In today's San Diego UT (Diane Bell's column), they mention that the La Jolla Strip Club will open in December (it is in the former Trophy's Costa Verde Center location. Indeed it is related to the Gaslamp Strip Club, and indeed it is a Cohn Group restaurant. I guess it is their first in the La Jolla area - how nice.
RB Hound
Nov 03, 2009 12:14PM
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I had the unfortunate experience of eating at the Gaslamp Strip Club for a friends birthday a couple years back. I really don't understand the appeal of this place at all. First off the meat quality is terrible. My rib eye had tons of gristle. I get better quality steaks from Vons when the meat is on sale. Secondly, if I wanted to grill a steak myself I'd do it at home for 1/3 of the price and it would taste a lot better. The sides were horrible as well, bacon cheese fries had fake nacho cheese on them and the friends were straight out of Sysco.
I can't believe this place hasn't gone out of business let alone is opening another location in La Jolla. I'd personally rather visit a real strip club. At least then I'd feel more like I was getting my money's worth.
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Being a block away from Donovan's and 3 blocks away from Fleming's, they are already in a distant third the UTC steakhouse race. The hotel business around there has not exactly been buzzing as of late, so the only thing I can figure is that they got the Trophy's building cheap and they want to be in place when things pick up again.
I used to live quite close to that spot (specifically, the apartment tower that looks down on the attractive roof of that building). I could have gone to Bristol Farms and gotten prime steak (much less choice) for about half the amount you'd pay there, and grill it back at home. :)
At any rate, I don't think anybody is shaking in their boots.
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"I really don't understand the appeal of this place at all."
I will take it a step further. I really don't understand the appeal of almost every place in the gaslamp.
Isn't the Gaslamp Strip Club right next to Dick's Last Resort? How does that place stay open?
"I'd personally rather visit a real strip club. At least then I'd feel more like I was getting my money's worth."
Exactly. San Diego could use at least another 30 of those.
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The majority of "real" strip clubs get men to dump a lot of money because they think are going to get something that they aren't going to get. I'd argue that you rarely get your money's worth - PRECISELY like most restaurants in the Gas Lamp.
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"I'd argue that you rarely get your money's worth"
Speak for yourself.
I got more Game than Parker Brothers.
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I havent been to Trophys in a while,but I am sorry to see them go.. I hate the though of ANOTHER Cohn group restaurant going in.. enough already!!!
I would never go there.. and I live close by..Yup to go OUT to dinner does not include me cooking my own steak...
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If you want to cook your own steak on somebody else's grill, try the Riviera Supper Club in La Mesa. Excellent cocktails and sides, decent steaks, cool vibe, and very inexpensive.
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Thanks for the recommendation, based on yelp sounds like a good place to get a drink and hang out with friends.
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I think it is run by the same people of Starlight and the original Turf club.
And I don't mean the turf club at the del mar racetrack either.
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Going point :). I guess I should have said I'd feel less ripped off going to a real strip club. Plus the food would probably actually be better.
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First off, I died with laughter when I read this. Next, I have to confess that I DID see the appeal in it and I must offer my tongue-in-cheek analysis as to why it does well. It might be the reason why many places do well in the Gaslamp. Y'see, it was the restaurant where we celebrated my bachelorette party. Now, sober, I would have wondered why the hell I paid $18 for a small, medium-quality, unseasoned tuna steak that I would have to sear myself and eat with Sysco teriyaki sauce. However, I was two (more like a million) sheets to the wind and, frankly, wouldn't have noticed if the tuna steak was revealed to be Jell-O. Surrounded by hot men (one of my good friends picked the place for the man-candy watching) and yet more drinks, I realized why the place was popular.
It's not about the food and the Gaslamp offers enough opportunities for pre-dinner booze that many might be too drunk to notice the poor quality of the meat. Uh, the edible variety, I guess.
