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    Esau's Cafe

    3.9 (486 reviews)
    Closed • 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
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    Esau's Cafe Photos

    ESAU'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Esau's Cafe

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    Lox and Bagel was excellent
    Ed W.

    Location right by the beach. The decor is very charming and cozy and the table service was great! Food was very good and fresh, the baked items on the menu were fresh and tasty. We tried the cinnamon roll that was delicious! Overall, everything was great with the exception of the wait... it did take over 30 mins to get seated as we had a party of 10. The problem was that there were some customers allowed to sit and reserve tables for large groups. There were 4 people allowed to sit and reserve a large 15 plus section of the patio and not order anything for over 30 mins. Not even drinks. Not sure why they allow people to sit without the whole party being present... but that's the only reason they don't get 5 stars from us.

    3 Egg Works Omelette
    Sophia M.

    Lovely cafe, delicious food and very friendly staff. I've never been disappointed coming here. It very much feels like a small town breakfast joint, everyone knows each other and wants to chat. My favorite part of coming here is the strawberry jam! Fresh and made in house, i would buy it by the jar if i could

    New Orleans omelet
    Rachel M.

    A fast service breakfast spot. It's not bougie, not inventive flavors or too unique, but had classic dishes with some oomph. I got the New Orleans omelet and the coconut banana French toast. My received my food very quickly. I took both to-go and ate them on the beach. You will get a solid meal here. There are regulars and the staff is lightening fast. My coffee latte had some good coffee which they buy from El Salvador. So if you get a coffee, it's going to be good quality.

    Bagel with lox and cream cheese Lox and Bagel
    Ana Maria O.

    Came here for breakfast. Plenty of seating inside and out, we opted for outside. I ordered a biscuit with marmalade and a fruit bowl which was really good. My honey ordered the bagel with lox and cream cheese which he loved. The service was great and the ambiance very comfortable and clean. I would definitely return and recommend!

    Eggs, Benedict
    Patti W.

    It was a Friday morning and it took us 30 minutes to get seated although there was many empty tables. My guess is they are low on employees I ordered eggs Benedict with gluten-free toast and it was delicious. The portions are large and the restaurant is really cute. It reminds me of a soda shop. I would definitely eat here again.

    Ordered a side of gravy, and it was a very large side.
    Zuri M.

    This breakfast was really good! They have all the classic breakfast items, but I was really wowed by the chocolate chip banana bread french toast. It was a unique item, and really good. And a big portion. Service was friendly, and the atmosphere was comfortable. The restaurant is smaller inside, but definitely wasn't loud or uncomfortable.

    Pretty burnt potatoes, not many soft ones to eat. Hubs HB were very dark brwn/blk

    Overall wasn't impressed with the food. I saw a review from a foodie so we went with it for Father's Day. So we had an hour, no problem, there were resos. We ordered the cinnamon roll to start.. was ok, texture was off for us, chalky. It was soft though. Didn't finish. Hubby ordered breakfast enchiladas, myself relleno omelet, sister a scramble of some kind, biscuit and gravy, waffle and chilaquiles. Hubby said the ratio filling wasn't there; HB burnt, verde flavor so so. I had the relleno omelette, wasn't the worst but my obriens were extra and were hella burnt, didn't really have any soft potatoes to eat. Sister said scramble wasn't great either, underwhelming flavor. My homemade jam looked weird and like it was frozen previously maybe; like chunky and watery not like picture on Yelp. Coffee was bitter. Charged us for using CC, which I feel like it's a business cost, shouldn't be customers (personal opinion across the board). And then an added a 20% gratuity for 6 ppl. Pretty high percent to assume it's deserving. Maybe 15-18% with the option to leave extra is more appropriate. Would've had it removed but family was ready to go and over it. Wouldn't have stiffed her of course, she was very kind and friendly. Just not quite a 20% auto gratuity experience. I don't think we even got a happy Father's Day from anyone.. Didn't feel like we were checked on, couldn't have the jam or potatoes fixed, just saw her at the beginning and end. my daughter did say later that she came once, but apparently the rest of us 5 missed it. Place was clean though. Different staff came out to fill coffee and get boxes. But Sorry wouldn't be back, mainly due to the flavor and taste of food. All In all, it was just okay.

    Chicken Posole + BLT (cup of soup & 1/2 sandwich combo)
    Cynthia E.

