Found by accident, but will return on purpose! Order at counter then sit at a nice natural wood table. Amazing guacamole. Delicious burritos. Rice that is flavorful and not mushy.
(5)
Giancarla C.
My boyfriend and I went on a day trip to Santa Barbara for Valentine's Day and we researched this place here on Yelp to see what we should have. After the short walk from the SB Courthouse, we were starving! I opted for the Tacos del Mar with one fish & one shrimp while the bf had the fajita al pastor burrito and the ceviche. I can't say it was the best fish taco I've had but they were very tasty. I have to say that the highlight of the meal for me was my bf's burrito and the rice and beans. I don't normally order beans but theirs was so flavorful and cooked just right. The burrito was huge and the filling was the bomb! The salsa choices were great but be careful with the habanero one because it was just intense! Atmosphere was very pleasant and cheery. Service was awesome, they went around and asked us how our food was. It's too bad that this restaurant is so far away from where we live because we would definitely go back again!
(5)
Brent C.
Food is good. Says they are open until 9:30, but they close the kitchen at 9p even though there are probably still people there.
(1)
Freddie F.
I'd rate them higher but they always seem to skimp on the good stuff on the plate and the portions aren't as large as some places. That's irritating considering the prices. If I'm going to spend that much I want to walk away fully satisfied. I always feel short changed. Staff members are friendly enough, so they get a passing grade on that. The food IS tasty but for the above reasons, I typically will choose another place.
(3)
Richard R.
Delicious chimichangas! Tasty beans and rice. Refreshing horchata. Hidden gem off state that brings class to Figueroa. Makes my ladies smile every time.
(5)
Steevens A.
Holy sh*t how did I not find this place earlier?! Decent prices, great food, and great service lead to a great place for lunch! We went here on the way up to the wedding and back. I tried their Alambre on the way up... with the freshly made corn tortillas, and habanero salsa I was in heaven. Of course I needed a beer to quench the fire of the salsa. On the way back down, I had two of their crispy beef tacos and they were F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. Try their hot chipotle salsa on their crispy tacos... you will love it. :)
(4)
Shelley B.
Lucked out while shopping in Santa Barbara and found Los Arroyos. Fresh, fast, and delicious. The homemade corn tortillas and salsa selection are memorable. The only bad thing about the restaurant is that it is 90 miles from my home.
(5)
Greg W.
Ordered a chile verde burrito, burrito mojado, and a quesadilla to go. The rice was hard, greasy, and tasteless. The burritos were heavily salted and covered with brownish (old) guacamole. The quesadillas were soggy. This was just a gross, unhealthily, but expensive excuse for a meal. Never going back.
(1)
Hailee K.
Ive never had a bad experience at los arroyos! the food is ALWAYS good. and the salsa bar is my favorite in down. When you want good mexican food, you can count on los arroyos to come through. I often call to order for pick up and they always have my order ready in less than 10 mins. Los Arroyos is GREAT!
(4)
Stephanie C.
I was told this was the place to go to for good mexican food so I tried it out and wasn't that impressed. I honestly think Super Cucas makes better burritos. I had the Burrito Mojado, which was pretty good but it just didn't stand out over others I've had elsewhere. The side of rice was soggy and bland and we had to pay $2 for chips. I will compliment the salsa though. Not bad at all.
(2)
Jenny G.
Great place to grab a quick bite for some great Mexican food! I was surprised how fast our food came out. We paid, grabbed some salsa/drinks, sat down at our table, and a few minutes later the server came with our food. Talk about speedy service! :D I ordered the steak tacos and they were mmmmmm tasty! Throw some of their complimentary salsa in and I was a happy camper. Would love to try some of their other foods.
(5)
Kelley C.
Maybe it is what we ordered...but for what we got, I felt ripped off. My daughter ordered a cheese quesadilla and I got a cheese enchilada combo plate. The rice was dry but the rest was delicious. The guacamole tasted packaged-not at all fresh. Undercooked chewy chips. And $3.50 for a side of beans?! Tasted great but crazy price for what you get. Want to find good Mexican food in this town...
(2)
Matt S.
In most other cities, Los Arroyos would be a solid "best mexican restaurant", but in Santa Barbara we have the superior Los Agaves. Despite this, Los Arroyos is still a great place in it right. Everything I have tried has been extremely tasty. If you want to save a few bucks, go to the Santa Barbara location over the Montecito one, as the only difference appears to be the price.
(4)
Mary N.
I tried just about everything here, and these are my top favorites: Rajas con Chorizo Tacos - so friggin' tasty! Roasted chiles, grilled onions & chorizo with a generous sprinkle of cheese on top... it oozes with flavor! Chicken Mole Tacos - only on Mondays, the best I ever had. Not too chocolatey, just enough spice. Pastor Tacos - grilled juicy pork and pineapple... add a squeeze of lime, some of their cabbage salsa plus that brown spicy salsa & you will be in taco heaven! Chorizo Tacos - perfectly crunchy, yet juicy chunks of shredded pork. Best with a squeeze of lime and the tomatillo salsa, which I don't like with anything else. Ensalada Tropical w/Grilled Shrimp - the shrimp are a decent size, and always perfectly grilled, never dry. I love the jicama & mango, plus the dressing is really good too. Chips - it still bugs me that I have to pay $2 for chips that I feel should be free with each order (at least they're made fresh), but I make up for it by ignoring the 2 salsas per entree rule and help myself to as much as I want. Salsa - thank goodness this is free because they have THE BEST salsa bar ever!!! Their habanero salsa is no joke, and their pico de gallo is always super fresh. I really like that dark brown spicy salsa too. Tip - even though those specialty tacos aren't listed as part of the build-your-own combo selections, they'll let you include them in your order. Oh, and don't forget to get a stamp card if you're a regular like me... 10th meal is free, woo hoo!
(5)
Arteen R.
This restaurant is a glorified self service taqueria, I personally don't want to have to fight for a table! Though we were fortunate this evening there was enough tables as we came a little early. In any case let me start out by saying the ingredients were very fresh. I ordered the enchiladas which was one of their signature dishes. It was good but I felt it was too lemony. my wife had a burrito and the steak was not fully cooked through, under seasoned and chewy. The salsa bar was nice but the guacamole lacked seasoning and other salsas were good but needed more flavoring . overall it was not bad but not as great as I expected as per other reviews.
(3)
Kiesha R.
It seemed like a toss-up between Los Arroyos and La Super Rica...until it was raining and we had a party of 6 plus a baby. The tarp-covered benches and long line at La Super Rica suddenly seemed far less appealing. Los Arroyos is still a casual Mexican restaurant, but with a more civilized bent :) You'll still order up at the counter, but then they'll bring your food to you at a comfortable, indoor table. The food is delicious (Maria's Enchiladas - yum! Plus chips and guac!), the prices are fair and the atmosphere is great. I agree with others who have remarked on the swift delivery of the food - very impressive when what arrives is not like classic taqueria fair, but more traditional restaurant quality. The best of the best of the best I've ever had? No, probably not. But very satisfying? Absolutely.
(4)
Lauren B.
Delicious Guac- the Montecito location usually isn't salty enough for me, but this was spot on. Love the generous portion of the Mama's salad- I've had it with steak and chicken, and all have been fantastic. Have also had the Ensalada Tropical Salad with shrimp and it is majorly yummy too. Lots of fun salsas to try! Chips could use more salt (but maybe I have a sodium deficiency?!) Decent prices for generous portions. A great go-to for Mexican in SB.
(4)
Tina F.
It's my favorite mexican restaurant! i love the food there! The food is always fresh, they make fresh chips- sometimes it's still hot when it comes out to the table. They have a little bar with the different kinds of salsas and sauces, it's always full and clean! I recommend getting the ceviche salad! yum! Now if only they served margaritas :)
(5)
Lisa Z.
Great little casual place for a quick meal. Everything here is freshly prepared and expeditiously served. Solid food, but nothing particularly memorable tasting except for the mango/passion fruit dressing they serve with some salads. One of these days I'm going to storm the kitchen and demand the recipe. It's close quarters in the dining area--seating can be a hit or miss. It also gets loud. Which is great. I like to get rowdy at dinner sometimes and in this place, no one seems to mind.
