What a pleasant find! Â This is an out of the way spot near lake Isabella. Â I had the blue ox which was a 20 ounce bone in rib-eye covered in blue cheese and portabella mushroom! Â My steak was cooked to perfection the baked potato was smallish but who's complaining with a HUGE steak on my plate!? The veg that was served with it was a lil disappointing...but then, it was a side dish. Â We started with wings and calamari, both were good and covered with parmesan cheese. Â The dipping sauce for the calamari was a pesto/oil and while not my favorite...but it was good.
Review Source:The wife and I visited this place seven years ago and it was fabulous. Â This time around it was below ok. Â The folks working there are very kind and friendly, so, Â two thumbs up to them but the quality of the food was not what it was seven years ago? Â My wife and I are extremely concerned about the success of this beautiful place. Â I really hope that someone can come in and revamp the menu to reflect seasonal local freshness. Â Not sure if there is an executive chef there but respectfully either step up or step down please for the sake of this awesome place. Â I'm available as a consultant if interested - Thank you.
Review Source:My wife and I made the trip to the Greenhorn Mountains today to have a steak. We checked the hours and made sure that the place we remembered, the Greenhorn Grill, was open.
Made the long drive from Ridgecrest and realized this place IS hidden. Without our GPS we would still be driving thru the primeval forest looking for the restaurant. Found it nestled between the trees. Being Desert dwellers we are not used to those big green things being everywhere. :-)
There was plenty of parking. It looks like this is a favorite spot for weekend motorcyclists to get refreshment. (Comment not meant in a bad way).
The interior is divided up into a Bar and a Dining room. Bar side noisy, dining room side quiet.
The tables seem like they are a quarter acre in size. We were seated promptly and given water and menus.
Imagine our disappointment in finding that the dinner items (steaks etc.) are only served after 4pm. During the day it is hamburgers, fries, rings, soup and salad.
I mentioned this to our server and she said she would see what she could do. She came back and told us since they did not want to disappoint us there were two "Flat Iron" Steaks available. But, alas, no baked potatoes.
After thanking her profusely we ordered soup for my wife, salad for me and a basket of onion rings to share. Since they were busy with the hamburger trade, we noshed on the soup and (large, fresh) salad while waiting. Both were excellent. Our server was constantly checking on us and giving a play by play on the progress of our meal.
When the steaks arrived they were cooked and seasoned to perfection. We could not get over it! Â Nothing like this is available in Ridgecrest!
After eating and relaxing we asked to see the manager. To our surprise our server, hostess, drink runner, bus person and Jill of all trades was one of the owner/managers. Her name is Suzanne. She is bright, bubbly and eager to please. We told her she saved our day by getting us our steaks. She told us that the campers and bikers eat hamburgers and it just was not profitable doing steaks during the day. It was the locals that ate the dinners.
I told her that since I (old guy) avoided driving at night (70 mile trip home) we probably would not be back for a dinner. She immediately told us to call her a couple of days in advance and we would get our steaks. That is customer service! Â We definitely will go back, and soon.
Drove up here one night while visiting family in Kernville as it had been recommended to us. Â The parking lot for the restaurant is miniscule and we had to wait around for 10-15 minutes just so that someone could leave in order to park our car. Â Walked in, and waited around for someone to show up at the hostess stand to seat us. Â The hostess asked us if we wanted to sit in the bar or the dining room, barely glancing up at us and snapping her gum as she did so. Â She walked us to our table and tossed the menus down, then left without a backward glance, didn't bother to tell us that the server would be with us momentarily, etc. Â We then proceeded to sit at the table and wait for a minimum of 25 minutes without seeing a single employee - no server, no one even came over to take our drink order or even let us know that our server was busy, if that were indeed the case. Â Eventually the hostess wandered back over to our table and asked if we had been helped yet. Â Isn't it the job of the hostess to ensure that the server knows one of their tables has been seated? Â We told her no, and she asked if she could get us something to drink - but did not even offer an apology for the wait! 25 minutes is an insane amount of time to wait for someone to even take a drink order or acknowledge a table. Â We decided to get up and leave, and I have never walked out of a restaurant for poor service before. Â As an afterthought, I called the restaurant and asked to speak to a manager. Â I explained what happened, and the manager, sounding bored, asked if there was anything she "could do to entice us back". Â Well, if they had wanted our business in the first place, they would have attempted to offer somewhat decent customer service. Â We told the friends and family we were visiting in Kernville about this, and none of us will be back. Â Definitely not worth the drive up the mountain, unless you happen to be a local and know the owner - then maybe you might get some preferential treatment, I am sure.
