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Holdren's Steaks & Seafood - Downtown
512 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 965-3363
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Reviews by the General Public
Frustration on a Celebration, 11/14/2009
Reviewer: m
from Santa Barbara, CA
Pretty simple: special birthday reservation for 6:00 on a Wednesday. We arrived early to take advantage of Happy Hour. We were met at the door by the hostess who crossed off our reservation, but then told us to choose where we wanted to sit. As soon as we were seated I asked about their Happy Hour and was told they would check (why they didn’t know?). In the server’s next visit, with Happy Hour menu in hand, she told her only customers it was only good at the bar, 10 feet away. Dinner was fine (meat not as tender as expected, overcooked for my taste). Then we ordered dessert: not any mention of birthday. I had made sure to mention it again as soon as we sat down so maybe a candle or… anything. Left very frustrated. Too bad.
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Cutting quality of cuts?, 9/30/2009
Reviewer: Paul
from Goleta, CA
Holdren's had my favorite filet in SB last year, so it's hard to give them a 3.5, but last week I took a friend for 2 med-rare top sirloins, and neither were worth the +$20-30 price this time. The service was great, but she forgot a minor detail- sour cream on side. Cooking was fine, and they returned one uneaten steak for me. I ate mine, but had to spit out many pieces. For a hundred dollar (with 1 steak deducted!) dinner for two, I expect the best cut. The salad, soup, wine and cucumber martini were excellent!
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So Amazing. I've been here so many times and never bad., 9/14/2009
Reviewer: Jennifer
from Santa Barbara, CA
I just absolutly love this place. The food is always dead on! Consistancy squared! The waitstaff friendly, but make sure you have a reservation, the wait is long sometimes and then you get bad seats, never the booths if you are a walk in.
The lighting and atomsphere is just perfect for a date.
My only complaint is that I wish the bar was bigger but that can't be changed.
Excellent food, excellent service, A+++
I have a store on State Street and I ALWAYS recommend this place to visitors. I've never heard a bad review yet.
Cheers!
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Bland undercooked steaks, 9/9/2009
Reviewer: Stan
from Santa Barbara, CA
The spicy crab cakes appeared to be frozen and had very little taste. All three Cowboy rib eyes were undercooked and tasteless. You needed the sauces to give it flavor. The garlic mash were cold,lumpy and lacked a garlic taste. They also ran out of bread do to the suppliers error.
The atmosphere was nice and the drinks were good. It was the first time for two of us.
The hostess and waitress were very pleasant.
I spent $223 for a tasteless and big disappointment. One the worst steakhouse experiences we had. I will not eat there again.
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great experience at Holdren's, 6/9/2009
Reviewer: lynne
from Santa Barbara, CA
I had read Holdren's was great from this site, and also saw great reviews on a waitress named Coral. I went in about a month ago and was lucky enough get seated in Coral's section. She truly made the meal memorable. I second her nomination as best waitress in Santa Barbara! She brought so much joy and made excellent reccommendations. The food was wonderful and she paired the perfect wine! I will definitely be back!
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Not much better than average, 6/8/2009
Reviewer: Eryn
from Santa Barbara, CA
We came for my son's middle school graduation. He and my 10 year old daughter loved their ribs. My salad was only so-so, and there are no vegetarian main options. My husband's halibut was average. The bread was plain and lacking in flavor. The service was poor, we had to flag down servers when we needed anything and sat for 20 minutes after finishing our meal before flagging down a server for our bill.
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Great food; please don't size up your customers, 5/22/2009
Reviewer: Elizabeth
from Santa Barbara, CA
We love this place. While we're not "regulars," we come every few months when we want to still have a nice fine dining experience while being in the heart of downtown. Holdren's does a great job of keeping that elegant feel despite its surroundings.
