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Downtown Brewing Co.
3744 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 682-7803
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Reviews by the General Public
Warning, 11/18/2009
Reviewer: Kristen
from Santa Barbara, CA
Just a warning to everyone... if you are using your SB axcess card and you want the deal that is buy one entree and appitizer get one free... the only "entrees" you can order are off the actual "entree" list... pizza, sandwiches and wraps do not count. I think that is a little ridiculous but whatever, it seemed too good to be true. And I do like friendly service when the waitress tries to be all cool and act like she's just hanging out, but this waitress would lean on our table and it was just a little too close for comfort.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE needs a lot of HELP, 11/6/2009
Reviewer: Jason
from Goleta, CA
The beer is good and the food is getting better. You get better deals at happy hour. Please acknowledge your patrons promptly and act like you care they're coming to your restaurant and giving you business. Maybe you'll improve your reputation and get repeat customers. Dininng out should be an enjoyable experience for your customers.
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Ridiculously awful service, avoid at all costs, 10/27/2009
Reviewer: George
from Santa Barbara, CA
I read reviews that said service was awful but thought it was worth a shot, I was sadly mistaken. The main problem seemed to be that management thinks they can get by with 2 waitresses and one busser and one of the waitresses happens to be the hostess. They continue to seat people when they do not have a remote chance of providing any type of real service. If you are understaffed, then do not continue to seat people, simple as that. On top of this they seem to be painfully unaware that their horrendous service is in fact, horrendous. Increase the number of servers/bussers and look at your customers as the life blood of your business, not as nuisances or an annoyance.
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Enjoyed my lunch, 8/21/2009
Reviewer: Dan
from Santa Barbara, CA
I recently went to Downtown Brewing Co. for lunch. I thought the menu selection was very good, the chicken sandwich I ordered was very good and the service was prompt and very friendly. I would definitely go back again!
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MONDAYS ARE BETTER BECAUSE OF THIS PLACE!!!, 8/16/2009
Reviewer: Morgan and Brian
from Santa Barbara, CA
No one can beat the amazing tacos, half price wonderful beer and the great service at the Downtown Brewing Company on Monday nights. We all know how hard Mondays can be but this place makes one happy ending to tough times! With Cynthia and the rest of the wonderful servers at Downtown Brewing Company you can't go wrong. Come in and give them your support so we can really get this palce on the map, it is most certainly a dimond in the SB rough.
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Monday Happy Hour rocked my mouth and tummy!, 8/3/2009
Reviewer: Tim Halberg
from Santa Barbara, CA
This place has excellent happy hour on Mondays. We had a big group and the waitress was attentive and awesome! We got all our food and nothing was missing. My wife and I will definitely be back! Blueberry beer was unique and good! Tri Tip tacos were scrumptious. I can't wait to return.
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Why all the bad hype??, 7/26/2009
Reviewer: Chris
from Santa Barbara, CA
I'm a loyal fan of Downtown Brewing Co. My wife and I love this place because of it's laid back atmosphere and friendly staff. The ahi salad is excellent as well as their pizzas. They have delicious beers and the place is called "Downtown" Brew because it originated in Downtown San Luis Obispo...we asked our server when we first visited the restaurant. I have read all of the comments below and I am actually upset because this is an awesome establishment and great for families.
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Is the management paying attention????????, 6/20/2009
Reviewer: beth
from Santa Barbara, CA
Horrible service. Spent $24 on items to go and the bartender managed to make me angry in a few short-or not so short moments while awaiting my food.
The food took a very long time-2 salads and some chips and salsa...the bartender wouldn't even take my order until a server yelled at her twice. Then it was like pulling teeth-she quickly went back to (possibly) her boyfriend to chat with him, instead of waiting on any of her customers. I was there approximately 25" and that is really all she did-talk to the guy on the other side of the bar-I was not the only one ignored.
Also they charge a .50 fee on every item you order to go...and it is not written on any of there take out menus, food was just O.K-not worth the money for sure. I will not be back....
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Average food, HORRIBLE SERVICE!, 6/5/2009
Reviewer: Brian
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have to agree with most of the reviews below. The food is average at best. Beyond that, the complaints are all about the service. I had to give it zero stars! For the life of me, I cannot understand how the service has not gotten better. Do they just not care? If you think the service is bad at night, try going there for lunch! Even with the place almost empty it still takes 20 minutes to get drinks (Sodas! They don't even have to make them!), 40 minutes to have your order taken, and over an hour to get your food. Whatever you do, AVOID THE DOWNTOWN BREWING CO.!!! Oh, and news flash, you're not downtown. You're on UPPER State.
