A friend told me about this bar/lounge restaurant. Locally owned and well run. The interior is classic booths and hardwood design. We ordered the double boned prime rib split plate. Oh man was it delicious. Compares to Capt. Jacks in Huntington Beach aka Sunset Beach. It's not easy to match Capt. Jacks but Tee-Off has done it. Our waiter Chris was terrific as well as his busser. Polite and very attentive. Great dinning experience. My favorite dessert, Mud Pie. I'm stuffed and happy! read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Double Bone Eagle cut Prime Rib medium rare. - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

What a disappointment! What happened to this restaurant?We have eaten there many times and returned because of previous positive experiences. FOOD: Prime Rib - as another reviewer wrote, we got brown chunks of tough "something" cooked and poorly seasoned. Expecting pink slices of tender, roasted "prime" beef, everyone's was over cooked and tough. One of us who especially likes prime rib roast because it's normally cooked to med-rare to medium, received a well done end piece. One of us ordered the filet mignon and asked for it cooked medium, sent it back because it was rare to still-cool in the middle. Huh? Another person is on a pork chop binge. He said they were the worst he's tried among the various other restaurants he's been to recently. AND, Garlic mashed potatoes with gravy? Who serves garlic mashed potatoes this way? You order them because they are mashed with garlic and butter and want that combination of flavor, not a blob of something served from a scoop, cafeteria style, ladled with gravy, Geese Louise!! Do not order the fish, or the "scampi" style shrimp with NO PASTA. Really??? SERVICE: Our waiter was excellent. I hope he finds another job at a restaurant where the food matches the level of service he provides. AMBIANCE: 1958 style dark room with very dim lighting that flickers off and on, if you like that. We overlooked that because we expected great food, but even the onion rings were overcooked. There were eight of us and the only one who was satisfied was our 10 year old who had a grilled cheese sandwich - can't go wrong with that! read more

Solid steaks, great prices, large portions, great drinks, old school ambiance, excellent service! If you're looking for a place for a group or a solid meaty meal with a date, you can't go wrong! read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Filet was great, done to perfection...bernaise was ok, I'd order it on the side in order to taste the filet in all her splendor - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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So we had a reservation and when we got there the host offered us a back table or one of the three open in front. We were going to wait for the one in the back but she sort of forced us to go one of the ones in the front. I like that they give you cut up carrots and celery with ranch. Its a very old school kind of Service. Our server was nice and you can tell this is a local hang out. I ordered the prime rib and my partner ordered the surf and turf, prime rib and lobster. The issue throughout the whole night was there were these flies or nats flying near us. When we complained the server said sorry, this is why we replaced the foliage from real to plastic. No offer to move to another table...it was really frustrating constantly waving off these bugs. Prime rib was alright. It was warm, not hot. Their baked potatoes are stuffed with baconand cheese, didn't say that on the menu but would've been nice to know. My partner felt the same about his prime rib. If I lived in the area I'd might give them another try, but if we go back to SB I'd rather try a different place. read more

This place is a classic steak house! The NY strip was just okay, nothing amazing we ordered medium rare and the cook was fine. The rack of lamb on the other hand was pretty disappointing, it lacked seasoning and overall flavor. The onion rings would be great if they didn't cut the roof your mouth - a little too hard for me. I did love the crudite they they bring to you before.your meal - it was great! The service was good for a Friday night, the staff was friendly but clearly very busy. read more

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The servers were nice but.. the food seriously needs work. The cleanliness too. There was a fly in the salt jar, the "rare" steak was super chewy and grey, and the fries were flavorless. The bread was also kind of stale. The mushrooms were good though. There were fruit flies everywhere. The menus all had food and sauce caked on to them. I wish i got better pictures of it but I felt bad haha. read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Grey steak. The picture doesnt do it justice, it looks more red on camera - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Super disappointed. Service was attentive. The Prime Rib? No. I understand the value but a giant hunk of poorly seasoned and unimaginative preparation left me scratching my head. I hope they are there for another twenty five years and I wish them all the luck. But geesh! read more

A perfect steakhouse that must be protected at all costs. Maybe the best steakhouse in California? Compare's to Musso's and Taylor's maybe Smoke House. It's simply the best. read more

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Service was awesome, old school steak house filled with locals. Food was good, prime rib was big, but not the best cut of meat. Tasted great, cooked perfectly, just too much effort to cut it and chew it read more

