While visiting SB, we heard that this breakfast spot was the place to go! We stopped by on a Thursday morning around 8am and it was packed! We waited to get a table outside and it was perfect. Looking at the ocean and all the people, nice summer morning, We ordered a Mocha, fresh OJ, Corned Beef Hash and Chad's Huevos Rancheros with the tater tots, freaking delish! Everything was on point and as you would expect from a diner. Food came out in a timely manner, considering how busy they were and the staff very cool. Parking can be a challenge and they do have a lot, but fills up fast. If you are in town visiting or a local and have not been, get on over to get some delish breakfast! read more

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Chad's is an absolute must when going to Santa Barbara! We stopped here for breakfast before making our drive back home to the IE. Even though it looked busy, we only waited for about 3-5min before being seated. The outdoor seated was pretty packed, but there's a lot of tables inside that were available. Of course like us, most wanted to sit outdoor. It was such a beautiful day! We started off with in-house made muffins that came out warm with a side of butter. This was a first, I've never had free muffins! It came with mini chocolate and blueberry muffins. I ate most of them lol. For breakfast I got the corned beef hash Benedict, which I ate the entire thing! I love how much spinach was on it. I also ordered a hazelnut cold brew, delicious! My husband got corned beef hash with extra crispy hash browns. He was a bit skeptical because of the type of corned beef they used, shredded (like in the can which he prefers) vs larger pieces. When our server said it was the bigger pieces he wasn't sure if he was going to like it, but again another plate wiped clean! My mom got the Belgian waffle with fruit to top. She was very happy with the SIZE of her fruit bowl. Another plate finished! Overall very happy with our experience here. We will definitely be back during our next trip to SB! read more

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We decided to give this place a shot because the reviews were glowing, but it turned out to be mid, as the younger kids would say While we waited, they offered some muffins that were so delicious, I almost considered moving in. Once seated, we started with the muffins, but unfortunately, that was the highlight of the breakfast. It was like the rest of the meal was just there to make the muffins look even better. The food had all the flavor of a cardboard box. The only thing that saved the day was the pancakes. We ordered the Q steak quesadilla, which was colder than my ex's heart, but we were hungry, so we just went for it. We also got some pancakes with eggs and ham, and the ham was so mediocre, it tasted like it had been living in the fridge since the dawn of time. The service was friendly and quick, which was a blessing because if I had to wait any longer, I might have started gnawing on the table. I wouldn't wait over 30 minutes to eat there. It's definitely not worth the wait, unless you're really, really hungry and have nothing better to do than stare at the menu. read more

Chad's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Good food and service. It has an old school diner feel. We enjoyed our meal. I would come here again.

I've been coming to SB for vacation for 5 years and this was finally the trip that I got to try Chad's. I always saw how busy it was so I made my family wake up early to beat the spring break crowd. There were any tables available for 3 but luckily there were 3 spots at the counter. My toddler was thrilled with sitting at a "new" table. The staff was very kind to my toddler and even surprised her with some bunny ears since Easter was the following weekend. She was beyond excited. As for the food, I was having a hard time deciding but ended up getting the ahi tuna Benedict. My husband got a veggie omelet. He left no scraps. I loved the tuna. It was seared just right. I normally do not finish my plate but this time I did. My husband tried it and he enjoyed it as well and he doesn't like Benedicts. Next time were in town, I will be come back for the tuna. read more

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What a beautiful diner right across the street from the beach! The food was fresh and the presentation was impressive. We went around 7am on a Saturday so it wasn't too busy but they do have a small parking lot in the back and if you want pleasant outdoor seating, I'd recommend arriving earlier in the day. read more

Chad's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Chad's in Santa Barbara was such a great experience. The food was really good, the service was awesome, and the views made it even better. It's the kind of place where you can just relax and enjoy the atmosphere while eating. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros and they were delicious--super flavorful and a perfect breakfast while enjoying the ocean view. Everything tasted fresh and well made. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome. Between the great service, good food, and beautiful scenery, it's definitely a spot I'd come back to when I'm in Santa Barbara. If you're looking for a solid breakfast with a view, this place is worth checking out. read more

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While on my birthday trip to Santa Barbara, I stopped at Chads for breakfast since I have heard Scott it through the grapevine. The service was amazing and I want to shout out James! He gave me free coffee and even gave me another cup to go! That's some of the best coffee I've had because I'm not usually a coffee person unless I'm traveling. I believe it's from Santa Barbara Roasting Company. I sat facing the ocean which was a lovely vibe. I had the Huevos Ranchos and it was DELICIOUS! Thank you! read more

