The Benchmark Eatery is a contemporary bar and restaurant that serves fairly unique styles of American food. I came in and ordered myself an iced tea, and the fish and shrimp tacos (one of each). Our server was such a delight to be around. She was bubbly, friendly, and always on top of it when it came down to drinks running low. She served our crazy party of 10+, which is impressive and I am truly grateful that she worked so diligently to make sure we were all satisfied with our service. Now, the food. We got complimentary chickpeas which really do taste like KFC seasoning. I don't care what anyone else says, KFC is delicious, and so these chickpeas were excellent. A nice crunch from the light breading, along with a warm center that was the chickpea. Absolutely tasty and would order those bad boys. The brussel sprouts and fried pickles were to die for in my opinion. The brussels were crunchy with savory bits of bacon, but also had a wonderful yet interesting aftertaste of honey glaze! It was spectacular. I'm totally trying this when I make brussel sprouts for dinner! The fried pickles were big (just the way I like them), and the sauce was tangy! It tasted like a ranch tartar sauce! The fish and shrimp tacos were tasty too. I hate cilantro, so I'm glad these tacos didn't have any. The pickled onions were tangy and sweet, and went well with the beer battered shrimp and fish. I totally forgot to take Danah's advice and ask for the fish whole... but I will definitely do this next time. The reason I give this place 4/5 stars is the price of the drinks. A fish taco is close to $6 while my boyfriend's mocktail was a whopping $6.50.... a MOCKtail! No alcohol whatsoever! My iced tea was $3.50 so I drank tea like there was no tomorrow (thank goodness it was unsweetened). I hate it when a large portion of my check comes from the non-alcoholic beverages :( Besides that, I would totally come back here! Kudos to the bubbly server. I will remember her name next time! read more

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I am too old to put up with poor customer service. I ordered online for pickup. I received an email with a 20 minute estimate. When I arrived I stood near the counter/register. About 10-15 minutes after I arrived I began to notice that customers who had arrived after me were already getting their food. I asked the lady behind the counter, who was busy on her phone, about my order. As it turns out, my order was ready before I had arrived. She even said that she'd noticed I'd been waiting for awhile. (I was the only one standing around. Every one else was seated and eating). By the time I got to eating the food was luke warm, the bun was soggy, and the top beef patty was sliding off. The onion was almost 1/2 inch thick. Good thing I like onions. A few more minutes and the fries would have been soggy too. On the positive side, they do have a really nice patio for "dine in," as well as patio heaters. Based on my first experience I doubt I'll come back. Sorry, but like I said, I'm too old for poor customer service. read more

Great times at Benchmark. Good bar food and craft beer, or choose sandwich or dinner with wine or cocktail. Huge variety on the menu. Large outdoor seating area, fun for family or crowd of friends. Nice Happy Hour menu. We enjoyed an early snack here and came back for Happy Hour. Lunch time service was excellent with activities to help kids stay busy. Happy hour service was a little mixed up at times but hey it all was with a smile. Looking for laid back, no hurry, something to eat and drink, this is the place. read more

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As it is, I'm literally addicted to Brussel Sprouts. I've eaten theirs two days in a row now! They are cooked to perfection. The grilled artichokes are a must. My son ordered the calm chowder, and was pleased. A little pricey, but worth it. I'd definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

My first time in SB walking on State street. I looked up this place and it did not disappoint. I ordered the bbq chicken salad and it was delicious. They also serve local wines and beer. read more

I've only been here twice and I have to say that I've had nothing but A+ service here. The staff is great and they make sure you are tended to throughout your visit. Everything that I've tried has been delicious! My top choices would be the fish & shrimp tacos, and the poblano pizza. The grilled steak sandwich was delicious and the meat was very tender and not chewy at all. This sandwich has all the ingredients that I love, such as arugula, tomatoes, grilled onions, and a red pepper aioli served on a baguette. I love the complimentary chick peas they serve. The seasoning kinda reminds me of KFC spices. Definitely addicting and a nice treat! My go to drink here is Dante's inferno. They had me at coconut and strawberry shrub! This drink has a spicy kick at first from the arbol chile but not so hot that It takes away from the drink. It's slightly sweet and very refreshing. After a few sips it won't be so spicy. They have a great looking bar inside and a very nice outside dining area as well. Seems like dining outside is most popular here. Give this place a try and check out my UYE Sunday Funday review on Benchmark for more delicious pics of their food! read more

