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Dutch Garden Restaurant
4203 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 967-4911
- Category: German
- Hours: Wed-Sat 11am-8pm
- Price: $10 - $20
- Serving: Lunch & Dinner
- Map
- Write a review of this location!
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Reviews by the General Public
Still great, 8/19/2010
Reviewer: sbo
from Santa Barbara, CA
Well I don't remember the date of my last review which is listed below but I'm happy to say that this place has stayed true to form. Smagelijk (tasty) and Zeer goed (very good) are 2 Dutch expressions that fit perfectly. Try the Scnitzel with mushroom sauce it makes an excellent dish into an outstanding one! The Eisbein (pork knuckle) is scrumptous and the potatoe pancakes are delicious. We like sitting in the garden but the inside decor is nice too. The waitstaff is very friendly and efficient. The beers are unusual imports, strong and flavorful.
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Why Dutch?, 7/5/2010
Reviewer: Bobby
from Santa Barbara, CA
I believe that the reason that it is called Dutch Garden is the same reason we have salisbury steak (which is just hamburger): there was a lot of anti-German sentiment around and after the World Wars (the restaurant being post-WWII era). Naming aside, the schnitzel is fantastic, on it's own or in a sandwich, and they have a fantastic selection of beers.
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Dutch? , 3/3/2010
Reviewer: Anneke
from Santa Barbara, CA
What is Dutch about it? It should be called Deutsch gardens.
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Locals with taste know a great place, 11/10/2009
Reviewer: Dan Montello
from Santa Barbara, CA
Ok, it's not elegant or chic, so probably not a place to impress a date or a client. It's got charm, kitsch, and outdoor seating. The food will stun you with its simple quality and freshness. Yes, those non-dairy veggie soups really are that good, and you can't believe they are non-dairy. And I have taken Germans there on more than one occasion, and they have all been very pleased. One crooned about the lightness of the schnitzel. And this could well be the best beer selection in any restaurant in the county.
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Sorry we intruded!
Reviewer: Juanita
from Santa Barbara, CA
I used to go to this restaurant about 4 times a year when I lived nearby. Last night tried it again after taking a break from it. The food was good, especially the snitzel plate. But why does it happen that every time I eat here I feel like I was an intrusion? The chef/owners only acknowledge people who come there weekly or more often. Apparently my patronage is not good enough for them. Last night's waiter, the "beer specialist" was down right rude and ignored us as soon as someone came that ordered beer instead of the wine we had. I really don't know if I want to spend my hard earned money at a place that obviously doesn't care about all of it's customers equally.
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Hidden Gem
Reviewer: Arlene
from Santa Barbara, CA
Wow- lived here 15 years and had never been! What a treat- great beer, mellow energy and great service. Come expecting the food is satisfyingly rich and ask the servers to explain the different beers and make recomendations.
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Didn't know what to expect...Nothing but satisfied!
Reviewer: Eric
from Santa Barbara, CA
After reading the highly contrary reviews of this restaurant here and on other sites, my wife and I were a little apprehensive about giving this spot a try. We had driven past it many times, read articles about it in the Independent (it is called "Dutch" Garden, evidently, because of a certain ticklish relationship with Germany in the 40s when the restaurant was being renamed), but didn't know any one who had ever eaten there. We wanted to want to go but kept fighting the urge because of the intensity of the negative reviews. But yesterday, on a warm July afternoon we gave it a shot and were we glad we did!
It was perfect weather for the outdoor seating. As soon as we sat down we were greeted by a friendly server. Our drink (beer) order was delivered promptly, as was our soup, then food, then amazing peach pie (reminded me of my German great-grandmother's peach cobbler). The soup had a unique layer of flavors. It was a peppery and herby split pea. We split the schnitzel whose flavors were awakened by the home-made, sweet, grainy mustard. The warm potato salad was mild in flavor and the sauerkraut tasted about the same. The bread was from our favorite bakery, D'Angelo which was a nice surprise because it just looked like white bread but had a warm, chewy, crusted texture. The beer selection was good, unique, and fit the food well.
I would come back, will come back, and will definitely take visitors here.
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Great Food, Great Service...
Reviewer: Edward L.
from Santa Barbara, CA
Time after time we have NEVER been disappointed with the food or service at the this out of the way eatery. We love the place! The soups are always fresh and tasty, good breads and a great selection of German beers is great. The menu choices are limited but everything is well prepared and presented. We have eaten here many times and have used the place for casual lunches and dinners and business meetings. Don't be put off by the exterior, it is a rare find with great German Potato Salad.
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Not Recommended
Reviewer: Glenn
from Buellton
Waitresses were nice but inattentive. Food was not good for the price. (No free refills on soda). Food undercooked. The front portion of the restaurant was built in the 20s and it really smelled that way too in a musty way. Indoor and Outdoor seating and interesting inside in a "Woodys" kind of way. Owner/Chef is not German but has a lot of cooking experience apparently.
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Very disappointing
Reviewer: Alicia
from Santa Barbara, CA
Besides bearing absolutely no resemblance to any food I ever ate in Germany, the food was actually just bad tasting. Dried out pork chop. Ham hock & lima beans swimming in fat with a total of four lima beans (yes, we counted them). Reading the other glowing reviews from diners, I wondered if we just ordered the wrong things. Needless to say, we won't be returning to try again.
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THE German Restaurant in town
Reviewer: SBO
from Santa Barbara, CA
Their weird open hours (days actually) and out of the way location keep this great restaurant a locals' secret and I am glad! The other, newer, place down the way on State street just doesn't compare. The food HERE is delicious and plentiful and the garden seating is very nice. They feature terrific Belgian beers/ales as well as German ones. The scnitsels, wursts, potatoe salad, red cabbage, soups are superb. Let's keep this our little secret.
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Food is good but teach that boy the basics in serving
Reviewer: gary
from santa barbara
Amazing how the server reaches across the table and doesn't know the basics about food service. Food was surprisingly good.
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