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Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 966-4418

Brophy Bros. writes: Brophy Bros. was established in 1986 and is operated by the original owners. "The Bennett family." Our restaurant is a high paced, casual and social venue. Prepare to meet people and interact with locals. We have been fortunate to have received Best Seafood and Best Clam Chowder in Santa Barbara for many, many years. Brophy's is located right on the docks and the views are amazing. Due to our limited space, we are unable to take reservations and suggest putting aside ample time to wait and enjoy the surrounding area. Visit our website www.brophybros.com for things to do and places to stay in the immediate area.

  • Specials: Daily Fresh Fish Specials
  • Private Room: Our Downstairs Clam Bar is perfect for a party of 30 or less !

Reviews by the General Public

The Best time Clam bar Bar tender was the best so cute., 12/28/2009
Reviewer: Chris aka Baddbboy2@aol.com from Grand Terrace,CA
Day after christmas the clam bar drinks and shrimp were the best the bartender was so cute she got $30 out of me for a tip.Hope to see her again, food and sevice up stairs was great cant wait to go back.
Horrible Customer Service, 9/29/2009
Reviewer: Jennifer from Santa Barbara, CA
I will never go back to Brophy Brothers. Our waitress not only had a bad attitude, but she was outright rude to our entire party. When we asked to speak with the manager, he told us that as long as we paid our bill he didn't care what we had to say. Now I don't know about you, but I have never experience customer service as poor as this. I guess that Brophy Brothers does enough tourist business that they do not care about the local business they receive and therefore i will never return and I plan on telling all of my colleagues and friends to not go as well. I am truly disappointed with this restaurant.

Brophy Bros. writes: I am sorry you had such a poor experience. I suggest contacting our office 966-2535 and leave a message for John Bennett. My family and I value the locals more than you could imagine. We all grew up in this town ! I would love the opportunity to rectify the situation. Thanks
What's the big whoop?, 9/19/2009
Reviewer: Francis from Santa Barbara, CA
Perhaps it's the ambiance of the water?? The food was rather average and I was not impressed with the preparation of the fish. The server was attentive, polite and efficient that was the only real plus at Brophy's. Probably won't return.

Mgr won't seat me till the "other party" arrives????, 9/16/2009
Reviewer: Christine from Los Olivos, CA
Arrived at 12:30 (lunch) today for a meal with my sister. The mgr/host/do----bag questioned me if and when my lunch date will arrive. I said she'll be here momentarily and he said he can't seat me until she arrives. While he seated 2 other parties, I asked the hostess to seat me and she did. It's my sister's b'day and I wanted an outside table and it looked like the outside tables were quickly filling up. I nearly opened a can of whup-ass on the mgr for his condescending and unwelcoming attitude but decided against it. My cioppino was generous & tasty, but more than a little sandy. My sister reported that her mahi was good, though the portion was small. The server was attentive and did a nice job. Unfortunately, the mgr/host/do----bag took the luster off my experience with his jerky attitude.
Seafood is Tasteless!, 8/19/2009
Reviewer: Brad James from Stevenson Ranch, CA
I have been here twice. The location and view of the Marina (if you have an outside table) is THE ONLY reason to go to this very touristy restautant. Tables are stacked one next to the other. I am shocked that it is not a violation of the fire code. Those waitaing to be seated stand around in every available location, hovering over you while you eat. I have tried 4 different types of fish. All were bland and tasted the same. The rice clearly came out of a box. I have written two restaurant reviews in my life. When I saw this place won for best seafood, I knew the voting was either rigged or Santa Barbara truly has NO good seafood. The Palace Grill has amazing food and seafood. Head up to Cota Street!
I'd give this restaurant another try....., 8/5/2009
Reviewer: Cherie from Anchorage, AK
I was excited to try the food and although the clam chowder had delicious flavor, it was less then hot! The salad was bitter from the over use of garlic. This comment is coming from a garlic lover. The service was OK but nothing great. No one bothered to ask why I left the salad - my plate was just swooped away. Perhaps staff is a bit too rushed. Better attention to detail would be helpful.
Great baked clams...crummy bar service, 7/8/2009
Reviewer: Taryn O. from Santa Barbara, CA
We hit up Brophy Bros. at LEAST once a month and we've never had such un-friendly service. We sat at the bar like we usually do, and our waitress really could not be bothered to serve easy going locals with even a half-smile. The multiple 'eye-rolling' incidents when asked for water or for even a 2nd round of drinks during dinner seemed to be too much for her trouble. We'll be back that's for certain, but we'll choose to stand at the outside bar or sit in a section with staff that appreciates the local flavor.

