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Pattaya Bar & Grill
5918 Hollister Ave, Goleta
Phone: (805) 964-2800
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Reviews by the General Public
I wish the Thai restaurant at home was this good, 9/17/2009
Reviewer: Brian
from Boston, Ma
The service was great - pineapple fried rice rocks the house... Wish my hometown Boston thai restaurant was this good.
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Pleasantly Surprised!, 6/8/2009
Reviewer: Aimee
from Goleta, CA
I wasn't expecting much from this unassuming Old Town restaurant. But the food was quite tasty - just as good as any of the Thai food I've had downtown (possibly better). I sampled the chicken satay, the spring rolls, and the black pepper garlic shrimp and broccoli - standard Thai restaurant fare, but yummy nonetheless. Everyone I was dining with genuinely enjoyed their food as well. Service was great, as there was hardly anyone in the restaurant. Put away your doubts and give it a try - Goleta needs restaurants like this!
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Surprisingly good food, 4/17/2009
Reviewer: Steve
from Santa Barbara, CA
We went to the Thai side, so I can't speak for the American dishes. But our food was shockingly good. While the Larb could have been a little better, our entrees were great. The pineapple fried rice was wonderful, and comes in an actual pineapple. The black pepper garlic shrimp was also delicious, and the broccoli had a fantastic sauce on it. And the chicken with peanut sauce (I forget the name) was also delicious. All three of us were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. The waitress could have been a little more attentive, but we got everything we needed in a timely fashion. Definitely will go back again.
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Good Thai food returns to Goleta, 2/16/2009
Reviewer: Ted
from Goleta, CA
My wife and I have eaten at Pattaya on six separate occasions over the last several months, plus one take out order. In addition to ordering kee mow noodles on several visits (one of my favorites) we have had a number of their other noodle, rice, curry and mixed vegetable dishes. All the food has been great - every time. Some of their waitresses seem a bit inexperienced, and have been slow to take my order on a couple of occasions. But overall service has been good. I'll note that I never sit on the bar side of the restaurant. Its always been fairly empty when I've been there and it seems like you might be setting yourself up for inattentive service if you chose one of those seats.
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Great!, 2/13/2009
Reviewer: Cris
from Santa Barbara, CA
Went here on a Thursday night and it was very good! Prices are a tad bit expensive for the portions but the food was delicious.
I will be back.
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Perfect!, 2/10/2009
Reviewer: Kim
from Santa Barbara, CA
I rarely eat Thai food and when I do I am not easy to please. I went into Pattaya for my first time 3 weeks ago and was astounded at the AMAZING food and EXCEPTIONAL service. I went in for lunch on a Friday around 12:30 and it was very busy but it was so apparent how hard the waitresses were working. I work in the food and beverage industry and appreciate good teamwork when I go out to eat. Pattaya was very clean and provided a relaxed atmosphere. We ate on the Thai restaurant side and really noticed the attentiveness of our two waitresses. We never asked for a refill or any extra care because it was already provided along with many warm smiles and good coversation from them. I was with four friends and we were all so pleased we have come back twice every week since our first visit! I suggest the Pad Thai or the Lunch Special Basil Chicken. No matter what you get you will be GUARENTEED a wonderful experience with delectable food and knowledgeable and helpful staff. Give it a chance and you will not be disappointed! My title says it all... perfect!
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it was like a relationship gone bad...., 2/4/2009
Reviewer: Jen
from Santa Barbara, CA
It looks like I'm only allowed 200 words for this review, and I'm not to be excessively negative and am to use constructive criticism. Here is my review, edited for time and content;
I came to the restaurant when it opened, with open, loving arms, and was so excited about the place I could barely sit still when I ordered. My first experience there was decent, though I had to ask the waitress for utensils and a napkin after our food came.
Every trip back since has been worse than the one before it. In the 5 or so times I've gone back, something has always been bad.
1) Panang Chicken Curry - My main complaint is that it lacked the CURRY. It had chicken, it had veggies, it had coconut milk, but as far as I could taste, someone forgot the curry. It should have been marketed as cream of chicken soup. Tip: remember to add the appropriate spices.
2) Buffalo Chicken Strips - It's on the menu (though the waitresses don't seem to be aware of this) but it's only ever been successfully ordered once. Every other attempt to get buffalo chicken strips has been a disaster. Tip: Have your staff aware of and be able to make what you have on the menu.
3) Chicken strips and fries - I ordered the plain chicken strips and 5 chicken strips came out on a plate. 2 normal strips stacked on top of 3 severely burnt strips. The strips tasted distinctly like the refrigerator, and left the aftertaste of garbage in my mouth. I brought this to the attention of the waitress but no attempts at reparation were made. Tip: Do not serve food that is old and/or has been left open in the fridge so long it tastes like the fridge. Or buy some baking soda for your fridge. Also, if a customer finds the dish inedible, s/he shouldn't have to pay money for it.
