First, better than the food, which was very yummy, was the service. Honestly the best service we've had anywhere in a very long time. Dang, I didn't get her name. She was efficient, happy and a great sense of humor. Now, the ambiance was busy. Fun, quirky sings everywhere. Every wall was full. Again it was old school fun. Our grandson, who is learning to read had fun reading the signs. We ordered, fried chicken, prime rib, potato skins, burger, and entrée salads. It wasn't cheap diner food. It was just a delightful meal! read more

Great food, great service and great place to relax and enjoy dinner for two. Want to get away? Try it out.

Fries and chicken tenders were good and crispy. Tasted like quality chicken strips. Ranch dressing was good. Nice waitress. Cool vibe inside, dark, and bar is full of people for lunch time. Out friend got a double Jack and coke and felt like a triple so that was a bonus for him! They don't hold back on the value! read more

The Nugget - Chicken Strips - American Near Me - Goleta, California

I ordered the tri tip sandwich and it was awful. Very fatty, parts of the meat were dried out and had obviously been sitting around for too long. The beef was gamey and only the dipping sauce was good. The only upside was that my dogs loved it as I literally couldn't eat more than half. And I'm 6'-6"" tall and was hungry. read more

Nice LUNCH FOR FOUR TODAY; 2 had Stroganoff, 1 Chicken Fajitas, 1 Blue Cheese burger (not on the menu). Service was great, Monserrat being very attentive. Diner with Fajitas said they were among the best she ever has had. Stroganoff is always great. Burger? Terrific, though messy. Maybe don't order this on a first date... read more

The Nugget offers Saturday and Sunday brunch now; the chilaquiles are so delicious! We also ordered Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and it was so filling. Every time I come I'm always amazed by their service and food. It's a nice place to enjoy an intimate dinner. Sometimes it does get pretty packed at dinner time, though we're always able to snag a booth! read more

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I've been here many times and it's always been good. However the last two times I've been here the servers are very rude. They seem bothered. They don't want you to ask any questions about anything. I don't need to be treated like that and we will no longer be coming here. The food was terrible. I don't know what happened to this place new owners.??? Also when I went to the bathroom, I noticed the guy making the salad wasn't even wearing gloves and he was picking up everything and just tossing it together pretty gross considering how dirty it is back there read more

Always a great experience. Consistently good food with fantastic service all at reasonable prices. The trifecta that keeps us coming back.

Glad we decided on the Nugget in Goleta! Servers are all young but they are very polite & professional! I had a Smash Burger with fries (shouldn't have done that). Burger was really good, so were the fries (fried in beef tallow). The place was very clean & fun! We would return if in the area.... Good value for the price! read more

Service was great and the beef stroganoff was bomb!!! Very basic homey menu. Ribs, burgers and stuff

Very casual treatment upon arriving to dine alone, don't know if that was because I was alone or if they are always like this. The abrupt behavior continued throughout the order process. I ordered Nugget Nuggies (so-called "tempura" chicken) and a Cheeseburger & Fries. Botomless soda was a good thing, but it lacked big bubbles and tasted like Pepsi instead of Coke. I also ordered Meatloaf dinner to-go with mashed potatoes. The tables are really high in the booths, luckily they moved because it hit my belly!! They were quick to bring the soda, and did bring napkins. While I waited I had to listen to men speaking bombastically from the bar area and one table. The first soda refill was fast, but not the rest of them throughout my meal. The chicken nuggets were hot but dried out, the fries were skinny and not very seasoned, I asked for more Ranch to dip them in. I liked that the cheeseburger had a medium-rare option, but the burger tasted like nothing!! I had to add salt. Also, the romain lettuce got cooked by the meat. Meatloaf was very spicy and the mashed potatoes were garlic mashed potatoes. Neither of this was mentioned in the menu!! I couldn't even eat the mashed potatoes and had to drink a lot of water while I ate the meatloaf due to the spiciness. I will definitely not go here again. In fact the only reason I went here was because this was the restaurant where my late aunt and I used to meet up for our birthdays (she lived in Thousand Oaks and I live in Morro Bay - so it was sort of half-way). To be honest I can't believe it is still there all these years later, I suspect it is the regulars that support it, mostly at the bar. read more

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Although I live in Northern California, I visit the Santa Barbara/Goleta area afew times per year. The Nugget is one of the places I try to visit while in town. The atmosphere is rustic and laid back. The food is always very good, I've haven't been disappointed yet in my 7+ visits. This time I chose their brunch special chilequilles (sp?). I've had the same dish at other restaurants over the years, but the Nuggets version was the best I've had so far. The ingredients were fresh, cooked perfectly, and their salsa (i had both red and green) were spot on. The service to get seated initially is sometimes delayed depending on how busy the restaurant is, but the table servers are friendly and efficient. I will be coming here again and recommend you do the same read more

