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Sojourner Cafe
134 E. Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 965-7922
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Reviews by the General Public
what happened??, 6/2/2010
Reviewer: julibelle
from Santa Barbara, CA
We had lunch here last week. What a waste of our time and $$. I've been coming to Souj since the very early days and feel I know what to expect - carefully prepared, very casual food, upbeat & attentive sevice. All of which stayed at home. Really (sorry) crappy tuna sandwich, which came grilled although requested toasted, replaced without comment, no dressing on the cobb variation, no comment when replaced. But the check came quickly enough. It was a textbook ex. of a place where no one cares anymore. What a waste of all the effort over the years!
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A Sojourner Addict, 3/21/2010
Reviewer: Isabella Trudeau
from Santa Barbara, CA
So I am a Sojourner addict as of recently. Every time I go the food never disappoints. Every dish has a unique flare and flavor to it. If you go, you have to try the Mediterranean Torta, it is by far the most delicious salad I've ever had! Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience with the service today. My friend and I went in for a mid-shopping lunch. I have told her about the restaurant before and needless to say we were quite excited. We arrived and we seated with no issues. Joanne was our waitress for the meal and she seemed aloof and spacey. She brought my friend the wrong drink, maybe she misheard. I had to ask someone else to take our food order because we didn't see her anywhere after about 5 minutes of being ready to order. We exchanged the drink with another very sweet brunette waitress with short hair. Joanne swung by and apologized for the drink issue, we appreciated it everyone makes mistakes. Our food came and was phenomenal, yet again. When the meal came to an end we ordered the Double Chocolate Bread Pudding. She then asked whether we would like it warmed up with whipped cream and that sounded heavenly to me :) When she brought it out she said the kitchen couldn't heat it because the pudding had to be served cold...okay why did she offer it then...maybe she's new? We took our first bites and it was not bread pudding at all! Just chocolate pudding. Well needless to say Joanna might need better training. As my friend put it, "it seemed like she only listened to the ends of our sentences." I hate to see bad service at such a wonderful restaurant so I wanted to bring this to your attention.
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terrible., 3/17/2010
Reviewer: Sid
from Santa Barbara, CA
Service was horrible. took a while to be seated, took their sweet time taking our orders, slow to bring the beverages, waited THIRTY minutes before they decided to tell me they didn't have what I ordered and i'd have to order something else. food came out 20 minutes later. Ordered an Arnold Palmer, waitress refilled it with just tea. the food was mediocre, and overpriced. i love that they called their salad some sort of unique pickle salad when it was just hamburger pickles thrown on top of lettuce. don't eat here, save your money.
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What??, 3/14/2010
Reviewer: rosen
from Santa Barbara, CA
Went last night to Soj. I don't mind paying a fair price for dinner at all and I understand how prices have gone up, and that they try to be sustainable....BUT.....$16 for stir fried rice, veg. and tofu! And $12 for a salad an additional $2 for a roll?
The salad was fresh and the stir-fry was OK, nothing special. I feel like the regulars are being taken advantage of.
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What's happened to the Soj?, 3/14/2010
Reviewer: Lyni Lawson
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have seen the Soj change over the past few years and keep trying it in hopes it will be great again. I have been disappointed each time and no longer will eat there. Had brunch last Sunday and the eggs were overcooked. Bagels were on the menu but when I ordered, was told they don't serve them anymore. The tomato soup tasted like it was from a can with huge pieces of onion in it. Ordered coffee and for the price thought refills would be offered. Had to track down the waitress for one refill who seemed very put out. Then to charge for a roll on top of the overpriced soup....that's it for me. The good old days are gone. The Soj is no longer what it was. It almost feels as tho there's a new owner that doesn't care. Perhaps he or she should read these reviews.
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went back for dessert after concert! , 2/5/2010
Reviewer: william boyle
from Santa Barbara, CA
we were out of towners looking for vegan place to eat before we saw Derek Trucks concert down the street. our family was surprised to find menu with so much selection for us. Portions were small, and it was not cheap, service was very good and the food was very good also. Good enough for us to return a few hours later after the show for desserts. Hip veggie place. recommended. Good concert too!wi
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Exceptional!, 1/24/2010
Reviewer: Isabella Trudeau
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went to Sojourner today for a casual Sunday lunch and was pleasantly surprised! It has a great simple Café atmosphere, nothing too fancy and just is a few blocks off state. I thought the food was phenomenal and the service was quite personable and accommodating. It actually proves relatively difficult to find a good Restraunt that serves lunch on Sunday and I think I found my new spot! Everything on the menu looked amazing so I asked the waitress for her opinion and went with her suggestion of the Mediterranean Torta Salad and a cup of Coconut Curry Pumpkin soup. Boy was I in heaven! The combination of flavors that they have discovered is one of a kind and I dine out quite often.
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Agree with last poster -- boring and expensive!, 1/22/2010
Reviewer: karolyn
from Goleta
I go to the Soj for historical reasons, but each time I am tempted to never go again! Food now is either too boring and tasteless or too contrived and complicated (coconut curry spinach with corn soup). And, it has gotten too expensive with all the add-ons -- $2 for each roll with a $12 salads. Almost $25 for fish if you want a salad with it.
I know it can be better -- Soj folks, please try!
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Disappointed... 13.00 bowl for sour soup????, 1/22/2010
Reviewer: Annex
from Santa Barbara, CA
Everyone know Soj is great for desserts, and I will pinch myself to remind me of this fact next time I get a craving for soup.
