Needed a quick bite before playing golf at Rancho San Marcos so we stopped by Cold Spring Tavern. We sat in the bar and knew that we wanted French Dip sandwiches. The waiter Jose took the order and delivered 2 sandwiches within 4 minutes. Wish we had more time. read more

See all

I drove a Birthday Party of 9 down here on a Friday in one of our Sprinter vans. We arrived at 11:30ish, its first come first served. Parking is along the side of the road, parallel parking. RV's, trailers, big vans don't work here. We were lucky enough to park legally in a handicapped stall. Also I believe theres a no dog policy, I'm not sure why as you sit at picnic tables out side, also some inside seating. This is an old camp/cafe/stage coach stop built in 1868 or so, a days ride back then. The folks here have this dialed in the service. The menu is quote interesting, old spin on american favorites and yet something for most everyone. I went with the Bison Flank steak, medium I asked for a side of cole slaw. There was nothing exceptionally flavorful. In fact it was disappointing. The Bison was probably beef, flank is generally not a tender cut thats why its thinly cut and flash cooked The slaw as bland as it comes. I tried the fries, pass the ketchup please. The iced tea was very good, strong and tasted fresh. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal and the conversation about our meal choice lead to sampling. Good fun and a good group, they bought my lunch...so there are "free lunches" in life. Its worth a tuesday lunch visit, once in my opinion. foodguy-martin read more

See all

A solid stop along the coast or on the way to Lake Cachuma. We ordered the tri tip sandwich and the French dip, and both were excellent. The meat was tender and the bread tasted fresh. The table next to us ordered nachos and the portion was massive, loaded with chicken and plenty of chips. It made it clear there is more here worth trying beyond the tri tip. The menu has some depth, and a return visit feels justified. They have beer on tap in sixteen or twenty four ounce pours. I went with a local hazy IPA that was solid, and they also had Firestone Walker DBA available. The setting adds a lot to the experience. It is a scenic little stop where you can take in some local history that goes back over a hundred years, from the old jail to the housing that once held Chinese railroad workers. We sat outside in the far back near the stream, which was a great spot. Inside seating is limited, maybe eight tables, and wait times can build up. It feels like stepping into an old dining room that has been preserved from another era. read more

I'd been curious about this place for about a year and finally made it in for a Friday lunch around noon. It was already very busy when I arrived, and parking was limited to the shoulder of the road. I found a spot, but had an uncomfortable interaction with other patrons over parking that set a negative tone from the start. I was also concerned about my car, though the host was kind enough to reassure me he could keep an eye on it, which I appreciated. Service started off well. The waitress was friendly, and the food came out quickly. I ordered the tri-tip French dip (requested rare) with a side of coleslaw. The sandwich was cooked to the correct temperature and had good flavor, but the quality of the meat was disappointing. It was extremely chewy and full of sinew, to the point where I had to pull pieces apart by hand rather than being able to bite through it. That's not typical for tri-tip, and at around $20, it felt like a poor value. While the seasoning was good, the cut itself really undermined the dish. The coleslaw was also a miss for me. It was heavily dominated by a processed black pepper flavor and otherwise tasted mostly like mayonnaise. I took a few bites and left it. When the waitress asked how it was, I told her honestly that I didn't like it. She acknowledged it but didn't offer a replacement or alternative, which felt like a missed opportunity. I was seated outside, which initially seemed like a plus, but the experience quickly deteriorated. A propane delivery truck arrived and couldn't access its designated spot because it wasn't blocked off and was occupied by a customer vehicle. The truck idled nearby for 10-15 minutes, creating noise. During that time, another delivery truck pulled up behind it and blocked my car in. When I was ready to leave, I had to wait for both vehicles to clear out before I could exit. Overall, what I hoped would be a relaxed, scenic lunch turned into a fairly stressful experience. Between the parking issues, food quality, and logistical disruptions, it didn't meet expectations. I don't think I'd return. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - French dip - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

We chose to make the drive to this stop on our way to Santa Barbara. Parking is terrible! Be prepared to walk for a bit. Once you get to the property, totally worth it. A very rustic area with outdoor seating in high demand, indoor seating after a wait. We ate inside then had some time perched outside. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Once the band started up, I wished we could stay longer. The singer was amazing. We had to move along because we had reservations, but if we hadn't, I would have been happy spending an afternoon there. read more

