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Hollister Brewing Co.
6980 Marketplace Dr, Goleta
Phone: (805) 968-2810
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Hollister Brewing Co. writes: Hollister Brewing Company: Named 2008 and 2009 Best Goleta Restaurant and Best Brewery by SantaBarbara.Com reader’s poll. Thank you! An exciting brewpub in Goleta featuring hand-crafted beers made on premises, an innovative, fresh menu with appetizers, salads, pizzas, burgers, fish tacos, paninis, daily specials and more. Full bar, wine list and seven HD plasma TV’s to catch up on sports. Sensational HAPPY HOURS Monday – Friday 2-6 p.m.: house beers, wines, cocktails, pizzas and wings. MONDAY night is PINT NIGHT: Most house beers $3.00/pt. TUESDAY is BREWER'S CHOICE: select beers $2.50 pint and $10 pitchers All DAY. SATURDAYS feature College Game Day. SUNDAY BREAKFAST with NFL Package from 10-2 and regular menu all day. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
- Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 2-6pm: $3 pints/$10 pitchers plus wine and cocktail specials; $2 off all pizzas and Happy Hour only nachos.
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Reviews by the General Public
Best burgers in town, 11/10/2009
Reviewer: Dan Phillips
from Santa Barbara, CA
Big juicy burgers, and great, crispy duck-fat fries in paper cones. I haven't had a better burger in town. Can get a bit loud inside; if the weather's nice, outdoor seating is good.
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Nothing Special, 10/9/2009
Reviewer: Michael
from Santa Barbara, CA
I just moved to Goleta and I really wanted to like this place. My wife and I got a tasting of beers and there wasn't one that I would rate above average. The fish tacos were bland and the duck fat fries tasted like plain old fries. It's a lovely place and the service was great, it's too bad the food and the beer isn't that good.
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Not recommended, 9/9/2009
Reviewer: Ali Abyane
from Santa Barbara, CA
First time trying this restaurant, Service not bad, beer not bad but the food was worth than fast food quality. Ordered spinach & Artichoke dip nothing but water down spinach with no trace of artichoke. Main course of Black & blue chicken sandwich with blue cheese slaw, I wonder if the chef knew what is blue cheese! Next one was steak sandwich with Caesar salad and I must say it is sad to see a chef who cannot prepare a simple Caesar salad. The next one was the most expensive item of Short Rib and I really want to know what they are thinking serving such a dish for $ 18. I would never go back to this place and will not recommend it to anyone else. I saw some good reviews and I am wondering what their relation to this restaurant is.
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Great Lazy Sunday Surprise, 7/3/2009
Reviewer: Martee Molnar-Andresen
from Santa Barbara, CA
Went to Home Depot for a few things and decided to have an early dinner with the family. The staff was accomodating and the food was great. I think my last meal will include their onion rings with BBQ sauce. The Cucumber Martini was very good. My son had the sliders, just the right size little burgers. The fish tacos were also quite delicious made with Ono. We will be back.
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5 stars for beers, 6/26/2009
Reviewer: Ryan S
from Santa Barbara, CA
HBC has some absolutely fantastic beers. The food is a bit hit and miss. Bartenders are great, wait staff seems to be getting better with practice. Go for the beers. If the alcohol makes you hungry, grab something to eat. I haven't explored the new parts of the menu (expanded thanks to a new chef), but look forward to doing so. Cheers! Double IPA was my fave last time I was there.
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Ok food/service, pricey, 4/28/2009
Reviewer: Glenn
from Buellton
Got food quick(was not there on a weekend though). Nice setup with multiple TVs and a bar. Outside seating good for summertime lunches probably. Kobe Burger was really good though the order was slightly wrong. Salad was not great. Can't comment on the beers. With a burger twice that of Carl's Six Dollar Burger and tasting almost the same I can't recommend the place for food and the service was a bit bad on the wrong order. Maybe as other reviewers have said a good place to watch the many TVs with a beer and appetizer.
