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Tupelo Junction Cafe
1218 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 899-3100
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Reviews by the General Public
Always Delicious!, 9/2/2010
Reviewer: Katie
from Los Angeles, CA
Everytime we visit Santa Barbara we try to lunch at Tupelo Junction - my husband who is from the south enjoys the fried green tomotaoes and fried pickles, their fried chicken salad is amazing. The staff always accomodate us - we have small children that can typically cause a hostess to groan upon our arrival, but not here. They greet you with a smile and let you know what a pleasure it is you have chosen Tupelo. It is so freshing! And a great meal to boot!
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We enjoyed the food, pretty much, but. . , 8/28/2010
Reviewer: Steve
from Santa Barbara, CA
Our party of five enjoyed lunch this afternoon: crab cakes, pulled pork sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, the best french toast this side of Paris. But people at Tupelo Junction: don't call that "blackened salmon" salad. If you don't want to blacken fish, because as the waitress explained, some customers thought it was too salty or too spicey, please don't call what you serve in its place, blackened salmon. There wasn't a trace of dusting. So if you look at the menu and think you're going to get a kick from the "blackened salmon," forget it. That was a real disappointment. The Tupelo should change the menu or blacken the fish. A little truth in advertising, please.
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Best breakfast I've had in a long time!, 8/19/2010
Reviewer: Loren
from Santa Barbara, CA
Absolutely delicious! Very cute and cozy atmosphere with a nice waitress. I had the wild mushroom asparagus and black truffle butter scramble and it was DIVINE.
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GREAT SERVICE, GREAT FOOD, 8/15/2010
Reviewer: Cindy
from Santa Barbara, CA
Generous portions, delicious, fresh and served good and hot. Wait staff efficient and very polite. Well worth the money. Every employee was on their toes and hustling. Too bad these folks don't manage the Boathouse restaurant.
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Imaginative breakfast, 6/10/2010
Reviewer: Brendon
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went to Tupelo for my birthday & was very pleased with the food, service & drinks. From the Blood Mary with the crab claw to the truffle scamble, breakfast is done well at Tupelo. It is a shame that places like this are not busy while Cajun Kitchen & Sambo's have an hour wait...it is time for Santa Barbara to wake up!
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best ever!, 3/17/2010
Reviewer: Ashley
from Louisville,KY
Tupelo Junction Cafe is my all time favorite restaurant...my mouth waters whenever I think about the food. The service is great and the food warm, fresh, and cooked perfectly every time. I always have a delicious dessert (even with breakfast!) for a perfect sweet ending. Has been my favorite for almost 10 years now, love it!
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Very Disappointed, 3/14/2010
Reviewer: Kathy
from Santa Barbara, CA
Dinner here was very disappointing. My fish had an ammonia taste, the scallops were tough and rubbery and the ribs were tough. The desserts were good. Service was marginal. Don't stack the plates at the table.Went back after a long hiatus and will stay away again.
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my favorite breakfast joint, 3/4/2010
Reviewer: Nick
from Santa Barbara, CA
I'm a local and I've eaten at Tupelo many times over the years. Never have I had anything but a wonderful experience. Mostly I go for breakfast. They have the only Biscuits and Gravy in town worth mention! Personally, I find their biscuits a little too dense and dry. I prefer a lighter, fluffier biscuit but their gravy more than makes up for it! I think their secret is chipotle pepper. Their Pumkin Waffle and Vanilla French Toast are also both fantastic. Bloody Mary's are not my thing but my friends who like them rave about Tupelo's. The presentation is impressive with a large crab claw as a garnish. If you go for lunch you should try their Fried Chicken Salad. To those who question the authenticity of the southern style; I would agree that this is more of a California-Southern fussion. I traveled through the south every summer as a kid and really enjoyed the food but nothing else in this area comes close to matching my childhood memory of Hush Puppies!
