Trabuco Oaks Steak House   

One would never think that this unassuming roadhouse hidden away in the leafy confines of O'Neil Regional Park has hosted dignitaries like Richard Nixon (who was a regular), but it's true -- Trabuco Oaks is elegant enough to host leaders of the free world, yet homey enough for a family dinner. What brings these two elements together? It's most likely the simplicity of the menu and the unaffected cowboy decor. The menu consists mostly of top-shelf cuts of steak: porterhouse, filet mignon and extra thick cuts of top sirloin. Everything is grilled over a mesquite wood fire pit so there's a distinct flavor that most steakhouses lack, but the chefs tend to cook on the rare side (so if you like medium-well, opt for well done). The sides are just as hearty: baked potatoes the size of small footballs and garlic bread practically a meal in itself. Leave the necktie at home though. In an effort to keep the homey western atmosphere, the wait staff has orders to take scissors to anyone wearing a tie -- even Nixon's is on display in the foyer.