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Ox+Anchor

4.6 (453 reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

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Ox burger
Sarah S.

Wow wow wow. We had another restaurant reserved and I am so glad we changed our minds and came to ox + anchor. This restaurant is doing everything right. EVERYTHING. The ambiance, service, food- all 5 stars, no notes. The server was so helpful with his suggestions, most popular items, and notes on even where to place the knife on the plate so it wouldn't fall. To start, we got a margarita and a glass of Sauvignon blanc. Now, my husband did think the margarita was a bit too strong but does anyone ever complain about that? I thought it tasted great. Now onto the bread...oh my gosh THE BREAD. What a silly minor thing to compliment a restaurant on- free bread- but it was divine! I make my own bread at home and would love to discover the magic behind both the sourdough and the focaccia- amazing. And the flaky salt on the butter- chefs kiss. The beet and endive salad was a glorious work of art and tasted delicious- fat, acid, salt (no heat)- all working perfectly together. The server sold my husband on the burger and my husband did say it was one of the top he's had. The filet was very good with the sauces. The server brought all four- I loved the chimichurri and the bordelaise the best but would take any of them any day. The mushroom risotto was absolutely incredible and delicious. We had some leftovers but we were absolutely too stuffed to the brim to get dessert. The manager came over and checked how we enjoyed our meal also. It was just perfect. We will be back!

Joanne R.

I always thought this place was a dark and romantic date night sort of place. I've passed it tons of times, but I have never gone in until recently. Getting a reservation at a popular dinner time might require some planning. I highly suggest you plan a couple weeks ahead if you want something that is in the 6 or 7 o'clock hour. The food was absolutely delicious. The service was great. The atmosphere is chic, classy, and surprisingly bright.

Brussel sprouts
Jason K.

Can't speak highly enough about this place. Got their America wagyu flatiron. One of the best steaks I ever had. They aren't lying when they say it doesn't need any sauce on the side. It was so rich and cooked to perfection. Had the potato purée and brussel sprouts on the side. Both were superb. Service was fantastic all around. Definitely worth checking out if you're anywhere near SLO.

Kitchen
Melissa P.

Booked this restaurant based solely on Yelp reviews without ever visiting SLO, and it exceeded every expectation! The food was absolutely delicious, but what truly made the experience unforgettable was the exceptional service. The manager, Ronaldo, went above and beyond to make my aunt and me feel so welcome and special. He even recommended a great spot for after dinner and personally walked us next door to enjoy some live music. Outstanding food, incredible hospitality, and hands-down some of the best service I've ever experienced. We'll absolutely be back--and a big reason is Ronaldo. Thank you for making our evening so memorable.

Burger + potato puree

I usually order the duck leg confit but I rly wanted a burger tonight. Omg I'm glad I gave it a go. It was the best burger I've had! Their Yukon potato puree is also our go-to order every time. Their service was delightful as always.

Kenny J.

Ordered - Complimentary sourdough and focaccia both delicious with the butter. Love the seasoning of the focaccia and how crispy it was. Nice flavor even without the butter. Both breads did come out a bit cold though and I wish the sourdough was crispier. - Beet and endive salad (4/5): one of the best beet salads we've had. The sauce really brings the dish together with the herbed goat cheese flavor shining subtley through. - Bone marrow tots (4/5): this was the reason we wanted to try come ox + anchor and it did not disappoint. We couldn't really taste the bone marrow, which we had expected to shine, but the tots themselves were perfectly crispy and flavored. We both also loved the horseradish creme fraiche that helped cut through some of the heaviness of this dish. Note though that there is an odd amount of tots per dish so my gf and I had to fight over the last one. - 10oz american wagyu flat iron (5/5): we ordered this medium rare and it was perfectly cooked. The steak was juicy but not overly fatty since it was consistently marbled. It was seasoned well but we loved trying all the different complimentary sauces with it - especially the red wine bordelaise sauce. So glad we tried this! - Ox burger with aged cheddar (5/5): Super fresh tasting and not oily at all. Juicy and super aromatic to the bite. Brioche bun was slightly sweet and made the dish well balanced. We also loved the tomato relish that was included as it was super unique and delicious. It was a bit odd having the lettuce, tomato, pickle, and pickled onion on the side but we had it like a side salad and it worked out ok. The fries included were yummy and definitely get the lemon aioli to add to some bites! - Meyer Lemon Cheesecake (5/5): Not heavy or overly sweet at all which we really appreciated since we were stuffed at this point. It was great how the orange sherbet cut through the lemon flavor. - Dark chocolate, baking soda, honey comb - Appreciated this small dessert for our Valentine's Day dinner. The honeycomb was dehydrated and crunchy when biting but softens and gets sticky when chewing. - Towel w almond smell Overall (5/5): Late review for our Valentine's day reservation. Service was super friendly and helpful, especially at explaining the menu. Ambiance was pretty vibey with candlelight but it was a bit noisy. Overall food and vibes were amazing and it was one of the best meals we had that weekend!

