Best roasted duck breast in the world, 8/29/2018
Reviewer: Gary
from Laguna Beach, CA
I discovered the Dutch Garden Restaurant in 1970 as a great place to hang out with fellow grad students. When I returned to SB in the late 80s I discovered that the dinner salad is fantastic and that the roasted duck breast (accompanied by potato pancakes and al dente veggies) is a gastronomical masterpiece.
Traveling to Paris on business over a 3 yr period, I searched local restaurants for a better duck and nothing came close.
The service is excellent. On Friday evening I was served by 2 staff who were very knowledgeable about the cuisine and the wonderful beers. Really enjoyed the Monks Cafe Grand Cru sour. Thanks Ken.
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Get the special, 5/24/2018
Reviewer: Fay
from GOLETA
Yes, service in the restaurant can be a little slow, But I always try to sit at the bar and watch Ken work his magic.
The nightly special is the way to go; the soups are always amazing and the mains are always something superb.
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One Server for entire restaurant?
Reviewer: Pierre
from Santa Barbara, CA
Just had some wonderful food at the Dutch Garden. My complaint; consistently only one server is on duty, even on weekend nights. The restaurant was jammed the other night and the server had to cover the outside patio, bar patrons ordering food and of course covering the main restaurant. She was mostly apologizing to every table for delays. She was sweating while serving platters of food. We felt terrible that she had to bust her A#% as she was left to fend for herself.
We left her a 25% tip as she was such a very pleasant person and felt sorry for her dilemma. This has been a common occurrence for the past 5 years or so. Methinks that the owners must be on a very tight budget and dont wish to pay for another minimum wage server. They obviously don't plow any profits back into improving the restaurant. Great food - Scrooge of an owner.
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Exactly Don!
Reviewer: Dianne
from Santa Barbara, CA
So tired of Santa Barbara dog owners and their sense of entitlement.
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Not dog friendly
Reviewer: Don
from Santa Barbara, CA
And rightly so. Entitled dog owners tend to feel that their dog is the most wonderful thing in the world and everyone else should feel the same. Not so. Leave your dog at home next time.
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Warning: Not Dog Friendly
Reviewer: Bruce Straits
from Santa Barbara, CA
Four of us and our puppy were kicked out of their outdoor patio as dogs are not allowed. p.s., we had to rate food and service in order to publish this warning.
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On balance, the best in town
Reviewer: Art
from Santa Barbara, CA
I am a twenty five plus year customer at DG. I eat there at least once a week.
I believe it to be the best food in our town. I have never had a meal that I didn't consider to be delicious.
I note the several comments here on the "dusty" appearance and trust that Ken takes those seriously. I will also admit that, at busy times, the service staff ( a delightful mix of very friendly and attractive young people) gets a bit overwhelmed but as a general rule they are exceptional.
Ken and Lori are devoted to providing an outstanding restaurant experience.
Do yourself a favor and visit this special place.
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Iconic, sort of.
Reviewer: Jeffrey
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have ALWAYS loved the food even though it is a bit heavy. You don't go to the Dutch Garden with some other idea. For fifteen years I have been telling friends and those visiting SB to enjoy a meal at the Dutch Garden to experience a little magic in the biz of feeding people. Having said that about this iconic institution in a city that longs for character and grit this evening the DG broke my heart. After waiting quite a long time for our food and having finished only half of my entre I was told at 7:35 that I could not order a beer. I was told by the bus person that they are closed! "NOT if I am welcomed into your home and I'm still working on my meal". That is exactly what I told Ken (chef/owner) who should have personally apologize to a customer of 15 years who has recommended The Dutch Garden to more people than he will EVER have imagined. We have always loved this place even with the dust, however, we will never go back as The Dutch Garden apparently has lost its soul. If only Ken had apologized or said something,instead he looked at me as if to say "I'm tired and I'm done.
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We love this place!!
Reviewer: Jeanne
from Laguna Beach, CA
We love love their Wiener schnitzel & sausage!
Teamed with their bread and ice cold beer 🍺 it
Is heaven- not fancy but super authentic and delicious 😀
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Eat the sausage, burn your wallet
Reviewer: Jay
from Santa Barbara, CA
Pro: the food is good and tasty, has a steady devoted following.
Con: the prices are absurd for the food. They know people come for the food, and charge what they will. Profit profit profit. 18.00 for a sausage and potatoe salad?!
Atmosphere: cute Bavarian decor, but super dusty and dirty. Don't look too close!
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DINNER
Reviewer: Lynn
from Santa Barbara, CA
THIS RESTAURAHT HAS THE BEST SAUERBRATAN AND POTATOR SALAD IN THE WORLD. fRIDAY'S ONLY.
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worth the drive
Reviewer: patty
from ojai ca
Lunch on Fri. was the best I had forgotten how delious the smoked turkey sandwich is. Really worth the drive over we will be over again soon.
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