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This is no longer a sit-down restaurant with table service, but you order at the bar and they bring your food. The food was good, but one dinner came long after the rest of the dinners (even though we were all on one ticket). One person was already done eating. I would not go back. Also, the burger at sister restaurant Brophy's is much better. This one was more like a fast food burger. read more

Love the location and setting. Good TVs inside, classic tunes like the eagles etc and good food. My favorites are the chick peas which are free, side salad is huge and $6 but basic, kids bolognese is very large and honestly one of best things on menu. Burgers look good... haven't tried. Shredded beef burgers too meaty. Bahn mi good. The best thing on menu is cookie dough dessert but have them cook it extra and it is essentially a skillet choc chip cookie with a lot of ice cream and whip on top drizzled with caramel sauce, it is amazing. Kid friendly and service usually good. read more

Benchmark Eatery - Cookie dough dessert - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is a spacious open restaurant with plenty of room between the tables to walk about. I had lunch with my daughter and it was very good. I ordered a cup of Clam Chowder Soup it was thick, creamy and loaded with Clams just the way I like it. We both ordered the one fish and one shrimp taco dish. They were so good. Tender and crunchy with amazing toppings: pickled onions, cabbage, slices of avocado and the sauce were delicious. Our waitress was a dear sweet young women, she was helpful, attentive, courteous all the things you want and expect from a waitress. Overall, the restaurant was clean, the service was excellent, the food was delicious and it was an awesome experience. read more

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We came during their happy hour (3-6pm everyday) and we only ordered from the happy hour menu. It mainly consists of beers and wines and not so much cocktails. We were not super hungry but we still wanted to get something to eat and we wanted to try this place out. It's located right on the State street. There are a ton of tables inside as well as outside so there was no wait time at all for us. We ordered the clam chowder and the Chardonnay La Terre (the only wine for happy hour I believe). I didn't know what to expect but I really liked the clam chowder. It was very creamy. I am normally not a wine person but I'm less of a beer person so I decided to try some wine. It was on the sweeter side which I liked. read more

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The side salad was a joke and an upcharge. You get more salad from a pre-packaged salad that costs 3 dollars at Ralph's l. The food comes out 1 by one. The wings are OK, nothing to write home about. read more

We sat on the patio which was great for people watching. The tables were nice and spacious and the seating were comfortable. The complementary fried chickpeas were great for nibbling. Nobody in Santa Barbara is making fried chickpeas so this is definitely a plus. The cocktail I ordered came with a huge cube of ice, but on the plus side, it was really strong and not too sweet, so I didn't mind the 40% ice volume as much. The wings were the highlight of our meal. They were smoked until tender, grilled, and finished with a gingery, garlicky, salty, sweet, and slightly spicy glaze. We tried the chicken banh mi, it was a nice flavorful grilled chicken sandwich, but it did not remotely resembles a real banh mi. Stop with the trendy fusion name and call it what it is, a grilled chicken sandwich with pickles. Lastly, we got the spinach ricotta gnudi, which is basically naked ravioli. While I appreciate the tender texture, this dish was completely flavorless. The butter wasn't browned long enough. It also needed salt, spices, brown sugar, maybe some flavored bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. It needed a lot of work. I think Benchmark does a good job on bar food, but skip the slightly more adventurous or ambitious offerings. read more

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Food is delicious, service is great & we enjoy both the patio and inside. We eat here regularly.