As RBHound pointed out, it's a lot like a real strip club. Without the nudity. Or the one dollar bills. You're either too drunk or too oblivious to care that you're paying way too much for what you're actually getting.
For what its worth, Mr. Geeky did the grill-your-own thing for his bachelor party, but they went to Turf Supper Club in Golden Hill. He loved it and said the meat was of a great quality, although he thought they could offer more in terms of sides.
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UTC/Faux La Jolla needs another steak place...I guess Donovan's and Flemings isn't enough in a 4 block area?
Well, guess that SD Hype machine is going to start cranking up its engines for another below average restaurant..
Why doesn't someone do a great Thai restaurant...something like a Lotus of Siam out of Vegas..that is something that SD could really use.
If not, agree with Steve that it would be better served as a T and A bar!
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Excellent comment!
I am really impressed with how you are coming around.
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hee hee...I think you nailed it on the highest and best use for that property Steve!
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I live in Noirth County and if I'm gonna drive down to UTC I'll spend a little extra gas and go to Cowboy Star. Plus I have never ranted about this but when it first opened we went to 333 Pacific in Oceanside. We had a great time at Happy Hour. Went back a second time and had the worst service ..not from our server but from the restaurant manager. Everytime we made the mistake of putting down our drinks on the table she would come over and put a napkin under them like she was my mother. I am pretty easy going but despite of them having a good happy hour with great pricing I made a vow never to give the Cohen group one more cent. Also the attitude that that manager gave our server who was serving us and a few tables on the other side of the room was beyond reproach. I tipped 30% just cause I felt bad for the girl.
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"Why doesn't someone do a great Thai restaurant...something like a Lotus of Siam out of Vegas..that is something that SD could really use."
What about Sab-E-Lee? Tell me you've been, BC. If not, then get to Linda Vista, stat!
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geek..
I have NOT been to Sab-E-Lee...only heard fab things..are they opening a second location in Mission Gorge/Santee area?
Isn't the Linda Vista location a really small place..10 tables?
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More like 5 tables. Totally worth the visit and just forget about any desire for ambiance. Yeah, they're opening a larger (and it sounds like it'll be a little less hole-in-the-wall) location right by Mary's Donuts.
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love hole in the wall places that serve kick ass good food!
Any special dishes that they are known for..love super hot, hot Thai food.
Mary's Donuts..is that at the end of 52 connector in Santee..any idea of time line?
Thanks geeky and Mr. Krispy!
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Sorry 'bout that... yeah, Mary's is where the 52 and 125 meet at Mission Gorge Road and Fanita Drive. Kirk just did a write up on the new location, which opened on Nov. 2 and he posted the new location's menu:
http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2...
I haven't had a bad dish there, whether it's more traditional Issan preparations or something more familiar to Americans. My favorites are the catfish larb, the koi soi (known as spicy raw beef... if you like spicy, this will rock your world), and their sausage. I always get a curry, too, and what I love about their curries is that they're not coconut milk with spices. The sauces actually have depth and character. I tried one of their soup noodle dishes recently and loved it, too, so you really can't go wrong there unless you want fine dining or Americanized Thai food. :)
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The new location opened Monday. 11 tables, seating for 46. Old location has 6 tables, 22 chairs.
SE corner of 125 at Mission Gorge is Mary's, through that light (Fanita) and it is on that same South side, before the next light, just past the Toyota repair place... Back of building is painted with Sab E Lee, the lot has signage and there is a sandwich board on the sidewalk out front. Same lot as the drive through coffee place and Windy City Liquor. Tons of parking.
If you see the Starbucks, Jack in the Box or Henry's, you have passed it.
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kind of different vide than I think she is looking for. You can fit what...8 people in Sab-e-lee? Not exactly stellar decor or tableware either, it serves a different purpose.
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The new location is using the tables, chairs, plates and flatware from Taste of Thai. Higher quality. The menu has lots of the same and also added more/different and has some higher priced (~$18) items.
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I always do takeout. The tables are just for show. =)
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