Ok food. I thing special. If you're stuck on that side of campus, I guess it's ok. They really could put in more effort to make this a great cafe. But I guess the university knows that this is the only eatery on this side of campus so why bother? I had an average chicken panini. Strangely, it was on a hamburger bun, but the quality of the bun was actually very good, so I really enjoyed that. The rest of the burger was just meh. I ordered a side salad and soda combo with my sandwich. The salad was fresh and tasty. The vinaigrette could have been better. It was very thick and way too tart. I'll probably stick to the options in the UCEN or just head to IV. Or just bring my own lunch from home... read more

What the heck Courtyard? 4th time here, and I ordered this Mediterranean Chicken Salad for $6.90. While they were making it, a customer wanted a veggie burger instead of a chicken burger, so had a veggie burger made for her. But then the chef decides to take the chicken from her burger, rip it up and put it in my salad. I don't know if they're trying to save food and I don't know where that chicken has been, but it doesn't help that you can't hide that stuff since you can see all the stuff being made. They also didn't have hummus as well when it's supposed to be included. Unfortunately I already paid and I had to leavr for a class that was going to start in 5 minutes, so I didn't even have time to complain about changing the chicken out. I still eat here because I don't want to walk 10 minutes to the UCEN or 20 minutes to IV... However, keep an eye on your food when you're here... read more

Courtyard Cafe - Mediterranean Chicken Salad - Cafes Near Me - Goleta, California

Good quick bite The Angus bowl is a nice teriyaki beef, we had it with vegetables The CYC burger was large with numerous toppings including onion rings, sautéed mushrooms and avocado. Both items were food we would happily order again. read more

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This cafe is like a hidden gem on campus. Coral Tree Cafe is always busy, so I usually end up here because it's less crowded. It's located near Engineering II, underneath Parking Lot 10. That's most likely why only the engineering students eat here, it's relatively far. Inside, there's also a Yoshinoya along with Courtyard. There's a lot of seats, but it can get crowded often. You can also sit outside. Courtyard offers most of the same options as Coral Tree, like breakfast items, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and coffee. One unique item would have to be the crepes. I only came here for breakfast so far, so I would usually get a breakfast burrito. The price is $6.55, which is pretty high. The portion was fair. Overall, the food here is one of the better options on campus. read more

Courtyard Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Goleta, California

One of the Newest, cleanest, and biggest dining units of the UCSB campus, it serves breakfast foods, hot sandwiches, crepes, paninis, coffee, ready made sushi, and a hot chinese food take-out (similar to panda express, but more authentic, having bbq pork and all) It seems a little more "up there" in the statuses of the dining units, but it is quite far. It is right by the coast (which means beautiful view if you eat outside) and it is right by the engineering and science buildings. (so a lot of nerdy professors and grad students) if you have time, take a nice stroll down to courtyard cafe and grab a bite to eat. read more

Courtyard Cafe - the outside of the building - Cafes Near Me - Goleta, California

This is basically a knockoff Panda Express (but less salty) and a knockoff Caribou Coffee, inside a knockoff 7-11 featuring the world's largest selection of Guayaki Yerba Mate, on a remote corner of campus. In one way, it's an ungodly turducken of a cafe, but in another way it's everything you could ever need. Your choice. Also, the lady who runs the Chinese food shop is quite lovable, as is the quiet bamboo courtyard outside. read more

As far as eating on the UCSB campus goes, this is the bee's knees. I would probably go here even if it wasn't on campus. Inside they have a Chinese restaurant called Rice Garden (similar to Panda Express in style, only the food is more delicious), and also a grill where you can order crepes and paninis! (among other things) They also function as an arm of the Nicoletti's Cafe, so you can order fancy espresso drinks, or my personal fave, Italian sodas. Additionally they have things like pre-made sandwiches, pasta salad, etc. that you can grab for a quick meal on the go. You can sit outside or inside; both areas have nice seating. You can get takeout, or you can grab a number and they'll bring your food to you. The outside seating is nice and benefits from the lovely ocean breeze (which is only lovely once the fog has burned off). Did I mention the crepes and paninis? read more

