. I felt immediately comfortable and I enjoyed my meal thoroughly. No culinary masterpieces here and that's just fine. Calamari lovers should look elsewhere on the menu. I don't normally eat garlic bread, but service was a little slow so I thought I'd eat anything that hit the table. Quite good! The prices were less than I would have expected. I would agree with the wish for 3.5 stars. But I'm headed back!

I took my daughter and son in law to the Butcher Shop while visiting San Diego. This was my second time visiting the restaurant. The service is great. I had the Macadamia Nut Halibut which was out of this world. The Prime Rib is also excellent. We also had Crème Brule and Carrot Cake both were to die for. I highly recommend the Butcher Shop

I met a colleague for lunch at the Butcher Shop and was surprised by their lunch menu. I was able to be served in a nice (albeit old fashioned steakhouse) restaurant in a shiny red booth and enjoyed a steak panini sandwich, which was super yummy! It came with a wide variety of choices (I had fresh fruit) and soup or salad. My companion and I both ordered the French Onion soup as it was a rainy day and it seemed apt. We were not disappointed.

Because of the shutdown in California, all of the tables were outside, and even with propane heaters it was very chilly. The prime rib was excellent, and you can order to the amount you can eat, and to the temperature that you like.

I work for Chase Bank and recently had a call where a waitress gave one individual the correct ticket and wrong card and the other individual the correct ticket and her card. Luckily they both had chase cards and by the time first individual realized it she called the restaurant and then the bank. We froze both accounts and reissued her card, but such a hassle for her to go through over a careless waitress! So if you do dine here, please make sure you are leaving with your check and card!

We were vacationing the area from TX. Took the family here after a long day at the beach. Everyone was in shorts and T-shirts and we almost felt under dressed as there were others here for a romantic meal. The waiters were very friendly and took good care of us. The family did not complain about their food (thumbs-up) and my steak was awesome! Recommended...

The food is really good and we go there a good amount as a family. We went on our birthday in May and the food was good but for some reason the service was really slow. It was kind of crowded and they didn't handle it well. It took us about 30-40 minutes just to get the drinks. It's usually not too busy on weekdays. Overall? Really Good!

Great food and great service! The drink specials during the week are fantastic! A good place for work parties too

This is a good place to go for a quiet environment and a good steak. The steaks were great. The only issue we had was that they let our drinks go empty and it took a while to get refills.

First time here - reviews were quite positive , but waitress not very welcoming - told her it was first time and she did not seem to care and asked if we wanted appetizers before we had a chance to look at menu. NY steak was very good but fillet mignon was not up to par with other steakhouses, although prices are a lot lower than others in the area. OK experience in general as atmosphere is low key with leather seat benches, but likely will not be back

Had some meatloaf for lunch. A very cool interior with wood panels and cool decor. Pricey, but worth it. Everyone's food looked great.

The Butcher Shop was a very nice business lunch option in the Kearny Mesa area. We did not have a reservation but were seated immediately. The service and food were excellent. Their $13 lunch options include soup or salad, drink and entree. A great deal! It was a bit heavy for lunch but I'll eat light tonight!

Tried the burger and was quite good. Also tried the filet mignon well done and it was good. A family member expert but in prime rib swears this is the best he has had (I am not a fan). Clam chowder was excellent. The garlic 🍞 very good too. Solid service and old steak house decor.

Easter Brunch is outstanding and affordable- amazing given how many very, very expensive brunches there are in San Diego for Easter. The format is that you order a meal plus there is a buffet of breads, salads, fruit, and desserts. Of course, that does not tell the whole story. 1 complimentary mimosa or glass of champagne. The meals/buffet we selected were- 1) ahi salad (which was HUGE), 2) orange glazed salmon (nice glaze exterior and then melt in your mouth moist), 3) boneless short ribs, 4) breakfast burrito. All included rice or potato. Some of the food available at the buffet- spinach salad with boiled egg, mushrooms, bacon, croutons, tomato, mustard vinaigrette; bread including chocolate chip muffins, bagels, croissants, rolls; fruit including strawberries, cantaloupe, and pineapple; chocolate fountain for dipping; and numerous desserts including creme brulee and various cakes/cheesecakes. On top of everything I mentioned (and I swear I am just giving you the overview), the entire meal for 4 hearty eaters was $120 (and that included a generous tip) and we left with a complimentary $20 gift card that they gave us as soon as we sat down as part of the special. Service is beyond outstanding- they take empty plates and refill waters in a blink, there and gone, no bugging you- just fill the need and gone.. the best service possible. Always professional staff- from the person busing the tables to the manager. Very courteous. The ratings below are hard to answer because this restaurant is casual and dressy- in other words, dress for a date or wear a nice shirt and slacks (you will be treated the same, period), the noise level varies based on day/night and bar area or large group versus small. If you want to have a nice date night, they will tuck you away in an intimate booth or a quiet table just for the two of you. If you have a loud, raucous group, they will accommodate that and let you whoop it up. So, hard to fill out the stuff below. Very affordable- but you can buy a bottle of wine and several desserts when it is not a special day and pay more but there are early evening specials that are very affordable. I have never had a bad meal here or bad service and I am kicking myself that I forget sometimes to write up a review!! And, I have brought kids and business clients and felt comfortable in each circumstance.

This is the type of steakhouse that we grew up going to on special occasions. Red leather booths, celebrity artwork on the walls.... The service was superb. The food was high end....delicious and perfectly prepared. Most of all we want to go back and sit at the sunken bar and talk with the bartender. You could tell that he was educated in his drinks and would have wonderful stories to tell.

