Center Cut Steakhouse by Gourmet San Diego

534 Broadway in Chula Vista
(619) 508-4814

There's nothing like having brunch with your girls, especially if you haven't seen them for awhile.  I got to do just that with some of my BFs recently at Center Cut Steak House by Gourmet San Diego, located in west Chula Vista. Chef and Owner, Ramon Gomez, formerly of Rockin' Baja Lobster restaurants (if you have lived in San Diego for awhile then you know what I'm talking about) manages the kitchen/back of the house and Co-owner Rebeca Rodriguez-Beltran, runs the front of the house. Right when we entered we were greeted by Rebeca. Her energy and humor were contagious from the start.

The restaurant is spacious yet quaint, just right for an intimate dinner for two or even a family celebration!  There is this cool waterfall by the front window that provides a tranquil setting. Out on the patio, tables were set for a group to come in and have some sort of meeting.  Rebecca let us know that she has hosted baby showers, birthday parties, group meetings, business mixers, etc.. at the restaurant.  

Sunday Brunch is $9.99.  Kids 3 - 10 are $7.99.  Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and Sangria are $3.00.  

I'm not much of a drinker, but Rebecca sold me on the Sangria. You know what, she was right. 

It was out of this world!

Time for the buffet! 

Salad is offered with your choice of dressing. One of my buffet rules is to eat things I can't eat at home, so I usually....skip the salad. 

Cinnamon French Toast was made fresh and was very delectable, just the right amount of sweetness!

We all know that for Sunday Brunch it is the hot food that really counts.  There were no less than ten chafing dishes set out.   Here are your breakfast meat staples: sausage and bacon. Sausage was really good,

I should have asked more about it, I have a feeling they might make this in house, being a steakhouse. 

Next were Spanish rice and Chicken Colorado.  I didn't get to try these two, but my friends gave the Chicken two thumbs up! Rebecca shared that half of the items for the buffet change every week depending on what Chef Ramon has ordered for catering. I liked the idea because  when you visit again, there's something new to try. 

Also on the buffet line were chicharrones and chorizo con huevos.  Chorizo is one of my favorite Mexican dishes and this wrapped up in a warm corn tortilla did not disappoint!

For some of the "lunch" part of brunch, steak and mushrooms and mashed potatoes were offered. 

The steak was really yummy! Tender and flavorful.

 

Also a  seafood dish of Fish Almondine and veggies were also part of the selections. Something that impressed me was that Chef Ramon himself came out to survey and inventory what dishes needed replenishing. It showed quality control and his care in the food that he was serving.

Menudo with corn or flour tortillas is also offered on Saturdays and Sundays as part of the brunch but you have to request it, as it is not out in the open. Salsa we had to request too, which surprised me.  I thought that would be something made available as part of the line. I am kind of a menudo snob. I don't like it too watery and I like lots of hominy and goodies in it.  I loved Center Cut's menudo! The tripe was soft, not chewy and the flavor was on point.

Dessert offerings included arroz con leche and gelatin and fresh fruit.  I was looking for flan and something chocolaty.  Hopefully they can offer a combination dessert, chocoflan - chocolate cake with flan in the near future.  

I must have been too busy eating, because I took notes on everything I saw, but I don't have pictures of the following items:  Pasta Alfredo, Veggie Pasta, Chilaquiles (how could I forget the chilaquiles!) and Refried beans.  Living in South San Diego, I grew up on Mexican food and probably eat it at least once every two weeks. So  much to my own surprise, what I went back for at the buffet was the Veggie Pasta...melt in your mouth! 

 Seems like there's no cuisine out of Chef Ramon's reach. Do you like BBQ? Center Cut Steakhouse has a special BBQ night on Wednesdays for $14.99, choice of 2 main dishes and 2 sides!  Sometimes you just want to dig into a good rib!  I can't wait to try it!  

Just because we saw this on their separate dessert menu (and I wanted something chocolaty remember?), we had to order the Lalin ice cream cake, named after it's creator Lalo, who works in the kitchen.  OMG, this ice cream oreo crust concoction is $10 and large enough to feed at least four people. Good thing I was with my BFs, otherwise I might have devoured it all on my own!  I would come back just to eat this dessert! The soft whipped cream and crunch of the macadamia nuts gave this a great texture with every bite. So good!!!

We really enjoyed the food that Chef de Cuisine Ramon and his staff created.  The only suggestions I have, I mentioned already and some that are really not even food related are the following. I would suggest wrapping the handles of the chafing dishes with linen napkins, as they can be pretty hot to the touch.  And perhaps using separate holders for each serving utensil so that the serving spoons don't get accidentally used for two different dishes, and maybe a sign on each table that you have to request the menudo, tortillas, and salsa. Other than these minor things, the brunch is still a great value. 

Center Cut Steakhouse by Gourmet San Diego is open Wednesday - Sunday.  In addition to their Sunday Brunch and AYCE Pasta Bar on Wednesdays, all lunch entrees are under $10.  When the different steaks (New York, Rib Eye,  Filet Mignon, etc..)  are portioned, the trimmings are blended together for their hamburger patties. Fresh not frozen, handmade hamburger patties created from choice cuts of meat!  Where else are you going to find that?! You'll find it at Center Cut!

Chef Ramon, Rebeca and their team at Center Cut Steakhouse by Gourmet San Diego will make you feel like guests in their own home.   If you are looking for great food at a great price, this is a hidden gem of a place in the South Bay. Bring your family and friends to eat and consider making this your next event spot.  For $9.99 it's worth a try.  If you see Chef Ramon or Rebeca, tell them I sent you, maybe you'll get something extra for visiting!

Center Cut Steakhouse by Gourmet San Diego also does full catering, for any size event.  Let them take care of providing excellent food for you and your guests!

Disclosure: My girlfriends and I enjoyed complimentary meals. All opinions are my own.