A local told me the beef stroganoff was good. And it was delicious! My son had the pasta, which he loved! The place is great for families! The service was excellent and everyone was friendly. I will definitely be back! read more

Fun place! Very busy but happy vibes with everyone - employees and customers alike. Down home place with great and lively wall artifacts everywhere. Very good food served by friendly and quick waitstaff. Very popular place read more

I didn't even know there was a Nugget in Goleta until a friend recommended it. It was pretty crowded inside but we were seated right away. When I went to the restroom I noticed they have a huge outdoor patio in the back. Our server was super friendly. The wine was priced really well and they have a decent local selection. I enjoyed my burger. Probably not a new regular spot for me but if you're looking for a well-priced sit down restaurant in the area it has good vibes. read more

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Nice old roadhouse feel, and good food. Very diverse menu. Definitely worth a try. Service was also good.

Amazing place and great happy hour! Had the most amazing meatloaf with my glass of Chardonnay

American standards for an American palate. Not really for foodies. I've been there 4-5 times with friends and everything is average. Club sandwich looks to be one of the better items. Meatloaf is...meatloaf. Grilled salmon tastes like the char of the grill, so not my style. Jalapeño poppers are good. $4 up charge for baked potato.... missed that detail, oops. Definitely a locals' haunt. Loud and popular, but solidly meh. read more

The Nugget - Menu march 2024 - American Near Me - Goleta, California

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Food is always great and some of the best fries I have ever tried! (Thin style). The Chicken Marsala is my favorite. Service is fantastic, they are so attentive and always eager to please and the decor on the walls is so much fun to look at, they have outdoor patio dining too where they are dog friendly and even have water bowls. Back to ambiance and or decor: we love it. My wife loves the salads and fish dinners. Good variety of menu items and full bar. Try it, we go often! read more

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From the moment I walked into The Nugget in Goleta, I knew I was in for an incredible experience. I was warmly greeted by a stunning hostess, Paula, who made sure I was seated immediately--despite the restaurant being packed! Talk about efficiency and top-tier service. Within moments, the lovely Julia came by to take my drink order. Naturally, I went for my go-to: a salt-rimmed margarita on the rocks, the perfect choice when an establishment doesn't carry Squirt. And let me tell you--that margarita was excellent! Smooth, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. Not long after, my waiter, Jonah, arrived with a friendly smile, ready to take my order or give me more time if needed. But there was no hesitation on my part--I came for the prime rib! At just $39, this masterpiece came with two sides--I opted for veggies and a Caesar salad. When my meal arrived, it was nothing short of perfection. The prime rib, cooked rare (as in, a skilled veterinarian might have been able to revive it), was absolutely exquisite! Juicy, flavorful, and exactly what a prime rib should be. Every bite melted in my mouth. The sides were just as impressive--the veggies were crisp and fresh, and the Caesar salad was delightfully crisp with just the right amount of dressing. As I was savoring every bite, the manager came by to check on me--and to my surprise, it was none other than Julia! The same person who had taken my drink order at the start of my experience. Now that's what I call dedicated leadership and exceptional service. From start to finish, my time at The Nugget was nothing short of EXCELLENT. The staff? Phenomenal. The ambiance? Inviting and warm. The food? Unforgettable. Julia, Jonah, Paula, and the chefs in the kitchen--every single one of you deserves praise! Would I come back? Absolutely. In fact, I can't wait for my next visit! If you're in Goleta and looking for a place with incredible food, top-notch service, and an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home, The Nugget is the place to be. Five stars all the way!!! Ps I shouldn't have, but I got the Creme Brulee, for a dessert definitely was not disappointed!!! read more

Best patty melts in town, imo. Fries are great, too. We like to come here at off times.

Went back again for weekend brunch. It was really busy and the service was great. Had the Prime Rib Benedict, Breakfast Burrito and the pancakes. Everything was fantastic read more

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Met a few wonderful ladies to chat with and the new bartender was fabulous. I didn't eat but the drinks were top notch. I will be back.

Service was quick. Server unfortunately didn't fill up my wife's water after she finished both mine and hers. Ordered the sliders as an appetizer. They were super good. Got the ribs and ravioli. The main course seemed like they forget to season everything and didn't finish most of the food. Ambiance was good for me. Nice and clean. Their roof was leaking but wasn't an issue for me during my meal. read more

Amazing service and food, as always. Our server Charles was attentive and courteous. Would recommend to anyone looking for tasty local bites and a fun atmosphere! read more

It took a long time to get seated, but it was a busy weekend night so that was expected. The food quality and flavor just didn't match the cost in my opinion. Overall, it felt too expensive for what it was. The portions were decent, but nothing really stood out enough to justify the price. It wasn't terrible, just underwhelming -- especially considering how much we ended up spending. I don't think I'd go out of my way to come back. read more

Always a fun place , good food, service was spot on, and enjoyed the vibe/ atmosphere.

