The water is STILL bad, and..., 7/16/2010
Reviewer: ash
from Santa Barbara, CA
I honestly love everything here except the water, and now that my work schedule has me staying up later, we've been getting Jack in the Box often. I don't know what it is, but their tap water is DELICIOUS. Like aquafina delicious. Like northern California tap water delicious. If Jack in the Box on Milpas can afford good water why can't Elephant Bar?
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Great food and great service!, 3/24/2010
Reviewer: Jared
from Santa Barbara, CA
i kinda liked the food but the hostess was so nice, she made my day. She was the most fun and nicest person it was amazing! If I were the manager at the elephant bar I would give the hostesses a big raise!!!!!
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Better Than Expected, 3/16/2010
Reviewer: Krista and Tony
from Goleta
I hadn't been to the E bar in years, since it's essentially a chain and there are so many great places to eat in this town. Nonetheless my wife had spotted something she thought she'd like on their online menu (Macadamia crusted Mahi-Mahi). I grudgingly obliged and we showed up at about 6:30 on a Friday evening. Not surprisingly the place was packed but we still got a table in less than 10 min. I ended up keeping it simple and just went for a French Dip sandwich which was quite flavorful and had a decent portion. My wife liked the Mahi Mahi which came on a bed of brown rice with a veggie/fruit salsa. Her only complaint was that while she thought the fish was good she could tell it wasn't fresh caught but most likely frozen at some point (not surprising since it is a chain) still she said she'd probably order it again. Service was excellent, no complaints there and the prices were on par with what we pay at any number of similar places, local or chain.
Overall I had a very good experience at the E Bar, I found it to substantially better than the usual chain restaurant. By the way when does the food ANYWHERE look as good as it does in the pictures!?
T
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Overrated....., 3/3/2010
Reviewer: Julius
from stockton, CA
Slow Service-It was a Monday with very little customers but for some reason it was very slow service. 1 hour wait!!
Food/menu-was typical. It tasted like a bunch of sisco inspired food. Shrimp was raw with black-char all over it. Everyone with me expected the food to atleast look like the picture.
Overall, the food is below average. I've went there twice and the second time was worst. I'll never go back.
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Fix the water!, 2/28/2010
Reviewer: Ashleigh Carracino
from Santa Barbara, CA
Tastiest mixed drinks anywhere, a lot of exciting variety and presentation with the menu (even if not particularly delicious at times), kind of hit or miss service... but the ONE just BAD thing there is the tap water! Oh my god it is terrible! I used to be able to stomach the horrible tap water in Isla Vista and I just can NOT handle Elephant Bar's tap water! I'm not a water snob, I don't filter water at home or drink bottled water or anything, their water is just BAD.
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What Happened to the food?, 1/18/2010
Reviewer: Alyssa
from Santa Barbara, CA
The Elephant Bar was always my favorite place to eat because of their variety and generous portions. I've notice through the years that the food portions has been decreasing in size. I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken and the portions were so less than before. I had ended up eating again from my kids plate. I am staying away. Service was good.
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Fun Live Music Wednesdays , 10/2/2009
Reviewer: Wayne Johnson
from Goleta Cal
Fun Wed Live Music on the patio Good food & drinks too.
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as good as applebees... so not that good, 8/8/2009
Reviewer: Kevin
from Santa Barbara, CA
Ordered a caesar salad to start and it came out on a completely dirty plate, sent back. Main course was a shrimp and chicken dish which was obviously reheated bulk frozen SYSCO or JORDANOS items. The only thing I half-way enjoyed was our side of sweet potato fries which were cold after the first few bites. Save yourself the time and money, avoid the wait and the hype... go to the beachside if your looking for great food and service or better yet; downtown SB.
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Menu change
Reviewer: Foodie Dan
from Santa Barbara, CA
Well my two boys love coming here and I enjoyed it also...until they changed the menu. Some of my favorite things are gone. The awesome potato skins...gone.The country club changed. The new menu now consists of many more pan-asian dishes and a couple of new burgers. I tried the blue cheese burger and while good it wasn't great. The meat was extra crispy on the outside and bland on the inside. The blue cheese butter could have been stronger...Just nothing special about it. I dont think we will be going back any time soon. PLEASE bring back the potato skins!
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Good Food, Great Service
Reviewer: Glenn
from Buellton
The waitresses here really bend over backwards for you and took care of our party well and they were really nice too. The food was good, probably two steps above a Dennys and one step below a Palace Grill, kind of like Outback quality but I thought a little better. They have a really wide selection of foods to choose from also and the kids menu deal is great with ice cream at the end even. I really like the decor too, it makes you think you are staying at a resort far away or something, they must have redid everything(menu included)in the last ten years as I remember it not being this good before. The prices were not too overpricey either.
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A family favorite
Reviewer: D
from Santa Barbara, CA
My family has been going here for years! The place is always busy. They have good service and good food at an affordable price! Just don't drink the water, its from the tap....
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Food isn't the greatest, but the service is excellent
Reviewer: David
from Santa Barbara, CA
I came in a few days ago with some buddies of mine from the office. We were sat immediately at a booth and was waited on by Stark. That's what her name says on the receipt. She was very attentive, funny, and knew exactly what she was talking about. It was my first time and she showed me her favorite entrees and even told me to rethink a few of mine. It's refreshing to have a waitress be completely honest with me and still keep it light hearted and fun. We never had to ask for refills and she always had a smile on her face. I will certainly come back and ask for her specifically, not only because she's a cutie, but because she's actually a fantastic waitress.
