Pacific Dining Car

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2700 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403

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(310) 453-4000
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Reviews
( 7 )
( 5 )
( 2 )
( 3 )
( 3 )

Best

the food and service is great.I think people should try everything.

Worst

Feel compelled to pay way too much money for nowhere near the best steak in town? If so, you've found the right place. Pros: service Cons: cost, wine list vs. corkage

Overpriced rip-off 7/11/2010

Used to go to this place once in a while. A little better than average. You knew what you were getting. Tried this place a few days ago. Prices are now OUTRAGEOUS!!! OMG. I ordered a martini. $17!!!! It was huge, filled to the brim. I tasted it. Probably half water!!! The food is also insanely priced. Even the pasta dishes are over $30. Not that I would order pasta. I'm just making a point. The food here was never that good. It's not like the food got better and the prices went up. The place was practically empty. On a Friday night. I wonder why???. We tried a couple of their insanely priced appetizers. Average at best. We left and went somewhere we knew was good. Pros: Nice atmosphere, laid back, old school, friendly Cons: OVERPRICED, watered down drinks more
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BEWARE!!! Horrible expensive food. 11/5/2008

My husband and I recently dined at Pacific Dining Car because we wanted to try a new restaurant. Wow were we in a for a shock. The steaks were dry, over cooked and looked like something you buy from the Home shopping networks. The sides were dry even KFC is better. The crab cakes, nasty, dry, not frozen and the lobster was slimmy, and not fresh. Also it was lobster slip not fresh lobster tail only bits and pieces. Each steak with the crab cakes and the other with the lobster were between $48 and $52 dollars. Plus the cost of the sides. My husbands water glass was dirty with lipstick marks all around and when we asked for another they said, ok but didn't apologize blamed on left over tea. We know what lipstick looks like. THE only good thing was the WINE. Ouch it hurt $250 on the worst meal ever. The place was empty with only three other parties, and there open 24 hours, I don't know how they stay open. Pros: Lots of space Cons: BAD food more
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What has happened to my old favorite? 10/9/2008

I used to frequent PDC about 3 years ago, the menu was appropriately prices, the portions were just right and the food was amazing with delicious sides to compliment. The service used to be very friendly and sopisticated.\r \r 2 weeks ago, I decided to visit PDC again after a hiatus-- what a dissapointment. The place was nearly empty, so we were sat immediately- our service spoke poor English so it was hard to understand him, and did a very poor job at serving gourmet style cuisine properly, but made an attempt none the less. When the food arrived, I hope it would take me back to why I loved PDC so much. I was thoroughly disappointed- my chicken was severely salty, and slimy with added grease- my friends steak was absolutely mediocre. more
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Best American Restaurant 9/4/2007

I was visiting friends in LA for four nights and asked in my last day to visit a true american restaurant (the days before we had visited Modo Mio, Saddle Peak Lodge, Chart House).\r Well that was it... I dont think many places on earth that have such quality service and food. Someone said that the waiting staff are professionals. Well it was the only staff in the last five years that I have seen to place the coffee/tea cups and teapots and then turn the handles to the direction of one's right hand. That immaculate.\r The food was extremely pricey ($400 for a four course meal of 3 inclusive of wine and spirits before and after - and with the 20+ % tip you end up paying $450). But it was well worth it. These restaurants are unique, in spite of their 24X7 operation.\r If you want to treat someone in LA on American food, this is the place to go for a memorable experience. Pros: Food, Staff professionalism, Experience Cons: Pricey more
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Always good - mellow 1/11/2007

In a city that is always about grabbing a power-lunch/dinner/snack in the trendiest possible place, it is nice to know that this place is always around. When you want to catch up with you friends/family or enjoy a splurge after a night out or have a business meeting: this place has it all. Open 24/7 it serves the best breakfast and (from what I hear) steaks all day. Do not miss! Pros: service, seating, open 24/7 more
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Good food- very quiet and boring 11/6/2006

The food was excellent. But, it's really a place to go if you want to be in a dull place with no noise. And it is really expensive. Definately a business expense lunch. more
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Good food and service but overpriced 8/15/2006

The steaks here are great and I love the way they dress your baked potato tableside, but the bill was totally shocking. Without wine, it was still way too expensive. The food is worth it, but I agree with the review before that it's almost like a meal older people would eat. more
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User review by naomi2006 2/20/2006

