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Holdren's Steaks & Seafood - Downtown
512 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 965-3363
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Reviews by the General Public
Best New York in town, 8/20/2010
Reviewer: Tara
from Santa Barbara, CA
Celebrated my birthday last night at Holdren's and had the NY steak which is always my favorite. I wasn't disappointed. The Rosemary Blue Cheese sauce is just the frosting on the cake. Trevor was our server, and he's the best. My husband had the ribs, which he devoured. This place is always consistant and everyone is so friendly. Thanks for a great birthday dinner!
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Holdren's Downtown...Not Worth the Price, 8/20/2010
Reviewer: KaeKae
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've eaten here several times with people from work, special occasions, and today for lunch. Each time I've been disappointed in the Filet...today it was the Medallions. TOO SALTY, TOO RAW (although I asked for "medium well" and got red like a river), and litterally it was only two bites. Good thing they weren't good--I wouldn't have wanted more than two bites to test it. The last full-size Filet I had there was also a mess to behold, too much fat, too rare, and generally mushy. For a restaurant that is so expensive and had enjoyed a good reputation long ago under another name...it's a big disappointment. I'm going to have to cross this one off my list. P.S. I would have loved a refill on my soda or my water sometime during my salty meal when I ate the salad that came with my "unordered steak tartar." This restaurant needs to go back to basics and recapture the allure they had so long ago when they were associated with, I believe, the Jasper's Chef.
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left us wanting more, 4/17/2010
Reviewer: Janet Austin
from Santa Barbara, CA
This was our first experience dining at Holdren's. You should be very proud of the cuisine coming out of your kitchen. We enjoyed every course! The service, however, was not anything to beam over. Our waiter left us wanting...and NEEDING MORE. From the onset, we had to do the asking. We asked about Martini's, appetizers, specials, and your wine list. There wasn't any of the anticipation of our needs from our waiter. The servers I've always returned to have that magical ability to get you something before you have to ask for it! BTW I should mention there were only 2 specials which our server had to READ. I had them memorized after he said it to me one time. I know these details sound picky but it is the "details" that make for an outstanding dining experience. I could go into how our waiter didn't check back w/in the proper amount of time or sat at the end of the bar or didn't offer coffee/afterdinner drinks but really...that's Server 101. I do take fault w/the fact that our service did not reflect the pricing. I would expect that kind of service at Denny's. I will return to Holdren's...so your staff didn't lose customers, however, I will most likely try your Goleta store. Thank you for your time.
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Why is this place busy? , 3/5/2010
Reviewer: Stephen
from Santa Barbara, CA
As two local residents we wonder why people put up with such unhealthy, poorly produced food. Price is right and portions big. Everything coated in crusts or treated with tenderizers that altered the texture of a small sirloin. Sand dabs that I peeled a cheesy, bready layer off off only to find tastless fish inside. Place has stale, bar smell and the restroom was disgusting at 8 pm on a Fri nite.
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Frustration on a Celebration, 11/14/2009
Reviewer: m
from Santa Barbara, CA
Pretty simple: special birthday reservation for 6:00 on a Wednesday. We arrived early to take advantage of Happy Hour. We were met at the door by the hostess who crossed off our reservation, but then told us to choose where we wanted to sit. As soon as we were seated I asked about their Happy Hour and was told they would check (why they didn’t know?). In the server’s next visit, with Happy Hour menu in hand, she told her only customers it was only good at the bar, 10 feet away. Dinner was fine (meat not as tender as expected, overcooked for my taste). Then we ordered dessert: not any mention of birthday. I had made sure to mention it again as soon as we sat down so maybe a candle or… anything. Left very frustrated. Too bad.
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Cutting quality of cuts?, 9/30/2009
Reviewer: Paul
from Goleta, CA
Holdren's had my favorite filet in SB last year, so it's hard to give them a 3.5, but last week I took a friend for 2 med-rare top sirloins, and neither were worth the +$20-30 price this time. The service was great, but she forgot a minor detail- sour cream on side. Cooking was fine, and they returned one uneaten steak for me. I ate mine, but had to spit out many pieces. For a hundred dollar (with 1 steak deducted!) dinner for two, I expect the best cut. The salad, soup, wine and cucumber martini were excellent!
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So Amazing. I've been here so many times and never bad., 9/14/2009
Reviewer: Jennifer
from Santa Barbara, CA
I just absolutly love this place. The food is always dead on! Consistancy squared! The waitstaff friendly, but make sure you have a reservation, the wait is long sometimes and then you get bad seats, never the booths if you are a walk in.
The lighting and atomsphere is just perfect for a date.
My only complaint is that I wish the bar was bigger but that can't be changed.
Excellent food, excellent service, A+++
I have a store on State Street and I ALWAYS recommend this place to visitors. I've never heard a bad review yet.
Cheers!
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Bland undercooked steaks, 9/9/2009
Reviewer: Stan
from Santa Barbara, CA
The spicy crab cakes appeared to be frozen and had very little taste. All three Cowboy rib eyes were undercooked and tasteless. You needed the sauces to give it flavor. The garlic mash were cold,lumpy and lacked a garlic taste. They also ran out of bread do to the suppliers error.
The atmosphere was nice and the drinks were good. It was the first time for two of us.
The hostess and waitress were very pleasant.