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Will forever be BLACKLISTED!!!, 6/1/2009
Reviewer: Diana Nguyen
from Garden Grove, CA
It was our first time eating there (group of 5). It took over an hour to get our food (yes, we were keeping track because we were hungry as hell when we first arrived there). The food took so long that my friend was able to drink 4 cups of coke. We were seated in a corner seat near the entrance and were able to have a overall view of the other booths/tables. We then realized that all the other people (who came in later) were served before us. A group of 8 people who came 20 minutes AFTER us got their food served 15 minutes BEFORE us. My friend got a half rack of ribs while my sister and I were sharing a full rack. Turns out her meat blissfully fell off the bone and was loaded with BBQ sauce. Our rack on the other hand was so hard and course. We both broke a sweat trying to even cut the pieces. We couldn't even see our BBQ since it barely reached the outer ribs. At least be consistent with the ribs. My other friend was completely disappointed with her filet mignon since it was smaller than the ice-cream scoop of mash potatoes she got. My other friend who is a mushroom fanatic was depressed that her philly-cheese steak sandwich had NO mushrooms in it (she checked), which was the sole reason why she ordered that. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE AT ALL! STAY CLEAR OF IT SINCE BOTH THE FOOD AND SERVICE IS HORRIBLE! THIS PLACE DOES NOT DESERVE THE TITLE OF BREWERY!
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Tried it again... and it was worse, 5/15/2009
Reviewer: Al
from Santa Barbara, CA
Whoever wrote the service book on service for this place needs to just start over. Came here a few times when it opened and the service was terrible. Takes forever to find a waitress, wrong orders, food cold, meals before appetizers, etc. Last night, the salad came out after the meal. The appetizer my friend ordered came out after her pizza and it took 20 minutes to get the beer from the bar to the table (that equals warm beer). I like the location, i like the tvs, the food isn't bad, the beer is good, but I won't go back again.
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Great Beer, Good Food, Crap Service, 5/14/2009
Reviewer: D
from Santa Barbara, CA
The selection and quality of beer at Uptown Downtown (as it's known)is actually very good, food takes forever and is usually decent. Unfortunately it will take at least 15 minutes for someone to give you a menu and serve you a beer, expect 30-45 minutes for food to arrive, and regardless of any special instructions you request with your meal expect them to ignore it, and you.
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Food is hit or miss, service is friendly and fun!, 4/2/2009
Reviewer: Katie
from Santa Barbara, CA
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This Place is a Joke, Kids Playing w/ Daddies Money, 3/24/2009
Reviewer: CS
from Santa Barbara, CA
The only positive part of the experience was the beer was decent. Sat at the bar for a beer and a burger with a friend. We placed two identical orders, bacon cheeseburgers w/ avocado. Figured that wouldn't be too difficult. Food came out in a reasonable amount of time, but lacked the cheese, bacon, and avocado. Informed the bartender after she was done gossiping with a server and slurping down a rum and coke. Burgers go back to the kitchen, this time they have bacon, but still no cheese or avocado. Inform the bartender again, burgers go back and come out this time a bit closer, bacon and cheese (not melted), but still no avocado. At this point we just gave up on getting the order right and decided to just eat, of course by now the burgers were cold along with the fries. We were very hungry, but there was no way to stomach this cold overcooked burger, fries inedible as well. Bartender checks on us, we inform her of the situation and her only response was "Sorry, guys." No offer to make a fresh plate or remedy the situation. It was such a joke it had us laughing at this point, so we just asked for the check please. What a bummer. The SLO location is much better. It appears this one is run by a son or other family and is not taking the business seriously. Many of the employees were drinking on the job and more concerned with gossiping amongst themselves then actually running the business. No way could I recommend this place.
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Brrrrr - Turn on the Heat and Close the Doors!!, 3/20/2009
Reviewer: Sheila
from Santa Barbara, CA
Ate dinner here last night and was really disappointed. We have had tasty appetizers here before (like potato skins, shrimp, chicken tenders), and usually sit at the bar, where service has been good. But last night it was busy so had a table, and found the service to be quite bad. Also, it was FREEZING in there. They keep the doors open to the patio, as they were hosting a party, but everyone around us was so cold. We asked one waitress if they could shut the doors, and she replied that she couldn't take responsibility for that decision. What??? How are you supposed to enjoy dinner and a cold beer when you're freezing? So if it's cold out, don't go without a jacket, even if you plan to be inside! The entire place is cold. Not exactly where you want to linger for to long, and we couldn’t wait to leave so we could warm up in our car! I had the turkey burger and my husband a hamburger, and neither had a lot of flavor. So...the beer was good, but between the lack of service, food being so-so, and FREEZING it was not the best dining experience.