I usually LOVE the food and service. I am especially a fan of the bacon-wrapped jumbo scallops and the coconut crusted shrimp. I love the cowboy cut steak. Brandon is probably our favourite server, but we've consistently had good service by others. With that said, this last Thursday we went in for my fiance's birthday. Didn't get a chance to mention it (but too full for dessert anyway) because we weren't given a wine list or even asked what we'd like to drink. Waters were brought promptly, order was taken promptly, but I don't like having to flag someone down for it. We were dressed neatly, not fancy, but we both work in food service, and this is Santa Barbara dress. We're used to even the Montecito regulars coming in jeans. I felt our server wasn't interested in us or didn't believe we would order anything; a shame, because that's a great way to boost sales. I ended up ordering a glass of the Rancho Sisquoc Meritage, but I wanted a taste first to see if it would suit my entree - she seemed surprised that I wanted a taste. I watched her go behind the bar, talk to some others, polish glasses, then finally pour a glass in a carafe, walk over, then give me the tiniest sip. I could barely taste it, but since the glass was already poured, I consented. Service got better as the night picked up - we got all our food promptly, and she came and checked on us, so we left more or less satisfied. Just please, please, PLEASE, never size up your guests!
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i've never paid so much for so little, 4/14/2009
Reviewer: pablo
from Santa Barbara, CA
Probably one of the nicest restaurants in Santa Barbara. It is cramped yet elegent and the wine menu is impressive to say the least. Now, that said, I ordered the filet and it was the driest, most bland tasting thing I have ever had. The sides were tasty however. I can think of better ways of dropping a c note.
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Very enjoyable meal, 2/25/2009
Reviewer: Dana Alexander
from Santa Barbara, CA
Monday night all you can eat ribs (which my friend enjoyed) is a deal. I had the Porterhouse steak which I shared with my wife and it was perfect. Nice unobtrusive service, though they didn't keep up with the water and we had to chase down someone for more bread. My wife had the mac and cheese, which was pretty bland.
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Best Porkchop in town!, 2/24/2009
Reviewer: Pup Boy
from Santa Barbara, CA
KC BBQ use to have the best Porkchop in town. They are gone now. The Holdrens encrusted PC is huge, spicy and delicious! Only $21. (knock on wood) good stuff!!
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My Husband's Birthday, 2/13/2009
Reviewer: C. Summers
from Santa Barbara, CA
With all the raving reviews I was expecting a wonderful experience. Staff is very nice. Food was the biggest disappointment! Four of us shared tastes and here goes: Blackened Filet Migon with a twice baked potato looked sad on the plate (black ball and split football not a pretty sight!) Potato skin was too hard. Two Halibut dishes: two hot, overcooked pieces on room temperature Risotto; (why didn't I return it?) the other potato-crusted halibut dish with horse radish was sweet, unexpected. The drinks and wine list great.
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visiting Santa Barbara for my birthday dinner, 2/2/2009
Reviewer: Bob F.
from Northridge CA
I looked in the local "food guide" for a Steak and Seafood place and my friend that lives in S.B. agreed with my choice as she had been told to eat there when she wanted a nice dinner. My filet was good +, but not the best I have had and all the seafood that everyone had (sole and bouilliabase) was very good except for the lobster, which was ordinary. The mussels were extraordinary as was the calamari but the tariff was a bit higher than we are used to. The service was very friendly and attentive and a nice touch was making my dessert choice free for my birthday. The bar is very noisy but luckily we were seated in the front window table which gave us a nice private feeling. I would definately recommend the restaurant to my friends and go back again to try other dishes.
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Holdren's has the best server in town!!, 1/13/2009
Reviewer: Karen
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been to Holdren's three times in the last 6 months and the last time I went my experience was so wonderful because we had Coral as a server. Holdren's has excellent food, and I didnt think it could get any better, but when I had Coral as my server she was so knowledgeable and friendly that it turned my whole day around. She made great reccommendations and she really knows her wine. Try to sit at her table, you will be glad you did!!
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Best Spot in Town!, 12/28/2008
Reviewer: Jaime
from Santa Barbara, CA
My fiance and I are Santa Barbara locals and find ourselves choosing Holdren's every time we want to go out! Whether we are just sharing appetizers and wine or going for a full steak dinner we have never had a bad experience. You get more than your money's worth and the service is exceptional!
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Good as usual
Reviewer: Shawn
from Santa Barbara
The steaks seem to have gotten smaller. The NY used to be like 2" thick and the last two times they were about half that thickness at least. It's not a complaint but I'd be happy with a shorter thick NY steak than a thin/wide/long one. Also, they didn't give us that good bread and melted butter. Aside from that, everything was cooked perfectly as usual.