busy for good reason, 7/7/2009
Reviewer: ChrisC from Santa Barbara, CA
We were at the harbor and decided to grab a bite at Brophy's last evening. The chowder was as good as usual, and the warm bread a course in itself. Oysters and clams made for a nice chaser. Anyone who frequents this popular restaurant knows it can be noisy and a little hectic upstairs - busy bar, low ceilings. What's always amazing is the way the staff handles the tight quarters. Service this trip was excellent - prompt and attentive despite a dinner rush. More than that, the staff was having fun - sort of like a Southwest Airlines flight crew when they were at their peak.

yummo, 6/25/2009
Reviewer: Susan from Santa Barbara, CA
it was my first time eating here and i expected it to be great and it did not disappoint. the clam chowder was hot and pretty decent compared to other places around santa barbara. the salad wasnt anything special but good service. a good place to eat when at the beach and willing to pay a little more.
Management Does Care!, 6/6/2009
Reviewer: Ed and Carol York from Lompoc, CA
Surprise! we received a personal call from the owner of Brophy Bros two days after our visit and review. He was sincere and apologetic for the way we were treated and indicated he had talked to the manager on duty and instructed him of the way All customers should be treated. He indicated he cared about all customers and wanted them to be return customers and have a great experience at his restaurant. We appreciated his call and based on his sincere approach to our complaint, we will be back. After all, as we said in our first review, the food was excellent and the wait service as well. More owners of restaurants should check up on there places and be more responive to their customers. Cudos to Mr. John Bennett!
Great Food and Service but bad management, 6/1/2009
Reviewer: Ed and Carol York from Lompoc, CA
We recently had out of towners visit us and took them to Brophys for lunch. I must say the food and wait service was excellent! The management of the restaurant on the other hand leaves much to be desired! My wife badly sprained her ankle and was on cruches when we arrived. They said 30 minutes for table and when I requested a chair they hemmed and haed and then sat her at an empty chair only to ask her to give it up 5 minutes later. At no time did they offer her another nor indicte they were sorry for the inconvience. We would have left if not for our out of town guests. We will not be back good food or not!
The best thing was the clam chowder, 5/16/2009
Reviewer: Todd from Lompoc, CA
I got there early and the service was good. I got the calimari to begin and I've had better at Red Lobster, of all places, all I tasted was old burned oil. Then I had the clam chowder and it was very good. Next I had the fried shrimp, big mistake, it to tasted like burned oil, maybe if they tried changing the oil more often, and the shrimp did not taste fresh. This was my first and last time I will dine here.
Hit(clam chowder)/Miss food/service, 5/15/2009
Reviewer: Glenn from Buellton
I would recommend the Clam Chowder, beyond that it may be hit/miss for you. Some of the fish we got was undercooked, beer broiled shrimp just kind of tasted like shrimp to me so I did not get the "beer" taste. The food took too long and once the crowd hit the waitress was overwhelmed. I recommend getting here at 11am if you want the outdoor seating and prompt food/service. Nice to try at least once to experience it. Maybe just get a big bowl of clam chowder with a side would be my advice. Rice and cole slaw are good.
Mr. Underhill's 30th Birthday Kickoff at Brophs..., 5/11/2009
Reviewer: Jackie Treehorn from Aliso Viejo
On a weekend of fires, we still decided to take the train to SB for some R&R. We kicked it off with some Brophos accompanied by Santa Barbara's own, Landon "The double dippin squid" Hess. Seating location, solid. Bartender, Solid. Food, Solid. Service, Solid. The only thing missing was nothing...Well played Brophy Brothers, well played.

