Jocko's Steak House

After hearing and reading all the glowing reviews about Jocko's , my wife and I finally made it there one Sunday and were not disappointed. We have eaten at many high-end steakhouses in LA and Vegas and Jocko's beats them all when it comes to the most important issue......TASTE!!! Jocko's doesn't use fancy sauces or butter to give it's meat flavor. They simply season it perfectly and cook it over oak which gives it the most exquisite flavor we have ever tasted. My wife had a huge filet and I had a double pork chop. We loved the filet, but we loved the pork chop even more! For the quality and quantity of the food you get the prices are extremely reasonable. We can't help bringing up Jocko's when we are eating a substandard steak at some chic overpriced LA eatery. Pros: Steaks & Chops Cons: Nothing more

I've been eating at Jockos every so often for years, and it's like nowhere else. Sure, the wait can be long, even with a reservation, the decor seems to be something Goodwill diddn't take, but it's all part of the charm. Yes, charm, you remember charm right? IT's a throwback to before the days of lightning fast, assembly line food. Here, quality BBQ is what's served, nothing more, nothing less. In fact, the food is so good, you'll The waitresses are friendly if you're new, but if you're a regular they take REAL good care of you. After going there a few times, you begin to enjoy all the quirks, like chating with others in line while you wait, or getting seated on a long table and getting to know your neighbors. It's truly like nowhere else. Pros: Food is WONDERFUL Cons: Without a reservation, you're in rather serious trouble! more

This is the best place my husband and I have found for Beef Ribs!!! No place else can compare. Pros: The best flavvvvvvvor Cons: Don't go if your looking for a fancy place more

After hearing so much about this place we booked a reservation, called midmorning on a Saturday and the soonest they could get us a table for eleven people was 9:00 p.m. We didn't get seated until nearly 10:15 p.m. By then we were beyond hungry and when the food finally came, nearly 11:00 p.m., it didn't seem very appetizing. The lighting was dim and depressing; very outdated. The men's room had one small stall with a broken latch and graffiti written all over. Long folding tables and chairs from the 50's. Very loud and crowded. For a piece of meat? I'm sorry but it was not worth the wait or the price to me. If there is one thing I cannot stand, it's a restaurant that rakes in the money like that place and does not invest a dime in making the place a more pleasant dining experience for their customers. Pros: Steak had a good flavor. Cons: Everything else. more

I've traveled all across America and around the world seven times, nothing compares to the steaks at Jocko's! From Seattle to L.A. across America from Boston to Florida and all through Europe from Amsterdam to Italy Jocko's is still #1. Well worth the drive form L.A. along scenic P.C.H. or the 101 freeway. For over 30 years I've had the pleasure of dining @ Jocko's and cannot find a quality steak that compares. Yes the ambiance is not 5 ***** but Jocko's is about true quality steaks and value. The hostess is a pitbull but the crowd dictates the environment. Arrive early with reservations and yes expect a wait with reservations, sigh in, head for the bar, order a few drinks, walk out back and perfect how you want your steak prepared and before you know it it's time to experience the best steak on earth. If you?re looking for a 6oz. $50.00 steak to match your epicurean dining pleasure L.A. is cluttered with numerous restaurants waiting for you. When your ready for quality and value head north pass Santa Maria, cross over the bridge, pass the speedway, exit @ Tefftt St. turn right, down the hill and your nose will guide you from there. Jocko?s Steak house Semplicemento Perfetto, Bravo Jocko?s Bravo!! Pros: The steak, and the steak with a side order of steak. Cons: The well worth the wait, ambience is 1970's more

This place is kinda obscure and is located in Nipomo which is kinda in the middle of nowhere...but let me tell you if you want a good steak then make the trip to Jacko's. This place is home of the steak!! The portions are large and food is AWESOME; but it doesnt come cheap. Pros: Most deliscious steak and potatoes Cons: A little bit of a drive if you are stayin SLO or Paso Robles more

OK, this is a fantastic place to get a great steak dinner. This is also a great place to get a great drink in a casual atmosphere. So in such a place, we expect to be the only people there? Pros: Everything!! Cons: There is a wait, but ... worth it!! more

Be assured Jocko's is an experience. Long waits on the weekends. A drill sargent for a hostess, but she is actually quite good handling the crowds that show up. Once inside, you may wonder about the food, because the decor is early VFW hall. Long folding tables with plastic tablecloths and mismatched country curtains. Warning: The bar's decor is about 30 deer, bear, and other animal heads staring down at you. If you want your steak perfect, go out back to the huge outdoor barbeque, and tell the friendly people how you like it. Baked potato with trimmings. Salad is not fancy, but fresh. Ask for the salad dressing on the side. Choose your drink. Get a doggie bag and save room for dessert. Dessert is Bernardo'z Award-Winning Fresh Ice Cream. Totally delicious in contrast to the savory steak. All for about twenty dollars a person. Fabulous value. Pros: Steak, Ice Cream, Value Cons: Decor, Hostess more