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e-bar happy hour!!
Reviewer: dee
from Santa Barbara, CA
was there yesturday by far one of the best spots iv been to out there. drinks were very inexpensive and good. the food was great, i had the jambalaya.the drinks during happy hour are on special in the bar area and they are great! i would definetley come in again!! oh yeah happy hour is from 3-6 not from 4:30 -6
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Great as usual
Reviewer: Tony Rosales
from Santa Barbara, CA
Been going there for years.. It's consistant, wonderful food and great service.. I love the atmosphere.. Courtney was very thoughtful and respectful.. I will certainly go back..
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Staff and food - gold star
Reviewer: Susan
from Dublin, CA
In the three times (with differet friends), I can only say it was a totally great experience. The food and staff are wonderful. Right on target with everything - food great, the staff doing just enough (neither sufficating nor non-existant) explaining the different food and drinks.
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Sarah must have had a bad day!
Reviewer: Faith
from Santa Barbara, CA
Have dined at EBar many times. Like it for special occasions. The food is special not ordinary. Many different tastes accommodated.
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Food is ok, service not so good
Reviewer: Sarah
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have yet to meet a nice, pleasant server, hostess at this place. The food is good, can't really complain about that, but the service is pretty crappy. I ate once with my husband and daughter outside, took about 15 minutes to get service outside. Then for Christmas we had a lunch with our office (about 15 people) and the server had Zero personality, which surprised me for a big group. You need to have a good server when it comes to lots of people. I will continue to eat at the Elephant Bar, and just deal with the non-personality that this place has.
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Great
Reviewer: Taylor
from Santa Barbara, CA
I love the Elephant Bar. Great deals and amazing food. I go every week and I still can't get enough. If anyone wants good food go to the EBAR!!
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Elephant bar has surprised me again
Reviewer: Travis
from Santa Barbara, CA
I love Elephant bar. I have gone there for years and every time I get an excellent server and the food is always out quickly. It is apparent that they take time and effort into each meal and the servers are always there if you need anything. I do enjoy the atmosphere, although it wouldn't hurt to change the music. Either way, this is an awesome restaurant and you should check it out. And the girls are cute too!
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I LOVEEEE the Elephant Bar!!!
Reviewer: Susie
from Santa Barbara, CA
My food was excellent and service exceptional. I sat in the bar area and the girls in bar where amazing, they were friendly and very helpful. The only thing I could complain about is that my drink was a little on the weak side.
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second time
Reviewer: lucky
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went there a second time to try and see if conditions would improve.. I have to say that I see the elephant bar trying to be family friendly but if this Is the case I would reccomend to them to lower the music first of all so clients don't leave with a headache but second so that I can hear the person I am dining with. It is this statement "the ebar Is trying to be family friendly" that really says it all "trying"..best of luck.
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Ok food, hit and miss service
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
Elephant bar mails out coupons regularly and after trying their food about 8-10 times over the last 4 years it's easy to see why. For some reaons my friends love this place; I, however, am less than crazy about it. I can only rationalize eating there when I have a coupon, I will say they sometimes have great deals. Their food is often presented beautifully but I've found it at times to be greasy or bland or both. Their drinks are cute and more for show than for drinking. I won't complain about the amount of alcohol, they try to be "family friendly" and getting people drunk would counteract that point. The staff rotates a lot, I had 1-2 great waiters and the rest seemed bored or cold or just wanted to get back to that waitress they were flirting with (or bartender in our waitresses case). I would skip this place!
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simply ok
Reviewer: lucky
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have to say I have been there enough times to write a good honest review, much like the other reviews I agree that the service is getting worse now that the resturant is slowly becoming more corperate. Although it wasn't that special to begin with. This alone could ruin a evening. The food is decent for being a American resturant, they also offer decent. Asian dishes that I guess I would compare to panda express....the drinks on the other hand are ok they mix them well but really watch how much alcohol they put in them . The wine selection is ok the house wines are decent and are priced a few dollars less then the bottle is worth In a regular grocery store but I guess they have to make their money somewhere...
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Best place in Santa Barbara
Reviewer: Philip Payne
from Lompoc, CA
This the best restaurant in Santa Barbara area. The menu is stable, but magnificent. Prices are modest. Service is good, but so good there is always a crowd, almost too much for promptness. But the chef/owner had cooked across the world, and his creations are marvelous and memorable.
Because of popularity, place is a bit noisy.
When in Santa Barbara, all of us in the family eat here!
Philip Payne, Lompoc, California
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HIT AND MISS..TAKE YOUR CHANCES
Reviewer: Michael
from Santa Barbara, CA
I eat at this place a few times a year. I work near the restaraunt so it's convenient. This is definitely a hit or miss kind of place. Sometimes really over the top and sometimes way below par. If you first walk in and are seated in a less than desirable spot and can't flag a waiter...better to just get up and leave...it's a miss. If it's gonna be great, it'll be great from the start. It never starts bad and improves or vice versa. And it's always overpriced. But, knowing all that, give it a try.
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