Chad's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is a highly recommended place and appears to be very popular. We were a party of two & were able to find seating at the bar top area. The service was very busy so things came out when it was available. They did have to remake the steak as they did it well done before & we had ordered it med rare, they corrected it. The steak could have had more seasoning The eggs Benedict were tasty. The little muffins were the best part! The service was attentive, however on a busy day expect for things to be held up! read more

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Love going to Chad's when we visit Santa Barbara. The food is always great, good portions. The service and the ambiance is great. Eat outside and just enjoy the beach! read more

Food is so good!! But the service... lemme tell you about the service! All the servers look like they jumped out a Hollister magazine you definitely feel the beachside vibes in here, haahha I love it! read more

It's really a 3.5 star review, but since I had to choose, I gave it a 4 for the great service we had. However, our food was very mid. It was cold to lukewarm at best, and the taste was pretty bland. But the basket of muffins they give you was delicious and generous! Our server was great, and we were seated pretty quickly on a Sunday morning. Not sure if I'd choose to come back, but if someone invited me here I wouldn't say no either. read more

Chad's *December 14th, 2025 *7am- Sunday *4 Stars Environment: *Indoor and Outdoor Seating *Walking Distance to Beach *Friendly Staff *Clean and Welcoming Environment Food/Drink: *Black Coffee *Pops Combo (eggs over medium) with sausage & waffle *Corned Beef Hash & Eggs (scrambled) with house potatoes & sourdough bread *Corned Beef Hash & Eggs (scrambled) with pancakes & hash browns *California Burrito with fruit Stopped by this last place for breakfast before heading home after the 24 hour trip to Solvang/SB area. The location of the place is great with large portion sizes. My group of four got the pops combo, corned beef hash & eggs, California burrito and a combination of the different sides. Overall everything was great, only thing we would note is that (1) the waffle could have been a bit crispier, (2) burrito had a little too much cheese for my taste, and (3) the sausage was a little bit too salty and oily for me. However, a nice surprise was the complimentary mini chocolate muffins provided. It was a thoughtful touch, though definitely on the sweeter side. The location is a big plus, sitting right along the beach with a great view. The restaurant itself felt clean and welcoming, and the staff was friendly. A solid breakfast spot, especially if you're looking to enjoy a relaxed meal by the ocean. read more

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Great breakfast/brunch spot to visit by the beach in Santa Barbara! Close by the pier! read more

Chad's - Mimosa flight - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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My wife and I really enjoyed our last day brunch here. We were seated immediately. We had an awesome waiter named Ben. He was very attentive, gave wonderful suggestions and his tableside manners was warm and welcoming. My wife ordered the Floretine omelet with home potatoes and pancakes. I ordered the corned beef hash plate with bacon. We both ordered a mimosa flight. Ben was very accomodating with our flavor substitutions. Everything came out hot and delicious. We both loved all of what we ordered. Lastly, the place and the Halloween setup is to die for. They really outdid themselves and we enjoyed the vibe! read more

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Wonderful place so beautiful to sit outside and enjoy the beach views. Food was so delicious also huge portions. Service was excellent, very knowledgeable servers and kind. read more

Chad's - The Bloody Mary is soo good - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great food & got sat quickly. Our server brought our pup treats and water. Recommend! read more

Chad's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We were told this was a great place to try out when visiting Santa Barbara. We went around noon and it was packed with a line outside but because it was 4 of us, we were able to get in quick! Hosts were nice and the place felt like a diner / restaurant. We were greeted by Cole and he was friendly We ordered a club sandwich, chicken club, fire in the whole burrito and the California burrito. In addition, 3 Mimosa flights! Yum. We all enjoyed every bite and every sip. My California burrito tasted more like a good Mexican burrito at first then once I got half way through the eggs and bacon made an appearance. I watched everyone enjoy each bite of their meal and I would want to come back just to try each dish. The Mimosa flight was gooood. The flavors were: cranberry, grapefruit, mango and orange. My favorite were the grapefruit and mango. You gotta try it! The mini glasses were cute and the ratio of champagne to juice hit the spot for sure. I may just have to drive two hours and get more food read more

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Fantastic breakfast. Everything we tried was delish. Highly recommended the breakfast quesadilla and the chicken sausage. This is a well-run place, clean, and the servers are lovely. Coffee hot and strong. Even though it's right across the street from the beach, it feels local, not touristy. read more

Chad's - Breakfast quesadilla and tater tots - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We ordered the florentine omelette to go and it was DELICIOUS! Soooo tasty and portions were perfect for two people! So tasty and they even gave us the cute muffins to go as well and it almost tasted like little chocolate chip fluffy pancakes. Such a cute setting in the restaurant as well with an amazing view on the patio! And I think my favorite part was the service - the whole team were so friendly and so many were smiling - despite it being a busy Sunday morning brunch rush! Thank you team for such a wonderful brunch - will be planning to be back to try more on the menu read more