Review Source:One half of the above star is for the location -- 8 miles above the Lake Isabella area, nestled in the pines, just a little bit of snow on the ground -- enough for a decorative effect. Â
The other 1/2 of the star is for the "cheese" garlic french fries.  They were very good even though they were soaking in olive oil.  "Cheese" is in quotes because there  wasn't any noticeable cheese on these fries, and they weren't served with cheese. Nevertheless, the lovely blend of fresh garlic and parsley with a hit of vinegar in the olive oil really made these potatoes rock!  The menu recommends to order this with an Isabella Blonde beer.  Unfortunately, they don't stock that beer.  OK, then take that delicious beer off your menu.
The place was recently remodeled and  the entrance is nice enough.  You walk in to a podium with no host/hostess so you wait a bit.  You wait a bit more.  Seven minutes pass and nobody acknowledges your presence.  No host or waitress in sight.  The bartender is busy and doesn't see you -- or at least he doesn't let on that he sees you.  I went in search of a waitress and couldn't find one.  Finally, close to 10 minutes having passed we are seated in the bar area at a tall bar table by waitress #1.  It's pretty crowed on this Sunday afternoon with some biker types seated at several of the tables finishing their meals.  Our server says she'll give us a minute and "be right back."  That was the last we saw of her.  I went and found her 15 minutes later and said, "It looks like you're busy -- maybe you could ask someone else to take our order?"  Five minutes later a different waitress comes.  She takes our order, brings us the above mentioned fries and a couple of beers.  We won't hear from waitress # 2. again for the rest of our visit.  She must have been busy in the kitchen.
We don't have any napkins or silverware on the table and  nobody to request them from so I got up again and asked the bartender for some napkins.  Those fries require napkins!!
Thirty minutes after the fries our bacon avocado burger with a side of onion rings arrives, delivered by the bartender. Â The problem is there are 4 onion rings and the rest of the plate is filled with fries. Â He says we ordered 1/2 fries and 1/2 Â onion rings from the waitress. Actually, we just told the waitress that we were splitting the burger with onion rings and ordering a $7 side of the "cheese" fries. Â The bartender then brought us more onion rings. Â We had to ask for condiments because none were offered or served (mustard, mayo, etc). Â I was curious as to how the burger would be cooked since the waitress did not ask us how we wanted it. Â It was served well done, but we let it slide. Â At this point we needed to get the heck out of dodge!
In preparing my burger with mustard I notice that the avocado is very hard to locate! Â Oh, there it is! Â Bring a magnifying glass folks, if you want to find the scant piece of avocado they put on your burger! Â The onion rings? Â Well hey -- just buy a bag of Ore-Ida at your local market and cook 'em up in your oven because they will be $7 cheaper than these and they'll taste better.
While all of this is unfolding a group of 3 is seated next to us.  They are given menus and they are left unattended.  They wait and wait  and wait and wait and finally just leave.  Nobody ever came with water or asked them for a drink order so they left!  Smart! Â
Time to pay the tab. Â Wait. Â Wait some more. Â Wait forever. Â Finally, I get up and ask the bartender if he can get my tab. Â He has to go into the kitchen to consult with someone and then finally gets me the check. Â While I wait at the bar I have an opportunity to watch the activity in the kitchen. Â Oh wow -- there's our long lost waitress fixing up a piece of pie for another guest. Â She's cutting it and putting whipped cream on it. Â Yikes! Â Maybe if they had a cook and helper to prepare the deserts the waitresses would have more time to do their jobs
Well, at least a burned some extra calories getting up and down to serve myself, pay my bill, find a waitress, etc....
I'd advise the Greenhorn Grill to remodel their service protocol, their staffing needs and their food (except the fries) -- the building remodel was not sufficient.
We go to the Greenhorn every once and a while. Â We were there in October last. Â The burgers and fries are good! Â The main courses are pretty pricey, but, it's gotta cost a lot to get food up there, so I cut them some slack. Â If you're in Kernville area, I'd drive up the hill and try it out!
