The Restaurant.
The Buckhorn Steakhouse has been a family-owned and operated traditional steakhouse since 1980. Once an elegant, state-of-the-art hotel, the Buckhorn carries on as a local icon and central meeting location in the heart of historic downtown Winters.
In 2018, when John and Melanie took a step back from running The Buckhorn and Putah Creek Cafe, their daughter Emarie VanGalio stepped into that role. After more than a decade in the hospitality industry in London, the Cayman Islands, San Francisco and Napa, Emarie now serves as the COO for Buckhorn Cafe Inc. She resides in Winters with her husband and three children.
The steakhouse is known for our signature char-roasted tri-tip, Mentink style prime rib, outstanding Certified Angus Beef, and welcoming atmosphere. While famous for our in-house butcher program and proprietary beef aging and fabrication, we also offer a variety of meat-free dishes that feature local, fresh, seasonal produce, as well as our much-loved fresh sourdough bread and whipped butter. The restaurant’s well-preserved original wooden bar offers seasonal specialty drinks, affectionately called Bucktails, which guests can enjoy at their tables or while seated at the bar.
In addition to being a full-service restaurant, the Buckhorn is an involved and dedicated member of the community. From catering events, to serving local organizations, and donating time, funds, and meals to innumerable worthy causes, the Buckhorn family has proven itself to be a caring, generous, and committed part of Winters and surrounding communities.
While maintaining the traditional steakhouse atmosphere, the Buckhorn has enjoyed a recent “facelift” with a fresh paint, hardwood floors and a new awning. The interior original brick walls have been restored and show off a wide variety of memorabilia, trophy animals, and horns, most of which were gifted (and some willed) to the restaurant by community members. Be sure to visit during the holiday season, when the animals are specially decorated!