4) Lights went dim and turned colors while we were eating - I can't speak for other people, but if I sit down in a normally lit restaurant, I am not happy when it suddenly looks like I'm eating in the red light district. Tip: Let your customers see what they are eating, all the way through the meal.
5) Restaurant or club? - Pick one and stick with it. At least during normal dining hours. Had I known that I would be assaulted with ear-busting funk music at 8pm when I sat down for dinner at 7:30, I wouldn't have sat down to begin with. Tip: Do your customers a favor and try to leave their eardrums intact.
6) Utensils should be provided - or at least a disclaimer that states "Bring your own utensils or eat with your hands" should be posted. I've never, NOT A SINGLE TIME, been to Pattaya and not had to ask for utensils after my food arrived. The waitress leaves me sitting at the table for several minutes staring stupidly at my food before I have to flag her down to get something with which to eat my food. Tip: Train your waitstaff to bring items necessary for the consumption of food, or warn your patrons that you're a 'fingerfood' establishment.
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I'm baffled by all the great reviews, 1/30/2009
Reviewer: Dan
from Santa Barbara, CA
I feel like this place probably started strong, but faded fast. My girlfriend ate there with friends and brought me some spicy chicken that was pretty good. I went back recently and ordered the same thing and got the most awful chicken strips I have ever had. There was some bizarre event going on with a bunch of people up on the stage seemingly just watching us eat. At one point someone came around and asked if we were "staying" for the event, and was collecting money from the other people there. The music was terrible, so I can't imagine other people paying, but a couple of people did. Everything we all got was awful, except for pad thai one of my friends got. My other friend actually tried to send her food back but we still got charged for it. Never going back.
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Downhill Fast, 1/30/2009
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been to this place about 10 times since it's opened. I've brought family and multiple groups of friends with me as well. Last Friday I was there for the last time, service has just declined too far and the food has remained mediocre. The first time I went everything was great, lots of water refills, hot food. This time I ordered my favorite, the yellow rice and it was overcooked and there wasn't any shrimp in it. Given I had to wait 20 minutes for water and 25 more minutes for 2 dishes I was in no mood to complain. They need to hire more people or re-train their staff. They also need to rotate their cooks better, you should use your A-team on a Friday night. I should mention the place wasn't really that crowded, so I think a re-train on their wait staff would be more efficient than hiring another person to ignore patient customers.
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Should have just remained a sign., 1/29/2009
Reviewer: Terri
from Goleta, California
The grand opening signs enticed both my friends and I on separate occasions, and we all left dissatisfied on all accounts. After trying Pattaya multiple times (I don't know why, we might just be slow learners), we have finally decided that it is not worth going back to. The first time I went, I was given the wrong order at least three times, and my friend's bok choy was charred. My friends, who went at a different time (a month or two later), received incorrect orders, horrible service (no silverware, even after food had been delivered), and the food was inedible. On one account, my friend said that the chicken "tasted like the refrigerator," and after telling the waitress, there were no attempts to compensate for this.
This restaurant was given multiple times to redeem itself, and it's just sad that the only Thai restaurant in Goleta has bad food and service. We will definitely stick with Your Place or Your Choice, as opposed to Pattaya.
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Pretty Good, 1/3/2009
Reviewer: Justin
from Santa Barbara, CA
First time. Eating there now, reporting from iPhone. Chicken Satay is best I've ever had. Their version of the peanut sauce is impressive. Basil wings were good too, but I don't taste basil much as opposed to salt and oil. Place is dead, only people here the whole lunch visit. Will come again.
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Potential I think, 1/2/2009
Reviewer: Leigh Anne
from Santa Barbara, CA
We just dined at Appethai/Pattaya tonight. The service was pretty good. We asked for something off the menu and our request was met and at a very reasonable price. We were not lacking for any service, so I suppose a 5 star is warranted- but I do want to mention how loud the restaurant was. Our three-year old son didn't help, but the restaurant owners might want to consider some rugs or wall hangings to absorb sound. It was a bit much even without our son's contributions. The food was fine, but rather uninspired. We ordered the roast duck salad from the specials menu- this dish had potential but was so over dressed as to be nearly painful. (You know the way you sweat around your eyes when there is a staggering amount of salt and lime?) We also ordered a duck curry and a noodle dish called "southern comfort noodles". These were fine, but surprisingly bland compared to the salad starter (I actually used the left over salad to ramp up the noodle dish). We have no outright complaints. The service was very good and the food was OK. I understand that this restaurant hasn't been open long and I hope that this can become a really great place that we frequent.
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great food great service, 1/2/2009
Reviewer: a
from Santa Barbara, CA
This was the first time we have been to this place.we liked the food and service both here. we really enjoyed the food.We ordered yum shrimp,spring rolls and spicy fried rice.All of them were very good.Especially the yum shrimp it was very nice tangy and very healthy with lots of greens in it.I simply loved it except that my husband felt that there was little too much of lemon grass flavor in it but i loved it that way.The veggies in the fried rice were fresh and cooked to perfection.It was a good dining experience at a thai place after a long time.we would definitely go back there again.