(4)
Chris J.
when this place first opened it was amazing, high-quality, moderately priced Mexican food. long lines but always worth it. now it's lower quality, bland, and super salty. it was great, but I feel like they've over-expanded.
(2)
Noni D.
The food here is good, but it can be a bit hit or miss in terms of quality and presentation. Love their salads and fish dishes, and the rice is yummy.
(3)
Anita Y.
If you like authentic Mexican food and you are obsessed with different salsas like I am, this is the place to go. There is so much variety and everything is fresh and tasty. I've been to both locations in SB and both have a great atmosphere. Los Arroyos is top 5 of my favorite restaurants in SB.
(5)
Amanda S.
They had me at ceviche....... The freshest mexican food you will ever eat around Santa Barbara! My friend ordered the fish and shrimp tacos with a side of black beans and rice, which she loved! And I had a taste of the black beans and rice...yup as authentic as it gets. I mobbed on my ceviche like there was no tomorrow because the halibut was amazing! The salsa bar is awesome and the service is great!!! If you're in Santa Barbara give this place a try.
(4)
Monica G.
Out of all the days in the year I went to Los Arroyos on Cinco De Mayo which was not the best idea but all the other Mexican places in town had over an hour wait. So if you havent been here before, make sure you order first because they don't take orders at the tables. We didn't know that so we sat around for 10 minutes thinking the waiter was just to busy to take our order....no one told us otherwise. Second, they do not serve any alcohol here besides beer and wine which was a problem since we were craving margaritas. Third, the prices are pretty steep and the food does not deserve the cost. We had the enchiladas and some sort of a $12 salad which was forgetable. On the plus, the guacamole was delicious and the food came out extra fast.
(3)
D. Henry C.
This is where I take guests who aren't from the Southwest to experience good Mexican food.
(5)
Dazz W.
"Expensive mediocracy!" A real let down. A group of us was trying this out and is pales in comparison to Los Agaves.
(2)
Fred M.
The assumption by your common tourist is that any Mexican restaurant in Southern California is good, is a fallacy. Los Arroyos is pretty good if you like the typical burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc. The menu is on the board above the counter where you order, and then find a seat, but be careful as this place can stay pretty busy. If you have a group, it's best to assign one person as your oder giver and one as your seat finder. My Mole Enchiladas were pretty dang tasty, but they didn't make me scream for more as some Mexican restaurants in the area have.
(3)
Xabi C.
The pork carnitas on a Mama's salad is amazing! Best salsa quemada! On weekends the Steak Azteca and eggs will have yo coming back!
(5)
Jeff M.
I probably give out too many five star reviews, I'll admit, but Los Arroyos has the most incredible pozole I've had in the states. It comes with all the right garnishes: radishes, cilantro, really fresh avo, etc. Anyone who knows Mexican cooking knows that pozole is all about the broth, and this is rich, deep, and complex. The hominy is cooked to slightly crunchy perfection. When I told the server how much I enjoyed it she gave me a smile that said "I know".
(5)
Schoene M.
A little expensive for counter service but the ingredients are fresh and the presentation is very nice. Yummy!
(4)
Jenn C.
mojado burrito!!!!!
(4)
Dannie F.
Gooooooooood I really liked it
(5)
Tanya H.
Best ceviche I've had. They have really good horchata, too.
(4)
Vivian M.
Stopped here on our way back to Los Angeles and it was amazing. My brother and his girlfriend have stopped at this restaurant many times and since I was with them they wanted me to try it as well. Prices are at least $9 a plate and you have to pay for chips.... However, the salsa selection is great. They have a lot to choose from and many of them are spicy and all are fresh. YUM. I ordered the tacos al pastor and were they delicious or what! The pork was cooked perfectly and had nice spices. There was also some pineapple in it which really complimented the meat. The corn tortillas were fresh and great as well. The black beans were great and so was the rice. I loved it all and they made for great leftovers as well. Go here for tasty Mexican!!
(5)
Trish H.
Great salsa bar. I like the burnt chili one. Too bad you have to buy chips to fully partake of the salsa goodness. I like the value of their combo plates. Shredded beef or chicken sopes and crunchy taco are a good way to go. Rice and beans on the side. The burritos are over-priced.
(4)
Jessica M.
This is a order at cashier type of place which i was surprised about when i walked in. Have someone in your party find seat if possible because seating is limited!!! I ordered the Chicken enchilida combo plate which comes with rice and black beans and it was all delish!. My fiance got the Chimichung rice and black beans whcih i tasted and enjoyed. We also ordered the Chips and Guacamole to share which was also very tasty. Cons: Chips are not free As i said before the seating is limited. Pros: Food reasonably priced Nice salsa selection Chips and the guacamole were really good and fresh Decor is really nice Service is Fast i'm talking fast!
(4)
Paul L.
Indifferent service, small portions, decent food. Depends on what you'd be satisfied with in a dining experience.
(2)
Doc B.
Its so hard to find well done, non greasy mexican food made with actual fresh ingredients these days, but this place has it all. I got the Mama's chicken salad and I actually feel better about myself because of it. Try it!
(5)
Jamey W.
GREAT selection of Salsas. Food is good and a bit pricey The place typically crowded especially during the work week
(4)
Gary T.
Another great eating spot in SB that I was introduced to by my gf. The decor is spanish tiled floors and walls w/wood tables and chairs, nothing too crazy. The first time I came here was for breakfast, this time it was for dinner. I ordered the Maria's Enchiladas which consisted of two pollo asado enchiladas homemade salsa verde, melted cheese, and salsa fresca. It also came with rice and black beans and I backed it up with a cold Bohemia beer. The enchiladas were delicious w/the juicy grilled chicked and zesty green sauce. The rice was cooked to perfection as were the beans. The salsa bar and the fresh hot chips are an added bonus. The Bohemia was the necessary liquid refreshment to wash it all down. Los Arroyos esta muy bueno y delicioso! Vamos aqui cabrones!
(5)
Samantha U.
This place was awesome! I had the Chilaquiles in green sauce. It was sooo yummy! I can't get enough of this place. The food is cooked perfectly. The tortillas are fresh, the servings are moderate not overwhelming like in other mexican restaurants. I am definitely returning here if i'm in the area. The price was above average seeing that it's in the heart of Santa Barbara's shopping district. The food was a little pricey. Good place to come when you have money and looking for a place to walk off your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(4)
Sumay J.
Food was okay but they dont really flavor the food much. Fish tacos should be able to hold their own without drowning in spicy sauce - beans and rice had no flavor. Please pass the salt.
(2)
Isabella O.
Coming down to SB for my sister's college orientation and didn't know where to eat for dinner. Good thing my dad's friend brought us all to this little place. I liked the place itself, nice warm walls and the tables are far apart enough to not overhear everyone's conversations. However, there was some construction going on with the fountain next to us, so that was a little annoying - but what can you do? On to the food: Guacamole: eehh... I have definitely had better in my life. It was a little TOO creamy/whipped for my liking. I am more into the chunky style, also with a little bit of spice - which this one lacked. Mama's Salad: I got it with chicken and it was good. The chicken breast wasn't dry, which is always nice, and the roasted corn is just yummyyy with all the other stuff going on in it. Carnitas Plate: My sister got this one and it was pretty good. The carnitas could have been a little juicier, but the flavor was on point. The beans and rice were normal, I liked that there was black beans (my personal favorite). Overall: Pretty OK food, but I have definitely had better for the price. Let's just say I had this at 4 stars the whole time writing this, but now I'm putting it down to 3.
(3)
Shae F.
This is s small...very small Mexican Restaurant in the busy part of Santa Barbara, off of State Street and definitely worth visiting. Although it was a bit busy, we were greeted right away. Everything on the menu sounded great and I ended up selecting the Steak enchiladas, chips n guacamole! Wow! The food was amazingly fresh, flavorful and delicious! The service was great. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Michelann Q.