Well, can't say that I was real impressed last trip. Â We all got belly aches from expensive burgers ... hmm ... makes me wonder if the food was old?
This another place I go to, it sits below Shirley Meadow ski area amongst all the cabins. You get out of your vehicle and the air is clean and fresh and you are surrounded by lots of trees.
The inside is very rustic but very clean with one side of the restaurant having a fire place. They have a full bar and some outside seating.
The food and service are top notch and not overly priced.
If you have a chance to getaway to this place, it is definetly is worth the drive up the canyon and up the mountain.
My parents, the girlfriend and I went out here for my birthday dinner. Â I had never been, but it came highly recommended. Â The food was excellent, it was super comfortable, the service was awesome and the drinks were good. Â Luckily for me, I didn't catch the tab this time- so I can't comment on the price but I will definitely be back.
Review Source:One of my favorites places to dine in the Kern River Valley & totally worth the beautiful drive up to the top of the mountain. Amazing prime rib! Your usual choice of baked potato, garlic mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf, had to go with the garlic mashers & gravy! Green beans as the side veg, cooked to perfection with real bacon crumbles. Totally worth the beautiful drive up to the top of the mountain. The service was also as exceptional as our meal. The atmosphere caters to people with an eye for rustic art and architecture. A good place for both people who want to dine quietly amongst loved ones, or you can move around the corner and celebrate vivaciously at the bar or on the dance floor.
Review Source:We drove up to the Greenhorn Grill on Sunday afternoon, to get away from Bakersfield, and enjoy a nice dinner.
We pulled over on the way up, just to admire the view and fill our lungs with fresh air. Â
When we got to the restaurant, we opted to sit in the bar, though they do have a nice outdoor area as well as a nice dining room. Â
The owners, Mike and Debbie Hill, were there, as they usually are, playing pool and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves.
They have quite a few beers on tap, including a local brewery, Kern River Brewing Company. Â We tried KRB's Sequia Red, it was awesome. Â
They ran out of ribs, which is a sign they must be delicious, so Anthony got the Porterhouse steak and I got my usual-the Flatiron steak. Â Both were seasoned perfectly, to enhance the flavor and quality of the meat, which Mike came over to let us know that he only buys certified Angus beef.
I also tried the clam chowder, which is homemade...it was great, and filling, I probably could have just eaten that!
We ended up taking most of our dinners home, there was quite a lot of food!
The last time we were here I had the salmon, which I completely recommend. Â
Every item on their menu is high-quality and delicious, you won't be disappointed!
Also, we were told they have live bands on Fridays and Saturdays, Annual holiday parties, like a Halloween costume party, and a Chili cook-off.
It was the first ever R family reunion. Some long dead ancestor bought a cabin up on Greenhorn Mountain so it was held there. My parents put a lot of work into making this happen and I think it was a big success. I was a little nervous about being stuck in the woods with cousins I hadn't seen in over a decade, and some second cousins and spouses I'd never met, with no phone or internet to escape to but I had a surprising good time.
I had insomnia the first night and just laid awake in bed, of course being single I was stuck on a roll away in the room that everyone had to walk through to get to the bathroom and that didn't help either.
The second night we all walked down the hill to Greenhorn Grill for a family dinner. They handled the 17 of us very professionally, the kids were a little unruly but they took it all with smiles on their faces. Both of our waitresses were very cute and that never hurts a place in my eyes.
I ordered the much-ballyhooed Flat Iron Steak and thought it was just OK; a friend home cooked me a better steak the day I got back from the reunion. I liked the salad but not the bread. They had several craft brewed beers from a local brewery that were decent. I give them 3 &1/2 stars for the food and 5 stars for the service averaged to a solid 4 stars.
On our way out we noticed a cover band playing in the lively little bar. There were several women in there that looked like they might be up for some fun. If only I knew about this bar when I was tossing and turning the night before!
I had the best Bloody Mary of my life at The Greenhorn Grill. I was a little hungover, but after that amazing, spicy, life-restoring concoction, all was well once again. The bartender knows what he is doing. He's a true professional.
It was a beautiful moment, sitting there at the bar. There was snow on the ground outside, and the air smelled like trees. Watching the ice melt off the roof looked a little like it was raining outside, but the sun was shining on all the icicles.
