An almost literal translation is indeed a right option:
Present:
- ¿Cómo está el bistec?
- ¿Cómo está siendo tu día hasta ahora? → (you should use present continuous (gerund) in case the day hasn't finished yet).
- ¿Cómo está el tráfico hoy?
Preterite:
- ¿Cómo estuvieron tus vacaciones?
- ¿Cómo estuvo la reunión?
- ¿Cómo estuvo la celebración de tu cumpleaños ayer?
Although you can use as well qué tal ... (in this case the verb can be omitted):
- ¿Qué tal (está / estuvo) el bistec?
- ¿Qué tal (está siendo / ha sido) tu día hasta ahora?
- ... and so on ...
The main distinction between ser
and estar
in this case is the classical one regarding these verbs: (this issue isn't the main subject of the question by the way)
- Estar: must be used related to things limited in time. That is to say, when you ask about a feature of something limited to the time when the conversation is being made. You sould not use this verb to ask for a permanent feature of something.
- Ser: must be used when you ask about a permanent or inherent feature of something, or about a feature that repeats in time.
For example:
- ¿Cómo es el bistec?: You could hear (or ask) such a question when you don't know at all what a
bistec
is (e.g. you come from a vegan family or town), and you want to know what it's made from, what are its features, etc.
- ¿Cómo está el bistec?: You will hear (or ask) this question when you want to know how tasty or delicious is the meal being eaten by the person you are talking to.
A succinct resource you could read to grasp the difference between ser and estar:
ser
andestar
aren't the main subject of this question by the way.