My parents took me and my husband and my in-laws here for dinner when we were visiting. The chips were great, the guac was wonderful. I had a shrimp taco and a green chili taco, both were excellent. The horchata is quite nice as well. The place is small and gets crowded, there's no real way to queue up to order, seems like it might be better if they offered table service in the evening.
(4)
Janiene L.
Good, affordable, and consistent food. This is a very casual dining experience where you get a number at the cash register and someone brings you your food. Salsas, silverware, and drinks (except for horchata) are self-serve. I am especially a fan of their arroyos enchiladas and my partner loves their chicken chimichangas. Their burritos are large and, with a side of beans and rice, more than enough food for one person. The decor is basic, but pleasant. The place can get packed in the afternoons, though, so plan ahead either by doing take-out or scoping out a table that looks like it's going to empty out.
(4)
Cam B.
Dear Yelpers, I have a confession to make. Before this week, I have never had a fish taco before. So this Spring Break, I made it a mission to consume as many fish tacos as possible. And when we Yelped "Fish tacos" in Santa Barbara, this is where we ended up. What we tried: Fish tacos platter. Moist and soft and flaky and perfectly cooked. It comes out with just fish and cabbage on the soft taco shell. Add your choice of salsa. Ceviche tostada. mmmmmmmmm. mmmmmmmmm. Supposedly, it's larger than your average ceviche plate. And it's rimmed with tortilla chips for dipping. It didn't really need any salsa in my opinion. Salsas. As others have said: So many delicious choices! try them all. Overall though, I think the place is a tad overpriced. Our bill came out to be $32 for 2 plates, a soda and an horchata. Don't get me wrong, the food is good. But I definitely don't think it's $16 a meal good.
(3)
Binh C.
My boyfriend and i were visiting Santa Barbara and wanted to find a good mexican restaurant for dinner. Based on Yelp reviews, we decided to try Los Arroyos. At first glance, I didn't have a lot of expectations as it was pretty casual dining since I had to order my food at the counter. I was thinking it was going to like fast food. However, I was surprisingly wrong. The person we placed our order with at the counter was super nice and gave us various recommendations. I didn't feel like meat so decided to try the ceviche and my boyfriend had the enchiladas (chicken & beef). They have a great salsa bar which I enjoyed immensely. I was practically drinking and downing my food in their salsas. My ceviche was pretty good (I'd like it to be tangier) and I had a few bites of the enchiladas which was delicious! I would have loved some free chips to eat with the oh-so-yummy salsas so that's the only downside that you have to pay for it. Overall, a great mexican restaurant. Don't be fooled that since you have to order at the counter that it's fast food, it's not! It's a nice sit-down restaurant.
(4)
Matthew O.
Overall, this place was pretty good. In fact, I thought it was standard for 'restaurant' Mexican food. The prices are fair considering the area, and food was good. I'd give this more stars, but for some reason, I cannot seem to think of anything that was rather memorable eating here. They had all the typical things that are usually located in a place like this, but I was sort of indifferent to it all. It might be possible that because I was in the mood for Norton's Sandwich Shop [right next door and incidentally, was packed that day], I just wasn't feeling like eating Mexican food which is probably why I don't remember it too much. Anyway, I'm personally more of a street/fast food Mexican food eater, so I rarely frequent restaurants of this kind. Therefore, to plagiarize the yelp rating, this place is just: "A-OK."
(3)
Aron A.
love the salsas, great service and burrito mojado. I've only been to the one on victoria so i can't talk about the others.
(5)
alli b.
I like almost everything about this place. It's a cozy, cute, little sit-down restaurant, but it's really more like fast food Mexican. It usually has a bustling atmosphere that I like, not really any personal service but I don't mind that. The food is good...everything I've had on the menu I've enjoyed. The portions are large and I usually can't finish my plate. It's not the most incredible Mexican food I've ever had, but it hits the spot and I have no complaints whatsoever.
(4)
Margot D.
Pretty good for a totally whitebread town. I am a taco truck girl so I was kinda skeptical of getting good Mexican in a place like SB... Great fast service and a funky little salsa bar. Sad that you have to pay for chips but I got a good amount of food for just getting a one-item combo plate. My only complaint is that everything was QUITE salty, especially the rice--however the black beans were awesome and I don't normally like black beans, so I won't complain too much. And salty rice or not, I still cleaned my plate. Yum :-) One thing to note: we showed up right around 6pm and by the time we had ordered and sat down the place was getting FLOODED with diners. When we left it was packed! Get here early!
(3)
Bob M.
Here's the Deal... We've all been there... that evening in the middle of the week when "I haven't eaten anything today" meets "I have no idea what to eat". the next thought is usually... "Mexican Food". And in Downtown SB that means Los Arroyos. Nice, fresh, and almost always superb, all the staples for getting right with your tummy and the universe are here for the asking. A couple of tacos a manos; one chicken, one steak... order the combination and it comes with rice and beans, then hit the freshest, and best, salsa bar in town. Chips are extra, ( I know, I know ) but they're hot, and worth it. When you're this hungry it's worth a bit extra for great service, and just knowing it's going to feel authentic, fresh, and consistently good. We usually avoid the busyness of eating in and rather call it in to take out most evenings, but if you have some guests from out of town you can bring them in on a weekend morning and it seems a perfect place to pass a slow morning eating breakfast burritos, or getting your "huevos" ... "ranchero'd" if you know what I mean, And even if you don't. Cheers, Bob
(5)
Abby I.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Everything I've had is great, burritos, sopes, tacos, beans. They have an awesome salsa bar. I also like how you order at the counter for quicker service. Everyone is really friendly too.
(5)
Erin W.
We arranged to have Los Arroyos cater dinner for 10 people for my best friend's bachelorette party. The food was not good. The chile rellenos arrived cold - the cheese was totally hard and congealed. In fact, everything arrived cold - the enchiladas, the tacos, the rice, the beans. The tacos came with just tortilla and meat - no lettuce, no tomatoes, no salsa. They didn't even give us salsa for the chips! Very, very disappointing.
(1)
Gina A.
Great tacos!
(5)
Bianca R.
So did you know that La Super Rica is closed on Wednesdays? Neither did I, so when my family trekked to Santa Barbara for the sole vacation purpose of eating at La Super Rica for the hundredth time we were so upset! How could I forget to check if it was open?! What are we going to do now?! So before my family got out their pitchforks and torches ready to chase me down the road from Mexican food depression I got out my cellphone and quickly yelped Mexican in Santa Barbara. Just as they were closing in on me and my life began to flash before my eyes I was able to shout out LOS ARROYOS!!! and things started to calm down again. We navigated ourselves over from Milpas to Figueroa St. and walked in to what would be our foodie heaven for the next hour. The restaurant is a bright and ethnically decorated two rooms. The first room has the ordering counter and the salsa bar, and the second room is the dining room. Once inside we knew what we wanted in a matter of minutes because the Specials board was right in front of us and chock full of our favorites. We ended up with Tortilla Soup, Bistec Ranchero, Dungeness Crab Enchiladas, and Pasilla Tamales. We also ordered a basket of chips and three drinks. The only reason I gave Los Arroyos 4 stars instead of 5 is because between the three of us we spent over $60 for this meal. Even with Dungeness Crab it was a little steep for Mexican food. Did we regret it? Not one bit. The salsa station is where we first fell in love. Los Arroyos has pico de gallo, chip salsa (which is basically pureed pico de gallo), salsa chemada (it means burnt in spanish), a cabbage salsa, chipotle salsa and the unforgettable habanero salsa. It is literally chopped up onions, cilantro and lime juice with flecks of orange. The orange isn't grated carrot but shaved habanero. This salsa is delicious but deadly. Everything was incredible. The Crab Enchiladas were 75% crab. The rice and beans were fantastic - since rice and beans didn't miss me I never really am impressed by this Miami staple, especially when done by other cuisines but these were impressive and topped with Queso Fresco for a smooth and salty finish. Also, everything came with a little avocado so metaphorically it's like the food proposed to me. This place is a must stop for foodies and Mexican food lovers passing through Santa Barbara. Next time we come through here we will have to eat two Mexican meals - one at La Super Rica and one at Los Arroyos - unless of course it is Wednesday.
