Aegean started as a popup, but now has its own restaurant near State street. Efe Onoglu is a superb…read morechef and brings Turkish/Mediterranean food to Santa Barbara. We got the hummus with a herbaceous zhoug sauce, which was smooth, nutty, and not too tart. I can't stand extra tart hummus. We also got an extra order of pita because one was not enough to scoop up all those delicious hummus. I didn't taste the kofte because I don't like the gaminess of lamb, but they looked beautifully grilled. The levrek on the other hand was insanely good. It came highly recommended by our server who seemed very passionate about all the delicious food that she was serving. She said people even drank the sauce the fish came in. Yep, she was correct and I did drank all the sauce. I normally only get fish in Asian restaurants, but this seabass was perfectly cooked to tender flakiness, bathed in a savory and delicate sauce with dill, lemon, and oregano.

Nice hole in the wall in downtown Santa Barbara. Service initially was pretty bad but eventually it…read moregot better. Seems they were understaffed for the night. Highly recommend you get a reservation on open table. Limited seating and parking can be a hassle. We ordered the bread with hummus which was incredible. The green goddess salad was good, especially the dressing. For main we got the chicken and the sea bass. The chicken at first seemed a little underwhelming but the chicken was super tender and the garlic was sauce was stupendous! The sea bass was also very good. I would argue that the price is a bit high for the amount you get but the food is good. Restaurant is Amex platinum Resy eligible at the time of this review.

Freshly shucked Santa Barbara uni (and arguably some of the best uni in the world) for breakfast?…read moreCount me in!!! Tip: If you're already making the trip to Santa Barbara, come early; ideally by 9AM. They'll shuck and clean the uni for you and provide all the condiments (ponzu, wasabi, etc.) to complement it. $20 per uni and they were huge and SO flavorful. Truly such an authentic experience and absolutely worth making the trip to Santa Barbara for!

Uni for breakfast? Why not! You definitely can't get uni any fresher than this. Santa Barbara Uni…read moreis located on the pier in Santa Barbara Harbor on the weekends. The sea urchins are freshly caught, and they'll cut them open and clean them right in front of you! The uni was so yummy! I also appreciate that they offer a variety of different complimentary sauces, such as ponzu, lemon, soy sauce, furikake, wasabi sauce, and sriracha. Although, I preferred to taste the natural sweetness of the uni! They have a few folding tables that you can enjoy your uni at. Just watch out for the seagulls and other birds on the pier. They're lurking around waiting for the opportunity to steal your food! Santa Barbara Uni accepts cash or Venmo/Zelle.

The food is fabulous! Such great flavors and interesting combinations…read more Server was attentive and very friendly. I recommend outside seating if available. Inside was noisy but every table was full.

Leaving reviews for all my favorite spots in town in hopes that they stay here forever. Secret Bao…read moreis perfect. The Kung Pao Cauliflower has never disappointed. The Udon Carbonara is insane. Their baos are 10/10. And don't even get me started on the passion fruit or matcha crème brûlée when they have them. Truly one of those places where I want to order everything on the menu every time. Please never leave us, Secret Bao.

Just want to say three years later this is the best food you can get in SB. Best…read more Any cuisine, any price point, this is it. Thank you KR

Kool Runniz is a pop up food service that can be found in local businesses in the Santa Barbara…read morearea. They do catering and aswell. I got excited upon finding this local food business And even more when I was told they have "Jerk chicken" Typically on their menu you can find Jerk pork, jerk chicken and some veggie options Meals are fixed with rice and peas, plantains and cabbage They do tacos too Jerk chicken: Authentic jerk chicken is done on the grill.. A somewhat smoker contraption This is typical in Jamaican restaurants It's spiced heavily so that even off the grill it's ready to be consumed But the majority of places have an additional liquid jerk sauce made from scratch. Scotch bonnet peppers are known to take center stage in the sauce and also in the dry rub for the grilling Fish, tofu, pork, all kinds of meats are done in this style and fashion So now that you know a little on history.. Let's go into the present Some people do jerk chicken in the oven or a combo of the latter with oven.. Kool Runninz is one of them... The spices were there... Friendly enough for the masses of Santa Barbara ( traditional stylee can be unforgivably hot) The chicken I thought was just ok The rice and beans ( in West Indian culture it's called rice and peas) Was good...It's standard to have notes of coconut from coconut milk in the rice along with thyme and possibly peppers The coconut was detectable and I'm a big fan Not a fan of cabbage so I went for extra rice ( shout out to my carb lovers out there) The plantains...ah em... I said the plantains... Wow, I've eaten plantains in different styles Look Runniz is easily in the top 3 of all time.. Crisp edges, chewy ( just enough) inside.. With great texture... Overall I thought they delivered a delicious alternative To my everyday Santa Barbara experience And I'm glad I came across them

Charles makes my favorite BBQ in Santa Barbara-- I grew up in Dallas, so I'm an accidental snob…read morewhen it comes to this sort of thing. But Charles nails it. Love his ribs, brisket, and bbq sauce. Oh and his smash burgers are outstanding as well! A perfect Friday night treat. :) Not to be missed if you're craving some really great smoky meats!

