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The line was so long when we arrived. They don't take names down, you stand in line and then wait til they have seating for your party. It was a 15-20 minute wait. Our server quickly brought out the complimentary little muffins! We ordered the harmony smoothie and it was pretty good. I ordered their California Burrito with fruit. The burrito was huge and the fruit was beautiful! Sometimes fruit cups have sad fruit, but this was so fresh! We also ordered the Huevos Rancheros and Santa Barbara Omelette. The staff were so friendly and routinely checked on us. Kinda pricey but good, solid meal.
We walked to breakfast one morning and the line was very long. However, the line moved at a good pace, they brought tater tots for everyone in line. They also had cucumber infused water and watermelon infused water. Once it started to sprinkle they brought out umbrellas. The food was good and the service was friendly. It was a busy loud place with lots of families.
I'm perplexed that Chad's is not rated 4.5 to 5 stars. Social media posts are abundant with praise and recommendations for it as a must go for breakfast in Santa Barbara. As for my own experience, I went based on all the hype on social media. I crossed my fingers and went early in in the morning, hoping all the hype was warranted. I was not disappointed. Chad's in one word is delightful. It sits on Cabrillo street with a beautiful view of the beach. The food is excellent. I had corn beef hash with eggs. They used real corn beef in the hash and from what I could tell they cured the corn beef in house. One of the better corn beef hash I have had and I have had many. If you have the chance don't miss out on this spot in Santa Barbara.
This restaurant was the old Sambos. Such a cute little spot and has an ocean view from the patio. It does get crowded, but we were lucky to get there at about 8 AM before the crowd poured in. The inside is pretty cool. Love the orange booth seats. They also have pictures giving some of the history of Santa Barbara, which is really nice. The service was very good, even though they were shortstaffed. The food came out quickly. They started us off with a complementary basket of a variety of muffins. Since I am gluten-free, I could not have them, but my husband said they were very good, especially the pumpkin and chocolate chip mini muffins. My husband had oatmeal while I had scrambled eggs with spinach and onions and hashbrowns. They had gluten-free pancakes available so that was our breakfast dessert. They were so good you could not tell they were gluten-free. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
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!
Went out on a friend's weekend trip to Santa Barbra and we had to check out Chad's. We heard such great things and it was not a letdown. The atmosphere was great. We were seated really fast even even though it was packed, which is a good thing. The service was great friendly and the food was just spectacular big portions with lots of flavor. You don't get that everywhere we'll definitely have to come back next time. We're in the town.
We loved this place so much we went twice on our vacation. It is very well run and efficient. Both times my mom and I split the Pops combo which they put on separate plates for us which was such a nice touch. Everything was great, good coffee, good scrambled eggs, good pancake, but the star was the French toast. So many places overcomplicate French Toast and it doesn't need to be. If you want a classic and great French toast order it here!
Excellent place for breakfast Great speedy service and delicious food. The California Benedict was fresh and delicious. Our server Elliot was lovely I would give t a 10 if possible.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
2 months ago
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Chad S.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are happy to hear that…
4 months ago
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Chad S.
Bri, Thank you so much for the review. I hope you continue to have a…
9 months ago
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
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
1 year ago
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
4 months ago
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Chad S.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed your…
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
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Chad S.
Lisa, thank you so much for the kind words—we really appreciate you…
2 months ago
If I could give a 6 I would. The food -the service was 100%. Plus a view of sterns wharf and the beach across the street. I had ham and egg scramble superb. The mimosas are giant. Best coffee ever. Local coffee roster read more
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Chad S.
Thank you so much! We love hearing that you enjoyed everything from…
10 months ago
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
2 months ago
Came for brunch today and never coming back again. We got seated right away but had to wait 30 minutes for someone to take our order. Food looked good but was super mid and cold. Poached eggs were pretty much hard boiled eggs. The ahi fish was also over cooked and cold. The huevos rancheros w/ chorizo also made us sick right after leaving the restaurant. Don't come here unless you're looking to have diarrhea and lose a couple pounds. We didn't ask for our food to be remade either because our waiter never checked back up on us. read more
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Chad S.
We’re very sorry to hear about your experience. What you described is…
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
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
9 months ago
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
1 year ago
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
1 year ago
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
2 months ago
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Chad S.
Haha, we love this review! Thank you so much! Great food, great…
6 months ago
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
1 year ago
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
1 year ago
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
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
1 year ago
The long line was an indication this is a spot to try. The view is great - just across from the beach - even on a cloudy day. We had our dog with us and they brought a dog bowl with water and a dog cookie while we waited in line, about 25 minutes. Sat on the patio. It's tight but you still had enough space to not hear your neighbors' conversations. Service was decent. They took our drink and food orders quickly, we got our food in a decent amount of time. But follow up afterwards wasn't so good. They are SUPER busy on the weekend, so I guess that expected. Good size portions, served at the right temperature. We were starving when we got our food so I missed a couple photos. We got the Samta Barnara omlette with jalapeños, and that was tasty. The two egg, one meat plate was basic and needed salt and pepper. Good job on the crispy bacon and hash browns, tho. The mini quesedilla was stuffed with eggs, bacon and cheese, but again, bland. Won't be a top spot to return to, but still glad we tried it. read more
29 days ago
6 months ago
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
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Chad S.
