A review of Moby Dick Restaurant at Santa Barbara.com

Moby Dick Restaurant
220 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 965-0549

Category: American, Seafood
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-8:30pm, Summer: closes at 9:pm
Price: $10 - $20
Serving: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
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Reviews by the General Public

Boring Food; Average Service, 9/25/2009
Reviewer: Cris from Santa Barbara, CA
The food for lunch was so un-flavorful and boring. The only taste the open turkey face sandwich had was the salt that I put on it. The fried seafood all tastes the same and is not worth the price you pay for it. I may try this place for breakfast, but not for lunch. Service was average, nothing good nor nothing bad.

GREAT CHANGE!!!!!!!!, 8/17/2009
Reviewer: Miguel Hernandez from L.A.
MY WIFE AND I DECIDED TO GIVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO MOBY DICKS AFTER READING IN A LOCAL MAGAZINE (although we live in LA) THAT THE MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN CHANGED, AND WE WERE SURPRISED, FRIENDLY SERVICE AND NOW I CAN SAY THAT THERE IS FRESH SEAFOOD, I HAD THE HALIBUT AND MY WIFE HAD ONE OF THE WEEKLY SPECIALS THAT WAS THE FILET MIGNON STUFFED WITH CRAB MEAT. DEFINETLY WE'LL GO BACK TO MOBY DICK. BY THE WAY GREAT VIEW.

AMAZING HOSTESS!!!!!, 8/6/2009
Reviewer: Cherise from Santa Barbara, CA
this place had great service and the BEST hostess ever! She was very kind and beautiful and she gave us the best table in the house! I would say she was better than the other, snotty hostess. The food was good too, the view spectacular, I would DEFINATELY go back again :)

amazing!!!, 7/8/2009
Reviewer: carol from santa clarita, CA
My family and I love the view food and drinks! The restaurant is amazing and never disapoints well worth the stop! Eat here annually and never had a dissapointment.

Fairly Good Food, Excellent View and Service, 6/29/2009
Reviewer: Glenn from Buellton
The food was not great but the service and view were. They had available seating with no wait right on the water, kid friendly meals and fairly good food. The server(same guy as mentioned below?) was really amazing. Great view of the ocean. You pay for the view. Its easier seating than Shellfish.

Night on the Wharf, 3/15/2009
Reviewer: Rob from Fullerton, CA
This restaurant is located on Stearns Wharf, so any logical and reasoned individual can naturally assume some basic things. 1- Its going to be EXPENSIVE. 2- The weather is going to be "coastal". 3- It is going to be a "tourist trap". 4- Your server might (choose from one of the following) a. Have a limited English vocabulary, b. Be a starving UCSB student, or both a and b. OK, so now are we all on the same page and by the way, if you live in Los Angeles County or anywhere in the Valley, your reviews don't count anyway. This place was good, both my lovely wife and I had the fish and chips, so I won't try to lead you astray by having expectations of the most AMAZING fish and chips on the planet! I did love how HOT everything was, and the fries (chips) were really good! The bread was also really yummy and the server was cool too, and I could understand him, which is always a plus!!! About the server, he let us know that the dish also came as a half order (with only two breaded filets instead of four) and we both went for that! It was enough and I left the restaurant filled and happy! I am not ashamed to have said that I ate here!

It's our Friday breakfast place!, 3/9/2009
Reviewer: Sharon from Santa Barbara, CA
We come here every Friday, and love it! The views are relaxing, and Salvadore always makes sure we are well taken care of, even when he's not our waiter! We love him! I have heard it's not too good for dinner, so we don't go, but for breakfast, it's our spot. Thanks Salvadore!

Waste of a great location, 1/7/2009
Reviewer: nate from Santa Barbara, CA
DO NOT BELIEVE JOHN'S REVIEW BELOW MINE!! I've lived in S.B. for 31 years and for as long as I can remember Moby Dicks has had awful food. Trust me, locals are waiting for this place to close down so we can get a decent restaurant in this beautiful location. MOBY DICKS IS A TOTAL TOURIST TRAP!! As a local I hate to admit it but Brophy Bros. is so much better than this chum bucket. If you don't believe me go waste your money at Moby Dicks, I would rather eat frozen Gorton's fish sticks.