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Always one of my favorites, 4/5/2009
Reviewer: Neil
from Santa Barbara, CA
Hollister Brewing never disappoints. I was there again Friday and tried some of the new beers on tap and as always they were fantastic, but I always end up with a pint of my favorite, the Table 42 Red Ale and the Friday special pulled pork sandwich. Its worth the visit just for that! The food is consistently very good and it's definitely not your usual pub fare. Great fish tacos and burgers and the pizzas and salads are first rate. The wait staff seems very knowledgeable about the beers and menu items and they are friendly but not pushy. I've been there many times and will be back many more.
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Don't order the overpiced salads - stick with burgers, 3/22/2009
Reviewer: Nancy
from Santa Barbara, CA
I usually order beer and a burger here - they are very good. Had the Cobb Salad Friday night, since I am currently counting calories. The lettuce was fine, a fresh mesclun mix, and the balsamic vinaigrette and egg wedges good also. However, the "roasted in house" turkey pieces were totally dried out and tasteless. Worse, the Applewood bacon was barely cooked,so the salad was full of cold, congealed chunks of bacon which was mostly fat. It was pretty disgusting and I spent most of the meal picking it out. I paid $12 for some lettuce with a hardboiled egg on it - the only edible parts of the salad. I pointed out to the waiter how "raw" and cold the bacon was, all he did was grin. No comment. Also, the 20 minute wait quoted by the hostess turned to more than 40 minutes. I know it's not an exact science but they ought to bring around some taquitos or something to bar patrons patiently waiting double the time quoted. I would not be in a hurry to return to HBC, as long as Lucky's, SB Brewing Co and the Habit are serving burgers.
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I Will Be Back Soon, 1/20/2009
Reviewer: Howard
from Lompoc CA
This place has the best beers in the area. The food is delicious, the Kobe burger is first rate. Thanks for the Great Service too.
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Grab a beer, watch the game but eat next door!, 12/11/2008
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
Hollister brew co has great service but their food is lacking. Their burgers are overpriced and they're not given enough time to sit before being served. Several times I've gone there and the bottom bun is so soggy I can't even pick up my burger and I'm reduced to eating it with a fork and knife or asking for a new bottom bun. Their fries are good, nice light color and they put great herbs and onion flakes on them. Their beer is also nice, catch them at happy hour for a pretty good deal. Hollister brew co is a great place to watch the games, they put labels on all the tv's to let you know what game is playing so you can strategically sit. Very smart and very helpful!
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Drink up but skip the sandwiches, 12/6/2008
Reviewer: Hugh Mandeson
from Santa Barbara, CA
I so miss the Camino Real Cafe, I guess just good food is not enough. Why is this place always packed? Good for them I guess. Great big screens around (with closed caption on, bravo)and the beers are good. The service not at all bad (slow when busy but the old Cafe could never keep good staff on long).
My beef, or lack thereof, seriously rip off sandwiches! My first time, the BLT; the driest stingiest sandwich ever in my life. Ever. I vowed not to return. Last night a friend invited me, I had to get out. I ordered the Rueben. Yuck the driest stingiest sandwich ever and the saurkraut must have been applied with tweezers. I guess the rye toast is supposed to make you thirstier? And cayenne pepper in the Thousand Island dressing? Cheese on only half and was barely covered with single layer of dried blackened "corned beef" FOUL! I am a jew from LA and a Reuben should be 2-3" thick of corned beef and at least 1/2" of kraut and have mustard! The fries are great. The burgers...a half pound my ass! And cheese or onions are another buck each?!. The pizzas or the salads appear a far better deal but I don't expect to return for food. Maybe the hot fudge brownie or the beir de table but I was very, very disappointed. They have a great business going. How about some MEAT in a $10.50 sandwich?! Not recommended except as a bar. The hot wings looked popular. Just be aware, skip the "sandwiches" unless you like dry toast with a hint of filling for ten bucks. I guess I need more gall to send things back but I respect how hard food service is. Be nice if the customer was as respected. We left the minimum tip. Fooey!