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Great Goleta Thai Food, 12/24/2008
Reviewer: Mark
from Santa Barbara, CA
Excellent and attentive service. I like my Thai food "thai" spicy. The food was great and the young waitress very accomodating. I will definitely return.
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At Last!, 12/23/2008
Reviewer: Daryl
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been missing Appethai since they closed years ago. It's been a long wait for their new incarnation, Pattaya, to open --I am not disappointed now that it's finally here.
I've eaten lunch at Pattaya twice and have gotten carry-out orders four other times. The food has been consistently delicious, and I've always had good service (although it did take a few days for them to get things stabilized after they opened).
The basil chicken wings have become a new addiction. Wow!
I haven't tried anything from the American/bar menu yet. They do need to make that more available if they want people in the Thai restaurant side to try those items as well.
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3 for 3, 12/21/2008
Reviewer: James Cline
from Goleta, CA
I've been there three times since they opened. I love good Thai food, and haven't been disapointed. Service has been prompt and attentive each time. They are deinitely on my list of good restaurants.
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Good food, good service WAY TOO LOUD, 12/16/2008
Reviewer: eric
from montecito
I was there on a Friday night and they had live music in the bar side - this place is actually two separate places that share one building. They need doors between the two - the music was so overbearing it makes me hesitant to return. If I go again it will certainly be on a tuesday eve or some other off night to see how noisy it is. My food was quite good - pineapple curry shrimp with lots of shrimp, chicken satay and some egg rolls. My friend ordered, of all things, hot wings. Not something I would normally order at a thai place but they were good (and the spiciest item on our table)
I hope they do well but please, get some sort of noise baffles between the bar and the restaurant!
EMI
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Got it to go, Nice to have Thai in Goleta now!, 12/15/2008
Reviewer: Glenn
from Buellton
I can't comment on the servers(I did not see them mingling too much though, if you like that sort of thing go to the Red Pepper in Goleta) as I got it to go but the ladies were nice to me. The pad thai and chicken satay were very good. The chicken cashew was just Ok. The spring rolls were not as good as Noodle City across the street(highly recommended!). I am just happy Goleta has a Thai place!! The bar side of it next door seemed dead but it was nice and new with a bar and a lot of TVs, unsure if same owners or not. Not great parking in Old Town but I'll be back for the Pad Thai and Chicken Satay!
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Great food and options, 12/15/2008
Reviewer: brian
from The Good Land
I've had dinner and lunch and the food is very tasty, especially the green and yellow curry. Atmosphere was warm, inviting, clean and the service was great. We went with our kids the for dinner, aged 6 and 10 and our server had a quick recommendation that was perfect. Recommend the green papaya salad, its flavorful and not too spicy. The only other recommendation would be to add some more veggies i.e. peas or bamboo shoots to curry dishes.
We also enjoyed the live music.
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Second time not as great, 12/14/2008
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
I wrote a review before, perhaps a bit to hastily. While the food is still pretty good the service has definitely gotten sloppy. The last time I went the waitress was attentive but the food didn't come out on time. I went for dinner on 12-12 and was a part of a party of 3. Not only did our food not come out on time, I was given a completely different dish than what I ordered. I was confused and then another waitress came by and took my incorrect dish away. I then waited for the right one to show up. The fact that the waitress the first time had no idea she served me the wrong thing was a big disconcerting. She was really hard to get a hold of the whole night, another waiter actually ended up taking care of us while she talked loudly in the back (we could hear most of her conversation). I still enjoy this restaurant very much but I hope poor service doesn't run them into the ground. Final consensus so far? Food is good, service is hit and miss, especially when they're busy.
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Finally in Goleta! , 12/12/2008
Reviewer: Jennifer
from Goleta, Ca
I love Thai food and I am so glad we have this place in Goleta now. Selection of food is reasonable and the price is great in general. Some seafood items (pa nang seafood curry) is expensive considering it doesn't have much seafood in it. But other noodle dishes and rice dishes are of great value. The service is ok. They don't come by often so I was short of water several times. I once asked for a spice tray twice and never got it. But the people are nice and I am sure they will get better over time.
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AWESOME!, 12/6/2008
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
Food is reasonably priced, delicious and the service is good. We didn't get our food at the same time which is why I only gave them 3.5 stars for service. We ordered cheese puffs which were hot and delicious. I got the yellow fried rice and my boyfriend got pa-nang curry. They were full of fresh veggies, delicious shrimp and chicken. So good, I'll be back again and again.
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American or Thai?, 11/30/2008
Reviewer: Carl
from Goleta, CA
They need to post some signs pointing to the Thai side and the American Grill side.
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