We love the Butcher shop, and although we no longer live in the San Diego area, we do make a point to eat at Butcher shop if we can. We dined this past Saturday night with an out-of-town relative and we all had a superb meal. The steaks were flavorful, and rich, & tender. We enjoyed appetizers of the cheese bread and potato skins both which did not disappoint and we added an extra order of the bread because it was so good. The Caesar salad and regular salad were both fresh andportioned perfectly. We ordered many sides and enjoyed them family style. The service was attentive and the vibe in the restaurant is the good old red leather booth style. We have come to miss that, as many big box restaurants have taken away that type of charm. The drinks were on point and never empty. Sadly, we did not have room for dessert, but there were so many choices. I think we might save room next time. Coming fresh from SeaWorld, we weren’t dressed as best as we would have liked, and the staff did not discriminate against ourattire, something we also were very grateful for! definitely worth driving 200 miles for & we all are planning our next trip.

We had planned to take friends to dinner on a Sunday. The website states that they opened at 3:00 and after trying to make a reservation and the earliest time was 4:00, we tried to call many times, but no one answered, so we gave up. We did go to lunch the following week and here is our review for the food and service. My prime rib was just right, but don't get the steak sandwich, it was awful. Everything else was just ok. The service was good.

The more we visit, the more we appreciate the reliable quality of The Butcher Shop. If you go beyond the first entrance to the Butcher Shop, you can access the parking lot without passing the front door or the valet parking attendant. We really appreciate being able to sit in booths. The clam chowder was delicious. Our group had prime rib and 7 oz, filet mignon with Brussels sprouts which we highly recommend. Claudia, our waitress, understood how to deduct an OpenTable reward points to give us a credit. It was a delightful Christmas holiday experience, from beginning to end.

This restaurant is hidden on a dark street with a moderate parking in the back. The restaurant is dim (we had to use the flashlight on our phones to read the menu), it had an old school feel reminiscent of the Godfather days, with the massive leather booths, tons of wallpaper, and floral burgundy carpet. The staff was friendly and attentive and the food was fabulous. The entrees are large portions; steak was cooked to perfection and the potatoes were delicious. We were pleasantly surprised.

Attended dinner with 3 other women. Ambiance was nice with fun pictures of movie stars on the walls. Drinks were good and reasonably priced. Food was decent. We enjoyed the calamari, spinach salad (although heavily dressed), sirloin was a little tough but good. Easy to make an online reservation.

Second time visiting, first time was outstanding! This last time was awful. Food was average, service was terrible! Never saw the waitress . Got our appetizers before our water. Overall a horrible experience and we won’t be back.

We were seated by staff but then ignored for over 25 minutes with kids, no water offered. Staff continued to walk pass until I mentioned to a waiter that we were ready to leave due to lack of service and being ignored for over a half hour. We were then given 7 waiters... LOL

I loved the prime rib. We ordered it rare. The salad and side dishes were spot on. The au jus was to die for but the horseradish cream had way too much cream and not enough horseradish. Service was outstanding. Décor was homey and comfortable.

My husband took me to this restaurant just to check out the place (plus the fact we were both craving for a good steak). We ordered the fried zucchini which was awesome and fried calamari. The calamari was fried perfectly but we noticed the rings were small (we enjoyed it anyway). My husband loved the beef burgundy soup (super tasty!) and the surf and turf (steak and lobster). I ordered the 16 oz. prime rib. That prime rib was the bomb! It was super delicious... melt in your mouth with every bite sort of thing. I had to give my husband a couple of slices from my prime rib so I can finish my plate. Those 2 entrees were a little expensive but believe it was all worth it. We had no room for dessert afterwards. We will definitely go back there when our "prime rib steak craving" strikes again...

We had great food at the Butcher Shop last night. The steak was outstanding as was the blackened salmon. Our friends had chicken piccata that was fabulous and the steak kabob was devoured, so I'm guessing it was great too. However, the service was just so-so. I had to flag down the waitress to get water, then again to get a drink, then to ask to see the dessert tray, and I've said many times, I expect good service. The servers have "ONE JOB" and if they can't do it right they should get another job.

Went there for Mother's Day. Had a wonderful time! The staff was excellent and the food was tremendous!

My husband and I decided to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary at The Butcher Shop instead of our "usual" (94th Aero Squadron). They're owned by the same people, but we had received a discount coupon that helped make the decision. Besides, I had eaten at the one in National City years ago, and really enjoyed the "live menu" (waitress brought out a huge tray with every cut of meat plastic-wrapped)! To my surprise, the live menu doesn't exist anymore--and we were unable to find anyone who even remembered it. The dining room was TINY, although the place looked really big from the outside. Tables and chairs were just jumbled together in the middle of this small room, with booths around the sides. It was hard to navigate in between the tables, especially when the restaurant filled up. The food was good, but no different (or better) than 94th Aero Squadron in our opinion. Plus the restaurant is a bit pricy. We enjoyed fried zucchini as an appetizer, both of us had the regular-cut of prime rib, and we were presented with a complimentary slice of cheesecake with raspberry sauce to share (I had mentioned it was our wedding anniversary). At our age, guess we're just not used to eating that much...because dinner made itself known over and over again all night!

This is a classic red leather booths and vintage celebrity picture place. Great veal piccata , great bread, great prime rib, salad, everything. Can get crowded so place a reservation or come early.

We were starving saw the big sign off the I 15 Frwy and took the exit at Kearny Villa Rd. To our surprise this old fashion restaurant had fabulous Martini's and the best Prime Rib. Service was impeccable. The Maitre D' stopped by to ask how are meal was? I responded that it was my new favorite restaurant for Prime Rib, he returned with a $20 coupon so we would return for dinner. Doesn't get any better than that.

Like in the 60's - slightly dark with cosy seating. Efficient and friendly service, but despite the menu, today's specials are presented rather quickly verbally. Really good starters, with "surf & turf" as the hit. Would certainly visit this restaurant again.