Went for soup and salad: both were unappealing, no protein or lentils or beans in either choice ??????
coconut soup- tasted like someoone opened a can, threw in can of tomatoes and spinach.
OUCH... to hurt more the soup salad and roll came to 13.00 without tip.
NOTE TO SELF: do not eat at soj.
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big disappointment , 9/4/2009
Reviewer: Amanda
from Goleta, CA
I was very excited to try out Sojourner's as I'd heard many rave reviews about it. Unfortunately when I went with a group of friends our food was very poor. We each ordered something different (5 different dishes) and each one was seriously lacking in flavor, seasoning, and texture. I was SO disappointed, because I love vegetarian food and was expecting to really enjoy this place (and prove to my meat loving friends that vegetarian cuisine is delicious too)! The service was just fine, no qualms there. But I'll never go back, the food was that big of a let down.
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Healthy and Delicious--I love it!
Reviewer: K. Afflerson
from Santa Barbara, CA
This is my favorite all-time restaurant. There are so many awesome dishes, such as the tempeh taco salad, the buddha salad, the wonton pillows, tofu ricotta pasta shells, the veggie nut burger...and the service is usually very friendly. The coffee buttercream fudge cake is the best thing i have ever eaten in my whole life. (We order full cakes for special occasions--I will never get tired of it!) You can't go wrong with any of the desserts. I often see the owner, Donna, there at lunch, and you can tell she loves what she does and appreciates every customer. It's always a great experience!
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Pretty cool place
Reviewer: Niki
from Santa Barbara, CA
There aren't many vegetarian places to go so I like this place. It has a cool vibe. The food isn't spectacular or anything, but I don't think that anyone could say it was bad at all. I thought it was really cool and I would go back because I liked it enough. The prices aren't bad either.
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Never lives up to expectations.
Reviewer: Nick
from Santa Barbara, CA
We just keep trying this place and it never quite hits the spot. The interior is boring. Staff is friendly enough. But the food is so bland. It gives vegetarian a bad name. Meatless food can be so much better than this. Honestly, the best thing I've had there is the turkey burger, which doesn't say much for a veggie place. I'd just go to natural cafe if you want simple vegetarian.
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Bland food, so-so service
Reviewer: Meg
from Santa Barbara, CA
The food is bland and over priced for what it is. They try to get to fancy with a lot of the dishes but they end up missing the mark. I keep on trying to give it another shot because I like healthy food, but I end up disappointed every time. I've heard some of the waitresses are nice, but the last time I went mine was kind of stuck up and flakey. Desserts looked and sounded good although I didn't try one, thats the only nice thing I can say.
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Delicious food, friendly service
Reviewer: M. Mulroney
from Santa Barbara, CA
I dine at the Sojourner fairly often and I absolutely love it. The soups are terrific, and the specials too. My favorite: the veggie pot pie special, it's sooo delicious! Fresh juice bar, organic options, great salads and sandwiches (the veggie rueben is to DIE FOR!). I think it's a wonderful place, local and interesting. I also like the art shows they have.
I only have 3 complaints:
1. When they sometimes play the techno type of music it just doesn't seen to fit and it is kind of bothersome.
2. I really prefer the OLD veggie burger buns to the ones they replaced them with, they were much softer and tastier. I actually don't order this item any more because of the new buns they use.
3. Prices tend to be on the high side for this type of food.
Over all, the Sojourner is a really good place. Hearty and healthy and I recommend it.
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We loved this place!
Reviewer: Torrey
from Encinitas, CA
We liked everything. We were visiting from San Diego and we allways look for vegetarian/vegan places to eat. This place is excellent for dinner. We had the Crispy Tofu with ; grilled onions, brown rice, steamed veggies and a tangy horseradish sauce. Also the Portabella ravioli special with an awsome sweet marinara sauce, veggies and garlic bread. The portions were right on and we ate everything on our plates. Next time we're in SB we will be eating here for sure.
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Boring or Strange
Reviewer: Carolyn
from Santa Barbara, CA
I wish I stilled like the Sojourner. It just seems that the old standbys have gotten bland and boring and their soups are just strange (Coconut curry pumpkin, Pesto w/cabbage). Sometimes their specials can be good, but it has gotten overly pricey. Can eat pasta at Ca Dario for about the same price! Wish I still looked forward to going there because it is (was)the Soj!
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I don't get it either
Reviewer: Karen
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have to agree with the previous post. My lunch was just average...nothing stood out. Portions are a bit on the small side, which is okay if the flavors stand out.
Service was cordial, but a tad slow.
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I just don't get it....
Reviewer: Lisa
from Santa Barbara, CA
It's a cult thing, the 'Soj'. The food is really bland. Again today, the cooked veggies I had for lunch today were OVERcooked. The people are so nice, and I want to like it, but I've tried it quite a few times over the years, and it just tastes bland every time. Natural Cafe, for instance, seems fresher, crisper, more flavorful.
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Goooood!
Reviewer: Anna Davis
from Santa Barbara, CA
This was only my 2nd visit to this restaurant. I had the Chicken garlic cilantro stew... or something like that, it was one of their specials. SOOOOOOO good! My friend had the half-size cornbread supreme and she was full by the end of it, she wondered if anyone could even eat the full size version. They had so many desserts we wanted to try, and our server told us they have two full time dessert bakers who make everything from scratch, but we were just too stuffed to even attempt it. I had read somewhere that they had lost their chef, and I asked our server, who said the people in the kitchen have pretty much all been there for over 10 years, and now they have free reign to bring in their own ideas, like the chicken stew that I had. It was really great and I will definitely be back to try more!
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