See all

I have been eyeing this place for awhile now I saw it on instagram a year ago or so. The girls and I went for Mother's Day for lunch we got there at 11:39 right at opening it was super packed. We were able to get a. Table inside with no wait time it was a great surprise! Once inside we were greeted and drink order was taken. I of course scanned the menu for the old fashioned which they had one with there twist which I must say was delicious I had 3 :) we started with the famous onion rings which were enormous and very fresh and crispy they are served with ranch. The wife and I had the trip tip sandwich which was also delicious and good size she got fires I got the venison wild game chili for my side which to say the least was super phenomenal 11/10 for sure! My daughter got the turkey sandwich and fries which she could not finish due to the size. We followed up lunch with their fudge brownie sundae which was very yummy as well. Loved the rustic look and ambiance of the place would definitely visit again!! read more

See all

I heard about this place just a few days ago and since then whenever I asked the people in my circle about this place, they all had great things to say. Me and my 3 girlfriends decided to come here today (Sunday afternoon at about 1:00pm). Parking is limited so you have to park up the road off to the side. We put our name on the list and were told the wait would be about 20 min. The bad was there and ready to play soon. One friend grabbed a beer and I noticed they had some yummy looking Sangria but I decided not to drink today. We were sat in the garden area which was very quiet with beautiful greenery all around us. The sun was just trying to peek through the shady tree so it was just warm enough for about 20 min of our meal in which we didn't need a sweater. I highly recommend you bring a light jacket or sweater because most of the restaurant seating is outdoors and it's cool in the shade. The service was great. Our waitress introduced herself to us right away. I ordered a tri-tip sandwich and upgraded to onion rings. The tri-tip was delicious. The serving of meat in it was just right. I got 4 large onion rings and honestly after 2 of them, I was pretty full of them. I love the apple horseradish dip and the bbq sauce was also delicious. The reason why I give this a 4 stars is because of the inconvenience to split the check beyond 2 tickets and when the tickets are split they basically take the total of the bill and split it exactly 50/50. There is also no contactless pay method. Bring cash if you come in a group of more than 2 or be prepared to do some math. I still think this is a must-try place when in the Santa Barbara area. read more

See all

This place is well off the beaten path just outside of Santa Barbara and it's an outdoor BBQ spot. It's very rustic and cute we enjoyed exploring the area and outdoor seating spots. The food was ok, not the best tritip I've had but the onion rings are amazing! The service was excellent and the ambiance is something worth checking out. Would I run back here right away? Probably not, but I'd stop in once to check it out and bring the kiddos to enjoy. read more

See all

Hidden in the mountains in a far away land. This gem of a place needs to be at the top of your list when visiting Santa Barbara. Seriously, I promise you won't be disappointed. It literally feels like you're walking into a historic atmosphere with all the rustic buildings. Pretty neat to see the ojai jail that was on ripleys believe it or not, and the blisshaven cottage that was purchased for $23 back in 1941. The log cabin bar has local craft beers, wines, specialty cocktails. The bartenders are super sweet & we're welcoming despite the long line. If you get lucky to sit inside they have a fireplace and other seating that makes for a more enjoyable stay during the cold. Outside is really beautiful and I'm sure it gets busy during the summer. Plenty of seating which is always a plus in my book. The restaurant itself serves a full menu of foods hence the longer wait time. We opted for the tri tip sandwich which was being cooked outside and found seating quickly. Great music, food/drinks can't wait to visit the next time we're in the area. read more

See all

An old stagecoach stop that is open for lunch Friday-Tuesday. Original!! Food (ribs) and drinks (Adeline's lemonade) Delicious!! Everyone is super friendly and helpful!! The seating outside is really nice but I like sitting inside because it gives the feeling of living 100 years ago. Next time I go up north I will plan it to where I can stop there again and have lunch. Found a separate bar after- next time if there's a wait, I will start there. :-) read more