This review is for the Rice Garden aspect of Courtyard Cafe- never tried anything else. Honestly, I wish I had discovered this place earlier in my UCSB career. Once I started working on campus senior year this place became a regular lunch spot. They have the BEST Chow Mein and the BBQ chicken is just to die for. They cut it up for you right there into small pieces and smother it with amazing teriyaki. Their orange chicken is amazing too. DON'T GO TO PANDA EXPRESS ON CAMPUS- Rice Garden is worth the extra 2 minute bike ride!! Drooooooool... it's so worth hanging out with crazy engineering people... please don't miss this spot right on campus!! read more

This place should almost be reviewed as three different locations. First we have the University's Dining Services catered foods you find across the campus- though the variety in salads and sandwiches here is greater than anywhere else. Serviceable, of pretty good quality, but most things are about one to two dollars too much for me to bother with. I'm not so lazy I can't make myself a much better sandwich for cheaper. The grill area offers sandwiches, salads, burgers, and panini's to order, off a nice-sized menu. Particularly good, crispy curly fries, and everything else solid. The "Panini Bread" tastes and looks like toasted hamburger-bun bottoms. Next to it is another campus coffee location- solid as usual. What raises this from a solid Three-Star to a Four-Star is the Rice Garden/Master Fung's Chinese fast-food buffet. It is higher quality than it's Panda Express on-campus competitor, cheaper, and provides slightly greater quantity. The BBQ Pork and Chicken is a little erratic, but most of the time it's right up there with the best in town. Do yourself a favor, and try the Spicy Chicken. It is elusive, and rarely found, but it is tasty. Cashiers are erratic as some are old-hands, and some are students handling money for what seems the first time. Little known fact: The Courtyard Cafe is not near Parking Structure #10. It is part of it. And if you climb the stairs next to the cafe into the area directly above the kitchen, you can smell the soy-laden smoke of Master Fung's fryers. Mingled with asphalt and engine grease. read more

I like to get breakfast and a Vanilla latte from this cafe. They cook everything fresh, but sometimes takes forever to make depending on what time you go. I always get the scrambled eggs with cheese and ham, and a side of sausage. It's good and filling read more

2 star for Rice Garden, 3.5 stars for Courtyard cafe. Rice Garden: Very DISAPPOINTED!!! I've been going to this place for two years now. I used to know almost every worker that works there coz i was a regular. I loved their food and the price. But ever since they changed the manager, the food quality is getting worse and worse. most dishes are way too salty. BBQ pork (used to be my favorite dish here) just does not taste right. everything is like bleh. they gave out smaller portion nowadays too. i mean the price is still cheaper than panda. but i dont know if its worth me to walk all the way to the other side of campus now. Courtyard: crepes, turkey cranberry croissants, burgers & paninis. i like them all. oh and then super crispy curly fries. :D its a bit pricey, but you have the beautiful ocean view, internet access and cute nerdy science-major guys discussing physics, bio, chem etc. coffee quality really depends on the person who makes it. read more

Came in to get Rice Garden but got a chicken breast panini combination instead with hot tea and a banana. It kind of took a while and it was too greasy and cheesy for my taste but the chicken tasted fine. The bananas also were pretty bruised so that was a let down. The crepe specials that they have during the week looked good though so I'll have to come back and try one and also I need to get the chinese food since that's what everyone always talks about. I just wish they were open later because a sweet crepe for dessert would be good! read more

Try a turkey and bacon really delicious! Btw it's tax free. Have a nice day! Without a combo is enough for me, if you're really hungry a combo will fill your stomach. read more

Courtyard Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Goleta, California

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This review is for the rice garden chinese food only. Get the BBQ pork, nothing else, it's worth the trek to the engineering building just for that crisp, juicy pork. read more

This cafeteria is right next to my building, so I've eaten there more times than I care to remember... Master Fung's barbecue chicken is always tasty. The pre-prepared pasta salads are under-appreciated, but way tasty. Everything else is just okay, although the coffee can be pretty bad. My only complaint is that the veteran staff can be crabby and rude at times. read more

I can't understand why this place would ever get more than 3 stars. I've eaten here occasionally for 3 or 4 years and the food is mediocre at best. Even for campus dining it's not that great. Perhaps it's "very good" compared to what else is available on campus but 5 stars for $5 `Chinese' food? Not on their best day. read more

The food is mediocre at best, especially when compared to comparably priced places with much better food (Coral Tree). The ventilation is always at ridiculous levels, probably to pump out the noxious greasy Chinese/Japanese food fumes. They say open until 5 but they lock the doors at 4:45. read more