(4)
Kim C.
Delicious, authentic casual. Our favorite local takeout for mexican.
(4)
Brendan P.
While staying at the Four Seasons we were told that Los Arroyos restaurant is one of the best Mexican places to eat near by, and so near by that we could walk to it. So we footed our way around to the Mexican eatery and were sat down pretty quick, but then again we eat real early like 6 ish. I ordered the fajitas and a few margarita's that were very, very tasty,... oh and the margarita was not weak either. It was just right with a little extra kick, just how a great one should be. Do ask for the spicier salsa that comes with your chips and salsa. I did think the standard salsa was too mellow in the fire dept, if you like it hotter like I do. The staff and atmosphere are very nice and pleasant, even the patio seating in the winter is fine. There are patio heater lamps that were more then adequate. Would be more then happy to return to this great Mexican cantina!
(4)
Lauren E.
Good and inexpensive. The vegetarian tacos weren't so good - they were mainly just full of cheese. Service was fast and friendly.
(3)
Tina C.
The service is fast and the price is affordable. I have never had mexican rice so fresh before. The seafood burrito was delicious. I really like the restaurant's atmosphere. It's a perfect place to go after a day at the beach.
(5)
Suzanne L.
I am baffled as to how this restaurant averages such a high rating. For realz. We had dinner here last night. I wasn't sure how to go about ordering. Do we sit and order from the waiter? Do we wait in line and order at the register?? What to do?! As it turns out, you order at the register, and the food is brought out to you. Los Arroyos has the feel of a sit-down restaurant, but it is/isn't. Refill your own drinks at the soda fountain. I assumed the prices would be a bit more reasonable because of the set up, but NAW dude. It's kind of pricey, averaging $11-12 per entree. One tortilla soup was $5.50. I ordered chips and guacamole (small serving), and it cost $4.50. @_@ I regret ordering the guac now cuz it was such a small portion. I should have ordered chips only, cuz there is a really good salsa bar with 5 or 6 salsas. If I brought my time machine, why, I would have hopped in there, and taken it back 5 minutes to remind myself about the salsa bar. The pico de gallo (my favorite) was really fresh. There is a HABANERO version that would have kicked my ass hard, but I did not try it. I got a 3 taquito dinner that came with rice and beans. Why did I get that? They were not much better than the frozen ones from the market. REALLY not worth it for $11 and change. I ordered Seafood Enchiladas for the Angry Robot. Not bad. I never had an enchilada with seafood in it before, so it was interesting. The siblings shared a 3 item combo and their Chile Relleno was pretty good..I'd say above average for sure. DO NOT order their Tortilla Soup. It had this weird sour taste. Not spoiled sour, but like... tomato pasty sour. Strange. It was a really large bowl, but we'd never order that again. I hope this really isn't the best place to get some Mexican food around Santa Barbara, cuz that would definitely be a disappointment.
(2)
John K.
Ran in here for a light, quick bite. Yeah, right. Light doesn't usually describe Mexican food. But I enjoyed my visit to Los Arroyos. It's one of the stops I make when I visit Santa Barbara. Easy to remember where: Figueroa just off of State. The food is good. The basics. Two tacos come with rice and beans. The salsa bar provides the right variety of spice choice. But a word of advice: obey the labels!! There's one salsa that's labeled "Very Hot" That's no joke. My friend who can normally handle heat was struggling! I'm a wuss and stayed safe with mild and medium. ha ha! It's a great thing to say that over the number of times I've been here, the quality and flavor of the food has been consistently good. Viva Los Arroyos!
(4)
Garrett F.
Very good. Not being from Santa Barbara, this was a great find. A local at one of the stores told us about this place and he was right, great choice. I got the Arroyo burrito, no cheese or sour cream and rice on the side. Simply put amazing. A great combo of fresh halibut and shrimp, mixed with fresh roasted vegetables was great. Reminds me of jambalya with zucchini, onions and peppers.The black beans were very tasty and blended well with the halibut. The guacamole was fresh and mixed in with the burrito was a perfect compliment. The rice was very, very good. It mixed well with all the ingredients in the burrito, when put together. The salsa bar was awesome, they had five or six salsas from mild to hot. The very hotest had habaneros in it, and it was good and hot. The chips were tasty and warm too. Great service, though the place was packed. I will definatley be back the next time I am down in SB.
(5)
C K.
Such a gem of a place. I had my top 3 favorite salad here. There were actual vegetables, cooked to perfection, with crisp romaine lettuce in the Mama's salad. I'll definitely go back again. The portions are huge.
(5)
Stephanie C.
Salsa Bar! Salsa Bar! Salsa Bar! That's all it takes to keep me coming back for more. The chicken tacos are delightful, too.
(4)
Ronjon H.
I love their food. I can't tell you how many times I have eaten here, but it is a very large number. Until I moved recently, I lived just a short walk from here, and I never got tired of it. The best thing they make is the mole enchiladas, but the sad part is, they don't make them every day. Just on Tuesdays. Just telling you about them makes me want some right now. As others have mentioned, you have to pay for the chips, but the salsa bar is complimentary, so it balances out. The salsas are all great. Really. I can't say enough about the food here. If you are able to go here, then go here. That's about as good a review as I can write.
(5)
Amanda T.
Decent. I frequent there when I'm in that area at meal time. However, there is certainly better Mexican food to be had in Santa Barbara.
(3)
Calla G.
I love the Arroyo Enchilada with fish and veggies. They grill their veggies and it tastes healthy and good. Their Caesar salad is really great too. It's my favorite Mexican restaurant because I like the atmosphere, the salsa bar and just the good veggie-tastic, feel good when you walk away food.
(5)
Michael D.
The only bad thing I can say is that I had to eat quickly to catch my plane. Holy mother of pearl...the mole sauce is probably the best I've had. Unfortunately I hear they only have the mole enchiladas on Monday and Tuesday. All this should tell you is that you need to go on Monday or Tuesday. It's like a perfectly spiced chocolate party in your mouth. The service was quick. I told them I needed to get it quick because I had to get to the airport and the guy was on top of it. I loved that. This is tough, I want to say more but I can't think of anything other than... mole
(4)
John I.
My wife has been a fan of this place for years. She moved out of SB and stressed to me when we first started dating that she never visits SB without getting the Maria's enchiladas from here. It's been almost 3 years and I have the same mindset. We definitely make sure to stop by every time we're in town.
(5)
Mal S.
Amazing food. The salsa bar is legit. We have been here a few times and have never been disappointed. Sometimes it is hard to find seating.
(5)
John T. C.
I buy the "Run Away Burrito" 2-3 times during weekdays. It costs $8.25 plus tax. It is not eligible for a buy-10-get-1-free loyalty card stamp ($9.00 pre-tax minimum). C'mon!
(1)
Tiana T.
Love this place! Love the food, prices, service, cleanliness, and sooooo tasty. Was my go-to spot after a long hike on the weekends! You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Jeffrey A.
I considered myself a regular at this establishment though recently I noticed the qualify of food and service has came down. Case in point, this past Sunday my son and I stopped by. We got up to get something to drink and two minutes later when we got back our food was gone. We weren't done eating.
(2)
Amanda K.
I really didn't think this place was that great. The tortilla soup didn't taste like the one I'm used to. I wasn't a fan of the chile relleno either. Maybe it's just me, but I think chips should be free with your meal. I liked that they had a selection of salsas. Overpriced.
(2)
Rick O.
This place is good to check out if you're craving Mexican good. I got the Wet Burrito with steak. It was pretty tasty but nothing special. It was a great portion and came with sour cream and guacamole on top of the burrito along with a side of rice.
(4)
Mario G.
