Any Good BBQ/Steak Houses In Tulare? (Fresno, Orange: appointed, organic)

[Des-Lab]

Just as the title implies. Are there any good steak houses/BBQ places in or near Tulare? Even nearby towns (Visalia, Hanford, Exeter, etc.) would be fine.

The wife and I just bought a house and moved there from Orange County a little over a month ago. We haven't yet done a LOT of exploring, though we have seen a few things.

One of the [very few] things I miss about living in SoCal was the immense variety of food and restaurants to choose from. There was something for every taste imaginable and every budget.

We happen to be big fans of rustic style BBQ and steak houses. Clearmans North Woods Inn (Covina or La Mirada) was always a favorite. And then my personal favorite of them all was Pinnacle Peak, up in San Dimas. See pictures:























Pinnacles, to me embodies all the elements of what a BBQ/steak house should be:

Dimly lit
Rustic
Reasonably priced
Simple menu
Delicious
Cooked on a real wood pit fire
Great service
All occasion suitable: Good for romantic evenings with just your SO, family outings with the kids, guys night out, or even dining solo.

So far in Tulare, the wife and I have located two places that we've tried.

First was a place on the south end of Visalia called "Big Bad Bubbas BBQ".

From the outside, it appeared to be cut almost from the same cloth as Pinnacles. But we ate there and were hugely disappointed. For starters, it's seriously overpriced for the type of atmosphere. And second, not a SINGLE steak of any kind was on the menu. Not one. You come to this "BBQ" place and are in the mood for a T-bone, a bacon wrapped fillet, a New York, or Porterhouse, forget it. You are in the wrong place. The closest thing even approximating a steak was the smoked tri-tip. It was ok, but a little too smoky for my taste. And the menu? WTF was up with that? When I opened the menu and saw all kinds of fluff items like Chipotle Teriyaki Chicken Salads and other superflous items, they lost all credibility with me. Seriously. Why would a place claiming to be a BBQ restaurant even OFFER a dish like that in the first place?

"Honey. I'm in the mood for some organically grown Tahiti style Romaine lettuce and fried rice served with Tofu and balsamic raspberry vinegrette dressing".

"Sounds good".

"I know. Let's go to Big Bad Bubbas Barbecue!"

Get real.

At least with Pinnacles, that's a steak house. Period. You don't want or like meat, you got no business being there. Period.

The other place we've tried so far is right in Tulare off the 99 freeway called Cool Hand Lukes. It was better. But not much. That place was sort of like a half-baked imitation of Stuart Andersons Black Angus. But at least they served meat and were reasonably priced. However my main complaint was that all steaks served were of the smoke-marinated variety.

Is there ANYWHERE in the Central Valley-preferably near Tulare that's a good honest to goodness Steak House?* And I've tried Tahoe Joes (when I spent a few days in Folsom a few weeks ago) and wasn't at all impressed.

*Yes I know all about Harris Ranch over in Coalinga. And one of these days, I really do want to drive over and check it out. It's been on my "must try" list for years. But that's a hecka long drive even from Tulare. Actually, it's a long drive from pretty much everywhere except for Coalinga and maybe Kettleman City. So it's really out of the way.

I'm hoping for something within a 15 or 20 mile radius.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?

[FresnoFacts]

The rustic places I know in that area closed over the years. I haven't heard of any good rustic ones that are still around, hopefully someone can suggest something.

Bubbas is a chain out of the Paso Robles/Atascadero area, so it has a Central Coast influence. I'm not fond of it either.

Cool Hand Lukes and Tahoe Joes are franchises so I've heard that sometimes the quality is not consistent in some locations. But I hear the Visalia Tahoe Joes is doing a good job.

In case you don't know, Harris Ranch will also be upscale, not rustic.

The best BBQ I've run across around Tulare/Visalia is Granny & Papas in Visalia. More of a takeout place, but really good smokehouse.
http://www.grannynpapasbbq.com

A couple of places for steak that are upscale, not rustic:

Personally, I've ended up getting nice steaks at the Vintage Press in Visalia.
http://www.thevintagepress.com/

I know some people like Double LL Steakhouse in Visalia.
http://www.doublellsteakhouse.com/

[Des-Lab]

Thanks for the tips. I'll look into those and then perhaps post some follow up down the road.

I know that the Central Valley has a lot of fantastic breakfast restaurants (for instance...BJ's in Clovis serves what is probably the best steak and eggs I've ever tasted. Yosemite Falls is another good one). But BBQ type stuff seems elusive.

[FresnoFacts]

If you don't mind the hour drive to Fresno then let me add a little more BBQ for you, non-chains of course (you probably have seen or heard Famous Daves commercials already since it is a chain place).

QN4U BBQ in Clovis (Clovis Avenue just north of Shaw in the Barnyard Shopping Center). The owner was last year's California BBQ Association President and has won at state competitions.
http://www.qn4ubbqhouse.com

Ruben's Rib Shack near Fresno Street and Clinton (the Veterans Admin hospital area). Getting some nice comments from others on some of the foodie boards.

In downtown Fresno near the Courthouses and Convention Center there are The Smokehouse and also Smokey's Grill. I have not had a chance to try either of them though.

[Des-Lab]

No worries. In case you missed it in an earlier post I did when I first joined the site, I am only new to residing in the Central Valley. I've been in, through, and around it for pretty much my entire life. So I'm no stranger to names like "Sanger" and "Kerman" and "the corner of Blackstone and Herndon." This is owing to most of my extended family being up there (and a large part of the reason I chose to move there). I know my way around quite well. I just need to learn some of the finer minutiae now (namely where the best this and that are).
So yes. Thanks again for the tips. Next time I am in Fresno/Clovis, we will definitely look into those places.

[FresnoFacts]

The rapid change in the Central Valley makes it hard to keep up. I've been in Fresno since roughly the mid-80s and still find places I didn't know about or find my old favorites for food or other things are now gone.

That is also true in the Tulare/Visalia area. Some of the old restaurants and stores I used to like down there are now gone.

[WindblownHair]

Double L steakhouse and saloon in visalia. Here's the address:401 E Center Ave, Visalia. Their portion sizes are huge and australian lobster is fantastic