I spent $223 for a tasteless and big disappointment. One the worst steakhouse experiences we had. I will not eat there again.
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great experience at Holdren's
Reviewer: lynne
from Santa Barbara, CA
I had read Holdren's was great from this site, and also saw great reviews on a waitress named Coral. I went in about a month ago and was lucky enough get seated in Coral's section. She truly made the meal memorable. I second her nomination as best waitress in Santa Barbara! She brought so much joy and made excellent reccommendations. The food was wonderful and she paired the perfect wine! I will definitely be back!
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Not much better than average
Reviewer: Eryn
from Santa Barbara, CA
We came for my son's middle school graduation. He and my 10 year old daughter loved their ribs. My salad was only so-so, and there are no vegetarian main options. My husband's halibut was average. The bread was plain and lacking in flavor. The service was poor, we had to flag down servers when we needed anything and sat for 20 minutes after finishing our meal before flagging down a server for our bill.
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Great food; please don't size up your customers
Reviewer: Elizabeth
from Santa Barbara, CA
We love this place. While we're not "regulars," we come every few months when we want to still have a nice fine dining experience while being in the heart of downtown. Holdren's does a great job of keeping that elegant feel despite its surroundings.
I usually LOVE the food and service. I am especially a fan of the bacon-wrapped jumbo scallops and the coconut crusted shrimp. I love the cowboy cut steak. Brandon is probably our favourite server, but we've consistently had good service by others. With that said, this last Thursday we went in for my fiance's birthday. Didn't get a chance to mention it (but too full for dessert anyway) because we weren't given a wine list or even asked what we'd like to drink. Waters were brought promptly, order was taken promptly, but I don't like having to flag someone down for it. We were dressed neatly, not fancy, but we both work in food service, and this is Santa Barbara dress. We're used to even the Montecito regulars coming in jeans. I felt our server wasn't interested in us or didn't believe we would order anything; a shame, because that's a great way to boost sales. I ended up ordering a glass of the Rancho Sisquoc Meritage, but I wanted a taste first to see if it would suit my entree - she seemed surprised that I wanted a taste. I watched her go behind the bar, talk to some others, polish glasses, then finally pour a glass in a carafe, walk over, then give me the tiniest sip. I could barely taste it, but since the glass was already poured, I consented. Service got better as the night picked up - we got all our food promptly, and she came and checked on us, so we left more or less satisfied. Just please, please, PLEASE, never size up your guests!
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i've never paid so much for so little
Reviewer: pablo
from Santa Barbara, CA
Probably one of the nicest restaurants in Santa Barbara. It is cramped yet elegent and the wine menu is impressive to say the least. Now, that said, I ordered the filet and it was the driest, most bland tasting thing I have ever had. The sides were tasty however. I can think of better ways of dropping a c note.
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Very enjoyable meal
Reviewer: Dana Alexander
from Santa Barbara, CA
Monday night all you can eat ribs (which my friend enjoyed) is a deal. I had the Porterhouse steak which I shared with my wife and it was perfect. Nice unobtrusive service, though they didn't keep up with the water and we had to chase down someone for more bread. My wife had the mac and cheese, which was pretty bland.
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Best Porkchop in town!
Reviewer: Pup Boy
from Santa Barbara, CA
KC BBQ use to have the best Porkchop in town. They are gone now. The Holdrens encrusted PC is huge, spicy and delicious! Only $21. (knock on wood) good stuff!!
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My Husband's Birthday
Reviewer: C. Summers
from Santa Barbara, CA
With all the raving reviews I was expecting a wonderful experience. Staff is very nice. Food was the biggest disappointment! Four of us shared tastes and here goes: Blackened Filet Migon with a twice baked potato looked sad on the plate (black ball and split football not a pretty sight!) Potato skin was too hard. Two Halibut dishes: two hot, overcooked pieces on room temperature Risotto; (why didn't I return it?) the other potato-crusted halibut dish with horse radish was sweet, unexpected. The drinks and wine list great.
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visiting Santa Barbara for my birthday dinner
Reviewer: Bob F.
from Northridge CA
I looked in the local "food guide" for a Steak and Seafood place and my friend that lives in S.B. agreed with my choice as she had been told to eat there when she wanted a nice dinner. My filet was good +, but not the best I have had and all the seafood that everyone had (sole and bouilliabase) was very good except for the lobster, which was ordinary. The mussels were extraordinary as was the calamari but the tariff was a bit higher than we are used to. The service was very friendly and attentive and a nice touch was making my dessert choice free for my birthday. The bar is very noisy but luckily we were seated in the front window table which gave us a nice private feeling. I would definately recommend the restaurant to my friends and go back again to try other dishes.
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Holdren's has the best server in town!!
Reviewer: Karen
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been to Holdren's three times in the last 6 months and the last time I went my experience was so wonderful because we had Coral as a server. Holdren's has excellent food, and I didnt think it could get any better, but when I had Coral as my server she was so knowledgeable and friendly that it turned my whole day around. She made great reccommendations and she really knows her wine. Try to sit at her table, you will be glad you did!!
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Best Spot in Town!
Reviewer: Jaime
from Santa Barbara, CA
My fiance and I are Santa Barbara locals and find ourselves choosing Holdren's every time we want to go out! Whether we are just sharing appetizers and wine or going for a full steak dinner we have never had a bad experience. You get more than your money's worth and the service is exceptional!
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