This place has good food. There's no question about that. I ordered a fajita burrito and it's your standard burrito that's sold at a Mexican restaurant. However, the rice and black beans are cooked correctly, which is something DIFFICULT to find at a Mexican restaurant like this. The rice and beans was moist, flavorful and not dried out. The burrito was as big as my head, but it's stuffed with rice, beans, chicken, etc., It's pretty much your standard restaurant burrito. They have their own salsa bar with a good selection of salsa, which is a major plus. It also took the kitchen about five minutes to bring out our party's (three people) order and the restaurant was full. A couple of negatives: I've never been to a sit-down restaurant where waiters don't take your order at the table. You show up, order at the cash register, and find a seat. We also had to pay extra for chips, which to me, seems a little stingy especially since the food isn't cheap to begin with. Finally, the restaurant is tiny, so it was a little crowded, and I almost felt rushed to eat. Nonetheless, I liked this place. I would go again. Very good food and I'm looking to try some of the more authentic dishes on the menu.
(4)
Jessi S.
Very good burritos. Check out the salsa bar. They have about 8 different salsas to accompany your food. The seating is on your own once you order. We were there at lunch time and it was packed. My burrito was very tasty and huge. Steve had fish tacos and really liked them.
(4)
Molly L.
Love it!! The food is not necessarily even that good here but it's what you expect more or less and it's close to my apartment and easy and has good portions so I always leave feeling like I ate too much. Perfect.
(4)
Huan V.
I had the Steak... Ranchero? From the menu it sounds like it's going to be a big slab of meat (They mention NY Strip) but it turns out to be more fajita style. I should have known something was wrong when the girl at the register didn't ask me how I wanted it cooked. Anyways, I was disappointed that it wasn't a steak but the meat was cooked medium rare which is how I would have ordered it. The meat and vegetables were delicious and the fresh tortillas were excellent. This place has the feel of a $5 burrito joint because you gotta order at the register and get your own drinks but the prices are definitely not. My fajita plate was $14 but it's about the same I would pay at any chain restaurant but 100x better. Minus 1 star for pricey order yourself food and minus 1 star for confusing descriptions.
(3)
Chris M.
Got a suggestion to go here from Christopher L. Though the homemade corn tortillas were awesome, I just didn't see the different between this place and any other taqueria. It also may have been my lackluster order of two chicken tacos. No toppings other than rice, beans, and 3 shreds of lettuce? $9 bucks too?! Guess I should have gotten a burrito.
(3)
Caralee N.
This is a nice little place for lunch or maybe a very casual dinner. It was pretty busy when we went but we managed to nab a table. The food arrived really quickly and the fish tacos and ceviche were really fresh and tasty -- didn't smell like trimethylamine at all. They even did a substitution for me (the tacos came with a caesar and I wanted a garden). The drink selection was limited so we just had beers.
(4)
Tbone M.
Great spot for Mexican in Santa Barbara and unlike most places in SB, not outrageously overpriced. My favorite is the wet fajita burrito.
(4)
Joe O.
Oh boy do I love Mexican food. I honestly haven't had a fajita burrito like this since San Francisco. This place is legit - the food was fast, cheap and unreal. Like many of my earlier reviews, it's a lunch spot, so the coveted 5-stars will be near-to-impossible. The burrito was big, the grilled chicken was fresh and the salad/veggies in and around this masterpiece was fresh and cold! Man, I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Joy P.
The best salsa ever and one of the best Mexican places in SB. It's not greasy, it's decently priced (the Montecito location has higher prices... perhaps because of their bar?) and damn good food. The service is always fantastic - I've been going for years and the manager always recognizes my voice on the phone and remembers my name when I come in, even if it's been a while. The Carne Campestre is my favorite, while I try to mix it up and get the Chile Relleno burrito and the Burrito Mojado with asada every once in a while. I would kill a man for their salsa. It's the best I've ever had. I also love that they are local and family owned. Small, local business is what it's all about. I love you Los Arroyos.
(4)
Rick M.
As far as good non resturaunt service mexican food this is tits. Foods great, salsa's better. Will make this a manditory stop everytime we visit SB.
(5)
Stefan L.
Standard Mexican food at a premium price. There have to be better more affordable options in Santa Barbara.
(2)
SoCal Mom D.
CASUAL Atmosphere, DELECTABLE Food! At this place, you order & pay at the register, then they bring your food to your table - very casual, rustic-chic ambience. The food is absolutely DEELISH... I chose a salad with grilled chicken & it was super yummy; I took a bite of a friend's enchilada & the chicken was tender, the enchilada itself perfectly seasoned. I've visited another location in Camarillo, also super tasty, so if you want some yummy, easy Mexican food for a great price, this is the place to go!!
(5)
Matthew J.
We ate here solely based on the reviews we found on Yelp. We were in Santa Barbara for the weekend and looking for a good place to eat. Pull out the iPhone and check Yelp and saw all the great reviews so we tried it. The restaurant is very small and the the place was packed. It is an order-at-the-counter-and-get-a-number type of restaurant which made the prices a little high since there are no waiters. No free chips was a downer and really could have used a margarita (not on the menu).
(4)
Amanda N.
The guacamole is DEFINITELY worth purchasing. It made the whole meal. I got the Burrito Mojado, it was good but the rice on the side was very bland, adding some salsa fresca made a difference. My fiance got the pozole soup and he really liked it *warning* it is VERY spicy! I would come back to try more dishes and taste the world's best guacamole again!
(3)
T D.
A must for lunch or dinner. Breakfast is good also but only served on the weekend. I can't stop thinking about the sopes. Highly recommended.
(5)
Caitlin C.
I come here EVERY time I pass through SB. The have a great salsa selection and although they charge for the chips it is well worth while. You order and pay at the counter and then they bring the food to your table. It's nice to have an informal option for superior sit down Mexican food. I usually go for the Rajas con Queso or the Chili Cheese tamales when they have them. My mouth is always so happy after every visit here.
(5)
Matthew S.
Stopped by here on a road trip and a tasty, fast meal that made the drive that much more enjoyable. Relaxing atmosphere and nice staff.
(4)
ChefP C.
We came here for lunch one day and it was awesome! I ordered a burrito and my bf got a taco platter. My steak burrito is really good, and it came with black beans and rice. The taco dish is vegetarian, the grilled onion/pepper is a bit overcooked/burnt, which makes it taste bitter. Each dish is very large, and we both struggled to fiinish them. The best thing about this place is that you can get warm chips, and you can help youself with different types of dipping (many different kinds of salsa). I find it quite exciting for people that don't eat mexican food that often, as you are experimenting through new things. There's a big parking lot right behind this restaurant. Since parking in Santa Barbara is free for the first 75min, you can grab a quick great lunch with free parking!
(4)
D. R.
First off to the other reviewer: O'Douls? When I think of the taste of beer and Anheuser-Busch product and beer, I mean those two concepts work worse than drinking and driving. Solid burritos and mouth bombs of taste are hidden in the salsa, sure a little more gringo than Lilly's but it makes up for it with the arriba attitude that is intoxicating, and the solid patio.
(4)
Denise C.
Yelp didn't let us down! My family & I were visiting Santa Barbara for the day and wanted some simple, good Mexican food at reasonable prices and we found it. The food and salsa bar were great. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Queen A.
The food is just slightly better than average, not very greasy and you have a choice of black or pinto beans when ordering, which is nice. The help is always friendly, which is I also like. The ceasar salad is good but next time i would ask for less dressing. I would like it if they gave you chips instead of having to order and pay for them, because you have to purchase way too many to eat. I did notice that the plates seemed a little gritty around the edges and underneath....perhaps if you're reading this, please have dishwashers wash more thoroughly. The food is served quickly, so you can get in and out in a hurry if you like, and you can also call ahead for food to go.
(3)
Whitney M.
I love Mexican food. From Taco Bell to La Serenata to El Cholo and everywhere in between, I love it all. And so it's really no surprise that I also love Los Arroyos. This is a great place for a casual lunch after emptying your wallet on State Street. The food is fresh and filling, and the service is quick and efficient. Yum.
(4)
Mary S.