See all

This place is 100/100 definitely a must It hidden gem The service was amazing our waitress was so informative about the property and history of the restaurant and surround property. She made our experience fanatics. So much to do not sure where to start. I highly recommend to get there right when they open ,give your self extra time to walk around and park. Explore the property. Drinks were delicious had the house sangria Food was just as it should be for bbq and smoking meats. My table of friends had a bit of everything. No complaints and a lot of thumps up. They have a live Band makes the ambience and experience like you're out of town somewhere far. They were the original makers of Hidden Valley Ranch. So there was plenty of dipping to go around. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - Local jail - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Some things to be aware of for this review. We went about 30 minutes before closing and we went on a gloomy cold day so the photos aren't the best. 1- setting: the setting is great! Right by a spring (duh) and it's free Coverage so you feel really secluded. We lost service here so plan for that. The restaurant looks so quaint almost like a fairytale. 2- service: service was quick and very nice. We came in close to closing but they were still very nice. 3- food: - onion rings: these have a very thick coating. We prefer onion rings with a thin coating so these were not our favorite but the amount that is given was great and even though it's not our favorite type of onion ring, they were still pretty good. If you like that type of onion ring with a batter, I would recommend trying it out. -chili cheese fries: I love chili cheese fries, and I find that it's pretty hard to mess them up. These are unique because the chili has whole beans in it. I have never had chili cheese fries where the chili had whole beans in it. I'm used to more of the type of chili you get at a burger joint or even Wienerschnitzel. With that being said, it was really good and you get a lot. I would recommend you trying it out as long as you are OK with that type of chili being used. -tri-tip sandwich plate: this was a 10/10. My high school used to do tri-tip sandwiches for football games and while it's probably still #1 in my heart this is the closest a restaurant have ever been to dethroning it. The salad was good and the sandwich is delicious. We agreed that we would come back for this alone. Something to note is that the sauce comes on the side so if you like your tri-tip sandwiches saucy ask for extra. ( We tried both the BBQ sauce and the horseradish and both were a hit. read more

See all

Always stop by for a tri tip sandwich when I'm passing by. They've expanded operations these years with outdoor stalls that you can grab and go a tri tip sandwich in minutes. There's also a sit down option but the wait can be an hour. Rustic buildings and beautiful green forests make the experience feel even more special. Extra horseradish sauce, BBQ sauce, and spicy salsa is self serve. Street parking is hard to find, but if you tag team one person to buy the sandwich, the food should be ready before the driver swings back around. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Cold Spring Tavern was on our must-do list while visiting Santa Barbara over MLK weekend and came highly recommended by a friend. We arrived around 2 PM and parking along the hillside was pretty packed, but we were able to find a spot farther down. Just a heads up if you have little ones, it's steep and there isn't much room to walk when cars are passing, so be extra attentive. We checked in and waited about 1 hour and 15 minutes without a reservation. Apparently you can call ahead to make one, which we didn't know until after, and I'd definitely recommend doing that. The atmosphere is really unique, especially with the live band. It reminded me a bit of Frontierland at Disneyland and feels like a place you don't experience very often. It does get a little chilly while waiting, so bring a light jacket. We did full-service dining since the full menu is available. If you're short on time, there's also a tri-tip-only option next door where you order by ticket. For food, we ordered the tri-tip sandwich with wild game chili, the bison burger with their famous onion rings, and mac and cheese with fries for our kid (I'd skip the mac and cheese since it's basically Kraft). The tri-tip and bison burger were solid, but the onion rings were the star and some of the best I've ever had. Overall, 4 stars. Great atmosphere and solid food, but I docked a star for the long wait time and very slow, inattentive table service. read more