Nice ambiance, nice and attentive staff. I had the fillet-mignon and it was not the best, meat was tough. I had to spit it out a few times as I couldn't break it down (sorry for the visual) it's very pricey, I'm greatly for the experience as I've always wanted to try it but I would not choose to eat here. $290. For 4 entrees and 1 app. (Tip well, service was great) read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Filet mignon, garlic mash and veggies - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I always tipped my bartender well but the prick still threw me out when I was having a conversation with a man and woman at the bar. I expressed that I approved of Trump and the man was interested in hearing my reasoning. No raised voices, no fight, just a calm discussion. The bartender heard the conversation and informed me that that talk was forbidden. Really?, the bartender has the ability to control the content of bar conversations? No, he serves drinks and if there is a disruption he can intervene. The man responded that he wanted to hear my points but I was not interested in staying. I will never spend another dime at the Tee Off and I encourage anyone who believes that a bartender has no business ejecting customers for their opinion to also dine elsewhere. read more

I can't say enough about this old school steakhouse in Santa Barbara! A true hidden gem! Food is always excellent and we have had some above and beyond servers. We had one Monday night named Sarah who was wonderful. This restaurant has a 1950s ambience oh which we thought was really classy. read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Tee Off Backroom - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Loved the bar service with Todd. Excellent, bar none. If your norm is normal salt, ask for LIGHTLY SALTED. Wonderful waitstaff. Wonderful Comfortable old school-low light-sexy environment for dates or biz meets. read more

Horrible Dinner at The Tee Off. Cockroach alert! ​We went to The Tee Off hoping for a nice steak dinner. We live in Santa Barbara and have been to the tee off before. The food quality was poor (drenched salad, dry meat). The major issue began when our appetizers arrived. ​A cockroach jumped onto the middle of our table. After a waiter caught it and let it run off, the staff acted as if nothing happened--no apologies and no manager visit. ​My husband had to find the manager, who turned out to be the bartender. He apologized and quickly moved us to a different booth. ​The ultimate disappointment was the lack of professional service recovery. Even after this incident, the original bill did not even comp the dessert. ​I spoke with the bartender/manager who was drinking at the bar with patrons, explaining that I thought the situation was handled unprofessionally. He finally comped the entire meal but did so by rudely slamming the revised bill onto our table. ​The experience was appalling. Finding a manager to complain about a cockroach, and then being met with minimal apologies and rude service, ensures we will never return. The incident was handled completely unprofessionally from start to finish. ​ read more

Food almost good enough to ignore the fly infestation. Almost. Eating inside the restaurant was repulsive. Not sure how anyone working there all day can just ignore that. Gotta be a health code violation, I mean come on. read more

Amazing old-school steakhouse. Definitely a hidden gem! Had the filet mignon and it was done to perfection. Drinks are STIFF, as advertised. Honestly one of the best and most attentive bartenders I've ever had. I'd come here multiple nights a week if I lived in Santa Barbara. If you like great food in a retro atmosphere, this place is perfect! read more

I hadn't been here for years. I remember it as being dark and feeling like a bar. In fact, I remember really good cocktails. Definitely not family friendly. Only one of those has not changed, it is not family friendly. Recently we returned for my birthday. We were seated at a table squeezed between two other tables. We had to wait for our server way too long, the drinks were meh and worst of all the "famous " prime rib tasted like a lesser quality of beef than in the past. I was very disappointed. The overall experience was disappointing in general. read more

The Tee-Off is still the yummiest in town for a steak! And if you're a local you'll always know someone's the bar too. read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Long time favorite and vintage vibe. We have been coming to the Tee-Off for decades. It is that absolute tried and true restaurant where you know the restaurant will be bustling with the regulars as well as new people who heard this is a great place for prime rib. When it is time to celebrate, be prepared for very generous portions. Another great dinner last week. The food was delicious, the ambience was fun and sophisticated and the service was great. Always a great vibe. The Tee-Off is definitely one of my favorite Santa Barbara traditions. Elise Kahn, thanks for taking the time to make us feel so important -- Cheers! read more

Delicious food. Great service. Great martini. Wednesday rib special is amazing. birthday celebration couldn't be better.

set a Barbie hidden secret. Old 1956 red leather bar and steakhouse. West side of Santa Barbara, the best service lobster prime rib. read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Been here a few times. This is an old school restaurant bar that makes everything like they used to back in the day. If you like steaks and prime rib this is your place. The give celery and carrots sticks with ranch dressing, fresh rolls. The onion rings are exceptionally good, I had the small prime rib that was huge, I couldn't finish it. It's cooked to perfection nice and juicy and tender. I've also had the burger here in the past that was very good as well. Service is good , I walked and luckily didn't have to wait at all but the place was full. Once again this is a great spot for old school steaks and cocktails. read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Prime rib - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Haven't been in for awhile, but many times over the decades. We had a fabulous dinner there tonight. Prime Rib was perfect. So glad they were cool about us sharing, because it was a huge serving. Loved the salad with amazing blue cheese dressing. Our waiter Blake was the best!! Already planning another visit! read more