We ate dinner twice in two weeks at The Butcher Shop. Our favorite main dishes are the 7-ounce filet mignon with mashed potatoes and prime rib. Our favorite dessert is the creme Brule. We feel that The Butcher Shop is a very special addition to the Kearny Mesa area with adequate parking, booths in a comfortable Chicago steak house atmosphere, helpful wait staff, and high quality steaks. The second time we ate there, the waiter mistakenly gave us a credit card charge that was three times the amount of our bill, but we sent it back for correction without any problem. We think The Butcher Shop is still an excellent value.

This is our "go to" restaurant for the best steak in town. Their Prime Beef "baseball cut" top sirloin steak rivals anything you will find at Ruth's Chris or Morton's steakhouse and at a fraction of the cost. We prefer dinning in secluded area near the cocktail lounge. It has an old school clubby feeling with warm walnut paneled walls, subdued lighting and a roaring fireplace. Perfect spot for any occasion.

Visited restaurant during a business trip to CA. Service was excellent as well as the Prime Rib. Ambiance is nice and a local favorite as it was quite busy.

I enjoyed a very good meal here on my first lunch visit. Friendly, efficient service in a kind of 40s-era red-velvet ambiance. I was pleased enough to take my wife there, sort of bragging to her that I had found a cool new place. On our dinner date, we were altogether underwhelmed with the experience. The service staff were indifferent and rather slow. The food was fine, but somehow disappointing after we looked at the bill. There is no feeling of "well, that was worth the price!" So, will I return to the Butcher Shop again if someone invites me? Perhaps, if it is convenient as there aren't great options in this part of the Kearny Mesa neighborhood. Will I drive 20 minutes there with high expectations? Probably not.

After experiencing a bad time at the Boathouse Harbor Island. I located the Butchershop online and drove over. My wife and I had last been with them in 1982! We were treated extremely well. Promptly seated and provided bread, water and wine (ruffino Chianti)which was a good variety and reasonably priced. Our waiter Sharona was high energy and very attentive and personable. My spinach salad was crisp and fresh and the Prime Rib was big portioned and tender and delicious. The decor was rich and well decorated with luxurious booths and pics of celebrities on the wall and Sinatra music in the background. Very classy and Special. Isn't it the way it's supposed to be?😀

We had dinner at the recommendation of our hotel. It's what you think of as an old time steakhouse. We both got the 7oz filet with baked potato. It was very good and tender. My only complaint is that the service was a bit slow and we stood in from of the two "greeters" when we entered for several minutes before they addressed us.

Excellent service, Great wine and out of the world Prime rib. A little hard to find for an out of towner. .

It is a very austere place. We enjoyed our meal but in lacked finesse. My crab cakes were good but swimming in a heavy sauce that was too rich. A drizzle of it would have been sufficient. My salad was fresh but lacked imagination. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his blue cheese filet medallions, but it was just filet with blue cheese plonked on top. Now the baked potato was sublime. No messing needed here! It was perfect. I didn't have a bad or unpleasant experience here I just wouldn't go back. Left me feeling a bit flat whereas food is exciting!

THE PERFECT B-DAY DINNER SURPRISE! White Tablecloth, romantic, private booth for two - Birthday Dinner - at The Butcher Shop, complete with Martini’s -I chose the Spicy Mango. Followed by a Caesar Salad, Prime Rib, Garlic Mashed, & Spumoni Ice Cream. Our waiter Paul did a fine job taking care of our dining needs, including some extra horseradish for this spicy, birthday gal! Two, firsts tonight, the restaurant and the martini. Always FUN to try new places and things! So appreciative of the pampering and the company! I am blessed!🙏❤️👑🌹💃🕺💋

The best food, service and atmosphere in all of San Diego. We love this place and have tried almost everything in the menu. Today I had the warm seafood salad…absolutely delicious.

My favorite place for prime rib that doesn't leave you broke or hungry! Been going for over 20 years and they haven't changed, Great atmosphere, great service!!

I went here a decade before and came back for a visit and it is still great! I wish I remembered the servers name because she was AWESOME! Go between 4-6 and they have an early dine menu and you can make reservations on Opentable. The Filet was great, LOVE LOVE LOVE the garlic bread. no complaints.

It is a tradition for my father and myself to eat here when I visit him in San Diego. It is the highlight of the trip. The service is excellent. The atmosphere - fresh flowers cozy booths and delightful décor is great. The maître D knows my father on sight. I've never had a bad meal here and the drinks were excellent.

This restaurant was recommended by our hotel. My steak was cooked precisely as ordered and was very tender, Services was excellent, however, parking was a pit. It is very limited and tight. The prices were reasonable. The decor inside was very pleasant, and nice. The waitstaff were polite and attentive. Well worth it.

We celebrated our son's high school graduation here. The staff was fantastic, the food absolutely superb. Everyone had a wonderful time and and a fabulous lasting memory was created. We had an individual in our party needing gluten free options and it was not a problem! We will definitely be back soon and highly recommend.

Went for dinner with our 2 kids. Everything was excellent. We had a variety of menu items and they were all delicious! If you don't fill up on the main meal there are some amazing desserts. The best part was the " old school " no rush you out the door dinning!

I had a good experience Mike was very helpful. Service was great. Room was a little hot, but they fixed the problem immediately. Food a Lille on the colder side and salad was not crispy cold.. Food could have been better the service area was exceptional

This was our first experience of eating at this Butcher Shop location. Usually we ate at the Chula Vista location which is no longer in business. We had a filet mignon and a sirloin steak. Serving size consistent with lunch rather than dinner which we prefer. Both were served with potato and soup or salad. The vegetable bean soup was delicious. The salad was standard. The chocolate cake was exceptional. My filet was cooked as ordered and to my liking with pink in the middle. It was good but the entire meal just did not meet my expectation of a little WOW. The inside of the restaurant was attractive. Service was friendly and attentive. Prices reasonable. Parking without difficulty. I would return.