See all

Amazing sandwiches. The wait to eat in the actual restaurant was extremely long, however, they have a station made just for their tri-tip sandwiches which they make on the spot in front of you. They smoke their tri-tip on site and you can tell the quality of the meat. Tables were mostly for restaurant guests but there were plenty of benches and tables for guests just buying togo. Very lively yet tranquil at the same time, eating next to the forest. Parking is a little bad though so be prepared to walk a little. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - Tri tip sandwich - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Come take a ride for the sights but stay for the best BBQ Tri-Trip sandwich in Ventura county. Service is great, bbq is delicious and the scenery is breathtaking. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Get here early because this place is only open from 11-4 and it's very popular so it can get crowded especially on weekends. They are known for their tri tip sandwiches which my friend thoroughly enjoyed! I had the roasted vegetables which were amazing loaded with sweet potatoes broccoli eggplant squash mushrooms and tomatoes. I was stuffed! We topped it off with the Granny Smith Apple Cobbler with whipped cream and ice cream truly incredibly delicious and homemade! The servers were super sweet and helpful. After we ate we walked off a little of the food by exploring the historic building. Make sure you read the plaques to learn about the history! The area also boasts a peaceful stream and beautiful blue jays! read more

See all

Absolutely beautiful drive to this spot tucked in the mountains. The restaurant is a collection of old cabins. It's in the woods by a small river, so there's lots of birds flying around above. The food was good enough, but nothing spectacular. The location is the big selling point. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Rustic Detour Worth Every Mile Tucked away between Los Olivos and Santa Barbara, this historic tavern feels like stepping back in time. It's not exactly on the main drag, but that's part of its charm--an off-the-beaten-path gem that rewards the curious traveler. The atmosphere is warm and rustic, with fascinating landmark markers and bits of history sprinkled throughout. We started with the chili trio: classic beef, bison and rabbit, and a vibrant chili verde. I stuck with the traditional, which was hearty and flavorful, while my husband couldn't stop raving about the other two. For mains, I went with the Tri Tip sandwich paired with rich au jus and a comforting chicken tortilla soup. My husband opted for the bison burger--juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection. And the tri tip was soft and melted in my mouth. Every bite hit the spot. Service? Attentive and genuinely friendly, adding to the tavern's welcoming vibe. If you're up for a little adventure, this place is worth the detour. read more

See all

If you don't know about Cold Spring Tavern, you'll likely never drive by it. Hidden in the mountains above Santa Barbara is this quaint little stagecoach outpost dating back to the 1800s. We've heard fabulous reviews, but never quite found the time to visit. Wow! We were not oversold by our friends. Parking and indoor seating are limited, but everything else is worth the wait. Many eat outdoors. My wife and I split their signature roast beef sandwich ($20) and their equally famous grilled cheese one ($14). Suffice it to say, both were two of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. Period. The sandwiches are generous enough that some couples might even share one and save room for dessert. Add in the friendly, prompt service and you can see why Cold Spring Tavern is a happening place--worth the trip! read more

Cold Spring Tavern - Front entrance. - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is such a hidden gem. I've been here a few times now and the people I bring always react the way I did the first time I came. It feels like you stepped back in time. It was originally a stage coach stop in the 1800's. The buildings remain and now is a tavern and restaurants including their famous tri tip. It's hidden in the mountains off highway 154. They regularly have live bands and you can sit outside and eat and drink. The tri tip was a bit tough this last trip though. The sauces are really good. Next time I think I'll try the restaurant. It's just a very unique, cool spot and you feel like you are in on a secret when you are there. It can get crowded and parking can be a challenge, but people leave regularly or you can park on the edge of the mountain roads. Go if you are in the area, a little slice of history read more

See all

My husband and I really liked this place when we came! My husband's from Texas, so I'd really reminded him of an old rustic, cozy ambience and this is such a great addition to our Santa Barbara trip! The service is great and the food was excellent!! Definitely will come again when we're in the area! read more