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Decent staff, strange SoCal interpretation of Southern food, 1/6/2010
Reviewer: Micheal
from Hattiesburg, MS
Stopped by for Brunch the previous Sunday. Found the food was a strange fusion of Californian takes on what someone had heard was Southern dishes. I'm from Mississippi and have lived in Tupelo and have had a few of these dishes as handed down, but I've never seen half these ingredients before and the tastes were nothing close to the original. The food is good for a Californian concept, but bad for Southern cooking. So, locals here should enjoy, but not natives to the South.
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Best post christmas breakfast ever!, 12/28/2009
Reviewer: Joan
from Santa Barbara, CA
After having the whole family for Christmas dinner, we decided to venture out for breakfast the next morning. We decided on Tupelo. It had been a while since our last visit there and remember how good it was. We were not disappointed. We were warmly greeted by the hostess, our server came immediately with orange juice, and was very knowledgable about the menu. The food was AMAZING! My husband had the poached eggs with crab cakes which he is still talking about! I had decadent french toast, which was an incredible combination of berry syrup and vanilla. Such a wonderful and pleasant place - all of the employees were smiling, must be a great place to work. We can't wait to go back!
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Disappointed Again, 12/17/2009
Reviewer: Nancy
from Santa Barbara, CA
A group of friends ate lunch on Sunday afternoon. Very cute restaurant, great location next to the Granada. The southern food concept is good but cooking is poor. It will be my last time to eat at Tuplo Junction Cafe. The hamburger, BLT--greasy. The fried green tomatoes, a favorite southern dish of mine--greasy and over cooked. The potatoes were limp, oily and undercooked. The fried pickles are an interesting idea but ended up as green pools of grease on the plate. Time for a quality control and new cook?
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fallen from grace, 12/2/2009
Reviewer: Libby
from Santa Barbara, CA
This used to be my favorite place for breakfast, a fresh of breath air, quality. Now they have fallen off the wagon, cold biscuits and gelatinous gravy. What happened to the baby green lettuce? Why is there old dry Romain on my plate with my scramble. Not to mention the old tasting orange juice. I am almost afraid to eat there because every time we go they are empty, and I start asking my self how fresh the food really is. I want the old tupelo back, best breakfast in town come back to us!
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Turkey Day/Anniversary dinner, 12/1/2009
Reviewer: Dr. Steve and Kathy Conrad
from Phoenix, AZ
We wanted a really nice place to eat for our Thanksgiving/and our 10th Anniversary dinner. I found the Tupelo Junction Cafe on my own researching on the internet. What a great find! The food was wonderful....great price for the Turkey dinner...the Sounthern friend turkey was the best! Marissa was our waitress and she could have not been more attentive. When we arrived they remembered we were from the Phoenix are..how nice! High recommendations to all.
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Not quite there..., 10/10/2009
Reviewer: matt shanaberger
from Santa Barbara, CA
Fried Green Tomatoes. Checked the off the list. Along with deep fried dill pickles. Those would be what most people call, 'Yeah I tried that food'. So, we did. What should bring you back is the hearty, Americana food. But, instead what drove us away was the always heavy-handed, overcooked food. Salmon dish was nearly dried out, Southern Shrimp and scallops suffered same fate. The one time I tried their 'famous cowboy steak' it took two tries to get medium rare right. Had it not been our third outing there we may have assumed the cook had a bad day or that our dishes sat under the heating light too long, but it isn't the first time. Overall, a great concept that falls short on execution. For the price, I would probably try elsewhere
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This was a pleasant surprise.
Reviewer: Kelly
from Portland, OR
I took the recommendation of a back teller and landed here for breakfast. The server greeted me with a smile and a pitcher of orange juice, she then brought water without having to be asked. I could not decide between two items, I asked her opinion and she gave it without telling me that " everything is good". The waffle was good. The texture wasn't what I expected, it could have been a little crunchier. She checked on me during my meal and was quick the bill.
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Eh for breakfast
Reviewer: Sierra
from Goleta, CA
The beignets served here are not beignets in the New Orleans sense of the word. They are fried dough, so I can't completely argue with the name, but I was disappointed. The food seems like CA interpreting the south, with the CA aspect winning out. The bacon scramble and chicken fried steak were good. The breakfast here is fine, but, in my opinion, way overrated.