We had the crab enchiladas and they were fantastic. The salsa was great and the price was the best part. We are going back to try out the Arroyos special enchiladas next!!
(5)
Nathan T.
Los Arroyos is an awesome restaurant for some good Mexican food. Very simple restaurant with great Mexican Food. You order at the counter and a server will bring your food to you at the table. Great Salsa bar just like any good Mexican Restaurant should have. The Burrito Mojado is my personal favorite.
(4)
Shaun T.
I have only been here a couple times - most recently just a few weeks ago. I had chicken sopes - and they were tasty but the plate/presentation was a little plain. They just kind of slopped it down and had rice on the side not even taking up the whole plate. I wasn't disappointed with the portion size - it was just about perfect maybe a little on the big side - but the plate was very large and unappealing (wow, am I nitpicking or what?) The restaurant itself is a pseudo take-out/dine-in full service half service fast food joint. Dont get me wrong - the food is definitely not 'fast food' but you order at the counter and you're served your order at your table. This is a fine place for a nice lunch - nothing too exciting though.
(3)
John M.
Really great sopes. The Burrito mojado is good as well as the enchiladas. Never a let down coming here.
(4)
MScott S.
My dad to the guy behind the counter: "Do you have any non-alcoholic beers?" The guy: "Sure, hold on." He brings back an Amstel Light and opens it. "There you go." Me to the guy: "That's not nonalcoholic. That's just light. Do you have any ODoul's, for example?" The guy, a bit flustered at the prospect of having wasted a beer by opening it: "Oh no, I think this is nonalcoholic. See: 'light'. It says so." Wondering how someone could have missed all those superbowl ads, I responded: "Um, light means less calories, not alcohol-free. You have anything else?" He brings an O'Douls. He points to the label, "See this one has 0.5% alcohol. It's not alcohol free. The Amstel, it doesn't say the percent. So it must be free." Cut to a ten minute montage of debates about what it means not to print a percent alcohol, whether or not 0.5% is close enough to zero, and several taste tests by various parties. In the end, we got the O'Douls, a grumpy attitude, and an order of the nachos with grilled chicken. Those were the best nachos I've had in years. All is forgiven.
(4)
Drew T.
This is a weekly stop for us. Everything I have had there I have enjoyed. Our regular is the chili rojo burrito and a Side of crispy beef or chicken tacos. Service is always prompt and friendly.
(5)
Andrew G.
Great enchiladas, fair pricing
(4)
David P.
Excellent shrimp enchiladas
(4)
Rick C.
In my opinion, this restaurant offers the best Mexican food in Santa Barbara. Everything is always incredibly fresh. Their Chille Relleno is the best in town, by far. Seating is a drag so you have to get there early but it's worth it.
(5)
Picky P.
Great food. Service is erratic. Salsa bar good (ignore their limit) Atmosphere nice. Kitchen really fast! Parking sucks. Portions huge.
(4)
J M.
Best Mexican food in town!
(5)
Mandy C.
Food was tasty but way expensive. For ordinary Mexican, there are much better options in this town. Not much seating.
(3)
Nick K.
I went here for the first time today and I liked it! I had fish tacos that tasted nice and fresh. Its a conveniently located place with plenty of space. My vegetarian friend wasn't able to order anything except the salad. They use animal products of some sort in the rice.
(3)
A S.
Their Mexican breakfasts are exactly what you will need after a long night partying on State St. If I were taken to a hospital post-Fiesta for alcohol poisoning and exhaustion, I am certain that the doctor would hook me up to an IV of Los Arroyos huevos rancheros to bring me back to life. Their orange juice is also the freshest and most delicious in town, and you won't pay an arm and a leg for it like you will at Tupelo Junction around the corner (not hating on the Junction, just saying). They also won't give you a hard time if you have to pay with coins because you realize you left your debit card at the Sportsman the night before. Oh Los Arroyos, never stop being you.
(4)
Leslie J.
This is some of the best Mexican I have ever had. It is very authentic. The guacamole is amazing, and the beans are made from black beans, not pintos. Very tasty. I LOVE thee Enchiladas Arroyos. They are filled with halibut and shrimp. This is 5 star food at 1 star prices. You can't beat Los Arroyos.
(4)
Don M.
Good pedestrian style Mexican food at reasonable prices. The salsa bar has some great and hot specialties. It can get busy, so be prepared for a line at peak hours/days. They also have a fidelity card, so if you plan to go often get one and rack up the stamps for a free meal.
(4)
Amith N.
Awesome food. While you do order at the counter and then sit down, don't let that set you back if you are looking for a nice meal. The place is clean, looks good, etc. And the food is spectacular. These guys do it right. The prices are reasonable and staff are pleasant, but again, go here for great Mexican food.
(5)
Joyce W.
ordered the chicken and beef tacos--delish! it was my first time here earlier this afternoon, at about 4pm after a 30 mile bike ride and my friend and i were FAMISHED. the meat was tender and juicy and the rice was so buttery and tasted amazing with the cheese they sprinkle on top. the salsa bar was also fresh and carried a wide variety from mild to super hot. the cabbage and onions also made my tacos 10x better.
(4)
John W.
Great food and very fresh and fast service. A bit pricey for a counter service restaurant and it could be a bit spicier. But I'd definately go back.
(4)
Darryl S.
I went to Los at least 2 times a week on my lunch break. What i love about this place is how reliable it was. I always knew exactly how my food was going to taste, which was delicious. The super hot salsa is sooo good, especially if you mix it in a milder one to get a chunky but smooth salsa with a nice kick. I dearly miss the burrito mojado with mixed meat...
(4)
Jen M.
Don't be thrown off by the walk-up counter style of ordering- the food here is fantastic, as well as the service. Forget about La Super Rica- this is the best Mexican food I've found in Santa Barbara!
(5)
april k.
Really great, authentic food. Everything is really flavorful and simply prepared. The fish tacos are heavenly, salsa bar is fantastic. Man, their guacamole is good! And what a nice bunch of people running the place.We are customers every time we're in S.B.
(4)
Shawn C.
I've been coming here since I had a field trip for my spanish class at UCSB. LOVE the Arroyo burrito.
(5)
J T.
A bit expensive for a burrito, but they have the best in town. Be sure and get chips and salsa, it's rediculously good here.
(5)
Jesse B.
Santa Barbara is home to some incredible Mexican restaurants, but Los Arroyos has them all beat. The food is delicious, plentiful, and fast, and while it is kinda spendy, the quality is well worth the extra cash. Plus, any good Mexican establishment should be measured by the success of their salsas, and Los Arroyos has some kick ass toppings. Many places label their salsa "hot" and they're lying, but this place has heat that sneaks into your soul and makes your ears fall off. For quantity, quality and efficiency, Los Arroyos is stupendous. Don't forget to try the Jamaica juice.
(5)
Neil I.
Some of the best Carnitas ever! Quick service and good food. Perfect for before or after a night on the town. Don't forget to try the salsas.
(4)
M D.
I would describe this place as an upscale taqueria. Located off a side street in downtown Santa Barbara, you order your food at the counter and then find a seat. They deliver the food to you. My friend and I both enjoyed our food - quite good. Most of us expect complimentary chips these days at Mexican Restaurants but not here - you must purchase chips. I suggest the chips with guacamole (chips come warm - mmmmm). Very reasonable prices, good food, friendly service. I'd return.
(4)
Andy W.
Stopped by for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Food was great! The pastor tacos were awesome, the guacamole was fresh and tasty, and the salsa bar was killer. Everyone at the table loved it. Not much seating for a popular place, but the food is worth the wait/hassle. Really good.
(4)
James B.
Pretty good Mexican considering the downtown location. The quality seems to run consistent with the Montecito location. Although I believe the same items in Montecito are a bit more expensive, understandable though.
(4)
Charles C.
This was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in SB. It was a small, unpretentious, family owned and operated establishment and by God, they made the best chile rellenos I've ever had! Fresh ingredients, wonderful flavors Los Arroyos rocks! I remember that you had to pay for the chips and salsa, but it was worth whatever small amount they were charging.