TO ALL WHO COMPLAIN, 1/7/2009
Reviewer: JOHN from Santa Barbara, CA
I'M A REGULAR PLEASE DON'T RUIN THIS MARVELOUS RESTAURANT'S REPUTATION. JUDGE YOURSELF. IF YOU READ MOST CUMPLAINTS ARE BASED ON PRICE....... IF YOU DONT HAVE ENOUGH FOR A MEAL DONT GO OUT AT ALL.

Don't Waste the Time, 12/29/2008
Reviewer: Cheryl from Clay, Kentucky
On a recent trip to Santa Barbara, we came upon the Moby Dick at the pier. We waited some time to be seated, when seated it took 15 mins for someone to take the order for our drinks and appetizer. We recieved the fried shrimp...COLD. Then We watched other people be seated, order and even receive their dinner, while we waited for our order. After 25 mins of watching this we asked about our order, they had no idea. We immediately left after no resolve. It might benefit the resturant to have trained help, and a supervisor who would over look the work of the waiters, to be sure service is timely and all patrons are served within a reasonable time.. not 40 mins for appetizer.

Wonderful Lobster and Crab, 12/11/2008
Reviewer: Nicole from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been there twice after having saving up to buy lobster and crab, two of my favorite foods. Both times I had the same wonderful waiter and sat at a cute little table right next to the water. You really can't beat the location and service, our waiter was very kind and the 2nd time we came in he remembered us! I was embarrased because my boyfriend LOVES lobster and made a huge mess on the table. As a waitress I am usually grossed out or annoyed when people leave their dirty napkins and crumbs all over but our waiter just laughed when I apologized and said he was just glad we enjoyed the food. Moby Dick's mails out 20% off coupons, take that with you for an added bonus. Their lobster is fresh and delicious, ask for garlic butter, much more flavorful than regular butter. Their crab legs are plentiful and delicious. This is truly one of my favorite seafood restaurants, not too snotty like other quality places but they give you the same quality service.

EXCELLANTE!!!!, 12/6/2008
Reviewer: patti from la verne, ca
This place was the perfect place to go for a really nice romantic evening. Great service!!! We only had appetizers and drinks but they were superb!!! The drinks were great. We loved it. would highly recommend it for THAT and go back.

CANNED CHICKEN SOUP!!!!!!
Reviewer: Gabe from Santa Barbara, CA
I ordered the linguini with clams for lunch today, which was allegedly supposed to be served with salad (iceberg city) and garlic bread (aka Texas Toast, as sold for $2 a loaf at albertson's) but the creme de la creme of insult and injury was when I realized that the "linguini" in broth I was being served was nothing other than watered down CANNED CHICKEN SOUP, with tiny chunks of chicken and small little chunks of carrots. I don't want to come off as "overly negative" but charging $20 for a can of campbell's soup you are trying to pass off as linguini is pretty low. Now I know why this place only attracts tourists.

30 minutes for a dinner and a oilpastel sketch
Reviewer: Karl Klink from Dusslingen Germany
Best was the view,food average, service did what they could,Atmosphere was allright.It was the first time but it�s to far away from Europe to come here often.But the oilpainting I made from to view an the atmosphere brought the painting in an exposition of a German art award which made the Moby Dick pier restaurant more well known in Germany.

Warning: Do not attempt if you have taste buds!
Reviewer: Nicole from San Luis Obispo, CA
There were eight people in our party, and not one dish tasted good, all were overcooked. Most tasted worse than a frozen Lean Cuisine. The use of a heat lamp for an extended amount a time really dries out the top of the food, and is not appetizing and makes for poor presentation. And if I am going to pay $20 for a plate, and have to sit in a plastic chair outside, I would expect real lettuce (not iceberg) and better dressing (not bottled). The best thing they have to offer is their service, however it nor the view makes up for the less than mediocre food.

Disgusting...Do not waste your time eating here.
Reviewer: jim drath from Santa Barbara, CA
The best thing this place has going for it is the location. I am sure at one time this was "the place to go for seafood" but not anymore. My wife and I spent 3 days in Santa Barbara and had Greek, Indian, and our last meal was at the Moby Dick for our anniversary. My wife ordered the Alaskan King Crab, the shell was like rubber and the meat was tastless mush that they drowned in garlic butter. I order the fish and chips...The worst I have ever had...dry and over cooked. And it came from a box!