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Never eating here again...., 2/2/2009
Reviewer: Sarah
from Santa Barbara, CA
So we went here before and the food was not good, but since buying a discount card, we wanted to go back and try it again. Never eating here again.
First our server was super nice, no complaints about her. We ordered the Veggie burger and a club sandwich, both which we asked for cheese. Food came with no cheese on it. The Veggie burger itself was ok, but the toppings/bun was awful. The runner literally dropped off our food and left and the server really never came back to check on us. Beer was ok. We both ordered blonde beer and it seemed a little watery.
After waiting 20 minutes after our meal, we finally had to ask the manager for our bill.
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A great find!, 12/21/2008
Reviewer: Elena
from Santa Barbara, CA
With a discount card in hand and a friend by my side, we went to the Downtown Brewery for the first time for a meal. I had been there once before for an Obama gathering but haven't returned yet. Well, I was surprised at how fun the atmosphere was with people watching sports and the cozy corner with couches. I don't watch sports on TV but my friend does and she loved it. The service was super. A young man right away came to take our order and a couple of others stopped by to ask us if we needed anything. The food wasn't half bad - a thicker burger would have been good but the mashed potatoes was tasty. I'm looking forward to going to their happy hour for some of their bargains.
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Very Bad Service, 12/20/2008
Reviewer: Elizabeth
from Santa Barbara, CA
I'd been there once before - the service was so-so, and the food was pretty good. Fantastic fish 'n chips.
I thought I'd try it again, and had the worst service ever. The hostess sat us outside where it "isn't too cold", and it was freezing even with the heat lamp. We were out there for 20 minutes without ever getting a drink order or being greeted by a server. The place was busy, but come on - it's a brew-co, at least get our beer order! We left and I doubt anyone noticed. I hope Downtown Brewing realizes they need to work on their service. Their food is miles better that Santa Barbara Brewing, but I'd much rather have SB Brewing's wonderful service any day.
On the plus side, after leaving this place we ended up heading to lower State and found a fantastic Thai restaurant, Zen Yai. Wonderful service, amazing food, and a cozy atmosphere. Thanks Downtown Brewing, without your bad service, we wouldn't have found Zen Yai.
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ok food, extremely bad service
Reviewer: Kimberly
from Santa Barbara, CA
i have been here about three times now... each time getting worse and worse. The most recent time a friend and i went to watch some football and grab some food. We got there around 1130 1200 and there was hardly anyone in there. Well after about 10 minutes we still were not even said hello to or asked what we would like to drink yet there had been multiple times where a server walked passed us. THe food is not worth putting up with the lack of service you receive here. I will gladly continue to go to the "real" brew co. downtown as they have excellent service
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LAUGHABLE SERVICE
Reviewer: Sam
from Santa Barbara, CA
Sat down midway throught the first quarter for the Raider game. Had to go to hostess and ask for a waiter just before halftime. Are you serious? I'm sitting at the table right now in the side room and a server has not come in for about 10 minutes to check on anybody. THis place would be so good if the service existed.
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How does this place stay in business?
Reviewer: David
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been here many times. When it opened, I was excited to have such a nice place in town and an alternative to Brewco. As the days progressed, it has gotten worse and worse. The waitstaff is a joke and spend more time flirting with the "regulars" who are on their third hour and second order of fries while the rest of us wait for drinks, water refills, ketchup, the check etc. I ordered the fish and chips which were actually pretty decent. The tartar sauce was disgusting. It tasted like someone spilled salt into it. The 50 cent ribs were so gross. I cannot imagine feeding that to a dog, let alone customers. I can't wait til their lease expires.
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not so bad!
Reviewer: Lee Stevens
from Santa Barbara, CA
I was on here with my wife looking at reviews to choose a restaurant for this evening and was disappointed to see the reviews posted about DBC. We went there last week and had a wonderful evening. The food is not amazing, but it IS a sports bar and for that title the food is what you would expect. It seems like a great place for events and sporting games, we will definitely be back during football season. I do not agree with the bad service complaints, our waitress was a pretty girl with short blond hair(it would help if you wore name tags so we could compliment you!)and she was quick, funny and professional. It seemed that the bartender was also on his best game and was friendly as we left. I do not find any of the complaints in previous reviews to be valid unless those folks were in on an off night. I suggest to give DBC another try, maybe not for a romantic night out, but definitely for a fun and relaxing one. We certainly plan on it.