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Bad Burgers
Reviewer: Leana
from Santa Barbara, CA
Last night I went with three friends to Hollister Brewing Co. Three of us got the burger; one ordering it medium, one ordering it medium well, and one ordering it well done. Even though we ordered them all differently, they arrived at our table all well done. It was also very tasteless. The fourth friend ordered the chop salad from the waitress' recommendation because of its flavor. She too found it to be tasteless like we found the burgers and said "how could a salad with so many things taste so bland?" We all hoped for better flavor in our meals and for our burgers to be cooked how we asked. On a positive note, our waitress was really attentive and pleasant. It was also really nice to sit outside on their large patio.
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Best Beer Ever?
Reviewer: Chris
from Santa Barbara, CA
I think I had one of the best beers ever - Orange Honey Blossom. Simply spectacular! Thak you!
The food is great too!
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Best Brewery In Town!
Reviewer: Andy
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been to a lot of "breweries" and this is the first one that doesn't have just three and a half beers and then a bunch of crappy domestic bottles and cans as the extent of their brew. I come back every few weeks to see what new beers they have to offer and they've yet to disappoint. Their food is good, I've had the burger and it was delicious! A few times that I've been there they've offered a daily special and when I've tried those they've been amazing considering that you are not at some posh restaurant. I constantly find myself recommending this place to friends looking for a fun atmosphere.
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Outstanding beers
Reviewer: John
from Santa Barbara, CA
This place has the best beers in the area. The Belgian ales are fantastic. The food and service need to catch up to the beer.
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If you like greasy food...........
Reviewer: JC
from Santa Barbara, CA
then its definately the place to go! Our food was literally dripping in oil, it was extremely greasy. I ordered a panini, and was served a greasy grilled cheese with tomatoes. They have a nice selection of micro brews, but the food, the selection of food, the high prices, and mostly the quality of the food was extremely disappointing. Our waitress was nice and somewhat efficient, except after we ordered we overheard her describing the daily specials to other patrons that she never even bothered telling us. The table next to us had to send water back, because there was lipstick on the water glass....yikes. I may return for a beer but will pass on the food from now on.
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Excellent beer selection - Yummy food
Reviewer: Paul
from Santa Barbara, CA
Without a doubt HBC has the best microbrews in town. There is always a dozen or more HBC crafted IPAs, stouts, and ales. The beer selection changes almost daily (which can be sad for your favorites). They are always happy to give you a free mini-taste to see if you like the latest brew. You can also order up a sampler, with 6 different beers.
The food is delicious. Always 3-5 specials every night, along with the regular menu of salads, sandwiches and pizzas. The salads are a bit on the light side (but that is why you order a salad, right?). The sandwiches are substantial, the Kobe burger is first rate. The Pulled-Pork sandwich special on Friday, literally melts in your mouth.
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Very inconsistent food, service could be better
Reviewer: Jane Simon
from Ventura, CA
The beer is good, for the most part, but the food is quite lacking and inconsistent. The first time I had the Mac n Cheese it was delicious, the second time it was cold and gritty. The kobe beef has potential, but when I ask for it medium well I get it rare, when I ask for it well thinking it will be the way I like it they serve it charred to a crisp. And not allowing substitutions on food that is supposedly fresh doesn't make sense in a restaurant this expensive. Advice: save your time and money... unless you just want beer.
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Just OK, nothing special
Reviewer: Cindy
from Ojai, CA
Went there after I read the review in Auto Club magazine, expecting something special. It was not. The BLT sandwich was pretty good, though I ordered not toasted, and of course it arrived to the table toasted. Would have helped if the waitress had actually written down the order maybe? Dontcha hate when they don't write down the order? My husband's pizza was pretty good, again, nothing you can't get elsewhere. Ordered the onion hay stack for appetizer, big mistake because they're made from red onions. We sent them back, and got a 1/2 credit to the bill. There's a reason why you don't cook with red onions. We almost left because it took so long to receive the food, and of course the attitute from the waitress wasn't helpful. Biggest bummer is that it was my birthday, and it couldn't have been any more mundane of a dining experience. Go if you wanna happy hour beer, munchies and to watch TV, it's a good deal, but otherwise don't bother.
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Best Fish Tacos!
Reviewer: Kate
from Ventura, CA
My husband and I went there after reading a review in AAA's Westways Magazine. We had a delicious lunch there. Their fish tacos were awesome. They use Ono instead of Cod like a lot of other places. The duck fat fries were super-crispy. If you cannot decide on a beer, get the sampler. Choose any 6 from their menu. Highly recommend this place. Would definitely make the drive again for the best fish tacos!