Great waiter. Lobster was undercooked, steak overcooked. Couldn't cut with a knife. Terrible experience. They did take the steak off the bill, but still over $200 for nothing. Will never return. read more

This actually is the best steak in town! Tee Off is a place like none other in Santa Barbara. Sure their steaks are the amazing (prime rib and bone in rib-eye) but it's the little things that make the short list for date nights, birthday dinners, family in town and just Tuesday. First off it's dark. REALLY dark. There are no windows and it was years before I realized how green the place is. I mean, it's golf themed but this place is all green. A long bar, which is where you'll find me, is tended mostly by Todd and Matt. Both will shake up a killer martini while a bottle of big, bold red wine sits ready for the main event. The dining room is split with high backed booths up front with a very loungey feel and tables in a back room where there is more light. Also a great room for a surprise birthday party (thank you Sarah S). Bring your appetite! Enjoy a cocktail while you pursue the menu. As mentioned, I suggest red meat but more on that in a moment. The meal starts with a cold veggie tray then it's feeding time! 'Big Bertha' $49 is a massive bone-in ribeye (I leave off the garlic marinade) that comes with Soup (prime rib soup!!!) or Salad, Rice or Potato, Fresh Seasonal Vegetables & Fresh Baked Sourdough Rolls. This is pretty much the only thing I order. Perfect for 2 and you'll have leftovers. Through Covid I've called in a take out a few times and it travels well too. Buyer beware. You'll need a big cutting board to carve this one up. Prime Rib $35-54 is the house specially, while they last. Multiple cuts for multiple appetites and again, I dare say, the best in Santa Barbara. Some pork, chicken and a fish or two too but come on. You know why you're here...COW. Moo. This is a locals joint where you and team know each other by name and the kitchen crew says "hi" when you walk by. It's on the small side and people tend to linger and enjoy their time so make a reservation on weekends and holidays to ensure you have a seat. If you're lucky, you can slide into the bar and make some new friends. Cheers and I'll see you at the Tee Off. read more

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Tee-Off, the local institution with relations to Harry's Plaza Cafe and Longboard's, is like a Midwestern supper club but with a golf theme. After stepping inside to this hidden strip mall restaurant, you are taken back in time with red booths, candlelit tables, dark wood, dim lighting and a decent size bar with quite an interesting locals presence. The bartender pours it's expected overly stiff classic drinks. I prefer to sit at the counter, but they also have stellar table service. Get ready to feast! They're known for their entrees which come with a complimentary vegetable tray plus ranch dip, rolls and butter, salad (ranch and blue cheese dressing are both spectacular) or soup (pot roast soup is killer), and the choice of two sides (loaded baked potato, rice, vegetables, and/or French fries). When it comes to meat, you can order a petite filet mignon up to the Double Eagle--a massive slab of meat that looks like it came from a dinosaur. Locals rejoice when they walk into the Tee Off because it feels like a childhood TV show where everyone knows one another--or chit chats with strangers and leave friends. read more

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OMG so disappointed with there special on rib Oh gross Could not even eat them Burnt, not worth the time of day! Soooooo disappointed read more

I used to always come here. Then J stopped because this one old blonde waitress was really rude. Yesterday I tried it out again. The service was outstanding and the food was too. I don't think that old lady works there anymore thank God! The ambiance is dark. They have stiff drinks here. It has cool seating with some golf art inside. I always get the open face prime rib sandwich medium. If you get it medium rare it is too bloody. The waitress that helped us was Amilia she was very nice. The bartender here should be on the Golden Bachelor he looks way better than the guy they had on that show and super nice. read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Bar. The drinks here are stiff. There are a set of regulars that are here every time I come. - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My Fiance and I like to have date nights on our days off. My Fiance never been to Tee Off and I talked highly about it since I grew up in Santa Barbara I remember the spot being cozy and old school atmosphere. When we sat down there was over 10 flies around us. I suggested we leave but my Fiance wanted to try the food since it had a great reputation in town by locals. It came to a point where we asked to be seated somewhere else since a flies flew in my drink... the next spot was fine only one fly around and food was good But the flies were a bother and I wonder if there was flies in the kitchen ... the server was an older waitress she seemed bothered by us and seemed annoyed when asked for another round of drinks... they close at 10 pm we were almost done with our drinks and gonna close up soon but she rushed us around 9:30 to pay and move towards the bar... right when we got to the bar there was a baby cock roach !! We both freaked out & left! The worst experience I ever had in a restaurant sadly... I will never go back... I feel bad for bringing my Fiance there on our date night! It's very pricey as well so paying a high price for poor quality was devastating... I'm surprised they allow the bugs to get this badly in a restaurant... read more