A real neighborhood joint for locals. Great staff. Great casual atmosphere Great cocktails great food

Outstanding: Taylor, the bartender, server Great: the air conditioning Good: the BBQ pork sandwich and crispy fries I had BUT Absolutely horrible: the sea bass sandwich my husband had. It was old, with a bad strong fishy smell. We do NOT recommend it! It should not have been served. (The trout dinner I had a month ago was perfect but AVOID the sea bass! I question how long it's been sitting in their refrigerator...) read more

So far not a bad place., the ambiance and the good American music gets you in the mood for some beer,wine, margarita or/ a nicely done MR Tbone steak. Even tho my server forgot about me lol, he did apologize for the waiting timé ASAP. He was very polite an professional. Definitely I will come back to this place ., this place is incredible !!!! read more

The Nugget - T-bone steak and garlic mash - American Near Me - Goleta, California

You must try the Halibut Veracruz. It's a special on the board but they seriously need to keep it on the menu. It's better than my recipe which says A LOT! Go and find out for yourself. read more

I came here with some coworkers for a quick lunch and drink. It was so countryish and designful! They had animal heads, license plates from different states and a full bar. I got a glass of rosé for $10 and it was filled to the top. I also ordered chili cheese fries and they were delicious. A lot of the things on the menu were pricey but everything looked good. M read more

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Food is good and atmosphere is nice!! Server was also great but one thing I will say is to train the host to be better at greeting! The 2 with the glasses and black hair. The host is the first impression when you walk into a restaurant! They were very off putting did not know to smile or say hello. They were actually super rude and Both of them standing around talking just isn't a great look either! Just a tip! (: read more

Do you live in Goleta looking for a breakfast place on the weekends? This is the best breakfast and a Bloody Mary in Goleta. We don't go anywhere else!! Try the Brunch Burger or Prime Rib Egg Benedict OR if you like spicy ...the Chile Verde is amazing! read more

The Nugget - Breakfast Burger - American Near Me - Goleta, California

We found this place a few years ago, while visiting our son, who goes to UCSB. We stop in every time we come down to visit. Staff is very attentive, food is always good, and love hanging around the locals. read more

The Nugget - Prime Rib Dinner, only served on Fridays and Saturdays. Was so good. - American Near Me - Goleta, California

When you're hungry, want to enjoy a dining room full of locals, need to check in on the latest NBA, NFL, or MLB games, or want a no-nonsense cocktail or beer, this is the place to be. Favorite starters are the Buffalo Wings and Onion Rings, followed by their Beef Stroganoff. And of course ANY of the burgers are always good. Our regular server Antonio is always on top of making sure we all get exactly what we want, and he's spot-on with his ongoing suggestions. Conveniently located next to the KFC, Nikka Ramen, and across from Panino, Bob's Vacuum and the UPS Store. read more

The best female bartender in Goleta is Julia. She is superb and I love going to the Nugget when she is working! The food is good too! read more

The exterior and interior are filled with cheesy, fun American memorabilia leading you to believe that the food is probably not the best but prepare to have your preconceived ideas dashed. They have an excellent selection of salads, sandwiches, and burgers. I had already eaten a large breakfast so I can only speak for the salads. All of us had a different salad except for the 11 year old who ate a grilled cheese and fries, each one delicious looking. The service is great; our server took photos for us outside in the back patio, and then when we leaving at the front of the restaurant. The bar is a great example of an old time bar straight out of the 1890's including some regulars who looked like their horse was parked outside and they just came from gold mining. Heads of deer, boar, and other unfortunate animals were displayed on every wall in between sepia toned photos, Coca-Cola ads, license plates and artifacts from a bygone era. There is a back patio with a mural of a prospector, a carved wooden statue of an Indian chief, and more memorabilia from the old west. Dogs are welcome as are large groups. read more

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We go to the Nugget for our comfort food fix. They have a great variety of bar food with a home cooked touch. I often get the cobb salad and some kind of indulgent appetizer. We love the nuggies and jalapeño poppers. Have always had good service at both locations. Love the expanded outdoor seating at both too! read more

The Nugget - American Near Me - Goleta, California

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I'm from San Diego and came up to surf w my son who goes to UCSB. Surfed Rincon and wanted some hearty food. Didn't disappoint. I had the homemade meatloaf. Wished it was bigger portion but the mashed potatoes and boiled veg made up (I'm low carb so wanted more meat). My son had burger and it was decent. They seem to have lots of variety. read more