I really like the covered outdoor space and downtown location of Benchmark. The restaurant is not spectacular (and we often forget it is there as an option) but it is consistently good and prices reasonable.  We actually found ourselves there twice on Sunday. First, we had some down time and decided to stop in for a snack and drink. They give the kids some twisty wax ropes that buys us a few minutes until the food comes. Also, the complimentary fried chickpeas are really good and the kids devoured those before we could even get some (happily they brought moreJ). We also saw the tail end of brunch. We were not into brunch at the time but after seeing some other tables with the plate portions piled [share-ably] high and looking delicious. We will be back for that soon for sure. Then, we decided in the afternoon to watch some of the Superbowl and after realizing everywhere downtown was packed we remembered Benchmark has some televisions (usually without sound I think). But they had the game and very few people. It was happy hour too! Lucky us!! The seating arrangement is not super conducive to watching but the bar is decently big and some tables offer a good TV view. I would recommend Benchmark for a nice meal experience without many frills but plenty of affordable options and rarely a wait. read more

Benchmark Eatery - Tacos Carnitas - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Wow! We came to the area on vacation and intended on eating elsewhere but we thankfully took a walk down State Street when we spotted this place. They have a great setup with outdoor seating on a corner lot. We ordered a grilled artichoke, pozole w/carnitas, a Benchmark Burger, the cheese flatbread and a salmon dinner. Everything was delicious!! read more

Benchmark Eatery - Grilled Artichoke (GF) (V) - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Casual dining with delicious food. The Salmon sandwich and Chicken BLT were fresh & delicious. Gluten friendly options available. I had a side salad which was very generous and fresh! Outdoor patio dining available. read more

I was fairly excited to try Benchmark Eatery because the good under $10 burger deal that they offer. The benchmark burger is a bit confusing because the meat is good and cooked well however the toppings leave much to be desired and the bun is bleh. The fries didn't pass the eat test because I didn't care to finish them. The chick peas were excellent and my friend liked the Vegan Posole so perhaps I'll have to return to try everything else but for a burger this isn't the best place to go. Service is top notch. They have a lot of people it's kind of weird. Beautiful place to hangout. read more

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Great kid's Pasta, phenomenal flatbreads and the service was excellent. We liked their Arnold Palmers. Thank you Tatiana for the great service.0 read more

We fell into a FUN time! We were dodging raindrops in downtown Santa Barbara on a very rainy afternoon, after going to the Santa Barbara Museum. Their cafe is closed during their two-year renovation, but we still wanted a place nearby to eat when we do visit the museum and downtown. The Benchmark is located kitty-corner across the street, and had been a Mexican food eatery in its previous life. The great location, and good reviews from other Yelpers drew us in. The very welcoming hostess also showed us immediately to a comfortable booth inside the restaurant. There is a large outside patio, which looks very inviting for a weekend. In the middle of the restaurant is a brick bar, with tvs on either side mounted on the wall, so it is kind of like a sports bar in the middle of a grill. We thought that provided a great casual atmosphere for their upscale grill food. It was a Wednesday afternoon, so the place was not too crowded, and it afforded us an opportunity to appreciate the semi-industrial decor, with a cement floor, and tables created from flooring. With the brick bar nearby, it reminded me of a casual SOHO (NY) grill. The large scale photos of old Santa Barbara landmarks also gave the cafe a nice, arty sense of place. I spotted a Prosecco split on the menu, and it was at the table in moments, brought by a very attentive waiter. Donald ordered the fried chicken sandwich, which was just spicy enough. I opted for shrimp tacos, and was happy with the two tacos that graced the plate. I did have one leftover, since they are large. We thought the prices were very reasonable compared to a recent trip to Vegas. Fun to eat at a non-stuffy Santa Barbara grill. read more

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The gluten free bun option was not our favorite. The salmon sandwich was good and the fries were okay. Didn't seem too fresh. The double cheeseburger was good on the first bite, but nothing was incredibly stand out about it. It filled us up and was mostly tasty but we'd probably opt to eat somewhere else when in the neighborhood. read more

Environment was definitely nice and clean as we sat outdoors. We watched homeless get into a scuffle but since they were drunk, they were comical. Entertaining indeed. They have a huge variety of alcohol but for sure, this is not where those homeless drunk fellows went cuz this place was expensive. read more

Benchmark Eatery - Chic peas - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Best value in state street especially if you order kids meals which are under $9 and come with drinks with refills. Really enjoyed the kale salad which had great variety. Friendly staff and cute decor. Right across the street from art museum. Definitely recommend eating here and bringing family when visiting the museum. read more

My first time and I loved it . Patio was just perfect . Not sitting in the street but on a nice patio ! The State Cobb Salad was very good . I will defiantly go back . The server and cashier were really friendly and accommodating . read more