Very good food, recommended by a family member and glad I went. Old theme but quiet and a nice atmosphere. Excellent value for the money. I got the filet kabobs. I tasted the Strawberry & Cream dessert and it was phenomenal. Highly recommend going, will go again.

While in San Diego for comic con we tried the Butcher Shop Steakhouse. It advertised as a Chicago style restaurant, leather booths, lots of wood and a large bar. I had the 10oz prime rib, medium well. It was cooked perfectly, brown, but not well done. An end cut, with little fat and very tender. In taste it is a hair below my 2 favorites, Kimo's Lahaina Maui and Lawry's Beverly Hills. Mashed potato was good too. My wife also had the prime rib, medium rare, cooked perfectly. Could cut it with a fork. The french onion soup was the best she had in 20 years. My daughter had the sirloin steak and said it was very good. The deserts were wonderful too. Would highly recommend the Butcher Shop steakhouse.

Well, it's very good food. It has an air of the old day's late 70's early 80's... It was just a brief lunch... If you are around it's worth it, but don't cross the city to go

We eat here on our last night of holiday. We were staying at shutter island so had. A bit of drive out finding it but it was worth the time. The place is a real old style steakhouse the decor is superb and ties you back to a time gone. The staff were polite and welcoming. The steaks we had were great . The bar area is worth the visit alone. If your in the area visit.

The Butcher Shop looks unassuming from the outside and has the vibe of an old-school steak house on the inside. Whitness the red wallpaper, soft lighting, photos of rat-pack stars and portrates of Frank Sinatra too. They are serious about their food. Loved the dinner salad, garlic bread, braised short ribs with properly cooked vegetables. Service was excellent.

Flag ship status. This restsurant has been here well over 40 years. Last of a 3 location business. Restaurant family for well over 60 years. I started going in late 70's. It was the place. Sinatra worthy. By far bets Prime Rib for a 100 miles if not more. Packed at noon for lunch. If you have never been....its a must. Great for dinner too.

Loved the throwback steakhouse atmosphere, but could have done without the grumpy bar tender and nowhere to sit and enjoy a drink before our reservation time. The food was only average for the prices that were charged. My prime rib was not the done-ness that I ordered even while surrounded at the same table with others who had ordered exactly the same and theirs was correct. The calamari was horrible. At a table of 7 after one piece no one at any of the rest. Maybe it was just an off night, but I personally don't recommend it.

This steakhouse is a real throwback to days past. It has leather booths, dark lighting, movie stars pictures that have eaten there. I has excellent prices that won't cause you to take out a 2nd mortgage on your house to eat there. All the dinners come WITH soup or salad, vegetable, choice of potato at no extra cost. the appetizers are excellent (try the zucchini) and fairly priced. the deserts are awesome as well. all steaks are flown in from the Chicago Stockyard daily. This is a special occasion as well as a casual restaurant with service top notch.

In addition to a great 1950's Frank Sinatra atmophere of nostalgia, this great restaurant features some of the best steaks we've ever had. I wish they would add sweet potatoes, but otherwise this place is immaculate. I'm disabled and the server went out of his way to make my meal better. He rigged up a mini-table next to me because of my wheelchair, and even cut up my steak for me. Top notch 5 start service. Highly recommended!

We reserved a table for dinner on a weeknight, and we were shown to a booth when we arrived. We like bookshelves and paintings in steakhouse interiors, so we felt at home at The Butcher Shop. The prime rib bites were delicious. Our son had New York steak and it was prepared the way he liked it. We shared a petite filet with mashed potato, and we felt it was excellent. The carrot cake and creme brule were very good. It is a delight to find this high quality steak house outside of the downtown area. The Butcher Shop provided a relaxed atmosphere with professional service and delicious steaks. We felt it was an excellent deal.

Oh, my. What a dinner! The french onion soup was very good. Infinitely better than what we had last weekend in Vegas at the Bellagio atrium cafe, but not quite as good as The Spot in La Jolla. The prime rib I had was the best I've had in many years, great flavor and could cut it with a fork. My wife got the braised short ribs, melt in your mouth. Amazing. Creme brule and carrot cake for desert. Fantastic evening; will definitely return.

My girlfriend and I took my son and his girlfriend there to celebrate my son's 18th birthday. We could not have chosen a better place. Not only was the ambiance extraordinary, but the food was even more so. And the service was on par as well. Excellent is a word that's often over-used, but is certainly appropriate in this case.

the food quality was outstanding and the daily specials, spectacular. staff wa very friendly and good at their jobs.

We ate here on our last night in San Diego, by which time we had no car it was quite an ordeal getting there by public transport but no big deal! We had to change buses on route and then walk about ½ mile or so once we got off the bus! We did this because it had been recommended to us for Prime Rib!! I had booked a table online but the restaurant was only about half full on a Friday night. We were given a nice table by an unnecessary open fire and the service throughout was friendly and attentive; with the waitress even correctly identifying my wife’s Northern Irish accent, which was impressive! We both opted for the Prime Rib as this was the reason we had chosen the restaurant and it was very good. To be honest, unless you have a car or take a cab, you are unlikely to venture this far out from the centre of San Diego for dinner but as it was Halloween and the main part of the Gaslight district was closed off unless you had tickets, it was the best choice for us!