Paulo P.

Went here with my gf about a month ago for our anniversary and loved it. Steaks were cooked to our preferences and the sauces provided were excellent. I loved that they were included for free because at most steakhouses I've been to or restaurants similar to this one, I've had to pay for each sauce. The tater tots and mashed potatoes here were the real stars in my opinion. The tater tots here aren't like your regular tater tots texture, it had a more breadcrumby kind of exterior but it's great to me, nice and soft and cheesy inside

House sauces that come with steak
Mariah K.

Wow.. I can't explain how amazing this dinner was. The restaurant itself is beautiful inside, service was 10/10 but the star of the show was the meal. We ordered a Cesar salad to start, with the in house made focaccia and sourdough with salted butter. For entrees we had the brussel sprouts, puree potatoes, the rib eye and filet magnon. I'll be thinking about this meal for a long time; the steaks were cooked to perfection mixed with a perfect array of house made sauces (many different choices). The potato puree was actually insane, so creamy and flavorful. Cannot recommend Ox + Anchor enough! Such an incredible and delicious meal.

Prime New York and Filet Mignon. Creamed Spinach, Yukon gold pure and all sauces on the side.
Garrett W.

Came here tonight for our one year anniversary and we had an incredible meal. We were under the impression that Ox + Anchor was fine dining but once we got there, the entire restaurant was so incredibly loud. Like we could barely hear our server. No music or any of that. Not super pleasant. Also there were a lot of people here tonight dressed in like bed clothing or regular street wear. Which is fine of course, no judgment. You'd just think a place this nice would have a dress code. The food. Amazing, from the complimentary bread to the steak to the sides to dessert. Top-down absolutely delicious, wonderful food. Our server was amazing. He took care of us.

Anton N.

