Moe's — Restaurant in San Diego

Unfortunately, we were thoroughly unimpressed and actually disappointed by dinner at opening weekend of the new renovated Saskas-now known as Moe's Mission Beach.

#The Ambience: The noise in the dining room area was out of control and sounded like you are in a noisy bar, with sounds bouncing off the wood and tile walls. Our recommendation would be to install some sound absorbing materials. I couldn't even be heard by my own friend sitting at the same table as me. Definitely poor acoustics. The visual design is OK. The bar area definitely has a nice vibe with the wood, but the dining area was a little outdated.

#The Service: We sat at our table for over 20 minutes while server after server passed by us without acknowledgment. Eventually, my friend asked one of the servers passing by who our server was. Once we were assigned a server, unfortunately, it did not get much better. Although our server was very nice and friendly, she seemed nervous. We never had our water filled. Food was delivered awkwardly without appropriate silverware. Shared plates were not split until after we asked. And there was no explanation about the food while they set it down or even tell us what it was. Servers just put down the food on the edge (not even middle!) Of table and quietly would depart. They also attempted to bring out the steaks when we weren't even done with the appetizers/ salads without even asking if we were ready for main course while we were clearly still in the first course. It was so weird !

#The Food: Appetizer beef tartare: Horrible. The meat was not soft, and I literally had to chew meat and pull it out of my mouth because it was not digestible. Also, very sparse chips.

Cesar salad: Unremarkable

Steaks: the worst part of it all. I ordered a waygu medium well/almost well and specified no pink, but please not over done and not charred. Well, I got a crunchy waygu (see photo). My friend ordered a Rare plus but the server didn't know what that was so he told her "medium rare but more on the rare side" and he got an almost well!!! The management did bring out another steak that my friend said was much better, but still just OK. Unfortunately, we were still charged for these meals. :/

Appetizers: Had the mushrooms and the potatoes pureed, both pretty bland and mushrooms drenched in sauce. Nothing memorable.

Dessert: Butter cake with cream and fruit was by far the best part of the meal.

Cocktails: I was unimpressed, my friend thought they were decent. We had several different cocktails.

We understand this was opening weekend, but, I would expect the food to be what was advertised on the website. Food gets 1 ⭐ for what was expected for this type of venue. Overall service maybe 2.5 ⭐. Everyone was very nice and polite.

If this was not opening night, we would definitely not be back. Maybe we will try their food again when they've figured it out.

Hopefully this review is helpful and things improve....

After all that has happened to the former Saskas, which was a community institution that had an absolute tragic first ending, we have put off going to Moe's because fear of disappointment, like the last time it changed hands. Last night we were on a bike ride and decided to stop in for a drink to check it out. Huge, HUGE thank you to the OMG group for doing the right thing. They modernized the space but it still has that feel we all loved about Saskas. It's charming, cozy, feels very special, and a word you never hear for anything along Mission Blvd. - it's classy. Let's call it beach classy because you don't need a tie, but the place makes you want to put on a collared shirt or a polo (or your best surf t-shirt) rather than a worn, hole filled faded t-shirt. You walk in and actually feel like you are in an adult establishment, not another college bar or something along Garnet or Mission. We ran into neighbors old and new, had good conversations and reminisced, laughed with the bartenders... it was all so new but yet felt just like the old days. Love that the bar wasn't moved and is exactly where it has always been. Another thing worth mentioning is the menu. This is not the place you're stopping at for a "decent" steak and drink and running back out the door under $200. You're not getting a page of chicken dishes or sandwiches either. For a full meal and drinks you're going to pay $$$$$ - pricing is where you will usually find it for quality meat cuts - and it will likely be worth every penny. The menu is one page and that's the way it should be, because it allows the chefs to focus on what they do, and do it well. We were hoping to try a couple of things off the "Social Hour" (happy hour) menu but just missed it by 5 minutes, so we had a martini each and left. We are glad we stopped and are really looking forward to being able to return for a long overdue date night to celebrate a recent life accomplishment. We'll definitely have to budget to have the meal we want, but we're not complaining and can't wait. Congratulations Moe's, and thank you! You kept to your word and honored the Saskas family and your relationship with them,...

Moe's Steak House delivered an exceptional dining experience that deserves nothing less than a stellar review. From start to finish, our visit was nothing short of perfection.

The moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance that set the stage for an unforgettable evening. The attention to detail in the restaurant's décor was impressive, creating an atmosphere that exuded sophistication and comfort simultaneously.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show – the food. We had the pleasure of savoring the A5 Wagyu steak, and it was a culinary masterpiece. The steak was cooked to perfection, melting in our mouths with each bite. The rich, marbled texture and exceptional flavor left us in awe. It's safe to say that Moe's Steak House has set a new standard for steak perfection.

Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was equally outstanding. The staff at Moe's demonstrated impeccable attention to detail and genuine passion for what they do. They made us feel like honored guests throughout the entire meal, providing insightful recommendations and ensuring our dining experience was nothing short of perfection.

The wine selection was also noteworthy, complementing our meal beautifully. The sommelier's expertise in pairing wine with our Wagyu steak was truly impressive and added an extra layer of enjoyment to our dining experience.

In conclusion, our visit to Moe's Steak House was a gastronomic journey that exceeded all expectations. The combination of remarkable food, top-notch service, and a welcoming atmosphere left us thoroughly impressed. If you're a steak enthusiast or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, Moe's Steak House is the place to be. We can't wait to return for another extraordinary meal!

Kudos to the entire team at Moe's Steak House for creating an extraordinary...