Chad's - Florentine omelette with potatoes to go - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Chad's is your quintessential diner experience, located just across from the beach. We arrived to a long line to check in but were seated within 10 minutes. We shared a mimosa flight and the Pop's Combo with pancakes and sausage as our selections. The food was good, but standard. Service was friendly but it did take a while for them to take our order because they were pretty busy. read more

I've had Chad's bookmarked for a while now, and this Saturday after spending some time at the Santa Barbara Zoo, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to go and finally eat there. We arrived around 11am and there were two families ahead of us in line. It wasn't too bad of a wait, and the hostess gave my kids bubbles to play with while we waited for a table. We sat inside because that was available, although maybe it would have been better to wait for an outdoor table since it was such a nice day. Either way, the table inside was fine, and our waitress brought us menus right away. Our waitress also brought us a basket of freshly baked muffins. They were delicious! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I was having a difficult time deciding on which Benedict plate to order. Our waitress recommended their Corned Beef Hash Benedict; she said it's a pretty popular dish there. It comes with poached eggs, corned beef hash, avocado, spinach, and homemade hollandaise. It was good, just needed a bit of salt for my liking. The plate was huge, so I had leftovers. I also had their popular mimosa flight. The mimosa flight was great! I could see why they're known for their mimosas! read more

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3.9 stars? I don't think that's fair. Don't know what people are complaining about but our experience here was fantastic. Ordered the corn beef hash and split it with the little woman. The meal came with these little tiny muffins, half a basket of blueberry and the other half chocolate. Excellent little complementary starter. Beautiful atmosphere, hard to beat. Have a little patience because the line is long and the space is tight. The servers were excellent and frequently passed through to help with any needs. Definitely will come back and revisit when we're in town. read more

Chad's - This is a half portion of their corn, beef and hash. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I may be biased because this is an extremely sentimental place for me. I've been coming here since I was a child when it was still called Sambo's. It's the perfect breakfast spot, where you can see and smell the Pacific Ocean while enjoying the charming little flower box at your table. And oh, the delicious aromas of whatever you order! My go-to has always been the California omelette, loaded with avocado, bacon, and the cheese of your choice. But on my recent visit to my home state , I decided to shake things up with a waffle topped with whipped cream and mixed berries. Let me tell you, it was absolutely divine! Of course, I couldn't resist pairing it with my beloved almond milk latte--my number one addiction, if you check out my reviews. The service was on point. I barely had to wait for a table since I came on a Monday late morning, but let's be real--Sunday's line looked like a scene from a popular roller coaster, and I was way too hungry to wait that long! I cleverly parked and cut across a hotel's driveway to save time. But Chads has valet parking, which is a nice touch! Chad, the grandson of the original owner of Sambo's, has really kept the spirit alive. While the name change was due to the progressive nature of California, the essence of this place remains unchanged. Great atmosphere, unbelievable vibes, and delicious food. A special shoutout to my waiter, Cole, who was very attentive. So if you're in Santa Barbara and looking for a breakfast spot that feels like home, head to Chad's. Just be prepared to leave with a full tummy and a smile on your face! read more

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The best part about this place is the muffins! They are like little tiny cupcakes with a sort of crunchy exterior and I enjoyed them very much. They come with every meal. The view is also very nice from the exterior seats and staff were great: very attentive and polite. The food was decent. Very very basic diner type breakfast. Nothing special. Except for those muffins... read more

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Liliana was so sweet! She made us feel really welcomed! The food came out delicious, but honestly her amazing service made the whole experience even better:) Definitely coming back because of her! read more

Chad's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The food was really good definitely one of the better burgers I have had and they did not mess any of the orders up. The service was a tad slow but they were really nice. It feels like a wild old school diner. Overall I recommend chads to everyone with a big appetite as the portions are definitely American. Don't get the dirty coke read more

Chad's - This is the Santa Barbra burgués - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Solid breakfast place!We've been eating here the last 30 years. I always get the garden omelette and my husband likes their corned beef hash.Portions are huge,easily shareable! I can only eat half of it ! read more

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It's overall sub par. Friendly staff but for 21 bucks not worth it. Reviews give more hype than it's worth. If you just want a good view then you'll get that here. Food at least what I ordered it's nothing that I would order again. read more