To be perfectly honest although the service was good. I'm curious to know why people rave about this restaurant on here and on Yelp. The food was okay. Nothing that blew my mind. I didn't leave there thinking I had just had the best cooked steak of my life. The decor whether intentional or not is way out of date. I'm pretty sure I saw Don Corleone sitting at the next table over. All in all it's an okay place for steak but I suspect that the San Diego area has better ones to offer.

The restaurant is adjacent to the freeway and it does not look particularly fancy on the exterior, although there is valet parking. Arrived at 6:00 p.m., just as the early bird dinner special ended. The parking lot behind the restaurant was not quite yet full. There were numerous people waiting to be seated, but as we had a reservation we were seated immediately in one of the very attractive dining rooms. The interior of the restaurant is reminiscent of a decades old steakhouse with red leather booths, and management should be congratulated for keeping it so well maintained, attractive and comfortable. The interior has a great intimate atmosphere without being too dark. As it was restaurant week there was a special three course menu (one entree selection was a very appealing prime rib), but as I did not want a dessert I ordered from the regular menu which was reasonably priced. The veal piccata is sauteed with olive oil, lemon juice and capers. It is served with soup or salad, a choice of garlic mashed potatoes, wild rice, or fresh vegetables. The veal was absolutely delicious and the vegetables were perfectly cooked. Also enjoyed a very nice Caesar salad (beautifully fresh, chopped romaine). The portions were generous. I was mildly disappointed when the server informed us that they did not offer anchovies on the Caesar salad. The dressing had anchovy flavoring, but that is not quite the same as actual anchovies. No one in our party had any negative comments about their meal (the steaks looked great and were cooked perfectly to order). The service was excellent in every respect. Water glasses were filled as necessary (but we made sure to empty them just before leaving so as not to waste any water). A dessert tray was brought by our table after our meal and they looked delicious. I plan on returning to this restaurant.

Easy freeway access in Kearny Mesa. I've been going to Butcher Shop for business lunches recently and they do a really good job. Great meatloaf, hamburgers, Prime Rib and I recommend you stick to the things they are really good at. The lunch salads were just OK. I've dined here over some 40 years and still usually order the Prime Rib. You can get a private room for larger groups. There's a reason the place has been in business all these years.

My wife and I eat here 3 - 4 times per month. Where else can you go with Downton Abbey style furnishings, white tablecloths, terrific service, and the opportunity to enjoy a cup of soup or small salad + main course + side + drink for just $11? My favorite is the Meatloaf (two slices with mashed potatoes between covered in Bordelaise sauce), wild rice pilaf, a cup of French Onion soup, and iced tea. Wine and dessert are extra.

The decor is old and dark, but the food was really good. Chianti was good, French onion soup was good, sides were good and the meat, which honestly is why you come here, is really good. Steaks were good cuts, cooked perfectly. I had the park chop, which was a bit over seasoned, but cooked to perfection! Many places overlook pork, but this was tender, juicy, great!

Stepped into a scene from maybe 20-30 years ago (maybe this is their theme?). Had steaks, seafood, appetizer, cocktail... Food is average for the price (price = "upscale"). Atmosphere is dated/not well kept up. Service was friendly. Not close to on par with places like Ruths, Flemmings, Donovans (although price is lower, so might be OK for some). If looking for upscale steakhouse, I would pass.

Food was ok, atmosphere ok, very busy so some most like it but it was 2 star service. Never had a server decline to take a photo of us at the table before (to celebrate a birthday) and she seemed inexperienced. Disappointing to pay that much for dinner, wasn’t worth it.

Took advantage of the special sunset dinner and will definitely be back again. Food and service was exceptional.

Have been to this restaurant before twice for lunch and had the filet. Usually pretty good, not the best but okay. But this time......oh my the "lunch" filet is chopped? But the waitress said its not what you think chopped. Ok, I.'ll give it a try since previous times were ok. OMG! Not sure whatnitnwas, so much onion and mushrooms to help make the meat palatable? Couldn't bring myself to,eat chopped meat, brought it home for the,dog, she got GI attack......Witress mixed our drinks with another table and this was before the lunch crowd came in. She was somewhere else not with her customers" Very disappointed.......not too many steak places in the Kearney Mesa area.

I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant, even though I had never been there before. It was a business lunch, and we didn't have a reservation, but they seated us quickly. The place was very busy, yet the service was excellent, and the food, especially the steaks, was outstanding. While it's a bit pricey, it was definitely worth it, and I plan to return. From the outside, the restaurant looks a bit worn, so I hope they will renovate it soon. However, the interior is clean and features classic 1950s leather booths and a lovely walnut decor—really impressive. The servers are fast and patient. We sat in a booth that felt fresh and clean, not worn out at all. Overall, it was a fantastic lunch spot, and I can't wait to come back for dinner. I never would have guessed it was located off the 163, but it clearly has been around for a while. I will definitely be returning.

You would expect a place like this to cost a lot more! The steaks were perfectly prepared, the sides were good, and the service was solid.....not overly attentive though. You won't get the "gushy, over the top friendly" stuff you get at some steakhouses....but they'll be prompt and efficient. The wine list was decent, not great by any stretch, but good enough. If you enjoy dark wood, red leather seating, and nostalgia on the walls...you'll love this place!

It was restaurant week, and they had some excellent 3 course specials. The usual menu has excellent steak choices, and they prepare them to the temperature of your choice.

We are visiting the USA all the way from Australia. I have never left a review before but just had too after dining here. My husband is a huge meat man and even our 2 boys loved their meals also, all 4 of us totally enjoyed our meals. Fantastic food, lovely place, great price and Kelli our waitress was lovely too. Now we know why the car park was so full. Thank you again very happy customers.