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Loved it!!!
Reviewer: Beverly
from Santa Barbara, CA
We sat in the little elevated area in the back which gave us a nice view of the restaurant and on through out to State St. The food was imaginative and very tasty! I had the Applewood Smoked Bacon, Fried Green Tomato & Avocado BLT w/ Dill Pickle Potato Salad and it was fantastic. This little gem tucked in right next to the Granada is a winner and I am hoping that it stays open. It was rather empty at lunchtime, but it wasn't for lack of great food and great service.
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Where's the crab cakes?
Reviewer: Tina L.
from Santa Barbara, CA
We love coming here especially for the crab cake breakfast... It's the most unique item on the breakfast menu!! We've been disappointed the last three times we've come, though, because the crab cakes "haven't been delivered yet." :-( Suggestion: find a distributer you can count on so that your customers aren't disappointed. I guess from now on we'll have to call ahead before coming down.
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Food a winner, service good enough
Reviewer: Mark
from Santa Barbara, CA
One of our favorites, Tupelo got our business once again Saturday night. The food - fried green tomatoes, shrimp martini, fried chicken, shrimp and scallops and an apple tart - all hit the mark. The service was good, not great as it took a little bit to get started but after that they were fine. One disquieting note was the lack of diners. They are on the upper end of downtown, there is a recession and it was a weekend after a long weekend but it was maybe a quarter full. Hopefully that was an unusual event.
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A Best Kept Secret in SB
Reviewer: Donna
from Goleta, CA
My daughter, granddaughter, and I ended up at TJ today only because Esau's was full. I am so very delighted that there was no room at Esau's because TJ was an absolute delight. I am ashamed that up until now I haven't taken advantage of this little jewel (I've lived here for 30 years). We were given a table right away and coffee, juice, and water were all there waiting for us when we sat down.
Apple Beignets were a good way to start the meal. We shared crab cakes and hash and a very decadent French Toast. The Beignets were a bit cold, but delicious. The crab cakes were good and the poached eggs, perfect, but the avocado salsa added a bitterness that took away from the overall taste.
The French Toast was presented beautifully and was incredibly decadent with a tasty berry syrup/jam that really made the dish.
Honestly, it was all too much for 2 women and a young child. We left behind one piece of French Toast and a bit of the crab hash too.
The highlights: Good service, lovely presentation, great flavors, nice warm atmosphere.
The lowlights: The avocado salsa, having to ask for coffee refills, and the price...$48.00 with no alcohol...A bit pricey for a Sunday breakfast.
I will be back...a little wiser as to how to order.
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Never Again!
Reviewer: Mol
from Santa Barbara, CA
We were two of seven diners on Friday morning. On recommendation from the waitress, one of us had the crab cakes..what a mistake!
Once our order had been taken we did not see our waitress again. The busboy brought our food and literally banged it down in front of us. There were several waitresses in the area but ours was no where in sight. The food was far from hot but we finally just gave up trying to attract anyones attention. The last straw was when our table was cleared while we were still eating. This was definitely my last trip to this restaurant as in the past I have found the staff to be rather rude and condescending but thought I should give it one more try before giving up on it! Never again!
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waffles?
Reviewer: ?
from Santa Barbara, CA
uhhm what happened to the waffles?? texture and flavor were not the same as they once used to be...i got them a second time to check it wasn't just a bad day...i noticed they're selling the mix though so maybe they changed the recipe for that?
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Really Good
Reviewer: Sarah
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went here with my husband for Sunday Brunch and it is really good. Though do be warned that it is pricey!!!! We had 1 mocha, and a breakfast item each and it was over $50.00- for three things no alcohol. I had the fried green tomato BLTA, and my husband had the crab cake hash, both very good. I love the quality but $15.00 for a sandwhich? I think their pricing is a little unrealistic, but it is always packed!
