The Gambling Cowboy - Temecula (CA)

4 /5 Meranda Garreaud: My husband and I came about a week ago for a date night out, and this place is delicious! I highly recommend making a reservation. We came once as a walk-in, and they sat us right away. Another time I called later in the day, and our reservation wasn’t until about 9. Another time we came in, and it was about an hr wait for a walk-in. The food is delicious, and the main dishes have a lot of food on them. I was able to take my leftovers and eat them for another meal the next day. The steak was cooked perfectly, and when I cut into it, it was like cutting butter! The lobster was a bit dry in the lobster mashed potatoes but still good. The corn was super good. We ordered the cowgirl kisses for an appetizer. We did wish it came with four peppers instead of three, but still good. Service was a bit slow when we sat. It seemed the servers were more focused on bigger parties instead of smaller ones, so we did wait a little bit before we were served. But once we were served, everything was pretty quick. The atmosphere is very country, cozy, and cute. I love the food here, so I do recommend it.

5 /5 Valerie Hackbarth: Fun experience in the heart of downtown Temecula! Immerse yourself back to the Wild West! The ribeye and filetwere both on point! Friendly service. Ambiance is key!! Fun date night!! Hearty portions!!!

5 /5 Carlos Quezada: The gambling cowboy was really good and cool vibes. The restaurant is on the third floor so you have to go up the elevator. The food was amazing and the service was on point. I had the 16oz rib eye with poblano chilli and it was amazing. Definitely will be coming back.

5 /5 Snorfy: Heavily recommend making a reservation. Service was well attentive and refills were never an issue as I didn’t have to ask. Serving staff was not pushy on ordering alcoholic beverages. When it comes to the food it was amazingly well done. It came out to a perfect medium rare just like I asked and the juices and quality of the meet you could tell by just cutting into it. The pasta also came out better than expected. Well decorated interior.

5 /5 Juan Padilla: My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at The Gambling Cowboy, and it exceeded all expectations. The rustic charm, warm lighting, and cozy ambiance created a romantic atmosphere perfect for the occasion. We began our evening with two standout appetizers: the Brie Sachets—crispy, golden pastries filled with creamy brie and drizzled with a sweet glaze—and the Famous Cowgirl Kisses, which were smoky, bacon-wrapped jalapeños with just the right amount of heat. The bar staff was friendly and skilled; we both had handcrafted cocktails that were strong yet smooth and full of flavor. My wife’s drink had a floral finish with hints of citrus, while mine had a bourbon base that paired perfectly with the meal. For our entrées, my wife chose the Slow Braised Short Rib, which was melt-in-your-mouth tender, richly flavored, and served over a perfectly seasoned bed of mashed potatoes. I ordered the 72-Hour Blackened Ribeye, medium rare, and it was outstanding—juicy, flavorful, and seared with a perfect crust. The sides of mixed vegetables and loaded mashed potatoes balanced the dish well and were generously portioned. Service throughout the evening was attentive and sincere—our server made sure we were comfortable without being overbearing, and even wished us a happy anniversary with a complimentary dessert to cap off the evening. From start to finish, The Gambling Cowboy delivered a truly memorable dining experience. It’s the kind of place where food, atmosphere, and service come together beautifully. We’ll definitely be returning—and recommending it to friends and family.