We loved the ambiance when we first walked in, like we were in an old Italian neighborhood Steakhouse.We were sat in a booth and had a very attentive server. My husband and I got the New York Strips and others in our party got Rib eyes and Prime Ribs. The steaks were good, mine was overdone, I had asked for medium but received medium well, it was still tasty but I should have sent it back. The spinach salad was very good and my husband enjoyed his clam chowder. All in all everyone was happy with the meal.

We took our niece out for a nice sit down dinner at a place she has been to before. Place looks like an outdated old men’s club, the waitresses all wore red mini skirts and a few never even had their long hair in pony tails, red leather in the booths, and dim lighting, the food was very tasty, came out in a timely manner, but holy over priced! And the drinks, wow, gouge us some more, definitely not worth the price for what you get, but hey you decide, cheers

The fish of the day item sounded and tasted good but as an entree, the portion of fish was very small.- value mediocre

If you are look for a mouth watering beef that you can cut with a fork, this is the place to go. the Filet Mignon is worth the price.

The setting has an “old style clubby” feel with rich dark wood paneling, comfortable leather booths, gleaming brass, beautifully etched-glass panels, and even a fireplace. It’s a great place for lunch or dinner with family, friends, and business associates – and for that date or date night out. In addition to steaks, slow-roasted prime rib and filet mignon, the extensive menu also has veal, chicken, seafood and pasta entrees. The Butcher Shop also has specials. From 4-6pm, you can take advantage of the "sunset dinners" every day. There's also happy hour, half price on select bottles of wine (every Tuesday and Wednesday) and no corkage fee when you BYOB (Sunday and Monday).

It's like stepping back into a special time, and too many new restaurants are trying to recreate. Warm personalized. Menus offer everything from large steaks to fresh seafood.

I and a work colleague stopped in here for dinner a while back. Great food and better atmosphere. They have pictures of famous actress/actors from the 60s up on the wall from that time period. Its a classic and I will go back

This is a first class restaurant the service and food were great. My wife had the ribeye which was juicy and tender and I had the fish which was season and tasty with every bite.

Looking for an affordable steakhouse option for a nice anniversary dinner. Well aside from the constant sound of clanging dishes coming from who knows where. Wait staff was so so. The issue is that this place is trying to be a high-end steakhouse while serving TGI Fridays style food. Dinner for two$140. Sorry choose one and stick with it.

We were a group of 11 friends looking for a late lunch. Even walking in at close to 2 pm, we were welcomed, a U shaped table set up for us and an excellent meal followed. The server was accommodating, smiling and got everything right. The food was excellent, hot & delicious. Price was right. The $12 meal was one of the best deals in town. My husband & I shared a meal of soup, meat loaf with a side and a dish of ice cream. There was too much for even the two of us so I had another meal tonight. We will definitely go back next time we are in San Diego.

Wow! Great time, great food, great atmosphere! Visiting town for a conference and went out to dinner with my son and his friends. Looking for a casual steakhouse, traditional food and decor. This is the place! Decor is 80's with some modern updates. Low ceiling, dim lighting - fantastic! Place was packed with groups of friends and families all having a wonderful time. Their food is traditional steakhouse with porterhouse, sirloin, prime rib, NY Strip and all the great cuts! Enjoyed calamari friti and zucchini friti - a nod to the founder - an Italian American from the Bronx who opened the first "butcher shop" in 1971 when all fine Italian Restaurants served those dishes. We followed that with Caesar and mixed salads with balsamic vinaigrette as well as French onion soup, all delicious. Our steaks were top sirloin and prime rib, all cooked medium rare. The flavor was superb, as was the preparation. Clearly my sirloin had been aged properly as it was almost as tender as a tenderloin! Unlike a lot of modern steakhouses- it was perfectly seasoned and not bathed in salt to mask the flavor (a la Ruth Chris or Fogo de Chao). Our mashed and baked potatoes were great. Finally for desert, we tried chocolate cake, key lime pie, berry parfait and red velvet cheesecake. All delicious, not a scrap of food was left. We washed it all down with the wine best matched to Steak - a tanin rich Malbec. No French Cahors Malbec was available, so we settled for the Argentinian version, but it was excellent nonetheless. Loved the ambiance, food and service. Completely non pretentious restaurant with extremely friendly staff. They care about what they're doing and it shows. It's not for everyone, but if you're looking for a steakhouse that has maintained a tradition of excellent food and service for almost 50 years, this is the place for you! I will be back!

Thanksgiving We chose the 11 o’clock sitting Very Pleased Making a new tradition to go to butcher shop on Thanksgiving!!!

My family went here for San Diego Restaurant Week and had a wonderful meal. There were tons of choices on their prefixed menu with options to extend your meal to a surf and turf for a few extra dollars. All four people in my party were extremely satisfied with their meals from appetizers to dessert. Their bar is very reasonably priced with a very impressive wine list that led us to a new family favorite. The prime rib was seasoned and cooked perfectly and I was served some of the best grilled asparagus I have ever had. The dessert choices were phenomenal and honestly hard to decide because it all sounded so amazing (but I advise the crème Brule as it was delicious with fresh berries). But for me the real star of the show was their bread. It was garlic sourdough bread that was served after our orders were taken and I could not stop eating it. (I even did the faux pas thing and asked for more with our meal and then took it home). I will definitely be going back here for an amazing steak dinner (and more of that bread!)