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A refreshingly different restaurant in SB
Reviewer: Ta
from Santa Barbara, CA
My husband and I dined at Tupelo for the first time recently and were very impressed! Very cute decor, attentive and friendly service and best of all, amazing food! I had a turkey sandwich with sweet potato fries which were paired perfectly with what I think was a dill aioli, YUM! My husband got applewood smoked bacon & eggs - best bacon ever! Overall - this is a great restaurant that uses quality products and pays attention to the details! We will be back again soon!
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Best Vegan Breakfast!
Reviewer: js
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went to tupelo on wed morning for breakfast...they have the most amazing rice and beans breakfast. Asked to be made with no butter and it was a delicious vegan breakfast! highly recommended!
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Excellent
Reviewer: Krista and Tony
from Santa Barbara, CA
No hackneyed gimmicks in the title here, Tupelo served up an excellent dinner for our party of five this past Wednesday evening. I was impressed with the variety of dishes on the menu and unless you're used to eating off the "dollar menu" the prices seem perfectly reasonable. I ordered the southern fried chicken and was delighted with it. This isn't drumsticks and wings here, mine was a large breast piece with only a small part of bone and was nicely crisped in savory seasonings. Served over a bed of mashed potatoes and corn and covered with a truly delectable gravy. An American classic wonderfully done. General comments on other dishes ordered in the party: Ribs, as good as the chicken. Salmon, very good. Red Beans and rice, different and very good as well. Mac'n cheese, my least favorite, not bad but just not to my taste.
Desserts here are both unique and delicious.
Service wise our waiter was perfect. Attentive but not hovering, very friendly and knowledgeable. Our food came out fast but not until we were finished with the appetizers, really , it couldn't have been better, everyone was immensely satisfied and I personally can't wait to go back.
T
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Overrated
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
Don't be fooled by the title of my review, I think Tupelo Junction is great just over rated. Its a wonderful place to get southern food with a twist. My favorite is the fried chicken! However, things are pricey and the service is spotty. Most of the times I've experienced great service, but twice that I've been the waiter and waitress were cold and ignored my table. Maybe because we look young or they thought we didn't have any money. Either way, this place is over all very good but not 5 stars in food or service.
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book thanksgiving 2009 now
Reviewer: david m
from san jose, CA
most amazing thanksgiving dinner on several levels - southern family atmosphere, great smells, hand made cajun vodka, contemporary southern thanksgiving fare, and awesome pumpkin ice cream pie with butterfinger gram cracker crust. Would come back to sb just to go again... seriously
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Yummy, cant wait to go back and try something else!
Reviewer: Amanda Milholland
from Lompoc, CA
I went here for the first for lunch and it took me forever to figure out what to get!I decided on the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and a white cheddar burger with fried pickles! Everything was delicious and I cant wait to go back and try something else!
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Always a Pleasure!
Reviewer: John Thyne
from Santa Barbara, CA
Tupelo Junction is one of Santa Barbara's best restaurants any time of day! With every visit I remind myself to come back soon. Yesterday I was fortunate enough to remember during breakfast and was treated to the most gorgeous selection of fresh fruit featuring blackberries, red pear, blood orange + bananas, authentic chicken fried steak (that tastes like steak!) with a fantastic sausage gravy and a true southern biscuit. Great coffee, outstanding service and a wonderful State Street location rounded out the visit. I also must nod props to the incredible vegetarian red beans + rice for lunch (addictive with shallot oil!) and, surprisingly, a dinner I rarely order out but was incredibly impressed by: Tupelo's salmon is amazing!
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good food, server not so much
Reviewer: Daniel
from Santa Barbara, CA
I grew up in SB and ate here for the first time 11-11-08. I was impressed with the food but not the server. Her only redemption was the fact that the busboy picked up here slack. The busboy would have gotten a hearty tip if he didn't tell me when I asked, that it would be split between him and the server who was less than deserving. Lack of training maybe. As I was eating the server asked if she could take my plate. I think that was the only time I was asked anything by the server. The busboy was attentive and certainly the best part of the service. Would I go back...most likely not! Reason: 1) Bad service without the excuse of being busy, because the place was not busy, coupled with prices slightly higher than I like.
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