It was only fish and chips, but....
Reviewer: Mike from Santa Barbara, CA
the fish was slimy and had a very odd texture to it. We all ate on the cheap that night and all had slimy fish. On the other hand, the chowder was good as usual and the service stellar. Love this place, but the fish and chips is not what it once was.
Have you got any Grey Poupon?
Reviewer: Anne from Santa Barbara, CA
I am a diehard Brophy's fan! Discovered them after moving here in the late 80's and still jump at any chance to have their garlic baked clams and a big spicy bloody mary. Sure, it's tiny and noisy and one can generally expect to wait a while for a table, but the food is always delish and you can hang at the bar windows with a cocktail while you wait (or take your pager and head to Endless Bummer for a cocktail until your table is ready, just steer clear of the food!). The title of my review derives from an early experience at the restaurant, while seated on the balcony with some friends on a beautiful summer day. While we were dining, a truck towing a boat to dry-dock passed by and there was a man on the boat at eye level with us and as he went by he said "pardon me, have you got any grey poupon?". That is one of my two favorite Brophy's memories. The other one is not fit for public consumption, but it involves the cioppino and an anatomically correct muscle....
Don't believe the hype
Reviewer: J.J. O'Malley from Pasadena, CA
The overall quality of the food was poor. The Garlic Clams Appetizer were soggy in texture (wet bread crumbs) and microscopic in size. I had a much better serving 3 days later from a street vendor at SF Fisherman's Warf. The Cioppinne was in a campbell soup tomato base with overcooked shrimp and various other types of day old seafood. There was a saving grace with the Fish and Chips. It was a fresh, well prepared and reasonably priced. The final dissapointment was the overall cost for lunch with a couple glasses of wine. Good thing they have Jack the Bartender downstairs to keep you spirits up during the excessive wait

great view, a must for visitors
Reviewer: Ron from Del Mar, CA
This is one of my favorite places to stop when I visit Santa Barbara. The view from the balcony is first rate. I usually get a light meal there- clam chowder, beer boiled shrimp and a beer or a glass of wine along with the beautiful backdrop of the harbor, palm trees and the mountains make for a special moment in lovely Santa Barbara.
Good, Moderately Priced Restaurantw/ a Great View
Reviewer: Carlos from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been eating at Brophy's for over 20 years and have always found it to have great, friendly service. The food is well prepared seafood, nothing great but with good ingredients. Even at rush hours the servers rarely lose their cool and are always professional, unlike some other restaurants in Santa Barbara. I'm always amazed at the equanimity of the servers considering the cramped quarters and the lovely general public. It's a popular place and things gets hectic. Their beer boiled shrimp is my favorite dish, great with a beer. I haven't eating anything here that I did not like. Of course, for better seafood, the Beachside in Goleta is a good contender. As far as having wheelchair access, that would be nigh impossible due to the building structure and the adjoining business. Plus it would be a prohibitive sum for Brophy's management to justify building for a restaurant that already does great business. I'm sorry about the poor gentleman who could not dine in the upstairs area but we really can't make every place wheelchair accessible
Always Great!
Reviewer: Jan & Don from California Natives
My husband and I have been regulars at Brophy Bros for 13 years. We like to arrive at opening (11 am) and get our favorite seats at the bar and relax with a Bloody Mary - Brophy's makes the best Bloody's! then have some oyster shooters and clam chowder, fried shrimp, you name it, it's all delish! And the service is always good. Pete, Ira, Nate, Adam - you are all the best! Sometimes we'll hang out for lunch and then dinner in the same day, they don't try to rush you out the door, you can stay as long as you want. We live in Texas now, and we really miss Brophy's!!!
Best Clam Chowder Ever!
Reviewer: JGrif from Nashville, TN.
I am from Tennessee and ate here on recommendations from locals. I truly enjoyed everything we ate. The clam chowder was amazing. The outside veranda upstairs could use a little widening quite the tight fit to enjoy a beer at the bar with your body all up on and eating patron, other than that I have no complaints. The views and food were the best I had on my trip to So. Cal. as far as resturants go.

work on seating
Reviewer: Christine from Santa Barbara, CA
They have a nice location. Perhaps a restaurant with slightly better management deserves the spot. Their menu is fine. Clam chowder is made with fresh ingredients. When we arrived and there was a short waiting time, we felt the hostess sized us up visually and sent us to the bar downstairs where they only serve appetizers, even though I didn't want to drink. They offered the people behind us a regular table with the full menu. I think they should better explain the bar situation as an overflow spot when they are crowded, and offer a chance to wait longer for a table rather than sending young or less fashionable people over there.

