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El Paseo Restaurant
813 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 962-6050

  • Category: Mexican
  • Hours: Tue-Thu 4pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-10:30pm & Sun 10:30am-9pm
  • Price: $20+
  • Serving: Lunch, & Dinner
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Reviews by the General Public

Drink here, eat elsewhere. Good for private parties., 10/24/2009
Reviewer: Linda from Santa Barbara, CA
Too salty! I'm not a low-sodium person, but the tamales, fajitas and rice were _way_ too salty. Stuffed Anaheim chiles with corn fritters were good, beans okay. Tortilla soup was like tomato soup--that was odd-- and it was excessively salty, too. Atmosphere unique and fun, and we had good service. I say come for a margarita (or the full bar), then walk a couple blocks up and eat at Los Arroyos or almost anywhere else. I wish they'd get a good chef to come re-vamp their recipes--it does have potential. I came to a private event here last year and it was ideal for that--festive, sparkly, special, and the appetizers were pretty good. They should leave the roof open more, as that is a big draw. Lack of clientele on a Friday evening was kind of creepy, doesn't bode well.
Still Enjoyable Despite what Others Say..., 7/19/2009
Reviewer: Brenda Claire from Santa Barbara, CA
I always enjoy El Paseo. The posting below sounds like a plug for the Cabo restaurant. Please ignore that posting--I honestly believe that it is a plug for another restaurant! Even if the food is pricy, there are some things on the menu that are stellar. The waitstaff and barstaff are ALWAYS friendly. It is not perfect. So what. Just watch. During Fiesta, El Paseo will be the ultimate hotspot!
Mexican?, 7/18/2009
Reviewer: Veronica Gutierrez from Santa Barbara, CA
My husband and I have never been eaten at the El Paseo, but once went to have a couple of drinks at the bar before during Fiestas and the atmosphere was nice. On July 11th, 2009, we had family from Mexico in town for a visit and we decided to invite them out to eat and took them to the El Paseo. When we arrived it was about 3:00 and we were the only part there. It took the waitress forever to come and take our drink order. About 15 minutes later a group of 5 women came in and they started their drink order before ours. It took us 40 minutes to get our food and not once did the waitress come by our table to refill our water glasses and assure us that our food was almost ready. She didn't even bother to refill our chip baskets or our salsa. When the food arrived the Salmon had too much salt and The chicken fajitas did not have any flavor and it was very dry. My husband ordered the Tapiquena plate and he had asked for his steak med/rare and it was cooked well done. The rice was not authentic Spanish rice. The Margarita pitcher we ordered was terrible, and the six of us took a couple of sips and just had the water instead. I am a Hispanic and I know how Mexican food should taste and this restaurant needs to change their name. Money is usually no object with us, but when the food is so bad it hurt us to pay. All of us only ate about a 1/4 of our food and left the rest. We went to a resturant called Cabo Restuarant in Oxnard with our family from Mexico and it was very authentic. The service was so fast and friendly and this resturant was full to capicity with a waiting list. They have homemade torillas and everything you order is seasoned to perfection. Their bar is fantastic too.

Always a Pleasure!, 6/26/2009
Reviewer: Bianca Evans from Santa Barbara, CA
I do not know what the review below is talking about. I go to El Paseo often and it is always a pleasurable experience. The waitstaff and barstaff are friendly, the restaurant is beautiful, and the happy hour is the best deal in town. Seriously, please ignore that comment below. Swiss Enchiladas? They aren't even on the menu. If you choose El Paseo, you will not be disappointed.

