I was dying for a steak while working up in Grass Valley. I asked Siri to find me the closest steakhouse, and The Willow was definitely the closest. I read a few of the reviews and I would agree with many of them. First of all, Tyler appears to run a tight ship and customer service is A plus! On Friday and Saturday night they serve ribeye but the cuts were 14 ounces and I was looking for 6 to 8 ounces, so I went with the New York. I asked for medium rare on the medium side. The waitress commented I fully understand that and delivered a perfectly cooked and seasoned New York strip. Salad, barbecued beans and garlic bread come standard with the steak and that's how I placed my order. They make several of their salad dressings in the house and I chose the blue cheese. It was very good but with the amount of iceberg lettuce that was "the salad", I would've liked a little more. The barbecue beans were OK, nothing special. One of the remarkable things I experienced, was when asking about a couple of their Zinfandel's that were on the menu compared to the Rodney Strong Cabernet, Tyler brought me three tastings of all three wines to make a choice. I find this to be exceptional service typically not found at some of the highest end steakhouses. Bottom line is if you're in the Grass Valley, Nevada City area and would like a reasonably priced steak at one of the local restaurants with a wonderful history, I certainly would direct you to The Willo! Enjoy.
Paul Smith
Great steak and an uncomplicated menu. The atmosphere is a flashback to decades past.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patricia A.
The Willow reminds me of times when my late husband and I went there. I can't go there without great happy memories. I took my oldest son when he visited from N Carolina. I found it just th Ed same as when I went there years ago. It is a cowboy hat and boot place. It has customers who will go back again and again!, like me . I don't have my dear husband to go with me ,so I wait until a son comes tp visit and my husband is with me in my memories because The Willow was his favorite steak house. Last time I ordered the fish. And my son ordered steak.
Robin E
So very disappointed. Server kept saying I was ordering medium rare. I repeated 4 times Black and blue with salad (no beans) and baked potato. Of course I got medium rare with beans. Not seared on outside at all. This was my mom’s favorite restaurant and she passed away not long ago and wanted to commorate her. I guess I can only do this sitting in the restaurant. I will try 1 more time before I say goodbye to the willo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Baked Potato
Cory G
Great food and great family
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Matt Sowell
Old school.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sophia Dowser
The food is fantastic. Everyone at my table had a really delicious meal. The service staff are so kind and personable. Very thoughtful staff. The only drawback was the noise level when it's crowded. I have neurological issues and can't handle noise level that high. So when I go back, and I plan to, I'll wear ear plugs or go earlier or later when not as crowded.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Salad and Bean Plate With, Azxed Greensalad, Scoop of Ice Cream, Garlic Bread
Brian Strauss
This place captures my heart. It's got those old roadhouse vibes that every steak chain strives to buy bottled up. Good staff, , strong drinks, and great steaks perfectly cooked. Reasonable prices.
300 lb Gorilla
Had a great birthday dinner. The ribs were outstanding. I enjoyed the beans too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 12 Oz New York Steak and Potato, Steak and Beans, Bowl of Ranch Beans, Grill Your Own 12 Oz Steak Dinner, 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Ranch Beans, Scoop of Ice Cream, Baked Potato, Garlic Bread
Linda Rawson
Good food, friendly servers, casual welcoming
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Half Chicken, Burger and Fries, Ranch Beans, Scoop of Ice Cream, Baked Potato, Garlic Bread
Cool, funky steak joint that started out as a Quonset hut in 1947. They have a large charcoal grill in the center to cook your steaks yourself or by the staff. I had a rib eye (special on Saturdays) that was charred just so and DELICIOUS!!
Rob Zaro
Great food and good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger and Fries, Choice New York Steak, 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Smoked Pork Chop
Tom Bacus
Fantastic old time roadhouse. The steaks are amazing. It’s like stepping back in time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Ranch Beans, Scoop of Ice Cream, Baked Potato
Charles B.
Been to Ruth Chris several times, the steak is no better, the sides, yeah I go there just for the sides sometimes, but you won't get a better steak than the willow
Johnnie G.
The location is cool, in the cuts. A lot of history at the location. I heard the steaks were bomb..they weren't. Asked for medium rare...was medium well. The cook, slash waitress, not very welcoming or friendly. The beans..ok, the salad..not good. I think this place would be better for drinks, but for a steak dinner, I will look elsewhere.