Benchmark Eatery - State Cobb Salad - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Benchmark is a solid place. It's located across from the tallest building in town, which houses the Granada. I only mention this because I got married at the Granada 10 years ago, and our informal after party took place here - which was then State & A. State & A was a great spot, known for hosting the best parade viewing parties on State. But I digress. Benchmark has a cool atmosphere, friendly service, and solid food. I'm partial to the fried chicken sandwich, but the flatbreads are good as well as the entrees, and the charcuterie is delightful. They have a full bar, and I've met people here a few times pre-Covid to hang out prior to concerts at the Bowl. It's a pleasant place to be and is welcoming to kids. Definitely a solid option for lunch or dinner. read more

BEST. NACHOS. EVER. (We live 6 hours away and make this a stop whenever we are in the area - great food, great people, great location.)

Food was decent, love that its dog friendly. Normally I love an order at the counter spot but I was solo with my two little kids, and the line to order was long so it was tricky getting them to stay calm while we placed an order (vs just getting to sit down and wait for service.) read more

Service was Top Notch! Bartender was busy and really hustled all night. Friday night on a Holiday wknd. was busy but not so it affected service. Alex the Bartender served us full menu seated @ the bar, She was great! Good Beer & Wine List. Specialties include Manhattans and Old Fashions. Food, well it's Not expensive and it's not a lot of weird things. It's just ok, most of our food was warm but not Hot. Know what I mean. Haven't eaten here a lot so I'll try it again because it tasted good but Luke warm isn't a fav of mine. Great Location! Fun spot for any type of group whether it's family, friends or you with your semi rowdy buddies. It's also a super spot to watch the every other weekend parade that we have here in Santa Barbara. Wrap it up. Great bar, great service read more

Benchmark Eatery - Food, Drinks & Happy people - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I came here once and got the crispy chicken sliders which were very underwhelming, especially for the price. After almost 6 months I decided to give it another chance and went back for their "signature" fish tacos. These were a little better than the chicken sliders but still underwhelming. Such a shame because their service is decent and the outdoor sitting area is awesome. read more

This casual restaurant right on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara was the location chosen by my sister when we met up while I was in port from a cruise. What a great choice. As the weather was beautiful we ate outside on the patio. The complimentary starter of garbanzo beans was delicious. I ordered the chicken banh mi sandwich. I was a bit skeptical about the inclusion of pickled eggplant as I don't like eggplant, but darn if it didn't make the sandwich. All the flavors from the ingredients worked perfectly together. Each bite had me exclaiming to myself "darn that's good" Even with a cruise ship in port the restaurant was not crowded, though it should be due to the quality and flavor of the food. read more

Very nice restaurant. We had grilled salmon, tuna melt and fish and chips, all tasty.

The flatbread is terrible. Literally tastes like elementary school pizza. Zero taste or flavor at all. Do not order. They should take it off the menu because it's that bad. Also, the Brussels need some sort of balsamic or sauce because they're also flavorless. The only thing redeeming this rating is the alcoholic beverage I had. Would only return for the drinks..... read more

Great food and fast service. (Also great music) this review needs to be 85 characters so, hendndindjeisnsnerijwowjddjeiejejwowoxnbcbd djqkoe read more

Benchmark Eatery - I saw this dog there - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Not a satisfying experience for the price. Between three people the bill was about $100 (tip included). Food was mediocre and the service was terrible. Two of us got our food, and for 10 minutes our friend sat there with nothing (while our food went cold) until he went up to ask for it. Sitting at our table for 45 minutes we were not checked on once. No refills offered, no asking how the food was - nothing. When I asked the staff for a refill then thanked them for it, they walked away without saying a word or even acknowledging my general presence. It's not like they were busy or anything - the restaurant was slow (wonder why?) and I think that is the problem with paying and tipping before you get the food. The wait staff did not care at all. read more

