Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge

I enjoyed an outstanding steak dinner on our week of camping near the Kern River. It's outside of town, a nice drive north about 15 min from Kernville, the food was great. The service as on point and the portions very good. If you eat in the patio, the views are great in the enclosed patio. The steak was cooked to perfection and was great treat while camping. They also have a mini market, burger stand and motel.

Our family spent Father's Day having dinner up at Johnny McNally's Fairview Lodge restaurant this year. My 92 year old Grandma went with us and reminded us that she had been coming up there since she was 30 years old. My brother and I would come up with our grandparents/parents for family meals as kids and we are almost 50! My brother proposed to his wife on the bridge almost 20 years ago. It was great to return. Yesterday, we were a table of 11 and sat on the patio. We had the best service from minute one. When I called in to make the reservation, the staff I spoke to were easy, kind, and accommodating. Even offering the patio and letting us know it wouldn't be too hot. (It wasn't!--it was perfect!) Every single thing brought to the table was delicious. My niece ordered the mozzarella sticks as an appetizer and they were different in texture and better than those boring breaded others. The relish tray---the bread and butter pickles are amazing and I don't even care for bread and butter pickles. I went to buy a jar (they sell them and other items) but they were out at the time, I'll grab some next time for sure. They had a two person meal special this day: two 14oz NY steaks, salad or soup for each person (homemade dressing, pretty sure) , a side dish for each person (baked potato/mashed potato/rice pilaf, and something else I can't remember), and their vegetable of the day for each (green beans) for $79. Most of us got this special, but for those that didn't, they enjoyed their meal just as much. We had ZERO "complaints/issues" with the food--it was great. Steaks were cooked perfect. Baked potatoes were cooked perfect. We ordered three desserts for the table and couldn't finish one of them because we were all full! The mud pie dessert is enough to feed three. The wait staff was authentically friendly, returned often but not too often, anticipated our needs well, and kinda quickly felt like family. They were efficient and provided more than expected (offering to-go cups of drinks). The owner came around at the end of our meal and asked us and others how their experience and meals were. He truly cared (not intrusive at all, but very kind). Many of the staff wished us a safe drive home as they correctly assumed we travelled for dinner that night (as most probably do). I wrote this review for others will go support McNally's. It needs to be here another 100 years. And I think it will be, 100 years plus, if they keep this up. Five stars. (We will also go support the McNally's Outpost hamburger joint in downtown Kernville as well sometime soon. The McNally's Fairview Lodge, where we ate, is about 10 minutes past downtown Kernville. This lodge area also has cabins to rent, a general store, and a quicker easy hamburger joint as well).

Came for a quick steak dinner since we were in town for the day.It's been a while and WOW amazing.We ordered the New York special dinner$79.99 for2-14oz steaks with all the sides and I added sautéed mushrooms WOW WOW these were better than ever.The black bean soup is with out a doubt the best I have had. Jess was out waited waitress MM was awesome. Always checking in.It's really nice to come back home and have this service. Mc Nalley's added on to the patio and it is now enclosed huge patio with screened and heaters. Can't wait till summer time to sit and have dinner with the river view.The cook tonight was G and spot on!!Everything was delicious must try..I really wanted the mud pie but I could not find room lolNext time we r up

First off I would like to say that I've been coming here for years always around Thanksgiving right before they close for the winter and I've never had a bad experience. The food, drinks, ambiance, and service have always been top notch, this time was not the case . I ordered the steak and Lobster at $160 something plus I upgraded my steak to Filet Minion another $15 or so . My wife ordered filet and shrimp $55 and we got the amazing garlic bread which is always my favorite. We both had a couple of drinks at about $10-$15 a piece. Are entire bill was about $300 plus tip. I usually don't spend this much but this is usually a special dinner for me and my wife. Drinks were great, garlic bread and salads were also great. I even liked my Lobster but my steak was bad. It taste like I brought it home kept in the fridge for a week and then tried to microwave it. Ordered medium and I got well well done but I still tried to eat it . My wife's food on the other hand was inedible the steak was rotten meat and the shrimp wasn't cooked. When we complained the waitress told us she tried a piece in the back and spit it out. Then she said she would take the steak off the bill but just the steak. Not my wife's entire meal but just the steak only $30 off what a joke. I don't like to complain and make a scene and I realized that they weren't gonna make it right so I just paid the bill with tip and left. We then proceeded to make are selves throw up in the parking lot so we didn't get food poisoning. I'll never go back again which sucks cause it was always a meal I looked forward to and everyone has bad days but not at those prices you expect better. They also tried to tell us that the steak was dry aged but I wasn't buying it. I've had dry aged steaks before and it's never tasted rotten and we both had the same steak cooked the same and they tasted completely different. Both disgusting but different. Very sad

20 plus years ago I would have said absolutely recommend, but went yesterday and was a bit taken by the changes. I've gone through a couple of ownership changes and food was good but staff was ok. Saw chef come out to greet other customers, but not us. Felt uncomfortable! Food good, portions huge but service was so so!

Great food and atmosphere. Come here whenever we visit Kernville. If you want a nice steak dinner, McNally's is the place to go.

This is our annual stomping grounds for 4th of July holiday. After camping on their awesome grounds at Kern River we end our last night with a big group dinner at Johnnys. Love the pickled platter that comes with your meal and they have a great selections of beef cuts that won't disappoint. Sitting on the screened in patio along the river is our preference but indoor has its own old school appeal too.

Love this place. Best steaks in the valley. I like the complimentary platter to start. Service is great. Highly recommended

McNally'sThis is a family owned restaurant & lodge owner by Jim and his wife ( sorry I didn't get her name). They purchased the restaurant, lodge & campground a few years ago and have done an amazing job of bringing the best of the past and the present together. Nikki, their daughter attends the front desk with an open friendliness. We dined on the outdoor patio with a beautiful view of the river. Today Alma was our busser and Tracy was our server. The service was fun, friendly and on point. Their staff is well trained and personable. Your meal is started old school with a Relish tray with delicious house made bread & butter pickles and other vegetables. Pretty much everything is house made except their tasty Squaw bread. This attention to detail in the food & service makes all the difference!I had broiled shrimp with drawn butter and their fresh green beans. My companion had the Golden Fried Chicken with a medley of fresh veggies and creamy chive mashed potatoes. Our entire meal was mouthwateringly scrumptious! I asked Alma to give the chef our compliments and Chef Eric graciously took time to come out and say hello. Jim and his wife also came by all the tables. Chatting and making sure all was well with the food and service. It's a fairly casual with high end food & service. I highly recommend you make the drive for this experience, rent a cabin & enjoy the fresh mountain air & views.

My favorite restaurant for the last 40 years!!! Everything on the menu is excellent!!! Best steaks!!! Try the Fairview Special. You won't be disappointed!!! The old western saloon bar is to die for!!!