See all

Hello fans! It's us, you know, I'm sure you've seen us on the 2019 Man vs. Food episode about The Cold Spring Tavern with Casey Webb, right?? Starts at 6:25 into the episode and my wife and I are at 6:50. I'm wearing a gray polo and the wife is in pink. Boy, Casey was great, interviewed us for about 30 minutes, fed us a free second meal (after we had started the one we ordered before being asked to be on the show) and we had a lot of fun. The first time the episode aired, we were in it a lot more than this version I just found (okay, maybe 15 seconds rather than 1 here): https://youtu.be/r2iM4vD-hxI?si=bxqSQPQwypIz_2dQ I swore I had written a review of the incredible experience that is The Cold Spring Tavern but I guess I haven't yet! Please forgive me! My wife and I have been spending either birthdays or anniversaries (or both) in the Santa Ynez Valley almost every year since 2002. And before that, I camped along the Santa Ynez River and Lake Cachuma for several years. AND I NEVER KNEW THIS PLACE EXISTED! I had researched and visited pretty much every single winery, brewery and restaurant in the area but never knew that The Cold Spring Tavern was tucked underneath the impressive Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge on which we'd traveled dozens and dozens of times. How could we not have known?? Well, because, naturally, there is NO sign at all along Highway 154 pointing to what the world needs to know as a Hidden Gem! Oh, wait, ok, I get it. Don't tell anybody about this place! I don't want the world (or the Kardashians or "Influencers") to ruin it. The place gets crowded on weekends and you might be parking a ways down the narrow forested road but don't worry, the peaceful location and the food are worth the wait and the trek. Arrive at opening time like we do so you can avoid all that. We always like sitting inside the awesome, rustic little cabin but there are lots of tables outside and in the back, too. On Sundays, a band plays in the afternoon outside. If you eat outside, you can just order your famous tri-tip sandwich outside and pull up a spot to gulp it down. I ALWAYS order the amazing Santa Maria style tri-tip sandwich. There is a reason folks come by car, motorcycle and hiking in droves to get here. It's delicious and comes with three incredible sauces which I always combine: homemade salsa, BBQ sauce and "apple" horseradish. The wife almost always orders the chile verde which is fantastic. And we always order the famous beer battered onion rings which are truly awesome. Service is always friendly and quick. There's also a bar in a separate building. read more

See all

Cold spring tavern is a unique and fun dining experience tucked away in the mountains of Santa Barbara. We came by on a Friday afternoon and easily snagged a parking spot on the side of the road. We also got a great table on the back deck near the creek - it was breezy and we were surrounded by greenery! We enjoyed a French dip with au jus, buffalo burger, side salad with creamy Italian dressing, crispy salty fries, and a (surprisingly bomb!) clam chowder. Our server was friendly and attentive, the bathrooms were clean, and the grounds were beautiful. Great place for a fun date! They also have live music on weekends so expect more crowds and to spend more time looking for parking. read more

See all

Went on a Saturday and there is not a lot of parking unless you park on the side of the highway and do some walking. Got there half hour after opening and it was still totally packed. No dogs allowed on weekends so I had to sit across the street sadly. Looks cool and it's pretty. The tri tip was just okay. At least I can say I went. Prob won't need to go again though. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Been wanting to come to this place for a long time. I've seen it with food bloggers on YouTube. Figure I make a road trip with the family. The environment is definitely awesome, felt like went back in time to the 60s. It has indoor and outdoor seating. They cooked the tri-tip outside where you can see. We ordered the famous strip-tip sandwiches and the large onion rings. Both dishes are very enjoyable and the atmosphere just made it better. If you are an outdoorsy / sandwich kind of person; you'll love this place. Oh by the way, there is a wait but wasn't too bad at all. They also have live music when I was there on Sunday read more