Ox + Anchor feels like the kind of place San Luis Obispo has been patiently waiting for. You walk in and immediately sense that this room knows what it is doing. Contemporary and polished without being stiff, softly lit but never dim, it strikes that rare balance where you feel dressed up enough to care and relaxed enough to enjoy yourself. One of the first things you notice is the massive glass wall separating the dining room from the kitchen. It is not a gimmick. It is a quiet flex. Chefs move with calm focus, plates come together with intention, and you get the comforting feeling that everything behind the scenes is exactly where it should be. Watching dinner come to life adds a subtle excitement, like seeing the orchestra before the curtain rises. The space itself is clean, modern, and welcoming. It feels appropriate for everything from a first date to a business dinner to a celebration where someone definitely dressed nicer than they claimed they would. Locals, hotel guests, and travelers all seem to fit seamlessly into the room. That alone says a lot. Now the food. The salmon deserves a moment of silence. Deep sea Pacific Northwest king salmon with that beautiful marbling that only cold water fish can deliver. It was tender, rich, and somehow both indulgent and light at the same time. Each bite melted effortlessly, the kind of salmon that makes you pause mid chew and reconsider every other salmon you have ever eaten. Simple preparation, exceptional quality, unforgettable result. The lamb arrived sliced like a New York strip, boneless and beautifully presented. What made it especially fun were the sauces. A red wine sauce, a chimichurri, a marinade style sauce, and their signature Ox sauce which is their take on barbecue. This is not the loud, sharp kind that overwhelms everything. It is smooth, balanced, and genuinely complimentary. Choosing a favorite felt like picking a favorite child, but that Ox sauce made a very persuasive argument. Drinks were handled with the same care. The Old Fashioned was smooth and perfectly integrated, the kind that tastes like the bartender understands time as an ingredient. Ice, spirit, and dilution working together instead of fighting each other. The martini was equally well executed, clean and rounded with no harsh edges. From Four Roses single batch to thoughtful vodka selections, the bar program clearly takes pride in doing things properly. Sides were far from afterthoughts. The potato puree was light and airy, almost cloudlike, generous enough to make you question your portion expectations in the best way. The polenta arrived like a small cake, with a gentle crust and a soft interior that held together beautifully. Flavorful without being heavy, it walked that perfect line between comforting and refined. The salad brought freshness and balance. Endive and beets played nicely together, bright and clean, with goat cheese and candied walnuts adding just enough contrast. Speaking of goat cheese, the goat cheese croquettes were a highlight. Warm and creamy inside a crisp panko shell, finished with honey and rosemary notes that made each bite feel intentional and satisfying. Dessert sealed the evening with confidence. A deconstructed strawberry shortcake featured light sponge style cake resting on fresh diced strawberries. It felt playful and familiar without being predictable. The chocolate dessert was equally memorable. A dark chocolate tart base topped with a scoop of rich mousse and paired with ice cream that brought everything together. Decadent without being overwhelming, the kind of dessert that makes conversation pause for a moment. Then there is Brian. Every great restaurant has that one person who quietly elevates the entire experience, and at Ox + Anchor, Brian is that person. He reads tables like a seasoned novelist reads a room. Our interaction was warm, engaging, and perfectly paced, while the couple next to us enjoyed a more hushed and romantic rhythm. That level of awareness is rare and deeply appreciated. Brian was knowledgeable, confident, funny, and genuinely invested in making the night special. Timing was impeccable, plates arrived gracefully, and small details never slipped. One especially thoughtful touch was the warm steamed towels infused with almond oil. Not just practical, but refreshing and unexpected, leaving your hands clean and lightly scented after enjoying more hands on dishes. Ox + Anchor feels smooth, organized, and joyful. It is the kind of place where you can dress up a little, feel important without feeling stiff, and trust that every detail is being handled with care. San Luis Obispo benefits from having a restaurant like this. It feels worthy of attention, worthy of celebration, and worthy of repeat visits. We are already talking about coming back. That usually tells you everything you need to know.

Homemade carrot cake with Creme freche ice cream

The host was fantastic as well as our waiter Angel. We ordered the Yukon potato purée 5/5 and the 16oz ribeye with all the different sauces. The chimichurri sauce was the best 5/5. The oysters were fantastic too. Try the homemade carrot cake with the creme freche ice cream. This is worth trying the steak and Yukon potato purée can easily feed 2 people. Thank you

New york steak split in half

Had a lovely time at Ox + Anchor! We had amazing service all-around, but especially from our server Angel who was extremely personable and gave great recommendations. The food was absolutely amazing - one of the best restaurants in SLO, if not the best. Will need to come back for the yukon gold potato puree!

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18 days ago

Really good food, great service and if you want a fantastic cocktail with some entertainment, sit at the bar!

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Ox+Anchor Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ox+Anchor

Can you bring your own wine and what is the corkage and is there a night when corkage is waived?

Is the restaurant kid friendly?

Yes it is.

I know it's an upscale restaurant, would nice jeans be acceptable if paired with a nice top and shoes?

That's what I wore the last time I was there, and most were dressed the same. It's upscale, but also a fun place to spend an evening and a meal.

Do they allow you to bring your own bottle of wine? If so, what's the corkage fee?

HI Steven, You are welcome to bring your own wine-the corkage is $25.… 

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1865 is one of our favorite "nice" night out restaurants. It's not a t-shirt kind of place, and the…read moreambiance is a bit more upscale. I love the prime rib on weekends, and the prime rib sandwich other days of the week. It's always cooked perfectly, super tender and seasoned just right. My vegetarian wife enjoys either the elote dip appetizer or the taquito appetizer. Both are almost meal size, and honestly, her hankering for them is often our reason for eating out here. Service is always quick, efficient, and friendly. We've never had to send a plate back! It's also a great place to bring guests from out of town. They have a full bar, but we don't drink. Bathrooms are always clean.