I had the 8oz filet (medium) with a baked potato. The food tasted okay.. nothing special... on the plain side... The entire menu is over-priced. AND it is not worth the price. It was $140 inc. tip for 2 ppl. Went on a Sunday and it was pretty empty.. Good place to catch up with friends/family since it's quiet and relaxing... didn't feel rushed.. but be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for it! Pros: quiet, romantic Cons: expensive more
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Overpriced 2/20/2006

This seems like a place older people would eat. The decor inside is what I would picture an actual dining car to look like (I have never been in an actual dining car). There is no music, so it was quiet and relaxing. The food is overpriced. The food is good, but not for the price. If you know how to cook steak at home, you can cook one just as good. I tried the Cowboy Steak which was plain. They cook it on the rare side which what I prefer however. My girlfriend had a filet. I think Ruth and Chris has a more tender filet. We have heard of this place and reading some of the other reviews, I had a feeling it wouldn't meet the standards I was expecting. I would not eat here again unless they lowered their prices by a third. Pros: CA Casual Dress Code, Nice Atmosphere Cons: overpriced more
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overpriced food wasn't great 1/17/2005

Service-great, booths-comfortable, but food-mediocre. Prime rib was decent, but not worth the money. Tried my friend's steak, but again I was disappointed. For the quality and flavor, you should be paying 30% less. Ordered the cobbler for dessert, and asked for it to be hot, but it was lukewarm, and instead of the traditional crumb topping, it came out with a top made of puff pastry. It would have been fine with me, except that the puff pastry was extra chewy instead of light and crisp. It tasted as if they put a stale round cut out of puff pastry on top of the cobbler and microwaved it. The tarte tatin was also the same. Better steakhouses out there, but if it's 2 a.m. and your craving steak after a night out, I guess this place will do. If your hungry and drunk, I could see these steaks tasting good. Pros: Sommelier helpful, Service, Sides Cons: , Quality of Steaks, Desserts more
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The Best Steak!! 3/5/2003

I went here for the first time based on a recommendation and it was the best steak I have ever had. The service was perfect and the staff was very friendly. more
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Great dinner, great wine list! 2/28/2003

I'm a New York native who has moved out here to LA about six months ago. Some clients took me to the Pacific Dining Car in Santa Monica and what a great surprise. I basically have not been moved by restaurants out here, but this place is about the best I've ever been. I've sat in Morton's, Palm, Nick & Stephs, all horrible compared to this place. First rate food and service. Lastly, the wine list is very expansive and financially approachable! Pros: Food Quality, Service, Wine Prices more
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Great breakfast 2/13/2003

Quite possibly the best sausage I've ever had -- definitely memorable. Elegant dining room, but when I was there, it was dominated by a large (loud) party. The service was good; the bill was large (a $16 breakfast for one). I enjoyed the experience, but never returned. Some restaurants justify splurging, but this one didn't, quite. more
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Great Steak 1/31/2003

This is one of the classic places in LA for steak, and I was definitely impressed. The food is great. Have never been to the original LA location, but the Santa Monica branch is very nice indeed! Pros: Quiet, Great Food Cons: Expensive more
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Last Resort Dining 1/29/2003

Feel compelled to pay way too much money for nowhere near the best steak in town? If so, you've found the right place. Pros: service Cons: cost, wine list vs. corkage more
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MMM MMM Good 5/30/2002

It truly was a steak to rememberA bit high priced but worth every tasty cent. With food to soothe the taste buds of any meat or sea loving connoisseur. You just cant go wrong with this place. Pros: Family Atmosphere, Grate Service Cons: Expensive more
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Expensive, but you know why 5/19/2002

It's the LA quandry.. you can get a reasonably priced steak that isn't worth the effort of chewing, or you can get an outstanding steak if you skip your next car payment. At the Pacific Dining Car, you will certainly pay for what you get, but you also get all of what you pay for. If you're not satisfied with what your food, tell them what's wrong, and they'll make it right. If you want things a certain way, tell them, and they'll do everything possible to accomodate. The wait staff can be described in one word - professional. These aren't actors holding out for their real job, this *is* their real job, and it shows. Class without clutter - the ""in crowd"" won't show up to ruin the experience. Pros: service, professionalism, value Cons: price more
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Good food.. 5/16/2002

I really liked the food here and the service was good.. more
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Menu for Pacific Dining Car


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Open since 1990, the Santa Monica location of this legendary steakhouse caters to Westside politicos who don't want to drive downtown for the ultimate power meal. A cozy maze of...

  • 8/14/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Sun: 12am-11:59pm
  • Payments: Carte Blanche, Visa, Diner's Club, Master Card, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: West LA, Northeast
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