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    Sizzling Lunch

    4.3 (150 reviews)

    Sizzling Lunch Photos

    SIZZLING LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Sizzling Lunch

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    Kimchi Beef Pepper Rice
    Lianna M.

    I was really excited that I found a Sizzling Lunch in IV! I ordered the kimchi pepper rice, takoyaki, and spicy wings. I thought the takoyaki and wings were pretty solid. The flavor of the takoyaki was really good with all if the bonito flakes on top. My kimchi rice was really good, I loved how much kimchi was on it! For anyone that is new to Sizzling Lunch, you order on a tablet (this can be confusing with all of the add ons) and your food comes on a sizzling plate. It's like your own personal kbbq plate! Service was pretty quick, and food was very good. I think this restaurant would be best for sit down to get the full Sizzling Lunch experience!

    Beef Pepper Rice
    Corinna W.

    Good spot for lunch. It's similar to our fav beef peppered rice place in SF. Our server was friendly. Simple menu. We ordered the beef peppered rice and the kimchi beef peppered rice. I really enjoyed the garlic bits in the beef peppered rice . Both dishes were similar. Only difference was the kimchi in one and the garlic bits in only the beef peppered rice dish. I wish they offered an option to add a fried egg. Glad the UCSB students have an option to dine here. It's something different from Pizza or Panda Express.

    Tina S.

    This place never disappoints from food to service! Jubei is friendly and attentive to our needs. Our faves are the tonkatsu, beef pepper, and cheese corn. Also, this place is clean. One of our fave spots plus the pricing is reasonable. One of the regular places we go to. Give this place a try. This place is near UCSB and beside a 711 convenience store. Parking can be a bit tricky at times though.

    Garlic Beef Pepper Rice
    Caro F.

    first time visiting Isla vista and we stumbled upon sizzling lunch. Cute & affordable little restaurant where you place your order at the table on the screen and pay up front. We tried the garlic beef rice & pork belly rice plus some gyozas and an order of fried chicken appetizer. Personally the chicken appetizer was too spicy. I loved the beef & rice and thought it was cool you finish cooking yourself as it's served on a hot cast iron plate. The pork belly was delicious! The server was super nice and gave me my entree free for Mother's Day which was totally unexpected and super generous! I'd recommend and would return!

    Chicken Kaarage
    Alyanna M.

    I usually love places that do sizzling plates. But this place was a bit of a disappointment. I do appreciate that you can order from an iPad at each table. However, Food lacked flavor & needed a hefty amount of the available sauces/seasonings at the table.

    Originally Beef Pepper Rice
    Megan O.

    Love the beef pepper rice. After mixing, it tastes pretty plain, but after adding a bunch of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkle of garlic soy, it taste amazing. Love that it's on a hot plate so the rice can be crispy on the edges. Don't forget to order the fries. It's a huge portion, good for sharing but really addicting :) Service was fast, and make sure to pay at the counter. Nice

    Cheese French Fries
    Viviana G.

    Had lunch with a friend here for the first time and it was a great experience. The staff was welcoming and nice from the moment we came in and the food was served fast. I liked how they have plenty of seating area and how u can order everything from your table through a kiosk. I tried the cheese fries and garlic pepper plate and they were both delicious! The amount of food was generous too, ended up having leftovers.

    Cheese corn precooked
    Doc Ev E.

    4.8 rounded up. Excellent place for UCSB students. The sizzling hot plate literally cooking the raw meat served and need to stir to cook. Adding the various sauces enhances everything. The corn cheese to share is unique and Yummie. The garlic rice I loved and other varieties like udon helps vary the texture. Gotta start mixing right after served or will burn per daughter . Gotta love this place

    Chicken Kaarage. 5 stars. IG: @amei.eats
    Alex M.

    (Overall: A) - Sizzling Lunch is easiest my top restaurant pick in Santa Barbara. I feel that their beef pepper rice is definitely the star dish with an interesting premise if you know how to handle the sizzling stone. In addition, they have your classic tea shop appetizers -- Chicken Karaage, Sweet Potato Fries, and Takoyaki -- which are all of decent quality. From a cost analysis, I think the prices are very fair for the food you're getting, especially compared to everything else in the area that is not as great quality.

    Self ordering
    Liz N.

    Udon and beef was so good! The sauces were flavorful and you can add it to your liking. The service was friendly and the waiter took the time to explain the ordering process and the way to eat the food. Lots of great options on their menu for everyone!