Yummy!
Reviewer: Lulu from Santa Barbara, CA
GARLIC BAKED CLAMS OMG!!! Sooo good. This is our favorite place! oh the building is a city building and there is a downstairs dining room where they cater to everyone, including people in wheelchairs and disabilities. There is no room for an elevator and the view is still grand from downstairs!
Best of Santa Barbara?
Reviewer: Erin from Santa Barbara, CA
How can a restaurant who claims the Independent magazine's titles of "Winner of Best Clam Chowder, " "Winner of Best Bloody Mary," "Best Seafood Restaurant" and "Best Restaurant with a View" NOT offer access to wheelchair bound patrons? What, do these people not deserve access to one of Santa Barbara's "Best" restaurants?!?! A friend of mine recently attempted to dine at Brophy's, one of his favorite Santa Barbara restaurants. He hasn't been there since the tragic accident that took the use of his legs and ability to walk, so he was looking forward to dinner with friends. But after arriving and discovering that Brophy's did not have wheelchair access to the upstairs dining patio, the only accommodation offered was to bring his food down to him. What? Was the rest of his party supposed to go upstairs and eat without him? Wow. I guess until everyone (including the owners of one of Santa Barbara's "Best" restaurants) has to live their lives in a wheelchair, nothing will be done to provide access for wheelchair patrons, whose money is just as good and green as those of us who can walk! Good luck, Brophy's, and maybe someday you'll get your building up to ADA code. Please?!?!

Maybe it was an off night
Reviewer: C. Redmond from Montecito
I have been to Brophys a number of times with my family while they are in town. Tonight I went with my husband and for as crowded as it always is, the service was pleasant and nice. I always love the chowder and it is really consistent in taste. But something was really wrong with the food tonight. I ordered the halibut and it was extremely bland tasting, it almost tasted like nothing, and then drenched in a really mediocre green curry lemon type of sauce which flavor was also lacking. It was just not very good at all and just overdone I think to spruce up the very bland fish. It seemed like maybe they were just churning out entrees paying not much attention to the quality or preparation at all. I think this might be more common in busy touristy restaurants. This is the first bad meal we have had here so I am hoping maybe just an off night. At least the service and location is still great.

Under the FULL MOON
Reviewer: John and Ginger from Aurora, CO
My wife and I just re-visited Brophy's again after a 5 year absence. The full moon came up on to and over the harbor..a WOW. The faces were different, but the food and atmosphere was just as we remembered. This is not your quiet evening dinner out with the family. It's has noise, high energy, loud, happy servers and bartenders. The wait time is just part of the process. Oyster Shooters will get you off to a great start. The food is good-to-great depending on the catch and the portions are more than fair. What's really GREAT? The people, the prices, the atmosphere and view, the food and the people. :-)

Always a Good Time
Reviewer: Caitlin from Santa Barbara
My boyfriend and I probably go to Brophy’s once or twice a month. We both work or have worked in several different aspects of the restaurant industry so we have certain expectations in some areas and sympathies in others. I have to say that lately the service at Brophy’s has been attentive, prompt, and overall pleasant. I would love to see some changes to the menu, just to keep things interesting, but the burger, shark sandwich, and house salad are some of my favorites. This is not a romantic date spot, it’s not a big space, and it’s always filled with people – but atmosphere is fun, the food is solid, and there are always interesting characters to meet, so I say go for it. On a side note, Ivy - I too have been a ‘broke college student’ and if you don’t have the money to properly tip for service then you shouldn’t be spending money on the food to begin with.
Sooo Good!!
Reviewer: Serena Lowenbach from Santa Barbara, CA
We ate at Brophy's Brothers last weekend and had a great time. The restaurant was so busy and the view, amazing!!! We have been to the Brophy's in Boston and this one is much better although the clams were better in Boston. The bread bowl clam chowder was the BEST we have ever had and the scallops thermador was out of this world!
always very good food when Lalo cooks
Reviewer: Steve from Santa Barbara
I try to go and eat as much as I can, but not always can. Very good clam chowder, pasta, fish. I'm happy with everyone who works there especially with a very good cook, his name is Lalo. Good work Lalo!
would like to have had an experience...
Reviewer: Karin from Buffalo
I am in SB from Buffalo, NY and am here for work. Our company recommended several restaurants and B Bros. was one many. So my husband and I decided to go on 2/26/08 after checking out the menu on their web site. Our company's comment about this establishment said "...be prepared to wait". Reading this, I thought to call to see if they accepted reservations. No one answered and a machine picked up and said "Thank you for calling B Bros..." and "...do not accept reservations...". So we walked from our hotel (about a mile) to the restaurant only to find a note on the door saying it was closed for several days for kitchen updates! The least they could have done is leave this message on their answering machine or put up a notice on their web page!

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