Nice Location, BAD SERVICE, BAD EXPENSIVE FOOD......., 6/22/2009
Reviewer: Bob from Santa Barbara, CA
The waiter brought us wrong drinks, that we did not order. The chips were mixed, some crunchy some stale. I wonder if they were left from other customers. I had the Swiss chicken Enchiladas, HOW CAN THEY BE SWISS, THEY DONT HAVE ENCHILADAS IN SWitzerland!!!. They did not have any flavor, the rice tastes like is from a box; and the beans horribles, very expesive plate. We never get the right drinks, the blond waitress was flirting with the waiters, they never came to our table to ask if we need something. We will never go back to this place, Taco Bell has more flavor and cost less. By the way, they had a wedding booked and they were kind of upset because we came to eat.
loud and crazy brunch at the el paseo, 5/26/2009
Reviewer: pam from Santa Barbara, CA
we took some friends for their birthday for sunday brunch. I had made reservations for 1:00. when we arrived it was packed with about 60 loud and drunk college students.They quickley ran out of champagne, dessert, and the breakfast items disapeared about 1:15.The food was good lots of variety! I would call a head to make sure that the college scene is not a regular happening on sundays. Also the brunch was supposed to go until 2:30 at 2:15 the carts came and all the food was gone in a matter of minutes.

Beautiful Place, Wonderful Atmosphere,Great Happy Hour Deal!, 4/6/2009
Reviewer: Jacqueline from Santa Barbara, CA
No doubt about it, this restaurant is the most beautiful in all of Santa Barbara. The historic building, the trees, the open roof, it is the Arlington Theater equivalent in Restaurants! The food is delicious--sometimes I can find it pricey though. Either way, the homemade tortillas and guacamole is wonderful! The waitstaff is very charming, and the bartender is friendly and very knowledgeable about the various types of tequilas they serve! Happy hour is a great deal. If you buy at least one drink--you're able to take part in an appetizer buffet!! So, for just the cost of drinks, you can get unlimited gourmet appetizers! By far my favorite place to go with my girlfriends!!
wonderful atmosphere great service! delicious food
Reviewer: Roxana Lopez from Santa Barbara, CA
What I loved about this place how we were greeted. The hostess was VERY friendly, she sat us(me and my husband)down right away. She gave us the choice to sitt where we liked and she even brought us chips and salsa right away. I had the "Pollo Rostisado Salad" and it was delicious. The atmosphere was amazing the open roof top gives a very romantic touch at night with lit candels on our tables. I will definatly come back again
Wonderful, relaxed, great guacamole and services
Reviewer: Willi Welton from Eureka, Ca
We have returned three times, and have told many friends about this place. Seeing the stars over the table, warm chips, lots of salsa- three kinds. We had several special requests and they responded quickly and with a smile. They have a deep fried burrito that is amazing. Try to hit it just after normal lunch time- it is very nice. Or later if you like seeing the stars while you eat! Thank you El Paseo

Enjoyed our experience
Reviewer: Thomas T. from Pasadena, CA
Good thing we didn't read some of the other reviews before going there today. Probably would have steered clear. Sometimes "Ignorance is Bless" I guess. Remembered going to El Paseo back in the 1990's while in S.B. for business. Enjoyed it then and enjoyed it today. We were seated within 30 seconds of walking through the front door. We were even given the choice of a table or a booth. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. Drinks and main courses were very timely. Both the food and the atmosphere were excellent. Oh yeah.....the Margaritas were outstanding. Maybe they're trying to improve things after the slew of bad reviews. We sincerely enjoyed our dining experience @ El Paseo today, and will definitely be going back next time we're in beautiful Santa Barbara.
Food Good, Service very good, Concerned about management.
Reviewer: Dave from Goleta/CA
We had fresh quacamole made at the table.. recommend it although the "hot" stuff was not nearly hot enough. The men's bathroom was bus station disgusting. The floor was filthy, destructive damage in the wall tile where something was once mounted. That sends a strong message that management is not paying attention to detail. If that is the kind of scene they let patrons observe then what does the kitchen look like?
WORST EXPERIENCE
Reviewer: Melissa from Santa Barbara, CA
My boyfriend and I went to el paseo several months in advance to reserve a table for his graduation party. My boyfriend's father is in a wheelchair so we made sure to speak with the manager about having a disabled accesable table that night. He was very rude about taking time to talk to us, but did promise us that it would be accesable, and even wrote it on the reservation sheet. When we arrived the night of the graduation the wheelchair ramp was blocked by a table of 10 or so people. The same manager was there that night and was VERY rude about fixing the situation and it took him 45 minutes to make a path for my boyfriend's father to get to the table. After that the service was poor, and the food so-so. I will NEVER return to el paseo.
planned ahead and paid dearly for our efforts
Reviewer: Andreas Booher from Goleta
I planned a dinner for 45 people, three months in advance. We show up for our dinner and are told the whole restaurant had been booked for a wedding reception. Manager was rude, waiters were unable to convey messages and it took 5 weeks for us to get our deposit back and only after threatening legal action. It took me going back 8 times and making countless phone calls to get them to do anything about the refund and the last manager called me a liar, accusing me of forging the contract (signed by the previous manager). Our party of 45 ended up being accommodated at Chef Kareem's (for a lot more money) but we had a great time there.
hate no place!
Reviewer: Dacz from Santa Barbara, CA
We had a reservation for two, and by the time we came just found out that the whole place was already book for a function. Really disappointed!!we will never come back there!!
Overpriced!
Reviewer: Lily from Goleta, CA
The food I find it overpriced, but I guess it's what you get in Santa Barbara. The atmosphere was nice [again, downtown Santa Barbara]. The service was below average I guess. But, maybe I'll give this place another try. Also, the 2 reviews below me seem pretty suspicious. Both of it gave all 5-STARS, on the same day, in the same city.. Ventura.