Can't imagine Melanie's rationale; suspicious. I've eaten at Jocko's for 36 years. The last few, they've been serving, with extreme consistency/dependability, the absolute best BBQ'd steaks anywhere in the USA; I've tried them all over the country. I've taken many visitors from everywhere; no one has disagreed yet with that assessment. I've seen the ebb/flow of steak quality at all Santa Maria area palaces over the years; right now, Jocko's are the best any have ever served. Yes, the wait's a test of endurance. Yes, it's crowded. Yes, the ambience is plain. But if you want the best steak money can buy, at a bargain price to boot, this is where you go. I'd say it's the best in the world (and I've eaten steak in a lot of countries), but tastes vary too much to make that claim for any restaurant. Melanie, you need your taste buds recalibrated! Pros: Steaks, Steaks, Steaks Cons: Wait, Wait, Wait more

Our steaks were both cooked improperly. Sent them back, no credit on bill. The salad was only iceberg and drenched in dressing to the point that it was unedible. The waitress was shocked that we were unsatisfied, the manager wouldn't come out to speak with us, we had to go to the kitchen. He refused to adjust our bill fairly. We have eaten in numerous steakhouses in 14 states and this was definately the worst. Good luck. Pros: cold beer Cons: management, food preparation, customer service more

The flavor of the red oak really comes through. Get the Filet. Pros: flavor, large portions, quality beef Cons: wait on weekends more

Yes, the wait can be long... But when have you not had to wait for a meal that was worlds better than the competition can provide? It's worth every second. The small Spencer can feed two people but I wouldn't want to fight someone for it. I've had what are supposed to be fantastic steaks all over the world but this was without a doubt the best I've ever had. If you are within 100 miles of Nipomo, for God's sake, STOP IN! Pros: Food, Casual Atmosphere Cons: Long wait more

For around $20, you can get an amazing and perfectly cooked steak, baked potato, dessert, salad, relish and garlic bread. I'd happily have paid twice as much. The wait, however, is daunting! On a Wednesday night, it was almost 2 hours long. Even with a reservation, we waited 30 minutes. The ambience isn't much to speak of and the location is a bit remote, but it's definitely worth the trip! Pros: steak, steak, value Cons: ambience, wait more

JOCKOS IS THE BEST PLACE TO EAT. THE KNOTTS FAMILY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB. THERE IS NOT A STEAK HOUSE AROUND THAT CAN COMPETE WITH THEM. THEY ALWAYS MAKE YOU FEEL WELCOME. THE BARTENDER ALBERT IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST AT MAKING JOCKO FIZZES. EVERYONE HAS TO TRY ONE, BUT IF YOU DO YOU'LL HAVE A SECOND GUARANTEED..........................PLEASE EAT THERE,YOU WILL NEVER EAT ANYWHERE ELSE................... Pros: GOOD PARKING, GREAT FOOD, NICE STAFF more

Jocko's has some good steaks, I also like the turkey dinner with all the fixens on Wenseday Nights. If I was the Owner/Manager, I would clean the place up. it's old & dirty. Pros: Good Steaks Cons: Old & Dirty Restruant, Long Wait more

From the Spencer to the Filet Mingon It is all good. Excellent burgers too! There is something for everyone at Jockos. I have been to Jockos many times and I have never been dissapointed, If you don't want to wait they pack an excellent carry out meal. The portions are so large you can order one meal and feed two people. Pros: Excellent food, Pick up meals Cons: wait more

This is the best restaurant I have ever been to. The best steak in the United States and what a classic atmosphere. Yes, you have to wait a while, but just enjoy a relaxing time in the bar and you won't care. The food and fun is worth every minute. Pros: Steak, Complete Meal, Inexpensive Cons: Waiting more

i used to live in nipomo, best steak anywhere. worth a wait, really miss it. havent had a steak to compare in 13 years more

We waited two hours...and it was worth every minute. I've never before seen a 24 oz. filet, and it didn't last long. $20 for the complete meal. Pros: Steaks, Steaks, Inexpensive Cons: Austere more

The steaks can be great but the wait is unindurable!Their hostess help is no help and down right rude! Love the flavor of the steaks but not sure that's enough to endure the rest. Pros: Steaks are tasty Cons: Parking Terrible, Help needs HELP, Mucho Crowded more