As a local SB resident, I know many people enjoy this restaurant. Clam chowder was awesome. But overall the Tee-Off serves Cafeteria-like food with a Santa Barbara price tag. The carrots in the salad has been soaked in some kind of solution that left them bleached and chemical tasting Overheard from another table, "I don't need ice water , I need a fly swatter!" We understood what he was saying as he and his date, as we were, plagued by gnats the entire meal. The server replied, "oh, we sprayed and thought we got them all". I really wanted to like this restaurant but I just can't, go to Chucks a 1/2 mile from Tee-Off, you can thank me later. read more

What a disappointment! Friends raved about this SB "institution". Stuck in a down-scale tiny shopping center next to a donut shop.. Forget a parking space! Small, claustrophobic, no ambiance, and hum-drum meal selections. At one point, a homeless guy wandered in! The service was fine, so I'm giving it 3 stars for that. read more

It used to be really good, so I asked to go there for my birthday dinner. JUST NOT GOOD. NOT WORTH THE $$$ Prime rib was extremely fatty & TOUGH. I did not want to take the leftovers of it home. My husband ordered fried chicken, so over cooked and not worth eating (to quote my husband!) My salad was mostly very wilted and/or brown lettuce. ICK VERY DISAPPOINTED FOLKS! read more

Well it started out a little rough. I opened my menu and a black bug came flying out of it. Ran across table and my husband killed it. We were really unsure if we'd stay to find out if food was good or bad after that. But with the mixed reviews we almost left. Glad we didn't leave because the prime rib was one of the BEST we've ever had. Omg!!! The flavor was amazing, perfectly cooked, take advice from others if you order it medium, you'll get medium rare, so order accordingly. The veggies were also nicely cooked with nice crunch still do veggies. Baked potato was great, they give you plenty of butter, sour cream and green onions to load on your potatoes yourself. I have to say the celery, carrots and pepperoncini with ranch is interesting addition to bread basket. Clam chowder was good too, could have been hotter though. Service was great, I'm not sure if others were talking about same waiter we had, an older blonde lady, but she was super sweet and attentive. It is very dark in there so if you're going for some romance you got it. But can be loud at bar depending on guests that are hanging out. It's a small area so if someone is talking loud you will hear it. Overall good experience would definitely go back for the prime rib. Oh and drinks are strong, they are doubles so fair warning. Cheers! read more

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Took my grandpa and sister here for their joint birthday since my grandpa is a steak AND golf fanatic. Was worried by the appearance (not what I know Santa Barbara restaurants to be) but Tee-Off was amazing. Very accommodating to my gluten free diet. All not-fried meats are gluten free, kitchen advised me to avoid the garlic mashed potatoes and creamy dressings! Shared the one-rib prime rib (eagle cut) with my boyfriend and it was enough food for us both! Huge portions sizes and DELICIOUS meat. Of course comes with house salad or soup. (Didn't ask if the soup was GF, went with the salad). Sister got the Cajun prime rib and I'm partial to the bone, but it was great as well. Peep the birthday ice cream (also all gluten free) Fantastic cocktails that grandpa enjoyed thoroughly. read more

Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge - Dessert - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Celebrated a birthday dinner here and everything was super delicious. Service was great and the vibes were excellent! Onion rings are by far the best I've had in SB and my oh my did we get blown away from the steak dinner! Cooked perfectly and had steak dinner the next few nights lol. Overall great experience can't wait to go back! read more

Excellent service w Amelia, she is efficient and delightful. Old vintage vibe steakhouse a rarity in SB. We had salads, prime rib & steaks all to perfection. read more

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This was the weirdest meal as nothing had any flavor. The salad seemed like the veggies had been soaked in water, so flavorless, the salad dressing maybe had too much buttermilk and not enough spices, the croutons had a hint of flavor only. For my main course I had the prime rib and the only area that was good was the perimeter, the inside was bland and a little chewy. The au jus that the prime rib was swimming in was also bland. I was so disappointed as it was my birthday dinner. I thought maybe my tastebuds were off but the leftovers today were also flavorless. The service was great and Lexi was very attentive. read more

We couldn't believe our luck finding this place! We had no reservation and they got us in anyway and I guess they must be famous for steaks because OMG , fabulous steak. We are taking another trip up north and we're already planning to go there!! read more

Been two times and had her both. Food good each time we went. She is vey nice and attentive to all. Great job!! read more

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We'll worth the time. Old-time steakhouse. Ambiance and drinks will bring you back in time. Suggest the Eagle cut prime rib. read more