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great beer, pretty good food
Reviewer: Matt
from Goleta
its been a while since someone has reviewed this place, so i wanted to add my opinion. ive been here maybe 10 times since they opened almost a year ago, and i have to say they have some of the best beer in town, and definitely the biggest selection of beers in town. and they are always changing the brews too. the food is pretty good, not great, but it has improved a lot since they first opened. my only complaint is the positioning of the TVs, which you kinda have to strain your neck to see. i would recommend this place to anyone looking for amazing beers!
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Business group lunch was great
Reviewer: Christine
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have no affiliations with HBC, but I wanted to say that about 6 months ago I made a reservation for a party of 12 for lunch with no problem. The service was great, esp for such a large group. I remember it was a Thursday, but it was right on the lunch hour. A co-worker was leaving the company and it was a farewell lunch for her. I find it bizarre that you were turned away since my experience was completely different.
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They Don't Want Me to Eat Here
Reviewer: Kelly
from Santa Barbara, CA
I feel obligated to write a negative review for Hollister Brewing Co. because I have repeatedly (4x now) tried to make a group reservation and been turned down. Why keep trying you ask? Mainly because the location is so perfect for an office happy hour/dinner, and it's not a major chain. However, each reservation request was turned down - the 1st time because they weren't up and running at full staff yet (fair enough), same with the 2nd time (even though it was a few months later), the 3rd time they said no without an explanation (that I can remember), and today was my favorite - a whiny "welllll, usually for large groups not everyone shows up, and we have to hold the tables, and people are late, and then we have to turn away regulars..." he went on with his whining until I said I would find a restaurant that wouldn't find a group a massive inconvenience. I was SHOCKED that he was happy to say good bye rather than try to find a solution that would get us some beer and his establishment some $$. Apparently this place doesn't want business. I have tried to support the local Brew Co, but have officially given up.
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GREAT beer, good food
Reviewer: JC
from santa barbara, ca
Let me start by saying I've at least tried nearly everything on the dinner menu. It's been my experience the the paninis are never that good, the pizza is only ok, and the desserts leave something to be desired. EVERYTHING ELSE, however, is usually great. The onion rings are the best I've ever had, and the kobe beef burger is easily one of if not the best in town. The mac and cheese with the panchetta is decent, but i think it needs more cheese. The hotwings are very good.
Bottom line, order one of the AMAZING beers (Red 42 is my favorite), a burger medium rare, and a side of onion rings and.... enjoy.
A note on the servers: it REALLY varies. I have had a delightful young waitress that was a truly great server, to a tall guy with an accent that who was truly terrible. The hostesses need to pay more attention to people coming in the restaurant, and when the wait gets bad on weekend nights, there is NOWHERE to sit, so you are left standing in the middle of the restaurant dodging the waiters and busboys running in and out the doors to serve the tables on the patio.
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Thank you HBC
Reviewer: Robert
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been to HBC on several occasions since they first opened their doors. The food is always great (or at least very good) and I applaud the owners for steering the menu away from typical pub food like another brewery in town's downright nasty fish and chips. The beer at HBC is some of the best I've had in my lifetime, and it is definitely the best in the Santa Barbara area. The service is always almost always top notch. I would recommend the Hollister Brewing Company to anyone who is looking for a great beer, a great meal or anyone just looking to eat somewhere without 900 pieces of flair on the wall.
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Easily the best beer in town... food a little hit or miss
Reviewer: Ben
from Santa Barbara, CA
This is easily the best brewpub in town for beer. They always have a wide range of styles on tap, all of which is brewed on premises except for a couple guest taps. The pale ales and IPAs are especially good, but all the beers I've had have been good for their style. The food unfortunately can be a little hit or miss. I think they try too hard to be gourmet when they should focus more on just making tasty food. The burger, pulled pork sandwich, and steak sandwich are all good. The fish tacos were bland and the fish was overcooked. I would like to see some basic brew pub standards like fish and chips and more traditional pizza toppings.
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