(5)
Rick R.
whats not to like, good prices, family owned, fantastic breakfast and a great salsa bar....approved oh and o the guy that flamed the place with a 2 star review because he didn't like the chairs?//??? get a life
(4)
Faith L.
Amazing Mexican food. Best ceviche outside of Peru! Really delicious. Worth going out of your way to eat there.
(5)
Paul H.
I don't know about being one of the best restaurants in SB, but it is excellent quality and always consistent, it seems like we go there at lease once a week. For us, the best dish is the beef enchiladas. Oh, and the salsa is the best in town.
(4)
Lori G.
OK, they were slammed and it was Christmas break and maybe I ordered the wrong thing; but Santa Barbara is almost officially Southern California and you should be able to get good Mexican food almost anywhere, right? And it is expensive for what it is AND you have to order at the counter. This is sounding like a 2 star-at-best review and it is for what I had, which was basically an over-cooked crispy taco and a chile relleno that was soggy and luke warm on the outside with cold, brick-like cheese on the inside. I was saddened by my meal, but the 5 other people I was dining with completely enjoyed their meal and the seafood enchiladas looked amazing...so 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars, heck it was the holidays and I am feeling charitable.
(3)
angie b.
A chile relleno burrito and basket of chips with the tomatillo salsa would definitely be my last meal on earth if I had to choose one. I can't even explain the awesome-ness of this. As my boyfriend and I like to say, "It's jesus juice." I love all the burritos that I've tried, and their chips are always hot and crispy. Their salsas are probably the thing that puts the food over the edge of goodness, as they have a wide array of them and they are always fresh and taste fantastic. Burritos are definitely my favorite food, and I'm pretty sure I've tried 90% of the mexican places in town, and los arroyos still takes the cake, er, burrito. The tacos are also great - best fish tacos I've EVER had. Their homemade corn tortillas are sooo good. Everytime I have friends or family visit, I take them here, and they are never disappointed. The only downside is that people have figured out how good it is and it gets crowded on weekends. But it's totally worth it.
(5)
tinybubbletoes L.
3 words: crispy. beef. taco.
(4)
Megan D.
Had intended on trying La Super Rica, just 'cause we were "there", but we had ended up taking our sweet time on State Street. This place was next on our list and close by. I absolutley LOVED the freshly cut and cooked chips. Don't think I've ever had chips that fresh and warm (warm, yes, as in reheated, but not just cooked!). The guac was great, too, and I didn't mind that it wasn't a heaping portion. We did have dinner on the way. Yes, the ordering at the counter was a bit confusing at first, but I've been to many restaurants that do this (no matter the price), and once we navigated the menu and ordering process, it was easy to find a table, load up at the salsa bar, and wait for what was to come. And what was to come was delish! And it came quickly! I ordered a special, a chicken mole taco, which was smothered in a smokey sweet mole sauce. My boyfriend ordered enchiladas and couldn't help but finish every bite, even though he was stuffed after one. Overall, I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, very friendly service (even when I spilled salsa all over the salsa bar), and delicious food that satisfied our craving for Mexican food. The price may have been a bit more than we expected, but we were in Santa Barbara. WE opted to go for something right off of State Street and convenient. We left happy, and will have no hesitations in going back.
(4)
Jason W.
Generous portions, affordable prices, genuine tastes. It's not a fast-food joint, yet you order at the cashier, which deters the hassle of asking for itemized checks if you're in a group and one person only has plastic. The sundry menu lists all sorts of items without compromising authenticity with originality.
(4)
Allan D.
one of the better mexican eateries in town. its very clean. it is very cozy. They have a great salsa bar and give you decent portions. They have a great mariscos burrito and i hear their mole tacos. this is definitely a sit down and eat your burrito with a knife and fork kind of place. A little pricey but its worth it because their rice is really good
(4)
Maryanne R.
This is a casual little counter-service restaurant that we visit every time we are in Santa Barbara. The food is fresh, nicely prepared, inexpensive and delicious. The service is always friendly and efficient. The place is busy and you may have a short wait for a table, but it's worth it. I would recommend the fish tacos, the chile rellano and the queso appetizer. Good kid's menu too.
(4)
Ken M.
Best wet burrito. Period. Order the burrito mojado with chicken and bring your appetite. Can't really review anything else because in 10 years of going to this joint I never wanted to order something different. (OK, I have ordered this with steak and a few other items but none were as good.) One favorite quality of this place is speed. It may be the fastest burrito I've ever received - I have had it come to my table before I have had a chance to sit down. One awesome item can constitute a 5 star review.
(5)
Anne R.
I'm not sure about Los Arroyos. I want to like it because it's downtown, easy to access with the parking lot across the street, and has relatively fast service. But in recent history, the only thing I thought was great was their gordita. I haven't had their chicken tacos in a few years, and I do remember them being good when I did have them. But more recently, I had a wet burrito which had burned chicken in it and tasted a bit like charcoal, I had another burrito that was just mediocre, and a few days ago I tried their al pastor tacos, which turned out to be pretty bland and disappointing. Hence my three star rating. Maybe some dishes are better than others, but why can't all of them be spectacular?
(3)
Christopher L.
Perhaps one of the best restuarants in SB. You must try the Arroyos enchiladas. It's orgasmic. I've been here countless times.
(5)
David M.
I recently went here with some friends on one of their parent's tab. It should first be made clear that if I had to pay myself this place would get a star less because the price they charge is ridiculous considering the experience you get. The food itself is pretty tasty, but the portions are not large enough to merit the prices that are charged. The salsa bar is robust and the chips are delectable; at any other place this alone would encourage me to give a higher score (though the fact that you have to pay for chips left me with a sour taste in my mouth). So why, you ask, did this place earn such a low score? First, the place did not offer much in the way of seating, instead of cozy booths or stylish tables the place boasts massive wood tables that would be more at home in a Norse mead hall than a mexican restaurant; these seats have a detrimental effect on both the ability to sit and atmosphere. Second, the workers, while amiable enough, gave me the feeling that they were trying to rush my friends and I out so they could refill the woefully cramped place with new customers (they even tried to take my plate while I was bringing a fork full of food to my mouth). Finally, the entire place was infested with flies. the damned things were everywhere, landing on food and exposed skin alike, both annoying me and giving me cause to doubt that sanitation requirements were fulfilled at the same time. Overall, while I enjoyed hanging out with my friends and having a free meal, I would have much rather enjoyed it somewhere else.
(2)
Gary S.
Pretty good quality at a reasonable price. I had one of the specials - the soft tacos with steak. Very good. I also had the home made guacamole. It was pretty good but I've had much better.
(3)
Allison T.
This was one of the more successful suggestions I've gotten from yelp!! Los Arroyos was DELISH!! I wish I could eat here tomorrow, again and again and again!! Homemade tortillas for their tacos, homemade corn sopas with shredded chicken were ah-maz-ing and their nachos tasted perfect and fresh!! A must go!
(4)
Andrew M.
Los Arroyos has some of the best Mexican food in Santa Barbara. At their downtown location, it can be crowded and you do have to order from the counter, but their service is generally quick and the food tastes great. Maria's Enchiladas and the Burrito Mojado are favorites of ours. Also see their other location in Montecito for more of a sit-down dining experience.
(5)
Lindsay S.
This review is for their catering - Los Arroyos catered our wedding about a month ago and they were so awesome. The food was AMAZING - one of our greatest regrets about our wedding was that we didn't get a chance to eat enough - because everything from the apps with chicken taquitos and cheese quesadillas to the taco bar with homemade tortillas, fresh guacamole and salsas... it was all so good - our friends and family still rave about the food. Areli and her team were so friendly, helpful and fun. I cannot save enough good things about them! I did most of the planning myself so Areli really help guide me in the right direction with rentals and ice and just general wedding things I would have never even considered. We really tried to keep a tight budget with our wedding - but wanted Los Arroyos and at first it seemed like a splurge, but in the end, I felt like it was an amazing value. Other caterers we looked into were initially cheaper per person, however, many of them placed the rental fees on us for tables, chafing dishes, cooking ware, etc. and ended up being just as expensive, if not more for lower quality food. If you are considering Mexican food for your wedding or next major event, Los Arroyos is the way to go. I wish I lived in Santa Barbara so we could eat there all the time!