Thank you so much for the kind words. Liliana will really appreciate…
6 months ago
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
6 months ago
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
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Chad S.
Thanks for the honest feedback, we really appreciate it. Glad our…
6 months ago
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
Business owner information
Chad S.
Thank you for coming in and giving us a try, we really appreciate it.…
1 year ago
Great outdoor front patio- is a little tight but has a lot of seating and a view of the water. The indoor seating is old school and funky. The food was really good! They give you a dish of mini chocolate chip muffins to start that were delicious. The menu has a great selection. The food came out very quickly. The Santa Barbara omelette was good- the egg to filling ratio was a little off. The egg was very thin and the cheese wasn't melted but the taste made up for it. The fruit was a great mix of berries and was very fresh. The mini pancakes as the side was a perfect amount of sweet after the savory meal . Highly recommend! read more
8 months ago
Bubby & I shared a burger with fries. And I drank 2 beers. The kitchen was nice enough to split the order and the burger & fries were delicious! read more
1 year ago
Went here with a group of girlfriends on a busy Saturday. There was a line but the wait was not long. My go to in SB is just down the road but I wanted to try something new. This place was good! Quick, friendly service. Good food. It gets a 4 only because the food didn't blow me away, but it was still good. I recommend the mimosa flight! The food is served with cute and DELICIOUS little muffins as an appetizer. They come in three flavors, chocolate, blueberry and plain. I would definitely visit this place again! Bonus, it has a perfect view of the ocean! read more
1 year ago
You can tell upon entry that these people know what they're doing. Greeted with a smile from everyone. Our server, a handsome young man named Sam, was very attentive and engaging ( full disclosure, I liked him because he shared the name of my dearly departed brother). The prices were reasonable and the food was delicioso! I don't get to Santa Barbara often...aka NEVER! But this is a great reason to return. read more
1 year ago
Okay so this place is in an amazing live location. The seating facing the ocean is amazing! I wasn't happy with the non red meat burger options. They do t have any. The burger wasn't wrapped as I expected, I ate it like a salad. The potatoes though! bay-bee they were delicious. I added bell peppers and onions and they were sautéed perfectly. I wasn't too impressed with the mini muffins. I am not a gluten/bread lover but my bestie loved them so much she had seconds. The waitress was so patient with us! Stephanie, thanks for giving us time to think and overthink. Pet friendly - there's a little dog barking behind me. Beautiful location. Clean and friendly. If you are bothered by short biker shorts on the servers, be prepared. Threw me off a little. Great experience, I will try them again to experience their Eggs Benedict menu read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
They gave me a damn lily pad Santa Barbra burger big asf can't eat that whole thing like 2 tons of lettuce read more
Business owner information
Chad S.
Thanks for the feedback. Our Santa Barbara burger is a half‑pound, so…
10 months ago
10 months ago
What a cute dinner. I'd recommend the corn beef hash benedict with crispy hash browns and garden omelette with a beautiful decaf mocha. Excellent service and plenty of food. read more
More info about Chad's
216 W Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Directions
(805) 965-3269
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http://www.chadscafe.com
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Ask the Community - Chad's
Do they have bottomless mimosas?
They are known for their flight of mimosas. I do not think they do bottomless ones.
Do they deliver or have take out options?
We do take out, but no delivery. We are open from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm. Thanks for thinking of Chads. Chad owner
Do you serve gluten-free pancakes French toast or waffles or gluten-free bread/toast?
Yes, in fact our server felt the gluten free pancakes were better than the regular pancakes!
When did Sambo's change it's name to Chad's?
My grandfather Sam Battistone and his partner Newell Bonnet open Sambos in 1957. My wife and I purchased the business in 1994 and wanted to keep it as the first and last Sambos. But with current political environment it was time to change the…
Do you allow dogs on the patio?
When I visited, I saw multiple groups that had dogs. They have a pretty large outdoor seating area where dogs can join the party.
Are you open at 7 or really 7:30? When we went there at 7 we could not even get seated by 7:35. The 2 hostesses said the servers were not ready yet?
We open at 7:00. We had some issue with a cook not showing up on time and we are currently having a labor shortage. We are doing our best to keep open at our scheduled hours but sometime we make mistakes. I apologize that our team was not ready…
Does anyone know the recipe for Sambo's hash browns? I've spent years tying to reproduce them without success. Sure wish they'd re-open here.
I am unsure what recipes we used in the past, but we use shredded fresh potatoes and cook them on about med heat on the grill (you could use a pan). We then put butter on the top and a little salt and pepper. Hope to see you in Santa Barbara…
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