I wish I was sitting at that bar right now. :(
Wow! Â This place was tough to find, especially because we drove up in the dark on Saturday night. It's nestled amongst huge trees (Sequioas), mountain homes and cabins.. the area is beautiful! Â Make sure you drive up with your windows open...the fragrant air is indescribable!
Absolutely worth the hunt to locate. It was (according to the sign) 8 miles above Kernville. Don't ask me how to get there, I am half-Japanese and directionally challenged to begin with.. but even my husband got a little lost! Â After a couple of turns we made it! Â We parked in the lot (they could use more parking) and walked through some of the most beautiful nature you could hope to see. Â Once inside, we were greeted by friendly staff and seated immediately. Â The bar area was packed with patrons who were dining, drinking and enjoying the live performer. The dining area was about half full (off-season for the town) and we were lucky to be seated next to a big picture window. Â Our waitress Amy was gracious, friendly, engaging.. had much to offer with menu suggestions and just good company. You can tell she thinks highly of the restaurant and not just because she works there. Â
We started with the lemon pepper calamari, served with a chimichuri sauce. Â OhMyGAWD. Â Cooked nice and crispy as it should be, every bite had a crunch. Â Was as delicious alone as it was with the dipping sauce.
I had their "most popular" signature Flat Iron steak dinner with red skinned garlic mashed potatoes. Â MAJOR kudos to the chef who is not afraid to use seasoning when preparing food! Â The meat was tender, flavorful.. cooked "medium rare" to perfection. The sides were great.. even the fresh steamed vegetables had seasonings to make every bite on the plate a treat! The portion was so large I had to give my husband half..and I was still full! Â Plating was nicely done, they paid attention to presentation of all dishes. Â In the city this might not be a big deal.. but hang out in Kern River Valley / Lake Isabella. Â This is not the norm.
My husband ordered a special of the night, Flat Iron pork. Â It looked to be a loin chop, cooked to perfection with beautiful grill marks (just like my steak!). Tender, juicy.. not the least bit dry. Â It was topped with freshly sauteed spinach and little white beans.. pretty and tasty! I will steal that idea at home. He also had generous portions on his plate. We had planned to have dessert, but decided to leave that for the next time we visit because it was just too much.
Husband had a nice glass of wine, and I ordered White Russians. Â The bartender is heavy handed (a compliment, not a complaint).
The live music was a little more to the country side than I prefer.. but he is playing to the crowd who loved him! Â In addition to the C&W, he covered everything from Neil Diamond to Willy Nelson, to John Mayer and even an obscure old pre-disco Bee Gees song that I was shocked to hear! Â (yes, he hit the high note.. I am glad I didn't wager a bet). Although not my genre, he was good and he appears to have a lot of "regulars".
If you're in the Lake Isabella / Kernville area and would like a reasonably priced, excellent meal... check out Greenhorn Grill - but get your directions before you head up the hill. Â No cellular service in God's country!
Everyone always raves about Mc Nalley's which is a bit further away.. not to take anything away from them, but the food at Greenhorn was MUCH tastier, less expensive and the environment seemed like more "fun" if you enjoy hanging out with more than just your group. True you don't have the river views that McNalley's has.. but they make up for it.
I can't wait to go back.. I hear the burgers and sammies are rockin, too!
Food and drinks were great. Â The entertainment by Terrillee was fantasic. He play accoustic guitar and piano, cover all music from Doors to Country. Â If you have not listen to this man you need to call and see if he is playing that weekend, Â 376-8900. Â
Big Halloween Bash Oct 31.  Terillee  will be playing, check him out.
Located in Sequoia National Forest, just 8 miles from Lake Isabella. Come breath the cool fresh mountain air.
This is a wonderful addition to Greenhorn. Â It is so badly needed to. Â The inside is divided between a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other. I have eaten there three or four times. Every time the food has been excellent and the portions generous. Â Memorial weekend they served barbecue pork and chicken which was very tender. Â Also there was beans,roll and salad.Plus all the extras like cheese and salsa. Â
The big plus for this place is the location. Â Kern County gets very hot in the summer. This is a cool escape. The outdoor patio in the summer is my favorite. There maybe outdoor music too. That is a maybe. Â Finding this place is worth it . Take 155 from Wofford Heights to Alta Sierra Rd and follow the signs
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