"Ba da da La Bomba" Best food, service & mariachi's in SB
Reviewer: Mrs. Enriquez from Ventura, CA
Great atmosphere!! Fun place to bring the family or friends:) Love the "true" mexican flavor. Nothing like fresh guacamole made at your table and then off to the side fresh corn/flour tortillas!! Service is courteous and prompt:)
I always have the best food, good times with my family there
Reviewer: Laura Porth from Ventura, CA
I was greeted by the Manager and walked over to my table. We were a table of 8, the service was very attentive and accurately served to our order. The atmospher was a little taste of a hacienda, loved it. Yes, we eat out alot and always frequent the top 5 resturants. El Paseo is at the top for all the above. I

Used to be better...
Reviewer: Eric from Santa Barbara, CA
Something has happened to this place since I first started going 10 years ago. It's been several months but I just went back today for the lunch buffet to find the price was much higher and they charged $1 per person to split the bill. For a downtown restaurant that deals with a large working population who frequently dine in groups, this is weird (most eating today were obviously on lunch breaks). The service seems more inexperienced than ever. I asked for coffee after lunch because it was freezing outside and I wanted to enjoy my piece of pie with a cup of joe. The waitor told me it would take 5-10 minutes because he had to brew the coffee. For a restaurant that has been a landmark in this town for some time, I would expect a little more. I'll go for the margaritas at happy hour but that's about it.
God Bless Margaritas!!!
Reviewer: Alex Taber from Simi Valley, CA
So if it were not for the margaritas this place would not be worth the trip. They should bring back $3.00 Margarita happy hour!!!! Then I would be there every night!!!!

Not so happy Mother's Day
Reviewer: Mike Rodrigues from San Diego
OK - Mother's Day Brunch for 25. We had reservations at 11:30 a.m. - seated after 12:30 p.m. We had to place and set our own table and find chairs, no silverware. Buffet: 1) No plates/then dirty 2) Out of food 3) No server for cold prime rib, turkey or omelete bar 4) No cream cheese for bagels, etc . . . . No drinks at table & no server. Worst dining experience. $40/person plus add a gratuity for no food or service. I heard the Manager say we were complainers while he fetched chips for another table, we had none. We went outside to celebrate mothers day because the place smelled and was dirty. The worker came outside and wanted more money because he could not count. This was, for most of us, our first dining experience in Santa Barbara. Are all places here this bad? Never again - we will find another City of visit. Places like this will kill tourist businees. Stay away from El Paseo!