Chad's - Complimentary muffins warm but tough, very chewy. Very disappointing - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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CHAD'S at 216 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, right on the ocean front, is the original SAMBO'S. It is still owned by the original family. I really wanted to visit this location as I miss Sambo's. Obviously, this is a much higher end restaurant than the original Sambos, however they have kept many of the original elements. The sign is kept original with the extra letter a palm tree. The orange booths with white striping looks great. I was served by a very nice lady named Lily and the buss person. I was brought out mini muffins upon being seated. My primary interest were the pancakes. Sambo's recipe or another? I ordered them with eggs and ham. Yes Yes Yes- they were the pancakes I remember but no Tiger Butter was available. By 8:00 AM the restaurant was getting busy. It was very well maintained and clean. If your in Santa Barbara, CA, Chad's is a definite place to visit read more

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We tried this breakfast spot with some friends during my bachelorette. I would say although this restaurant has a cool environment on a busy street and has long wait times in the morning, the food quality of the breakfast was not amazing in my opinion and not as fresh. Service was pretty good during our visit. I would say however their coffee was my favorite and their complimentary pastries were also pretty good. read more

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As a big breakfast lover, I can confidently say Chad's is the place to go every time. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff always seem genuinely happy, laughing and having a good time, which makes a big difference in the overall experience. The food is consistently great. Pancakes are fluffy and cooked just right, eggs are done perfectly, and the sides never disappoint. Also their mini muffins they bring out to start are delicious! especially with their coffee, which is really good but very strong. Whenever I'm in Santa Barbara, Chad's is a must. I even stay within walking distance just to make sure I can get there in the morning. Highly recommend. read more

Chad's - Pops Combo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We arrived just before they closed mid afternoon and shared a "snack." Split a burger and fries. Can't beat the comp mini muffins! A little chewy, but good nonetheless. Burger was fine and fries were crisp perfection! Will def go back to try other items. Bonus, they split everything for us before it was served! read more

Chad's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Everything was perfect (the food, the service and the view)! Will definitely go back if in the neighborhood!

Had a great time getting brunch here. We waited in line to be served but it went very quickly and they had flavored waters out for people in line, which I greatly appreciated as it was hot out. After being seated, a basket of mini chocolate chip muffins were brought to our table, which were amazing. I ordered a Bloody Mary which was ridiculously large and strong...saw a lot of mimosa flights at other tables which looked very good. I ordered the huevos rancheros with tots and my husband ordered the Denver omelet. Our dishes were huge, we both only ate half. They were so good though. My dish had so much flavor and was cooked perfectly. Service was very good. I would come back. read more

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First timer- wanted to visit an iconic spot in Santa Barbara. Line looked long but moved quickly waited less than 25 minutes for an outdoor table since we were traveling with our pup. The servers and hosts were really friendly and attentive we got seated. I ordered the killer breakfast burrito bacon on the side for my dog and he ordered the pops plate! Food was overall 4/5! Service 5/5! Ambience, especially outside because the weather was perfect 5/5! read more

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Chad's is a great breakfast spot right on the water in Santa Barbara--think classic diner feel, but with ocean views and beach vibes. The food was exceptional, but honestly? The service might've been even better. Just a solid all-around experience. We ordered: 1. 911 Emergency - Chorizo, Ortega chiles, jalapeño, cheddar, avocado, sour cream, and pico de gallo. It's got some kick, but it's the kind of heat that wakes you up in the best way. 2. Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs - Crispy, hearty, and exactly what you want when you're hungry by the beach. Everything hit the spot. Chad's is definitely one of those places you'll want to come back to--whether it's after a morning walk or just because breakfast with an ocean breeze is hard to beat. read more

Chad's - 911 Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The other day we stopped by Chad's while heading back to Los Angeles from Solvang. We were looking for a spot to have lunch with an ocean view and came across the great reviews on Yelp. Upon arrival, we were seated in the front patio area and got our drinks right away. By the time we got there it was towards the end of the lunch rush, so the patio was about 75% full and was abit tight to navigate, but it turned out fine in the end. I ordered a ham and cheese scramble with potatoes and toast while my mother ordered a BLT sandwich with a fruit cup. There was also a basket of these little muffins on the table that were perfect to pop and nibble on prior to the food arriving. Our meals came out great and the young gentleman who waited on us came around as needed. While going inside to use the restroom, it dawned on me that I've seen this restaurant before online and remembered its history with their previous name. The Halloween decor inside was wonderfully done as well. I would recommend checking out Chad's for a nice meal in the outdoor patio while people watching. I did see quite a few mimosas and drink flights being ordered around us when we first got there so I can imagine the restaurant gets a good brunch crowd. Cheers to that! read more

Chad's - Outside Chad's. 10/16/25 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great customer service, great food, great location, right across the street from the beach. So it has a nice view. I would definitely go back. read more

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I highly recommend the corned beef Benedict! My friend got the California burrito and enjoyed it, just know it has beans in it. Some of the outdoor seating is in the sun and the indoor is a little small. The views are nice! We loved the service here and the touch of the mini muffins . read more

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