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Alex Madonna's Gold Rush Steak House

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4.6(1.7k reviews)
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•$$

I love the concept behind this restaurants. I'm always a fan of variety and their menu being…read morestructured around combing small items like sliders, sides, and salads is perfect for me. I opted to do a trio with the bahn mi, tip o' Argentina, and the garlic fries. The food was good I forgot to take a picture! The tip o' Argentina was solid with the garlic aioli and the chimmichurri perfectly complimenting the steak and the lettuce and tomato adding a little bit of freshness. The buns they use for all of their sliders are soft, slightly sweet, and don't fall apart while you're eating. The Bahn Mi was even better. I love pork but was a little skeptical about pulled pork on a slider riffing on the flavors of a bahn mi. To my surprise and delight, it tasted just like grilled Vietnamese pork, which was perfectly complimented by the fresh and pickled veggies and surprisingly hot jalapeño. Finally, I got the garlic fries which were a massive portion, crisp, and very garlicky. Everything was good and with such a large and customizable menu, I'd definitely return if I was in the area again. I also want to give a shout out to the bartender, Kelsey. I sat at the bar and her service was attentive and she was very knowledgeable about the menu. We got the opportunity to chat for a bit and I loved her vibe, so definitely consider sitting at the bar if you're dining solo or with a friend.

We saw the great reviews for Taste and were really excited about the concept of being able to…read morechoose from so many things that we made this our first stop in our time in SLO. It is a bit off the beaten path I thought, in a seemingly industrial area and parking was hard to find at 12:30 on a Monday. We had to go down the street and around the corner since the lot was full. I got a Gouda Burger, the summer crunch salad, and garlic fries. My wife and kid also had a slider but did Italian Sprouts, mac and cheese with bacon, and sweet potato fries. The slider was good- tasty but a little messy to eat. Both servings of fries were really generous. The salad was a good mix of ingredients. However the mac and brussels sprouts were a bit disappointing. For some there is no such thing as too much bacon but for us both of these dishes definitely had too much bacon- so much that we left a lot of the bacon! And don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my bacon. Overall, a good concept but we'll definitely try some non bacon dishes next time!

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TASTE! Craft Eatery - San Luis Obispo - Group table

Group table

TASTE! Craft Eatery - San Luis Obispo - Banh Mi Slider, Hail Caesar Salad, Smoked Gouda & Andouille Mac

Banh Mi Slider, Hail Caesar Salad, Smoked Gouda & Andouille Mac

TASTE! Craft Eatery - San Luis Obispo - Bathroom Totally California

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Bathroom Totally California

Mistura Restaurant - "Apasionada" - scallop tiradito, passion fruit leche de Tigre and a touch of Aji Limo. Served over ice, with smoking dry ice.

Mistura Restaurant

4.2(1.3k reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$$

Per the recommendation of a friend, my family and I came to Mistura Restaurant for some dinner. I…read morehad never tried Peruvian food so I was very excited. To drink, I got a passion fruit pisco sour. With the drinks and whilst waiting for out food, the waiter brought us a bowl of what resembled corn nuts. Very crunchy and and salty which was perfect with the drink. The cocktail itself was not too strong and not too sweet but with a good flavor. To eat, I got the Mixto ceviche. After a few moments waiting, everything came out. The ceviche was sooo good. This was my first time trying Peruvian ceviche and I was definitely very pleased! It had a different mixture of textures and flavors that contributed to a harmonious experience. Overall, I had a really good experience at Mistura. It is a tad pricey but everything I had was very good quality and very delicious. Definitely recommend!!

Highly recommend this Peruvian spot! Stumbled upon this restaurant while looking for a good date…read morenight spot on our last day in SLO and I'm so glad we did. The food was delicious and the drinks were fire! They offer various cocktails including pisco sours in different flavors. The lychee one was strong but so good! We didn't have a reservation but they were able to sit us at the bar right away. The staff there were super friendly and helpful. I had the Ravioli de Champignon with truffle oil, soo good. And my husband had the Señor Lomo (Lomo Saltado) which he also loved. It's a little pricey in my opinion but definitely worth checking out at least once.

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Mistura Restaurant - A colorful Sunday afternoon at the bar

A colorful Sunday afternoon at the bar

Mistura Restaurant - Mushroom gyoza

Mushroom gyoza

Mistura Restaurant - Pisco Sour (lychee) - such an impressive presentation

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Pisco Sour (lychee) - such an impressive presentation

Ox+Anchor - steak - Updated October 2026

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