Clearmans North Woods Inn San Gabriel

Back in the day (as recent as a few years ago) Clearman's was the place for good, reliable steaks, huge portions, and a fun atmosphere. We went all the time.

But recently, we have seen a drop in quality. At first we thought it was a fluke, but as we kept "giving it another try" things never got any better and we stopped going.

The salad and bread and potatoes are still good and plentiful as ever. But they seem to have drastically reduced the quality of meat they are buying.

To be honest, even back in the day, I would not have said Clearman's had the best steaks - but, at the same time, there was never anything to complain about. You could always count on a steak that was good and tender.

Now, the steaks are embarrassing - tough and full of tendons. It's really sad since I liked this place so much.

If it is a cost issue, I wish they would raise prices a few dollars if it means getting a steak I can depend on. A crappy steak is no bargain at all.

Pros: Fun atmosphere

Cons: Food quality has gone down

Posted 07/27/09

Always a fun place to go, food is good. Get the cheese butter on your potato. Salads and cheese bread are fantastic. Go early on Sat nights or wait 45-60 min to be seated. Made the mistake of going to the
Black Angus in Monrovia b/c North Woods was busy... we should have waited it out at North Woods.

Posted 02/07/09

What was I thinking?
Having been a patron of Clearman's Northwoods inn for over 20 years, One would imagine that I had seen the cobb salad at least once before I ordered it.. But I must have stepped away or never noticed when someone else ordered it.

Loving a good cobb salad, I ordered when I was with our party of 6 and got more than a few snickers when I did so..(obviously they had seen the monster before), when asked if I was hungry I answered in the affirmative.. and awaited the delight that eventually came.
This BIG BOWL of Cobb salad was enough to feed everyone at the table and every person I ever met.. Okay so I exaggerate, but it was huge.. On my best day, I couldn't tackle this beauty of a salad, with all the usual ingredients of a Cobb salad, despite my forks of fury shoveling in the salad, each bite left me further and further from the bottom of the bowl... try as I may, It beat me.... but what a great salad for a small party of 6 or more.
Or one really, really hungry Basketball team.

Pros: Always a special place to take out-of-towners

Cons: too many out-of-towners

Posted 11/07/08

My Boyfriend and I go here all the time. The food is awesome!!! you can make a meal out of the bread and salad alone. The prices are reasonable and the service is great!! i highly recommend this place to anyone who wants good food!

Pros: great food!

Cons: always packed

Posted 04/29/08

I am glad to see that it was not just us who think that the quality of this once great place is not like it used to be. We were highly dissapointed in both the food and the service last night. The steak was very tough and flavorless, and my fried chicken seemed like it was leftover from the night before and heated in the microwave. It was dry and the skin was limp not crispy. My husbands steak was also very tough and he said it was not very tasty. My son did like his crab legs, and the salad was as usual. It was tough to get drink refills and the waiter had zero personality. Remember when they were bouncy and friendly and eager to work there? The management needs to address several issues at this location ASAP.

Pros: Parking ,Ambience

Cons: Lots of them

Posted 03/02/08

We've gone to the San Gabriel Northwoods Inn for more than a decade. The Clearman operations used to be known for excellent, highly-trained service and good value for the food dollar. Unfortunately, in the last few years, they have cut back on entree portions by about 1/2. Although the salads and cheese bread are still really good, what used to be six shrimps have become 3, the once-larger steaks have shrunk, and are now hardly better in quality than those found at Sizzler. Tonight my daughter and I both left significant, unchewable, fatty portions behind on the plate. Even the containers of melted butter have shrunk ! 'Still good service though-
As with many restaurants, the Clearmans have apparently opted to raise prices while cutting back on quality, hoping that we consumers won't notice- but we did !
It's sad, but I doubt that we will go back again...

Pros: Great service, friendly wait staff.

Cons: Poor quality steaks, shrinking portions, noisy atmosphere, ascending prices.

Posted 12/22/07

The menu is very limited. The food is OK but you almost leave hungry....The place is loud...shows the many years of wear....The service is coffee shop style...Dine at your own risk as Clearman's has a zero commitment toward customer satisfaction.... I had a dispute on my last visit to the San Gabriel location. I had been dining at Clearmans for the past 35+ years. I was cheated by the waiter out of $100...After arguing with the waiter, the manager, and anyone else I could get to listen to me, I contacted the owner directly. I explained my situation in a two page detailed letter, with names, times and dates. I got NO response from the owner, a secretary or even a janitor. Not even an insincere letter of apology telling me there was nothing they could do.....so if you like too much blue cheese (only dressing offered) dressing on your salad, a steak that looks like it came from a miniture cow and leaves you wanting more, and cole slaw on everything..than have at it...enjoy Clearmans...Your better off at Outback...or even Sizzler.....

Dine at your own risk......

Pros: Red Cabbage Salad

Cons: Arrogant attitude....lack of effort towards customer's satisfaction

Posted 02/27/07

Splitting meals allows for one to indulge in North Wood's great salads and cheese bread. A split meal provides plenty of food, allowing one to feel satisfied rather than satiated. A favorite of mine since I was a kid, North Woods offers the utmost in ambiance, food, and service! A great dish to split is their combination chicken, steak, and scallop plate--a little taste of everything!

Pros: Great Food, Ambiance, Parking

Cons: Can be crowded, Dine during off-peak

Posted 06/05/05

You have to love a place where you can throw your peanut shells on the floor, kids are welcome, and you can have a steak and a baked potato without breaking the bank. They have large tables and can handle groups. The bar is usually filled with a casual boisterous crowd. This is not the swinging singles club, it is more of a family location.

Posted 03/23/05

Over the years we have found the food well prepared and the atmosphere enjoyable, including the complimentary serving of peanuts, which shells are swept to the floor.

The excellent coleslaw and red cabbage salads are serfved chilled and the giant baked potoato topped with cheese-butter is terrific. We always have the filet mignon and the large house steak, both of which are tops.

Pros: good ambience, good parking, good food

Posted 08/12/04

Much to Dark Atmosphere. Food very pricey portion not large if you do not like cole slaw on everything be careful.

Pros: Unique, Must see Once

Cons: , Pricey, No Variety

Posted 03/17/04

What can I say, I grew upo going to the Northwoods on special occasions and when friends and family were in town - more than any mortal can eat, good steaks and sea food. reasonable price and a lot of fun. A real true steak house.

Pros: food, atmosphere, fun

Posted 08/11/02

Just a great place to kick back and enjoy a good meal ... and lots of it

Posted 07/29/02

Two people can easily split a meal, considering they bring you about four sides with your steak. Not for the faint of heart or the lactose intolerant (they put cheese on everything), this dimly lit spot is perfect for large groups.

Pros: peanuts on the floor, moose heads, snow in July

Cons: soggy bread

Posted 05/12/02