My new favorite when I'm in the area! We stopped for lunch and sat at a nice booth inside (because the patio was full). Nice decor. Great service. Carnitas bowl is awesome ($14.75). Nicely blended with rice, beans, pickled onions, pico and a light queso fresco. Tender and flavorful! The grilled salmon sandwich is winner ($16.75). The salmon is fresh. Comes on a brioche bun with a savory basil aioli, slaw and avocado. Sweet potato fries are an upgrade but worth it (+$2). Nice menu with starters or small plates including crispy Brussels sprouts ($10.75), hot wings ($13.25), sliders ($12.75), homemade soups ($5.95/$9.75) and more. 6 salad options from $9.25 (Caesar) to $16.25 (sesame salmon salad). 8 delicious looking burger options ($12-$16) including a turkey burger and a meatless option for the vegans out there. Several sandwiches, flatbreads, taco/burrito bowls and entrees to choose from too. Drink menu includes wine, beer and spirits too. Soft drinks run $3.50. While I'm not a big fan of ordering at a counter, their system works and they deliver the food to your table. We will be back!! read more

I am a big fan of Benchmark Eatery - its timeless and charming yet modern appeal is a very nice addition to Santa Barbara's restaurant scene. It's located at the heart of downtown across from the glorious Granada theatre, so it's a classy and convenient place to chow before seeing a show. The free chickpeas are the classic brand that Benchmark offers, so it's always something to look forward to when you're scavenging through the menu. The patio is really appealing, and it makes for fun people watching while under twinkling lights, but the inside is also very comfortable as well. I really like their shrimp tacos, and their drink prices are really not too bad, especially if you are here during their happy hour. My boyfriend and I tend to come here often because of the consistently reliable service and cuisine - so no complaints here! He tends to really like getting the burgers and a cocktail, which is often a great start to our bar hopping adventures in the area. Overall, this is a really nice establishment that is consistent with its delivery of delicious food and tasteful atmosphere. Highly recommend! read more

Came in the past & had the short ribs i believe. Was pretty satisfied with them. Husband was less impressed than I. The clam chowder was pretty good but I still suggest the seafood spot around the corner for the best. Came again & had the garlic baked clams- BEWARE they come on the half shell & menu does not specify. I was expecting strips of fried/baked clams as they are typically served and as one would expect from the description but I was wrong. They were not tasty, sent them back. (I dont mind seafood on the halfshell but they werent good). Ordered the fried chicken sandwich instead. Was decent. Waitress was super awesome today & service in general has been great each time Ive come. The patio seating is awesome too so I'll keep coming. 3.5stars read more

First time at Benchmark after having favored so many other of their restaurants. The outdoor seating area gives it a gorgeous ambience, perfect for casual conversation or even date nights. Also the wait staff is friendly, attentive, and informative about the menu. The pulled pork was sweet and tender (though apparently I was much too young to be ordering it joked the waitress), fish and chips were crispy and tasty (much like what you can find at their On the Alley locations), but the pozole verde was over-spiced, which masked the ingredients natural flavors. Honestly wish I could give the complimentary fried chick peas 5 stars. I would *legitimately* buy a bag of those. Oh, btw - they spelled "banh mi" wrong on all the menus (trust me I'm Viet ). read more

Benchmark Eatery - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Great place! Good food! Friendly service and spaced out dining. With cute hand sanitizer on every table.According to my girls the sliders tasted better than in and out. BOLD STATEMENT! read more

Benchmark Eatery - Every table has sanitizer - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I never been here before I always see is busy at night So I go try it but in the day The services- look like the employees work like a robots Then just do the job then don't come. Bd check on you Get you order give it to you and after thet you need go and find him to get your bill -sad The food is 2 star Take 2 time for average time to get it And the restaurant be like only %30 full The food is worm and look good But the test is bad Meet - not tasty , look like gray /old I get Lattice rap but this not go true the rap then usad not much to be rap So I eat it like salat The pasta I order pasta bolognese I get pasta whit lite tomatoes sauce And sprinkle of meet (See pic blows) Not ready is well I don't see any reason to back Sad food,sad customers - sad for business read more

Benchmark Eatery - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Went for lunch and a walk on State Street with my daughter today. We have never tried this place before so we went in. Great fresh food at reasonable prices, fast and courteous service. Excellent. Great choice for a quick and casual lunch. We will be back. read more

Benchmark Eatery - We had Calamari, a BLTA and Arugula Pesto Flatbread. I had a Paloma. Delicious! - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California