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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain Views-News Saturday July 26, 2025 


TAYLOR'S STEAKHOUSE – Practically Next Door

 Dining at Taylor's Steakhouse in La Cañada is like stepping back into the golden age of 
steak-houses — big cuts of beef, stiff martinis, and a sense of tradition that’s hard to find 
these days. And here’s a note of family history: my father, Elmer Dills, first met Tex Taylor 
decades ago. If that friendship hadn’t happened, I’m not sure I would have ever discovered 
Taylor’s myself. Funny how things work out — in this case, very much in my favor.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: La Cañada sounds like a trek. But the truth is, it isn’t. 
You’ll wish it was just down the street from you — well, it practically is. From Sierra Madre, 
it’s a quick run up the 210, and before you know it you’re pulling into Taylor’s parking lot 
(with free parking waiting in the back). In a city where valet stands and parking meters 
seem to guard eve-ry meal, that free lot alone feels like old-school hospitality.

Steak, Salad, and Martinis

 When you slide into one of Taylor’s deep red leather booths, you immediately feel like 
you’ve entered a restaurant that’s part of Los Angeles dining history. The booths have held 
thousands of conversations over the years, from first dates to business deals to family 
gatherings.

 I started with the Molly Salad, their fully loaded wedge with bacon, tomato, and blue 
cheese — hearty enough to be a meal itself. The wedge is such a steakhouse classic, but 
Taylor’s gives it just the right touch of heft.

 But let’s be honest, Taylor’s is about the steak. My New York Strip came out with a perfect 
char on the outside and juicy tenderness inside. Bruce Taylor, who now carries on his father 
Tex’s legacy, slid over a bite of his boneless ribeye — rich, flavorful, and downright indulgent. 
The kind of steak that makes you slow down, cut smaller bites, and savor it.

To drink, I went with a gin martini, made the old-school way — crisp, clean, and strong. 
Bruce prefers Chardonnay, and the wine list is deep enough to keep any oenophile happy. 
That balance is part of the charm: whether you’re a martini purist or a wine lover, there’s 
something here for you.

A Family Legacy

 Bruce spoke with pride about the tradition his parents Tex and Margie began back in 
1953, when they turned a little tavern called O’Kelley’s into the original Taylor’s. By the 
1970s, Bruce was working side by side with his father, learning the ropes and helping to 
grow the restaurant. The La Cañada location opened in 1996, carrying the torch forward 
for a new generation of diners.

 Through all that time, the commitment hasn’t changed. Taylor’s has worked with the 
same meat purveyor for over 35 years, ensuring that every cut of steak lives up to the name. 
In an age when menus change with every food trend, there’s something refreshing about a 
place that knows exactly who it is — and sticks with it.

Final Thoughts

La Cañada and Sierra Madre share something in common — both are close-knit communities 
that feel like their own little worlds, yet they’re only minutes from the heart of Los 
Angeles. That’s what makes Taylor’s such a natural fit for Sierra Madre diners. It may sit on 
Foothill Boulevard instead of Baldwin Avenue, but step inside and you’ll feel right at home 
in those red booths, sip-ping your drink and soaking up that warm, old-school atmosphere.

And here’s a tradition of mine: whenever I review a classic restaurant, I like to remind readers 
to look around. At Taylor’s, if you’re so inclined, you can even read through multiple 
reviews post-ed just inside the back entrance — a testament to the reputation this place has 
earned over dec-ades. Those reviews aren’t just paper on a wall; they’re a living history of 
diners who, like me, felt compelled to share their experience.

The warm hospitality, the martinis served the way they should be, and steaks done the way 
Tex Taylor intended back in the 1950s — it all adds up to a dining tradition worth the short 
drive. My father Elmer met Tex years ago, and I’m grateful he did. Otherwise, I might have 
missed one of the great steakhouse experiences in Southern California. And if you take one 
thing from this review, let it be this: don’t let the map fool you. Taylor’s Steakhouse is closer 
than you think, and once you’ve been, you’ll wonder why you didn’t go sooner.

Taylor’s Steakhouse – La Cañada

901 Foothill Blvd. |818) 790-7668

Plenty of free parking behind the restaurant.

Drop me a line at thechefknows@yahoo.com and let me know what you ordered.

In Summary

Taylor’s Steakhouse is the kind of timeless dining room where red leather booths, stiff 
martinis, and perfectly cooked steaks still matter. From Sierra Madre, it’s a quick and easy 
drive, and the hospitality makes it worth the trip. Like all restaurants, hours and prices can 
change, so call ahead — and when you do go, order the New York Strip, settle into a booth, 
and enjoy a slice of Los Angeles dining history.

Peter A. Dills

https://podlink/1116885432

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