What a disappointment. Came here for the advertised "Prime Steakhouse Experience," that pricing ABSOLUTELY reflects, departed bewildered and quite disappointed. Reservations for party of 6, at 6 pm 12/28/24, my birthday. Our server, Berlin, was very kind - that's pretty much where anything positive I can say stops... Two beef orders, one fish, one cup lobster bisque plus seafood tower, a chicken Caesar and an Alfredo. Sides for table: onion soup, truffle fries, wedge salad, Parmesan bread (no bread served gratis prior to dining…) Seems standard/low end yet easily "handle-able" for this establishment's high end pricing, our final bill was actually $480+ after tip, no alcohol. Lobster bisque tepid at best, requested re-heat, was brought "new" one, also tepid, bisque had separated into congealed lumps of ingredients, completely unappetizing and inedible, (kinda like a cold gravy consistency and mouth feel) no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Entrees: all tepid, not cold, kinda as if they had been patiently waiting on some shelf. Do you have an Expediter to check Quality Control so that entrees are sent out on time, of a WARM temperature so as to be appetizing. All entries were brought out by support staff, plunked tray on stand, and kinda sat waiting to be put on table. Couldn't the support staff put entrees on table? We might have had a few warm bites. Absolutely NOBODY cautioned us, "be careful, hot plate!!"As One is typically warned, - servers and staff seem to all know there's no need to warn patrons of warm plates or entrees. The simple fish my husband ordered was "out" and salmon was substituted - quite poorly prepared (and tepid) salmon at that. Seafood tower was obvs. prior frozen stuff - please don't charge high end price for that watery Bilge. Requested drawn butter, Yep you guessed it, received tepid I don't know what stuff: Margarine? Margarine/Corn oil blend? assuredly not butter. Had asked for substitution estimate for substituting crab claws for 'salmon tartare'. Never got it, seafood tower was plunked in front of me with, I think, 4 claws, obvs previously frozen based on lack of taste and “watery-ness.” Upon my second question re: estimate for substituting claws for tartare posed again, was informed "Chef says to upcharge you $15!" But what if I demurred "Chef's Upcharge!? " What were my options with food in front of me! We were a party of 6, out to celebrate an important birthday for me. Not one at our table was willing to question our decidedly sub-par meal, for fear of further ruining the evening that your poorly prepared food and scheduling of dish- to -table expediting had cast a long shadow upon. Shame on you. My birthday dinner was indeed memorable, for all the wrong reasons. BTW: if you have respect of your ingredients and cooking methods, extend that same respect to your servers, the flouncy micro skirts do them a disservice as being perceived as a knowledgeable partner in your restaurant's enterprise. At present patrons are confused, "is this a Hooters? Is this a Steakhouse" your Pricing says Steakhouse, EVERYTHING ELSE screams low end Hooters.

This should be 5 stars and would have been if not for the horrible service (I even debated dropping it to 3 stars) The interior has that old school steak house feel. I got the restaurant week menu. The scallops with crab and bacon were delicious. The beef short ribs were delicious and tender. My wife’s top sirloin 8oz in the sunset meal was the best steak she had and loved the mashed potatoes. She also said the Caesar salad was on point. The lava cake was also delicious. The bad side: My wife ordered her steak well done and it came out as medium rare. Our waitress never came to check in on us and I had to grab a waiter from the table next to us. This is even after the waitress asked my wife if she wanted her steak butterfly cooked. Steak came out when I was almost done with my meal (which at that point was finally cooked perfectly). For $4.50 a pop, our waitress only came by once to refill them and they sat empty for a while. When the lava cake came out it had no heath pieces. Most annoying the sunset dinner included a scoop of ice cream and coffee and tea. Our waitress never brought them out or offered them. And then we had to wait forever for the bill.

A great old school steakhouse with leather booths and dark wood panels. Lots of movie stars pictures on the walls as well. The food is excellent and includes salad, entree, choice of potatoes. their sides and appetizers are very reasonable and excellent as well.

I was there yesterday on Mothers Day, I was alone as my wife is still in TEXAS visiting her mother. My wife is not my mother but my Momma-sita! Anyway, went there in her honor and the fact that this restaurant was recommended by the Mgr at the Residence Inn across hwy 163. As soon as I entered the establishment I was impressed by how the employees were dressed and by the restaurant itself. Heck, I even asked the person at the front desk if I had to leave cuz I thought there was a dress code. Luckily for me I was good with what I was wearing. I ordered a 16oz Ribeye with the fixings and man was that steak good. I take pride in cooking the best steaks but The Butcher Shop gives me a run for my money. One of the managers or perhaps owner walked by my table and thanked me for coming in and gave me a $20 coupon for my next visit. Well I'll be using that coupon in the very near future when my Momma-sita comes to see me. I did however, had a bit of an issue with the sauteed Mushrooms not sure what the sauteed was but looked very greesy. Its expensive but I recommend it.

The food and service just aren't as good as they used to be. We waited quite a while to be seated, then the service was just ok. I was really disappointed that my grand-daughters left their silk flower hair clips on the table and when I called to ask if I could come pick them up, no one knew anything about them and the manager was rude about it. Disappointed.

Vacationing here for a week and after days of Seafood craved beef. Didn't want to go to expensive fancy steak place and found this one with good reviews. Wow! Fun, dark steakhouse decor. Leather U shape booths with Hollywood actor/actress framed photos and fireplace. Service spot on and cocktails delicious. Hubby and I both ordered the Prime Rib and Onion Soup. There are also reasonable Sunset dinners starting at 4 but we visited at 3pm. Everything was served perfectly. I would definitely recommend this place.

My wife, her colleague and I went here on 03/27/15 and from the moment you want in you're swept back to a steakhouse experience worth far more than the price on your check. Amazing service, amazing food, and the atmosphere is a throwback to the steakhouses of the 70s and 80s. Red vinyl booths, portraits of young actors (many of which are in their 60s and 70s) everywhere, and an underlying feeling that at any moment Freddy the Fink, Mickey the Machine Gun, or Benny the Beard is going to sit down next to you. A distinct mob vibe from the establishment overall but even if Sammy the Snake got whacked at the table next to us - I still would have finished my amazing steak and garlic mashed potatoes. Go here, bask in the ambiance of days long gone and imagine the conversations that have taken place in the rooms you walk into. Oh, and the French Onion soup is tops!