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exquisite
Reviewer: ismael
from oxnard, CA
wow!!!!! amazing resturant the tomato soup was marvelous filet mignon was cook to perfection the service was a great as the food so many great thing about this restaurant
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great
Reviewer: Brent
from Santa Barbara
Holdren's has always been great any time I've been there. Steaks are quality, menu has variety and everything is done well; attentive service, great atmosphere.
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Sunday Brunch=AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reviewer: Meg
from Goleta, Ca
Holdren's is now open for sunday brunch!!!! Words don't even describe how good the food was. My sister and brother-in-law came to Santa Barbara to visit me for the weekend, and we decided to head downtown for breakfast. I didn't know what was open, and while we were walking we saw the "Unlimited mimosas and Bloody Marys" sign, that was the first draw. Then we looked at the menu. That is what did it. The menu is wonderful, I had the monte cristo sandwich, which literally melted when I bit into it, my sister had the dutch apple pancake, and ate all of it-I don't think I have ever seen her eat that much for breakfast, ever, and my brother-in-law got the steak and eggs breakfast. We all emptied our plates completely. This review does not do the food justice. I hope Holdren's stays open for brunch, I want everyone I know to try it.
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First time, but for sure not the last!
Reviewer: Ray
from Pasadena,Ca
Went to spend the weekend with some friends and decided to try.This has got to be one of the best if not the best steakhouse in So. Cal. (I'm not kidding!!) Had the filet mignon and it was cooked to perfection. Nevermind the price, it was well worth it. The two of us experienced probably one of the best meals we've had in SB for a long time. Service was also stellar!!! You'd be foolish not to go.Went on a Sunday night around 8PM, got a booth right away.
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Foodie friends finally got us to try this great little place
Reviewer: steve
from sb,ca
Amazingly perfect and elegant warm FRESH white bread gloriously crispy crusted in the finest delicacy. It is one of the 2 or 3 best breads we have had in Santa Barbara(Luckys,and Bouchon being the others). The only weakness was the "soft" scoop of warm bland butter...sure wish the owners would do a cold-hard/packed little jar of high quality butter like Bouchon does...what a revelation that would be with this bread.(honestly...we may sneak our own butter in next time)- Only one little place above Cannes, France has done bread better than this in our experience.
Get a booth if you can...the tables between the bar and booths are a little less private.
Fantastic new oninon soup they have started having with the same GREAT bread floating in it. Please keep it always available!
My Sirloin was cooked perfect and tasted very good...my wifes was even better. The cosmopolitan was large, wonderfully complex and natural....tied with the best we've had in town...but the Pinot was dissapointing and overpriced at 11.95.
Salad was nice and crisp....but the blue cheese was a little flat tasting...just needs more blue cheese(ok owners?)
I had the lovely reg. baked potato with VERY good sour cream...truely wonderful generous mild chives. But beware...my wife had the twice baked potato with the GAGING GARLIC...we believe garlic should be used like salt to enhance slightly...(with delicate, fresh roasted purple spring variety-....but this seemed just like bad tasting artificial pour-on.
Bacon wraped shrimp was large, very fresh tasting, perfect texture...not under or overcooked....4 LARGE pieces. We left this place pleasingly FULL(rarely happens with most portions in this town)...and the joy of being full with QUALITY ingredients.
The white Bread....was breathtaking and worth the visit alone...dark bread not as good. Give it a try on tues night for their $20. special if you have never tried it.
Service was exceptionally personal and pleasantly informative(by the very professional little-taller -brunette gal)...we'll be back for sure.-They seem to have their act really together.
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Delicious Meal and Remarkable Service
Reviewer: Martee'
from Santa Barbara, CA
Went to Holdren's for dinner on a very busy Saturday night. The Hostess graciously found a table for us. Our servers were very attentive even though the place was packed. Their timing was flawless with every course...food piping hot. The seabass was done to perfection, pan-seared encrusted with lemon, lime and panko crumbs and served with a kiwi coconut coulis. My husband ordered the pan seared jumbo scallops served over our teriyaki bourbon glaze also good. Holdren's is a new favorite!!
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