    Nice and clean, great food. They have two separate outdoor seating area which were nice on a breezy sunny afternoon. We were looking for a restaurant still serving breakfast at 1:30 pm. The posole was delicious and this restaurant is within walking distance from the Carpinteria State Beach campground and the beach in a cute walkable part of downtown.

    Dita Y.

    It took a while for someone to notice me and ask if my order was taken. I was the first in the line (of almost no people) to sign up to be seated for the breakfast, more than a half of all tables were vacant. It felt like I was invisible for about 20 minutes. The food was ok but I didn't feel welcomed there while other people were getting their food I was still waiting to order. The server was very nice, but he was not supposed to wait on my table obviously, he just helped me to get my order because he actually saw me unlike others. I'd understand if they were packed but being half empty it is just weird

    3 Egg Mexican Omelette
    Sebastian B.

    The ambiance of this place is like mid 2000 diner well decorated nice breeze outside seating is also very nice with water bowls if you have dogs. Pride welcome too ig. Everything is reasonably priced also and lunch is all day. Staff is nice and attentive. I got the chicken and waffles and it was amazing the waffles were good and toasty, chicken was fried amazingly and it had very good seasoning and nice crispness, my friend got the cob salad and he said it was good a pretty normal salad and my other friend got the omelette type of thing and said it was also very good so overall 8.5/10 the water also isn't very dirty and tastes good.

    Huevos Rancheros with avocado added and  home fried potatoes. Side of pinto beans that comes with the dish.
    M. S.

    First off, Esau's is a Santa Barbara institution that has found a cozy new home near the beach in Carpinteria. I had not eaten there in decades! I was seated inside at a booth and thankfully, another customer overheard me deliberating and enthusiastically recommended the green sauce for eggs. I took their advice and indeed, this was no ordinary salsa verde that one imagines over their huevos rancheros. The salsa was of a delectable combination of fresh herbs -- and splendid! The salsa verde in itself is the reason I'll return to Esau's when I'm in town again. The little bowl of pinto beans with feta (not cotija, which can be too salty but is quite similar to feta, only drier) was delicious. I wish I'd had room for them all. The potatoes were good but maybe a bit too crisp, which I have trouble admitting. Next time I'll try their hash browns, the other potato option. Waitstaff were friendly; my busboy was more attentive than my server, though. I wish they'd step up their coffee game. Love the vibe on this stretch of the road. After this satisfying breakfast I took a stroll down to the beach and watched the seagulls park on the sand and intermittently fly in various formations.

    My protein scramble.  3 eggs and loaded with meat and cheese
    Gregory B.

    What a menu in this diner in Carpenteria that oozes authentic vintage in every way!!! Breakfast offerings: scrambles, omelets, Benedict's, Mexican classics, pancakes, waffles ... you name it, they have it ... fresh and fast. This place has been around since 1930's ... great story and still going strong. If you get to Carpenteria, Ca, you have to try it. Service graciously provided by children of the owners (40+ years). Super friendly and efficient. Free parking at public lot across street from side of building make this a no brainer. I expect on weekends it's crowded. It was bustling on Wednesday morning I was there. About 10 dog friendly bistro tables on sidewalk in front under umbrellas. Restrooms on site. About $15-20 pp for huge portions. It's a winner

    Javier S.

    Scape from Burbank to Carpinteria for coffee and ended up finding this little place call EASUS CAFE amazingly beautiful and great tasty food the MOCO LOLO make me feel in Hawaii definitely the best in all Los Angeles area for sure. make your way here for a nice day at the beach and few steps away from this coffee shop

    Hot Chocolate with whipped cream

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    4 years ago

    Nice place to enjoy a latte and a cinnamon roll. Loved the outside pet friendly seating...

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    3 years ago

    I can see why a line out the door at this place!! Amazing staff and great food!! Great location on Linden!

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    3 years ago

    Chicken Fried steak and eggs, Best in Ventura or Santa Barbara. I have never had anything bad here.