Amazing
Reviewer: Katie from Denver, CO
I was born and raised on the Mississippi gulf coast. I know seafood and Moby Dick has awesome sea food. Probably the best clam chowder I have ever had. Amazing, fast service and a friendly chill atmosphere. It is a deffinite must. I will be back!!

Can't wait to go back
Reviewer: lynn from buena park
We ate at Moby Dick for breakfast mid-June and all was fine. The view, atmosphere and food were great. The servers were very helpful although quite busy. The omelettes were superb! We'll definitely be back.

some people should stay home
Reviewer: ruben rico from la puente ca
My wife and I go to Santa Barbara every year and we can't wait to go Moby Dick's. We love the steaks the best steaks in S.B Also the frank Sinatra music.

Should've had pizza & beer
Reviewer: Mike from Lancaster
Well it was cold and we were hungry but we shold have turned around and went to Rusty's. The service was lousy, they were out of a lot of food. ( oh sorry sir were out of that). I asked for a shrimp cocktail but it never showed up. Busboy brings bread & butter but no water. My swordfish steak looked like it came out of a box (i.e. the Gortons Fisherman) my wife's salmon was frozen. Heck you can get better seafood at a Costco 100 miles inland. If you think about eating here don't walk but run the other way

Birthday dinner was a disappoint
Reviewer: Mike Hunter from Simi Valley
Went for a enjoyable dinner left with a bad taste about food, new owner and staff, food was cold nothing worst than a warm baked potato and then have to wait for butter, sour cream and what they called chives, salad was terrible was not fresh, waited to long for waiter to bring drinks and food. We will never be back sorry to say, enjoyed restaurant many times in past.

didnt have my reservation!
Reviewer: Nics from Isla Vista, CA
i went with a group of co workers. we made a reservation two days before for 13. when we got there, they did not have my reservation, but thankfully they were able to fit me in. (but what if it would have been busier? would they have not been able to fit me in and made it ruin everyones night by having to eat somewhere else?)the food was okay, the drinks were good, the service was great! the price was reasonable for 13 people.

In town for two days
Reviewer: Manuel from Sacramento, CA
We decided on Moby Dick Restaurant because the Shellfish Company was crowded and we had a fussy and hungry kid. We walked right in and were seated right away. The staff was friendly and service was good. The food was okay for a touristy area. The clam chowder, which was included with our meal, was tasty, but had few clams. I ordered the crab cakes with garlic mashed potatoes and veggies. The crab cakes were better than average but not great. My wife had the lobster ravioli which taste too cheesy. Overall, the food was about averge. The prices reflect the restaurnts' location and views enjoyed during the meal.

Young waiters old food
Reviewer: jim melillo from montecito
I have been going once every 6 months to this restaurant because lets face it it is the cheapest fish place in town and I hope against hope it will get better. I hate that this place lives up to you get what you pay for. The view is great but the execution is miserable. The food is B- it is priced that way and it tastes that way. The waiters are so young they work hard and are nice but have never been trained. It is a shame when Brophy's and the Harbor next door are packed and this place is empty. So go if you like a view and go if you want to save money but do not complain the food is bad and the waiters are just OK because that appears to be their business model and you now know. Jim

Perfect view, Perfect food, Perfect Service!
Reviewer: Mayra from Santa Barbara
I loved it there. It was soo good, The view? Fantastic!! Perfect for a romantic evening.

GOOD FOOD, GREAT SERVICE
Reviewer: SEAN MCFARLAND from SANTA BARBARA CA
I HAD LUNCH WITH MY FIANCE LAST WEEK, AND I HAD THE SPECIAL FISH AND CHIPS ($6.95), AND MY FIANCE GOT THE REGULAR FISH AND CHIPS ($12.95), AND LETS BE HONEST, I GOT THOSE 'CAUSE OF THE PRICE, SO GUESS WHAT MY FISH AND CHIPS WERE NOT AS GOOD AS MY FIANCE'S, BUT I KIND OF KNEW EVEN MY FIANCE ASK ME "WHAT ARE YOU WERE ESPECTING FOR $6.95, YOU WANNA BE CHEAP, THATS WHAT YOU GOT". ANYWAY I HIGHLY RECOMEND THE PLACE BUT ALWAYS THINK THIS: "YOU ARE GOING TO GET, FOR WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR", AND FOR THE SERVICE, THEY ARE SO GOOD AND PROS, I'LL BE BACK REAL SOON.

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