See all

Tucked in the mountains outside Santa Barbara lies this rustic but lively tavern! The drive up is long, steep, and winding. We found street parking close by the restaurant and walked in. Heads up! Dogs are NOT allowed on the premises on weekends! We went on a Sunday and enjoyed a live band singing a lot of great hits. This spot is not only super historic, but also super tasty! We got the tavern burger, buffalo burger, Tri tip sandwich, tri tip french dip, and cold spring chili. We chose to upgrade most of our sides to onion rings and they did not disappoint! My standout favorites were the juicy tri tip sandwich with their one of a kind apple horseradish, the surprisingly delicious cold spring chili, and the onion rings. Cold Spring Chili 10/10: This is probably the best chili I've ever had. As someone who doesn't enjoy beans very much (due to the texture) I actually thoroughly enjoyed this chili! It was super tomatoey and had a lot of beef and flavor! We especially enjoyed dipping the fries and onion rings into the chili. Tavern Burger and Buffalo Burger 8/10: A very decent burger! I wouldn't come all the way out just for this burger but it was good. Although, if I were to pick between the two burgers we ordered, I'd just get the cheaper tavern burger because they taste the same. Tri-tip sandwich and french dip 7/10: These sandwiches were pretty identical. The only difference was the ah jus on the side. I'm not too big of a fan of dipping my sandwiches so I preferred the original sandwich. These sandwiches were good but a tad bit plain without the horseradish sauce. They were lacking a little in flavor. But, the apple horseradish sauce saved the day. I'd like the sauce a bit more if it had a bit more of that classic nasally spice but I just prefer that. My parents liked the sauce as is. BBQ Ranch Salad 5/10: Sorta forgettable. This salad wasn't the star of the show. We really got it just to get some greens into the kids ;) The SIDES!!! 10/10: I think the sides are where this place really shines! The crispy, crunchy onion rings were to DIE for. I LOVED them. The french fries were also good, fresh, and crispy. The potato salad was surprisingly really good. It was creamy, bright, and not too soft (i like a potato salad with chunks) You can't go wrong with these sides! Our service wasn't too good to be honest. We had to ask our waitress for extra napkins and horseradish multiple times before she came back with them. My cousin asked for a refill on his drink and she left and never came back! A bit disappointing but not a deal breaker. Overall, I'd come back if I'm nearby but I wouldn't go out of my way to drive up a mountain just to eat here. The food was decent but not really worth the trip. If you're looking for a good time and lively weekend ambiance, this is your place! read more

See all

Tavern hidden up in the hills. Arrived around noon and it was about an 45 minute wait. The parking is plenty but is just on the side of the street which makes the road narrow. You can walk around the tavern a bit and see an old jail, a few different cabin buildings while you wait. I was seated inside and it's a large warm cabin. The food comes out pretty quick and super hearty. The service is friendly and quick. We left around 2pm and I overheard the hostess saying they were no longer taking names so getting there early is important. read more

See all

This is the hidden gem of hidden gems. Nestled away in the forests near the 101, you'll pass a giant bridge and find under it a hidden tavern where you'll park on the side of the mountain. Here, there's smells of barbecue and sounds of live music all over. It was very packed and they close quite early so make it an early pit stop if you're traveling along the central coast. I shared the BBQ ribs and New York strip steak and it was amazing. Everything about this place was quite nice and I enjoyed the rustic vibe. Even though there was a lot of people here I felt very accommodated and even got outdoor seating. Overall highly recommended that you make this a stop along the way on your travels. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - Chef's special New York steak - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

A Stagecoach stop in the 1800s ... now serving delicious Tri Tip sandwiches. You must stop by. It gets busy, so go early. My amigas and I loved it! We sat inside. It was a bit warm in there. I ordered a Tri tip sandwich and it was great. My friend ordered a pulled pork sandwich and she liked it. The other got a Tri tip sandwich and she really liked it! We tried the famous onion rings which were crispy goodness! No picture as we were too quick to eat them! We all left full and happy. Great customer service. It was busy but service was quick! They were so attentive. Parking can be tight but I'd suggest to go. Evite noon. No pets on weekends per a sign we saw posted. They also had a live band. What an awesome place to hang on a weekend! Love the "Yellowstone" feel to this spot. We didn't walk about to the creek , so we are unsure if there was water in it. We have to go back. read more

See all

Worth the trip and the parking, Cold Springs Tavern serves up some of the best tri-tip sandwiches, onion rings, and game stew! The service is impeccable and will try to accommodate your party as soon as possible. I've been wanting to go when they have live music and I feel like it would make the experience so much more enjoyable. My only tip is to bring a jacket because it does get chilly! read more

Hidden gem with great food & fun ambiance! Parking was busy on a Sundays afternoon but quickly found a spot! Paris was able to seat us quickly and was very friendly! Kaya was very welcoming & walked us to our bench in a perfect area surrounded by beautiful trees and perfect scenery. Both made a great first impression! I told Kaya it was our first time there so she kindly explained where the live music, bar & restrooms were in addition to letting us know our server would be there shortly to take our order. The famous tri-tip sandwich did not disappoint! Very tender & tasty! Loved the coleslaw, fries and chili beans too! The apple dessert w a candle was perfect while celebrating a birthday! Our server was wonderful and had great recommendations! Looking forward to my next visit! read more