An enjoyable evening at El Paseo.
Reviewer: Craig from Los Angeles, CA.
First time there for my fiance and I and we enjoyed ourselves. The El Paseo Margarita w/ Herra Durra tequila was quite nice, worth the 8.95. The pescado tacos reminded me of the ones I would get in Baja CA., very authentic. I order pork loin skewers; not sure what the actual name was, but they were delicious. The beans were a bit thinned out but not bad. The chips were ok, but the 3 choices of salsa that came with them made up for it. I feel anyone who writes a negative review here that has eaten mexican food at places like El Torito does not have a clue. Very few people in the US can say they have enjoyed authentic Mexican food unless they went to some small village/town in Mexico. Mexican restaraunts almost always tweak there recipes to oblige our Gringo palletes.
Make some changes!
Reviewer: J Davis from santa maria ca
The food was terrible, it had no taste and over priced. The best thing of the restaurant was being outdoors. I would recommend avoiding the food and just have a drink. Good Luck!

Bland over priced Food
Reviewer: Jean Watanabe from Los Angeles, CA
We recently ate at El Paseo, Here is the run down: Cold, bland food, watered down margaritas with hardly any tequila added in them. Service was ok , atmosphere very nice. Do not be fooled by the atmosphere! We spent 200.00 on this meal and it was literally one of the worst meals we have ever had out and all 4 of us ordered something different. Quesadillas, cold, hardly any cheese, no sides to dip them in, Don Juan Steak, steak was tough, undercooked, sauce was bland over it, chili relleno yuck. Shrimp with tequila sauce over rice, bland. Pork Carnitas, bland. Ceasar salad, did not have ceasar dressing, or the courtons and 3 cheese it advertised it would have on it Even the coffee we ordered was cold and old. I would not eat here again nor would I recommend it. We should have told the manager on our way out, we decided to skip so it wouldn't ruin our evening. We would have had to send everything back.

EAT MAYBE DRINK
Reviewer: MARC MEISELS from Palmdale, CA
For my wife's 40th we had a good experience - I was watching the help the entire time after reading some - reviews on service. I found the service to be OK the MOLE was tasty the hand made tortillas and fresh qauc were GREAT the Margaritas needed work. I WILL TRY AGAIN - HOPE MANAGEMENT DOES SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS
Beware of scheduled reservations!
Reviewer: Raul from San Jose, CA
Made reservations for a party of 12 for my wife's 40th birthday, two weeks before her birthday. Made reservations for Hotel for family coming out of state. Arrived at El Padeo Nuevo @ 7;00 p.m. 12-08-2007 to have our dinner and stay for the Latino night. Was informed that the place was closed for a business Christmas party. Informed Manager of not receiving a phone call to cancel our reservations. Manager was rude and did not apologize. Very unhappy w/customer service.
Among the Best
Reviewer: mark stuckey from pasadena, ca
The experience is worth it! El Paseo is the perfect place for any date, any family gathering, or just a place to meet with friends Sunday afternoon for the brunch. The food is wonderful! The homemade chips and tortilas are hard to beat. The atmosphere is unforgetable. The service is casual for the purpose of letting you enjoy your own company. I have had a lot of the dishes and everytime I find another favorite. A must for any visit to Santa Barbara
JOINING THE MAJORITY.......who won't be back
Reviewer: Steve Paine from Oxnard, CA
I made a mistake. I didn't read the reviews...... Sunday night - the 2nd of Dec. Just wanted a quiet snack before returning to the 101. It was quiet...my wife and I and no more than 2 other tables......and it STILL took 20 minutes to get a drink!! Unbelievable!!!!! One waiter who did things one thing at a time. The Manager says "how are things?" I got my diet coke. $15.95 for a two item combination?!?!?!? Didn't order it. $12.95 for "so-so" nachos (remarkably like El Torito's) and 11.95 for a Calamari appetizer.....which 15 minutes later, the kitchen sends the waiter back with the message that they are out of it. Wasn't going to drink and drive.....but $8.95 for a Margarita? $20 plus for a pitcher?!?!? And someone else here says the house drinks are "nasty." COME ON! How do you run out of Calamari.....in Santa Barbara......in CA..... $29.50 lesson - what a waste. Oh the atmosphere is great!!!!!!! :o) The "rules" say "don't be excessively negative." Well, ok. The improvements are easy - lower prices to reasonable levels. Hire more staff. And get a warmer for the chips. Cold chips while looking at the menu prices set the tone...unfortunately not a positive tone.

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