TV Restaurants

What Happened to Donovan's Steak & Chop House After Best Thing I Ever Ate?

Closed verified

As of September 2026, Donovan's Steak & Chop House has closed — confirmed via nbcsandiego.com, December 27, 2019.

Primary source
nbcsandiego.com ·
Secondary source
Yelp ·

Last verified

What the source shows: NBC 7 San Diego reported the La Jolla location's closure on December 27, 2019, quoting the company's statement about rising California operating costs, and a separate Yelp listing for a Donovan's San Diego location is also marked permanently closed.

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What happened after Best Thing I Ever Ate?

On Best Thing I Ever Ate's "Bang for the Buck" episode, writer Troy Johnson picked the Philly cheesesteak sandwiches Donovan's Steak & Chop House gave away free every day at 4 p.m., a value item from a restaurant otherwise known for its steaks and creme brulee, according to Best Thing I Ever Ate Locations. Donovan's Steak & Chop House was a steakhouse at 1250 Prospect Street in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. NBC 7 San Diego reported on December 27, 2019 that the location had closed its doors, citing a company statement that "the high cost of doing business in California continues to rise." A separate Yelp business page for a Donovan's San Diego location is also marked permanently closed, in a listing updated September 2026.

Featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate

Season / episode
Season 4, Episode 2
Original air date
Not confirmed
Episode title
Bang for the Buck
What was featured
Complimentary Philly cheesesteak sandwiches served daily at 4pm
Role
Featured restaurant
Name on the broadcast
Donovan's Steak & Chop House

Frequently asked questions

Is Donovan's Steak & Chop House still open in 2026?

As of September 2026, Donovan's Steak & Chop House has closed — confirmed via nbcsandiego.com, December 27, 2019.

What happened to Donovan's Steak & Chop House after Best Thing I Ever Ate?

On Best Thing I Ever Ate's "Bang for the Buck" episode, writer Troy Johnson picked the Philly cheesesteak sandwiches Donovan's Steak & Chop House gave away free every day at 4 p.m., a value item from a restaurant otherwise known for its steaks and creme brulee, according to Best Thing I Ever Ate Locations. As of September 2026, Donovan's Steak & Chop House has closed — confirmed via nbcsandiego.com, December 27, 2019.

Is Donovan's Steak & Chop House permanently closed?

As of September 2026, Donovan's Steak & Chop House has closed — confirmed via nbcsandiego.com, December 27, 2019. We publish a closure only with a dated source behind it, and we say plainly when it has not been independently confirmed.

Where is Donovan's Steak & Chop House located?

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037. That is the address on the record as of September 7, 2026.

What season and episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate featured Donovan's Steak & Chop House?

Season 4, Episode 2 of Best Thing I Ever Ate. The episode is titled “Bang for the Buck”.

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Visit info

Address
1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Venue type
restaurant
Official website
None found

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Sources

  • nbcsandiego.com — https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/donovans-steak-and-chop-house-in-la-jolla-closes-its-doors/2235640/
  • Yelp — https://www.yelp.com/biz/donovans-steak-and-chop-house-san-diego-3
  • foodnetwork.com — https://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/ca/san-diego/donovans-steak-chop-house-restaurant

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Record btiea-0310 · last verified .