If I could give half stars, this would be 3 1/2. Have been to this establishment many times but the service has slipped. Food is still a consistent 4 but the service needs to be addressed. The lady that waited on us came over literally as we sat down and asked us for our drink orders before we had menus. She was extremely impatient, started walking away before we finished talking, my wife, son and I thought maybe she was having a bad night. She continued this behavior throughout the whole meal. Keep in mind it was May 5th, so the establishment was empty due to Cinco de mayo. Will we come back? Sure but only in hopes of better service...

This place was not my favorite, and there a many other good choices close by. I don't think I will be returning. The food was just o.k.

We have lived in SD for 20 years and have seen this restaurant from the freeway many times. I don't know why we never went before this week. It was excellent. It is an old school steakhouse with a real Chicago or New York feel. The shrimp cocktail was great with fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce with a big horseradish kick. Entrees come with soup/salad, bread and a side. Other fine steakhouses make you buy everything a la carte, so this was great. You can add seafood and other sides for additional cost. My prime rib was perfect and My husband's steak was also perfectly cooked. The service was attentive and Rebecca was very helpful and friendly. We'll be back...no sense driving downtown when you can get a great meal here.

I expect Frank to be at the next table, but the place is up to date and has a classic steakhouse menu. The bartender make the best sidecar in town. I love the beef tenderloins with blue cheese or the filet or the chicken. The staff know their menu and can make excellent suggestions, so tap their knowledge and experience. I love this place and have been going for years. You should too.

Monday night dinner for my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. I called the restaurant and made reservations two days in advance but the restaurant couldn't find them. Since it was a Monday night it was not busy and we were seated with no waiting. The service and food were both excellent. A great restaurant for special events and a great meal. I have been to the Butcher Shop many time and the food and service is always excellent.

Since the first time I had dinner here, with this woman that I met the same night, I enjoyed this place. At the time, the owner, Roberto, used to pick up attractive women as waitresses. Anyway, food was excellent. After 26 years, coming back with the same woman, my wife I taste the great prime rib as always... I love this place, one of my favorite in San Diego.

This restaurant is trapped in a time warp and that is what makes it great. The Zagat review says it all - a throwback to the 50's-60's steakhouses. Dark wood and red carpet. Loved their petite prime rib, baked potato and salad.

Won the LOTTO when we found this Thanksgiving buffet. More than other buffets offerings. Turkey, ham, lamb, prime rib, salmon, snow crab and all prepared well & delicious. Cooked to perfection, no dry or overlooked food. Salad & dessert varieties too including kale salad! So much food & it's obvious from the crowds that the locals know about this secret! Being from Hawaii we scored & have been sharing this info.Great attention to detail & the bald guy at receiving is a PRO. Handling large crowds juggling customers & cool as a cucumber.reservations basically almost on time at the busiest time of year! The manager even took the time to talk with every table, sincerely!

Not recommendable. Waiter uninspired to borderline inpolite. Food mediocre, bland and presented poorly. A well done steak was cooked to a crisp coal like appearance. Was however corrected and new steak properly cooked. But because of time consumed (15-20 minutes) other guests food was cold. Price does not match quality.

Myself and a group of friends were out to dinner in SAN Diego. The group decided we wanted Prime Rib for dinner. SAN Diego has a few of the high end chains but I like to try the local favorite. That is how we ended up at the Butcher Shop. I was very happy with the service. The decor is old school steakhouse but well maintained. I was happy with the quality of the food. Great quality at a fair price. So if you are looking for a good meal at a fair price without the showmanship of a high end steak house this is a good choice.

Loved the decor very old Hollywood style .......great service from Kelly who was so helpful and made us feel very welcome. All our steaks were well coked and perfect. French onion soup was also great. We only went due to tripadvisr reviews as it was out of our way but so glad we went.....loved it!!

Walking distance from the Marriott. Amazing deals on lunch. Ambiance was perfect for any occasion. Food was great with plenty to fill you up.

I was actually expecting a chain type feel when I parked in the lot. I'm happy to say that the Butcher Shop exceeded my expectations. Really exceeded them. Service was great and the food was amazing. The atmosphere was very cool and comfortable, I can't wait to come back.

The Butcher Shop is our favorite restaurant! We have had several different meals there, and have been impressed every single time. The fried zucchini is wonderful, steaks are delicious, and they have an exceptional margarita. Love this place!!!!

What a stylish restaurant.! We had four excellent meals there tonight. They have a very wide choice and we dined in style and comfort. It would be even more pleasant if the waiter smiled but he was efficient and I will settle for that.

The $10 lunch specials are really a good deal. The steak is delicious, waitstaff is prompt and courteous. The ambiance is elegant, and feels very removed from Kearny Villa as a location, more like a tavern. I never feel rushed, but they always make sure that entrees are served on a lunch type schedule. Their wraps are good too. I have seen may companies opt to do holiday parties at this location as well. For lunch it is a great deal, but I think its a little pricey for dinner.

This place is a classic & loose elegant place for lunch or dinner. Has been here for well over 30 years. The Prime Rib is a must..served perfect pink. Classic SINATRA Style place then and now. Was there for fathers day .

!!VERY DISSAPOINTED!! We went to the Butcher Shop in San Diego for the first time and Oh BOY! We made a HUGE mistake. This was my husband's 50th Birthday. After we were seated and had waited for about 30 minutes without any drinks or acknowledgement from the staff we just decided to leave. What a terrible experience. We will never be going back and we will definately make sure to let our family and friends know that there are many BETTER restaurants in San Diego to choose from.

We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary at the Butcher Block with the most wonderful service and the greatest ambiance. The food was absolutely wonderful!