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    Page 4 of 13

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    I recently stayed here in memory of my sweet fur baby, Walter (my orange cat) who passed away a…read moreyear ago to honor him. I waited for a while at check in before being "greeted" by a homely blonde, tight lipped woman with glasses, slightly resembling Angela from "the office" who was very short with me, and seemed to be in a terrible mood and taking it out on a customer. I wasn't going to let her get to me so I avoided her my entire weekend there. Life is too short to argue with people who are seemingly miserable. I did however, have a very wonderful dinner at the restaurant downstairs even though I had no reservations they sat me and the food was absolutely delicious and the service was great. Although I will say, they do seem to be understaffed and overworked. Luckily the rest of my visit was nice. Room was pretty clean and pool was nice and not too crowded. Would be willing to give her another chance if somebody else, would greet you with a smile at the front and that's all I have to say!

    Came here for my anniversary with my partner. Didn't really know what to expect, but what a…read morepleasant surprise. This place is a gem. Confused why the rating is so low. If you want something next to the beach and peaceful, this is the place! The rooms are just fine. Clean and all you really need for a place to rest. Staff at the hotel and restaurant are lovely. The view and lounge chairs over looking the ocean makes this stay 10000% worth it. The restaurant is cute as well. The food is decent and truly nothing beats watching the moon rise over the mountains and ocean while you dine. If you want a fancy beach hotel, go stay at the ritz. This inn is cute, quaint and cozy. Can't wait to come back!

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    Brass Bird Coffee - Prosciutto panini

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    4.6(265 reviews)
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    Brass Bird has a genuinely lovely patio, and the cold brew was sufficiently high-octane to make me…read moreforgive quite a lot. Unfortunately, the food was mediocre at best, especially given the price. And then there was the "croissant." I put that word in quotation marks because what arrived on my plate was less a croissant than a bread roll experiencing an identity crisis. A croissant is supposed to be a minor miracle of pastry engineering: dozens of buttery laminated layers, a crisp golden shell that shatters when you tear into it, and an airy, irregular honeycomb interior. You should finish one surrounded by enough flaky debris to require a small cleanup operation. This thing was pale, squat, dense, doughy, and almost completely devoid of discernible layers. The interior had all the airy honeycomb structure of a hot dog bun. It looked as though someone had taken a dinner roll, bent it into a crescent, pinched the ends, and hoped geometry would do the rest. There was no shattering crust. No honeycomb. No glorious buttery lamination. No shower of flakes. Just a soft crescent-shaped bread product that had apparently once heard a croissant described from another room. I have eaten spectacular croissants. I have eaten mediocre croissants. I have eaten mass-produced grocery-store croissants that, whatever their shortcomings, at least understood the assignment. This one appeared not to have read the syllabus. So: lovely patio. Potent cold brew. A perfectly pleasant place to sit for a while. But if pastry is the reason you're going, just make a U-turn. Photographic evidence attached. France, please accept my apologies.

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    Stopped in Zookers Meat & Seafood Shoppe which is located behind the Zookers restaurant and my wife…read moreand I agreed that it was the best cold cut turkey sandwich we ever had! Well worth the $17 price as the roll was amazing filled with turkey piled high and fresh lettuce tomatoes crunchy dill pickles... we split the sandwich and were both highly impressed and satisfied. The turkey was sous vide and roasted per the super friendly butcher and tasted oh so good! This is a hidden gem of a small butcher shop and deli (that is part of the Zookers Restaurant family) known for its farm-to-table, locally sourced, and organic meats and seafood.

    Tuna tartare - overall delicious, fresh and well seasoned but you gotta be cray if you think 2…read morewonton wraps is enough to eat it with, need 4. Calamari and shishito peppers- bomb.com tender and well seasoned. Heirloom Tomato Salad- $18 for 3 thin slices of tomato, absolutely not, the menu should be written to say loads of greens with 1/8th of a tomato. Would never support anyone ordering this for this price. Iberian pork chop- shut the front door this was a good chop, a few more veg would be nice, overall the mustard sauce and the cook on this was delightful. Alaska Halibut special- that's some juicy fish you gotta there!! The dill sauce absolutely sublime! Banana and walnut Bread pudding- so we ordered dessert ONLY because dinner was so good and whomp whomp it was awful- overall dry and sweet. My guy had said based on the dessert menu which is everything restaurants without a pastry chef have on ten menu ie bread pudding, crisp, ice cream and something chocolate we shouldn't have done it, eat savory here and go somewhere else for dessert. Service was great, and we were there early before the Saturday night crowd, it was airy and calm, overall enjoyable.

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    Warm and inviting atmosphere

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