See all

Service is friendly and very attentive. The tri tip French dip was nice and juicy. For having the tri tip be grilled it was pretty tender for how it was cooked. The clam chowder surprised us how good it was. I'm not a fan of pulled pork sandwiches but my wife said it was one of the best she's had. Do not skip out on the dessert they are homemade! We got the chocolate peanut butter cheesecake and my god it gave cheesecake I've tried in New York a run for its money! You come here for the ambiance. It's in a remote area and it used to be a halfway point for wagons to stop and refuel. Place has very rich history read the plaques when you are timing around the area! read more

Cold Spring Tavern - Pulled pork sandwich with clam chowder and tri tip French dip with fries - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

after our friends wedding in santa barbara we decided to make a stop here before heading back home i mostly wanted to come for the historic aspect but was genuinely surprised by the food! we ordered the tri-tip sandwich which was simple yet satisfying. we sat outside so we heard the birds chirping and someone performing across the street. it really set the mood! we had to wait 20-25 mins but it didn't feel long bc we walked around and looked at all the sites near the restaurant. our server was sweet and the host was super friendly. highly recommend this place if u want to get away from the city and step back in time. read more

See all

We heard about this place and wantrd to try it out. Its literaaly off the beated / known path! Follow directions on your way to Santa Barbara, its an old west vibe and unless you know what it is you wouldn't think to stop. It opened at 11:30 am so we sat with the other 3 people waiting, after 10mins it was packed. They have seating inside and out and we chose indoor. It was like stepping into the Old West, deer heads on the wall, no lights except a few christmas lights that only had half a string lit. The waitress came quickly to take our order however our eyes hadn't adjusted to the dim light. She was the sweetest person I have met and she took the time to explain the menu and when we said we were spliting the meal in order to get dessert, she had them divide the meal. She had a lot of tables inside yo work but always made sure to come back to check on us. We ordered the tri-tip sandwich, potato salad and a side of onion rimgs. Fresh Spring Water instead of soda! The water was cold and refreshing -the best! The meat was seasoned by the smoke it was bbq-d in, the bread was fresh and crispy and when you add the horse radish the three together make for a perfect sandwich and dipped - Yum!!!! The potato salad is homemade and is so good, im fussy about it but this one, i ate all of it! My compliments to the Chef!!!This is a must Go!" read more

See all

This place has a great vibe. The staff was so friendly and the service was fast and efficient. My only reason for not giving it five stars was I was hugely underwhelmed by the tri-tip sandwich. For $20 you get dry chewy meat thrown on top of a dry bun with a few sauces on the side. But it looks like there are a ton of other options on the menu so maybe next time it won't be a swing and a miss. read more

The food was beyond amazing! But the onion rings were the star of the show for me. Perfectly crispy and golden brown. Worth the drive. read more

Cold Spring Tavern - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

We came to celebrate my dear friend's graduation and it was the perfect spot to enjoy our meal! Thankfully, even though our entire party hadn't arrived yet- and a couple running late, the waitress didn't give our table away. We were seated on the back patio and loved the view. Majority of the group ordered the classic tri tip sandwich while I ordered a chicken breast sandwich. We were so satisfied with all the drinks, food and especially the service. The staff kept an eye on us and made us feel so welcome. read more

See all

I have come here multiple times and I'm a fan! First I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the outdoor area in the back. You can feel the breeze, hear the birds chirping, and see the butterflies on the flowers, It's so harmonious. Then the food comes! I have really liked the falling off the bone ribs, the burgers, the chili cheese fries, or even just there house chili. The staff are so woofing and friendly every single time I visit. You don't get much cell service so don't count on using tap to pay. I had a little trouble getting service. But this is a MUST GO TO! read more

See all

Everyone was so friendly and the menu was unique. We ordered venison stuffed mushrooms, an entree each and Caesar salad. The Caesar salad was nothing special but I thought the venison meatballs were better than the venison steak. Pro tip: Ask the wait staff about the ghost stories Parking was found along the street a little walk down. When we left, it was pitch black so bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car read more