My friends and I stopped by here as we were waiting for our car to be inspected for a flat tire…read moreafter our camping trip. That flat tire was definitely a blessing in disguise because without it, we wouldn't have found this incredible spot! This place is located in a business complex, and from the outside, it looks like a quaint little place, but the moment you walk in, it is HUGE! Tons of seating, a pool table, and outdoor patio. It's even dog friendly! Such a hidden gem. Not only that, but the food was INCREDIBLE! We tried everything on the menu, and we were all blown away. Each of my friends had a different favorite, which means that there's something for everyone, and I'm still drooling just thinking about it. Haha It's hard to pick favorites, but I especially loved the ribs and tri tip sandwich. The staff was SUPER friendly and took their time explaining the menu to us. They made us feel like close friends rather than customers. It's been awhile since I left a review for anything, but I knew I needed to give this place one because they deserve all the hype. I'll definitely make my way down here next time I am in the Santa Barbara area.

For the tri tip bbq sandwich which has house coleslaw and fried onion strings. It was good! The bbq…read moresauce and with the coleslaw, meat, and the fried onion strings was a tasteful combination. i wish the seats were in the shade, especially since it was a pop-up. It was a hot summer day. The wait wasn't long but would have liked to enjoy the sandwich with some sun coverage.

Amazing food and great people. They definitely know their way around the BBQ. I highly recommend…read moreOak & Fire for any event!

On October 30th, I attended Daily Greenz Pop-Up Open House. For some time I had heard wonderful…read morethings about this catering and meal delivery company, so I was looking forward to experiencing it for myself. I had the pleasure of meeting both Chef Cristina Gonzalez ("back of the house") and her life and business partner, Elsa Cisneros ("front of the house"). Together as one they run this sustainable, local and organic-focused business. To begin, both women are extremely talented and experienced. Chef Cristina attended the School of Culinary Arts at SBCC and then later worked under Wolfgang Puck and for Bon Appetit. On the other hand, Elsa focused on catering at Philip's College in San Antonio, later to find herself at Bon Appetit elbow-to-elbow with Cristina. Next, viewing the exterior of where Daily Greenz shared kitchen is located is unassuming. However, after entering you quickly realize that this is home to one of Santa Barbara's cleanest kitchens. Everything from the ovens to the pans were sparkling clean and new. Daily Greenz Pop-Up allowed me the opportunity to taste a few items. To begin, there was a refreshing Jamaica "Blood" Tea (for Halloween) and a perfectly-balanced Margarita. They provided a fresh Caesar Salad as a starter, followed by a choice of two tacos. The tacos included Achiote Chicken (refried beans, caramelized onion, cheese, and avocado-tomatillo drizzle) and Pork Chile Colorado (Pork Palace Heritage Pasture pork, refried beans, and queso fresco). Both tacos were small and bite size, yet huge and full of delicious flavors. Each ingredient could be tasted individually and enjoyed immensely. I learned and appreciate that Daily Greenz gives you the option to reserve your chef-created meal service between 48 hours to 2 weeks in advance. Not only that, they allow you to choose a flexible meal plan for lunches/dinners (either or both) for one to every day of the week. Bottom line: If you are seeking a meal delivery service for your family, or a caterer for your business, please contact and give Daily Greenz a try.

I kept hearing about Daily Greenz on Facebook and thought I'd check it out. It's an unassuming…read morestorefront so keep an eye out! But there's an awesome curbside pick up option. However, I pulled into the small parking lot. Plenty of parking spots for easy in and out. The kitchen is brand new and clean. It's a very large, open space; neat and organized. It appeared to be a very high standard of food and safety in this kitchen! When I arrived, my order was being labeled and packed up. Everyone was so sweet and answered all of my questions about where everything was sourced from and when. Extremely fresh ingredients!! I love that everything is organic and locally sourced. When we first ordered, we thought it was a little pricey just for a couple of salads, but once we were home and sitting down to eat, we realized we got our money's worth in quality AND quantity!! These salads are HUGE!! The flank steak my husband added to his salad was a generous serving. Fortunately, the salads were prepared with the dressing on the side, so I'll have fresh, crisp greens for round 2 tomorrow! The vinaigrette alone would have been amazing, but the peanut sauce drizzle it also came with made it superb! I was so impressed. The whole menu sounds delicious! I was told it changes regularly, depending on what's in season, so I plan to hustle back for the Chile Colorado, the Brunch Strada, and the sun-dried tomato goat cheese spread. I'm drooling just thinking about it!!