I was dying for a steak while working up in Grass Valley. I asked Siri to find me the closest steakhouse, and The Willow was definitely the closest. I read a few of the reviews and I would agree with many of them. First of all, Tyler appears to run a tight ship and customer service is A plus! On Friday and Saturday night they serve ribeye but the cuts were 14 ounces and I was looking for 6 to 8 ounces, so I went with the New York. I asked for medium rare on the medium side. The waitress commented I fully understand that and delivered a perfectly cooked and seasoned New York strip. Salad, barbecued beans and garlic bread come standard with the steak and that's how I placed my order. They make several of their salad dressings in the house and I chose the blue cheese. It was very good but with the amount of iceberg lettuce that was "the salad", I would've liked a little more. The barbecue beans were OK, nothing special. One of the remarkable things I experienced, was when asking about a couple of their Zinfandel's that were on the menu compared to the Rodney Strong Cabernet, Tyler brought me three tastings of all three wines to make a choice. I find this to be exceptional service typically not found at some of the highest end steakhouses. Bottom line is if you're in the Grass Valley, Nevada City area and would like a reasonably priced steak at one of the local restaurants with a wonderful history, I certainly would direct you to The Willo! Enjoy.
Great steak and an uncomplicated menu. The atmosphere is a flashback to decades past.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Willow reminds me of times when my late husband and I went there. I can't go there without great happy memories. I took my oldest son when he visited from N Carolina. I found it just th Ed same as when I went there years ago. It is a cowboy hat and boot place. It has customers who will go back again and again!, like me . I don't have my dear husband to go with me ,so I wait until a son comes tp visit and my husband is with me in my memories because The Willow was his favorite steak house. Last time I ordered the fish. And my son ordered steak.
So very disappointed. Server kept saying I was ordering medium rare. I repeated 4 times Black and blue with salad (no beans) and baked potato. Of course I got medium rare with beans. Not seared on outside at all. This was my mom’s favorite restaurant and she passed away not long ago and wanted to commorate her. I guess I can only do this sitting in the restaurant. I will try 1 more time before I say goodbye to the willo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Baked Potato
Great food and great family
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Old school.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is fantastic. Everyone at my table had a really delicious meal. The service staff are so kind and personable. Very thoughtful staff. The only drawback was the noise level when it's crowded. I have neurological issues and can't handle noise level that high. So when I go back, and I plan to, I'll wear ear plugs or go earlier or later when not as crowded.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Salad and Bean Plate With, Azxed Greensalad, Scoop of Ice Cream, Garlic Bread
This place captures my heart. It's got those old roadhouse vibes that every steak chain strives to buy bottled up. Good staff, , strong drinks, and great steaks perfectly cooked. Reasonable prices.
Had a great birthday dinner. The ribs were outstanding. I enjoyed the beans too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 12 Oz New York Steak and Potato, Steak and Beans, Bowl of Ranch Beans, Grill Your Own 12 Oz Steak Dinner, 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Ranch Beans, Scoop of Ice Cream, Baked Potato, Garlic Bread
Good food, friendly servers, casual welcoming
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Half Chicken, Burger and Fries, Ranch Beans, Scoop of Ice Cream, Baked Potato, Garlic Bread
Restaurantji Recommends
Cool, funky steak joint that started out as a Quonset hut in 1947. They have a large charcoal grill in the center to cook your steaks yourself or by the staff. I had a rib eye (special on Saturdays) that was charred just so and DELICIOUS!!
Great food and good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger and Fries, Choice New York Steak, 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Smoked Pork Chop
Fantastic old time roadhouse. The steaks are amazing. It’s like stepping back in time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 12 Oz New York Steak Dinner, Ranch Beans, Scoop of Ice Cream, Baked Potato
Been to Ruth Chris several times, the steak is no better, the sides, yeah I go there just for the sides sometimes, but you won't get a better steak than the willow
The location is cool, in the cuts. A lot of history at the location. I heard the steaks were bomb..they weren't. Asked for medium rare...was medium well. The cook, slash waitress, not very welcoming or friendly. The beans..ok, the salad..not good. I think this place would be better for drinks, but for a steak dinner, I will look elsewhere.