    Kurabuta Pork Belly Pepper
    Regina C.

    My second time trying this place and it never disappoints! We went a little close to closing time but they still welcomed us which was appreciated! We got the Kurabuta Pork Belly Pepper and shared it between two people. But honestly, with the way we finished the dish, we coupd have ordered one each! Definitely a go to when visiting Santa Barbara

    Kurabuta Pork Belly Pepper
    Anmol L.

    Ok... yes it might be a bit pricy for a college student... but most things in IV is pretty expensive. It was a super cool experience. I've gone twice and I enjoyed it both times! They bring the dish out to you and you get to experiment cooking it yourself! I do recommend not getting the chicken as I am more iffy of finishing that off in a shorter period of time. My personal favorite is the pork belly rice, but the pork katsu curry is decent too. Their sauces are delicious and you can order directly off of the tablets. The service is ok, could be better. The tables are nice and big and there is room for a big group. That being said, be aware that they do have a service fee. The lighting is nice and I do think it would be a nice place for date night! The service sizes are pretty large! I personally like to share a dish!

    1. Curry Beef Udons
    Grace L.

    If I were to eat out in IV, Sizzling Lunch would be one of my top choices. With a bunch of NorCal locations, I'm glad they (re)opened in this college town, increasing the variety of Asian food in the area. We seated ourselves, ordered on the iPad, and paid at the register at the end of the meal. Each table has a pack of Clorox wipes as well as garlic shoyu sauce, teriyaki sauce, chili powder (shichimi togarashi), salt and pepper. I find the instructions on the wall helpful in explaining how to eat the teppanyaki style dishes because you want to make sure the meat cooks fully. The teriyaki chicken wings (not deep fried) are pretty standard and tasty. Although the garlic beef pepper rice is popular, I always find myself ordering the curry beef udon because it's so comforting and satisfying. The curry powder is Japanese curry and not spicy at all. I hope Sizzling Lunch sticks around!

    4/15/23

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    1 year ago

    Such a solid food option in the area where there aren't a ton. I appreciate the flexibility for vegan options and the speedy service! Yum!

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    3 years ago

    Interesting yummy food. We came when it was not busy so service was ultra fast. Order through tablet was easy.

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    Sizzling Lunch Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sizzling Lunch

    Is it open? I miss this place so much!!! When will it open??! I took it for granted!! I would've wanted to go every day.

    It's open now!

    Are there any vegetarian options?

    Yes they do!

    What time do they open?

    I think at 11am

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Jane At The Marketplace - Chicken piccata and Jane burger

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    Lovely space, excellent food Fair prices , great service…read moreWould definitely visit again

    Jane's is my favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara my friends and I have been coming here over a…read moredecade. I always order their burgers or sandwiches with fries and their coconut cake. The best thing about this restaurant is their fries! I never had fries quite like there fries. Their fries are so crispy and is one of the main reasons why we come here. I would usually rate this restaurant 5 stars but after this recent visit I am giving 4 stars. They raised their prices and were extremely disappointed they cut the fries portion in half. Especially since this was one of the best things about this restaurant. I have attached a photo of eating here at Jane's and Aug 2025 and coming back 4 months later to be severed fries that is half the size. They now put the fries in a fry container to make it seem like it's more fries but once you put it on the plate it's such a small amount of fries. The second reason why we come here is for the coconut cake. The cake is always moist never dry when we order the cake however sometimes it can be a hit or miss with how much cake you will actually get. Because sometimes if you order the cake you will get a slice that has more cream and frosting and not as much of a cake layer. Not to mention they raised the price to $14 for a single slice of cake?! Which is so expensive. $14 is almost like ordering half a cake. I really hope that Jane's Restaurant can consider making these changes because their fries and coconut cake is what makes this restaurant amazing Service -Staff is always friendly Note: -They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating -They are in the same plaza that has a few stores and other restaurants close by

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    Los agaves is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Goleta. The service is always quick and…read morefriendly, you order up at the counter and then sit with your table number and your food is brought to you. The inside has a classic Santa Barbara feel to it and is warm and inviting. They also have a very organized take-out system, and their online ordering is really easy and convenient. The guacamole is fresh and while it's a little pricey, the portion os generous. The steak nachos had toppings spread throughout the chips, not just sitting on top which has been my experience at some other restaurants. The quesabirria special is my go to dish here, the meat is so tender and flavorful!

    Santa Barbara Fish Market and Restaurant - Goleta - Dirty Fries

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