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Lazy H Steak Ranch

16787 Hwy 76
Pauma Valley, CA
(760) 742-3669
Cuisine: Steak, Seafood, Sandwiches

December 7, 2009

5.0 star rating

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1 Votes

A Fun Destination for a weekend... or a Day Trip

The Steak Ranch is famous in Pauma Valley and surrounding areas… but might be one of San Diego County’s best kept secrets. This is the kind of family owned business … that deserves all the success they can get. This is the kind of Restaurant that you like to find on a Vacation… or on a Day trip… that not only makes you feel at home… but sends you down the road stuffed and Grinning.

The Ranch is actually a resort… with Motel Units… banquet facilities… Pool… and over 6 Acres of Beautiful Gardens. And… it is some of the best Hummingbird viewing in San Diego County.

All of this is hidden from civilization… tucked back off the road on a private drive in Pauma Valley. Small… Quiet… Secluded… and Peaceful is all you feel upon entering. If it were not for the brochure… you would not know the other facilities are even there. The Restaurant itself… looks like a modest red Farmhouse…. with a cozy porch.

Originally built as a Ranch in the 1920’s… it has been a Restaurant for over 50 years… and when you sit at the bar… with a tree growing through the roof… you can imagine rubbing elbows with John Wayne… when he was a neighbor and Bar Fly back in the 60’s and 70’s.

While there is plenty of competition in the area… multiple famous golf Courses… and four casinos within 15 minutes… there is no competition for ambiance… charm… atmosphere… great comfort food… and warm friendly service. Before you end your first visit… you will be planning your next.

Also within 15 minutes is scenic Mt. Palomar… and fishing at Lake Henshaw… start planning that quiet restful weekend… you now have the destination.

The glassed in Cocktail longe and bar looks out over the gardens… and provides the up close look at Hummingbirds… lots of them. The drinks are generous… and priced more than fairly.

The dining room is Cozy! Warm! Inviting! … Ruffled Curtains… Antiques…

and served by a great Kitchen. After all… these reviews are about good food.

Our previous visit caused us to plan yesterdays trip. We wanted to take my 90 year old Father-in-law and his wife for a day trip. Get out and drive a little back country… and cap it off with a great meal… a nice drink… and the surprise for them… the Hummingbirds.

The visit was exactly what we had in mind. Not crowded… not noisy… you can carry on a conversation… even the Charger game on the Bar TV was not blaring. The grounds were stunning… always are. The food was great… always is. The service was charming… attentive… excellent.

We’re lucky enough for this to be a local restaurant for us… only 30 minutes from our door. But if you are further away… make it a weekend… I think if you googled relaxation photos… one of their images might pop up.

Dishes I tried:

French Dip

4.0 star rating

Fresh Prime Rib… tasty and juicy… generously piled on a grilled white bread French Roll… served with Au Jus. Choice of Fries… Potato Salad, Onion Rings or Seasonal Fruit.

Sounds like any restaurant description of this sandwich. But this was above the bar.

I asked the waitress whether the Grilled Ruben or the French Dip was the better choice. She said both were excellent… and My Mother in Law had the Ruben… and confirmed. I had the French Dip… and was delighted.

They brought me some great creamy horseradish… and I slathered that on the French Roll… then went to dipping and gobbling. I knew immediately that the only gripe was there was going to be no need for a doggy bag… maybe tums… but no doggy bag.

It was delicious.

I chose Onion Rings.. as my side dish… and while they were good… they were restaurant prepared frozen things that were disappointing. I was hoping for homemade Onion Rings… maybe even a beer batter… but the entire meal was still great.