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Always bad service - every time
Reviewer: Tim
from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife and I come here often. We live a few blocks away, so we like to go somewhere quick and easy. But eating here is anything but quick and easy. The service is and has always been horrible. What's worse, the manager doesn't seem to care. One time I stood at the (empty) bar for 10 minutes while he took shots with one of his other bartenders. This last time, the chef (in his apron) came out of the kitchen to take my order, while the manager was playing Big Bick Hunter. We will never be back.
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Turning the corner
Reviewer: Nick
from Goleta
I've been going to this place since the first week it opened, and I've definitely had my share of bad experiences. It's potential just keeps drawing me back. Last night was a great improvement and I left truly happy. Service was quick and our waiter seemed to have everything down. I had the thursday surf and turf special which was great for the price. My girlfriend agreed that her burger was the best she's had there. I hope it will be as great the next time i go back.
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Downtown BREWING Co
Reviewer: Sonyia
from Santa Barbara, CA
On St. Pattie’s day our company decided to enjoy happy hour at DBC. Bad idea..... you would think a Brewing Co. would have enough staff but guess again. We weren’t the only people that decided to drink beer on St. Patties day, but for some reason they didn't think they would be "busy" LOL! After moving to a different table to be noticed we still didn't get service for about 15 min. to top it off they asked if we would like to start with a water.... UMMMM Beer Please! Hence Downtown Brewing Co. Food was good but after around 2 hours only being able to get 2 beers now that’s a little upsetting. I’m not sure I will go back.... advice: Hire more people!
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Sunday RIB night
Reviewer: Alycia
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been eating at the DTBC since it opened last year and in that time, I've noticed a big improvement. They've expanded their menu and while some of the items I could do without, I appreciate the variety and selection. Their burgers and fries are delicious as well as the spinach-artichoke pizza. I love their selection of beer too (the sampler is fun and the "table-tappers" are great for groups of people) - the blueberry ale is my favorite. They have specials pretty much every night of the week (which John mentioned in his 3/7/08 blog.) One of their newer specials is Sunday Rib night - Baby Back ribs for 50 cents each! Plus, their Winter Brown beer is $4 a pint. It's a good deal and I've heard the ribs are pretty good - check it out!
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Very Nice.
Reviewer: Mike
from Santa Barbara, CA
Excellent service, good food, GREAT BEER!! I highly recommend the six beer sampler. The porter is surprisingly delicious. The artichoke hearts are deep fried and very good with the chipotle dipping sauce. The burgers are good. Will go there again soon.
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best burgers in town
Reviewer: Norm
from Malibu
The best burgers in town, and really good onion rings and fries. Service is a bit negligent. My wife and I waited way too long for our server to appear. After we ordered, things were better (although they forgot my order of onion rings- quickly rectified, though). Prices are reasonable! We'll be coming back for the food, especially the burgers.
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Great space, bad drinks and food
Reviewer: liana
from santa barbara ca
Great open space, nice flat screens and loved the couch area.
My margarita was watered down, food was below average. Ordered a taco but the tortilla was barely cooked and ordered potatoe skins that tasted like they were made quite some time ago then re-heated.
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Could be great with some major changes
Reviewer: Charlie
from Santa Barbara
Have a lead bartender that knows service behind the bar at all times with several bar backs. I ate here Satuday, Jan 5. It happened to be a major football night. The whole place was packed. There was one bartender who had an attitude with a handful of waitresses. The average age of the staff was about 24 to 25. It was clearly understaffed and it appeared that no one had much restaurant experience. It took about 15 minutes to get the first drinks. When we tried to order food from the bartender he appeared preoccupied and had no patience for questions about the menu. He never once came back and asked how the food was. Getting the check was like pulling teeth. Then getting him to process the card was even worse. They have been open long enough to make rookie mistakes like these. I don't think that I will be going back.
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Not Bad - I'll probably go back again
Reviewer: Matt
from Santa Barbara
Some friends and I ate their for the first time on Sunday night. We sat on a couch by one of their big screens and had burgers and beer. In terms of accommodations it's great - the couches, big screens, well priced food, and free pool make it a place worth going back to. Neither the food nor the service will knock you off your feet but neither will deter you from returning. I definitely recommend it for a group of friends and fun times!
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