I came across Takitos 8oh5 after a night out with friends. There were quite a few street vendors…read moreoutside, but Takitos intrigued me because the owner, Erick, was so friendly. We asked Erick to add all the toppings and add bacon. He made us the most delicious hot dogs that tasted gourmet. Everything about this hotdog was elevated, from the thick cut bacon to the delicious sauces Erick drizzled on the dogs. I would highly recommend getting a hot dog from this pop-up if you see it around town. I didn't ask Erick if they catered, I assume they do, but I would even recommend hiring them for your next event...really good quality quick comfort food! I have to add, I think a lot of the bad reviews are from people who stumbled upon this pop-up very late at night and assumedly drunk, so I would take some of the reviews that are bashing this spot with a grain of salt! Give this spot a try and let them know what you think! Erick was encouraging me to give him constructive feedback if I wasn't completely satisfied with my order, a really good sign of a good business looking to please their customers!

I absolutely love Takitos 8oh5! I've watched this business grow from the corner, to inside of a…read morenight club! The menu is delicious and original and everyday grows bigger and more delicious! My favorite are the miso/sweet potato takitos. And the homemade salsa and guac are deeeeliiisshhhh!! Perfect late night food, when you leave the club with the munchies. I wish he was open 24/7! I highly recommended Takitos 8oh5. If you haven't tried them yet, get your butt down to the Wildcat between 1 and 3 am and get you some homemade delicious food! Tell him Alisha sent you!

First off, a huge thank you to the hostess last night who got us in half an hour early. We happened…read moreto be in the area early, checked in and she was able to get us a table, despite how busy it was. I even saw her bussing and setting up tables for the incoming parties. Wish I got her name but she was the super sweet blonde with the two braids in her hair. This place seemed to be the hottest ticket in town. It stayed busy ALL night and for good reason-the friendly service and the delicious food. Started with 3 of their super fresh west coast oysters. Loved the pink peppercorn mignonette it came with. Loved the crunch and flavors and the sweet oysters. The wedge salad was probs the best I've had-pork belly lardons, smoked blue cheese, spicy pecans and an herby vinaigrette. 3 mini heads of lettuce was perfect. Cornbread is a must-try. Crisp exterior and hot, soft, corn mealy goodness inside, perfect touch of sweetness from the wildflower honey and a bit of heat. The Brussels sprouts had so much umami from the fish sauce and crunch from the crispy rice and sesame seeds. Another must-order. I know we're in Santa Barbara and should be eating seafood but their Jidori Fried Chicken with the house pickled veggies and the duck leg confit were outstanding. Seriously not one bad dish tonight. Def bookmark this spot and make resy's early (nothing between 5pm and 8:30pm on a busy Friday night), and a super central location with lots of wine bars and breweries nearby.

Came here for a wedding reception, and I have to say, I absolutely loved the ambiance! This venue…read moreknows how to set up a private dining room. The lighting was vibrant while still blending beautifully with the overall aesthetic. The staff was also super attentive, constantly clearing plates and refilling my water without me even having to ask. I really loved the atmosphere here and would definitely come back! Brussels Sprouts: This was SO good! I'm usually not a fan of Brussels sprouts, but I couldn't stop eating these. The smoky flavor and richness made this one of my favorite dishes of the night. Definitely a standout! Tomato Sourdough Mozzarella Appetizer: This was decent. The tomato, sourdough, and mozzarella complemented each other nicely. My only complaint is that I wish the sourdough had been served on the side rather than mixed in with everything else. Buttermilk Jidori Chicken: Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The chicken itself didn't have much flavor, and the breading kept falling off instead of sticking to the chicken properly. Definitely not my favorite dish of the night. Steak: Pretty decent! Nothing extraordinary, but it hit the spot. I believe it was a filet mignon served with a mustard sauce, though I could be mistaken. Creamy Pasta: This was my co-star of the night alongside the Brussels sprouts! The creamy sauce had so much flavor, and everything worked together beautifully. I just wish I had gotten the name of the dish because I would love to order it again. It was made with long pasta noodles, and I honestly could have eaten more! Overall, I loved the ambiance, attentive service, and a few standout dishes. The Brussels sprouts and creamy pasta alone made a great impression on me. I'd definitely come back to explore more of the menu!

Great place with lots of food options and within walking distance of State Street. We also stopped…read moreby to watch a World Cup game and it had a great vibe

My first impression is that Whatever you are craving for you can get it here. A diverse selection…read moreof food vendors under one building. Not fast food type but a decent meal in a quick pace environment. Friendly and quick service. Like a food court type of arrangement but so much more. My favorite is seoul mate kitchen which offers some classic dishes with a fusion twist. I love the bento box here. Pick a protein among beef, pork belly, chicken Or tofu. It also comes with rice, half marinated egg, cucumber, carrots , and three veggie side dishes. A full meal without the need to do much thinking. Next is the ca'dario pizza, we got the parma pizza. I cannot stop eating it... maybe it is the crust Want to try the rori's artisanal creamery. There was a "be backed" sign on the register. We Waited for 10mins or so and had to go. Now i have one more reason to come back and visit. Parking is pretty convenient. City parking close by and offer first 45 minutes free parking,