(5)
Suzie Q.
This is one of our favorite restaurants - and we are really fussy! We like both the downtown location and the Montecito one. Haven't tried the Camarrillo one. Our favorite dish which we ordered every time is the Rajas Con Queso. The tortillas are always super fresh and the portions are good. Salad is good. Service is super fast and the atmosphere is easy and nice. Also enjoy the crab enchiladas.
(5)
Aric M.
I went to Los Arroyos with a friend as everyone says how great this place is. While the service was okay, the food sucked. The carne campestre (6 oz steak, rice, beans, and tortillas) I ordered left a lot to be desired. The steak was okay, but the rice was salty mush and the beans (were they ever beans?) looked like baby food, tasteless mush. My friend ordered the burrito and his rice was much worse. However, the burrito was really good. Having been to much better Mexican restaurants throughout SB and the world, I would not recommend Los Arroyos on Figueroa because of their inconsistent quality. If you do go, be careful what you order and don't have any expectations for the side dishes.
(2)
Rachel H.
AWESOME FOOD. Everything was so fresh, reasonably priced and huge portions. Salsa was delish and the guac was probably the best I've ever had and I've lived in CA my entire life, so I've had some guacamole. I had the lobster quesadilla (special of the day) and it was full of plenty of lobster, huge slices of fresh avocado, and wasn't globby with too much cheese. Hubby had the carnitas tacos and loved them and our friends had steak burritos - one wet and it looked soooo good. Both loved their food. What is keeping me from giving five stars is this: 1) I waited a really long time to use the single restroom, and when it was finally free, a Los Arroyos employee exited. He left ZERO toilet paper (trust me, from the amount of time he spent in there and the smell, he was seated - sorry TMI) and didn't say a word to me or offer to refill the paper. I was stranded, thank goodness they had paper towels. The dude WORKS there. So lame. 2) They forgot hubby's order entirely. I also watched them screw up the order for the guy at the table next to us. They also entered our guacamole order not once, not twice but three times and each time tried to bring it to our table. None of this is terrible, but it's customer service stuff that needs to come up to the level of the awesome, delicious food they serve. We will be back, tho!
(4)
Mark F.
What a difference location makes. In this case, it's 1 star. The two locations in Santa Barbara serve the same good food but with completely different atmospheres. West Figuero Street, I would consider a fast eat taqueria perfect for lunch but never for dinner. Coast Village Road location is a dining experience and great all day and night. But you can read about that in another review. Los Arroyos kicks out delicious burritos and enchiladas along with fish tacos but I come for the guacamole. quick service at the bar then seat yourself and wait for the food to arrive. The salsa bar politely reminds to you limit your taking. Maybe the homeless people like to come in here for all you can eat picante. Fast service, good food but a small dining space makes this taqueria great for lunch. I prefer the other location.
(3)
Steve S.
Excellent ingredients, well prepared. I usually don't care for black beans. There's showed long cooking time and were tender and outstanding. Nice salsa bar with well crafted selections. Great lunch in a homey atmosphere. Only demerit is smallish portion size.
(4)
Jessica B.
Fast, fresh, and delicious!
(4)
I R.
I tast the food here and then... I get real happy! Oh golly its one tasty pinada place. If you're thinking of going, you should! It's delicious, it's scrumptious, it's down right lip smacking. Yeah, I'd go again. Try the wet burrito, it taste so good going down. Delicious!
(4)
Ryan P.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant on the West coast... or the East coast... or anywhere for that matter! Try the Arroyo Burrito, and order some guacamole. Basically, everything that I've had here has been delicious, so I don't really think you can go wrong. Their salsa bar is excellent too. Wish I still lived on the West coast so I could go here more often!
(5)
Vira P.
When I worked in downtown and craved Mexican food, this was the go to place. The food is delicious and the prices are good for Santa Barbara. It can get busy, so finding a table can be difficult.
(4)
Billy D.
OMFG you had me at 'salsa bar.' 8 different beautiful kinds waiting your you to try made from cabbage, chipotle, tomatillo, habenero, roasted tomatoes, limes, and just plain red/green sauce. There's a sign up that says 'limit 2 per item' which I conveniently didn't see until after the meal. The taco was good, but bare without anything in it except chicken; boring for $4. The chille relleno was really the winner in my book. Totally immersed with cheese, sauce, and a light breading, it will take you back to Oaxaca - or wherever you have dreams of cheese-stuffed fried peppers. The employees were super nice and helpful. Only 1/2 block off of State street too.
(4)
Brian P.
A little expensive but worth it. The highlights for me are the steak burrito mojado (the marinade on the steak is amazing) and the guacamole, which is freshly made and simply amazing.
(5)
Zulien M.
The food here is delicious!!! Love the home made tortillas and sopes. and of course the homemade guac and chips. And they were really nice in accomodating a party of 9 right away. This is a place I would definetely eat at again when in Santa Barbara.
(5)
M W.
Best Mexican food in Santa Barbara. Boom! I said it. Hand made tortillas, salsa bar, meat cooked to perfection and refillable soda. What's not to love?
(5)
Mikey J.
WOW! I came here on a visit to SB, and ALL the locals recommended this place for a must-eat. I got the Tacos al Pastor. The ingredients are SO FRESH and the staff very friendly. One of the cooks even came out to chat with me about my hometown Chicago. I especially love the different salsas, so much variety! Writing this review makes me crave Los Arroyos (stomach growling), so I will stop here and say it was some of the best Mexican food I've ever had!
(5)
Krista E.
Los Arroyos is excellent! We love coming here when we want to eat out because they are consistently good. They have the best chips and salsa and guacamole around and I LOVE their Tacos al Pastor as well as their taco salads which I take beans and veggie style. The guys love their CCT (crispy chicken taco), burritos and nachos. You really can't go wrong here.
(5)
Tony E.
Excellent burrito. Chicken was fresh and tasty. Loads of different salsas to choose from.
(4)
Nikki H.
Fast, good food! We live up in Seattle now and there's a few ok Mexican places but really - if you want GREAT Mexican food, you have to head south. We only had a very short time to grab lunch before having to get to the airport, so stopped into Los Arroyos. I had a simple garden burrito, but man was it good. Tasted very fresh and it was a hearty enough lunch to tide me over. The guac was bright and fresh, lots of awesome salsas to choose from. Service was FAST and the staff was organized and friendly. Will definitely eat here again when in town.
(5)
Dacia M.
Stopped by for lunch today. I ordered the fish and shrimp enchiladas with rice and black beans. I also had the horchata water. The meal was not my favorite. The veggies gave it a different taste. I didn't finish it. My wife ordered the sopes. I had some of hers and I liked them better than my meal. The horchata was not my favorite either. I didn't taste the natural taste of vanilla and rice. It tasted very artificial to me. I liked the coke better, cold and carbonated. We also ordered the chips and guacamole and they were good. The chips were fresh and the guacamole had good flavor. They have a salsa bar with different types of fresh salsa. I would go back but will have to order something different than the enchiladas. Also, the bathroom was clean which is a plus.
(4)
Mimi C.
I had the best dinner there last Sunday night, I was craving fish tacos and going to all our local hotspots that were packed and full of large parties and being a single diner I felt guilty taking up a whole table and I felt awkward eating alone. But when I went over to Los Arroyos , it was calm and easy the service was friendly fast and incredible , and my tacos and all the lovely fixings were INCREDIBLE !! Thanks Los Arroyos, I was so happy after I left and I didn't feel weird eating alone.
(5)
Monica N.
I was looking for a quick bite to eat. I saw Mexican food here and took a peek from outside their large windows to investigate. Was it good Mexican food? Who was eating here? I took a look around and saw only gringos. I was skeptical. I asked my husband "Can you see in the kitchen? Are there Mexicans in there?" I was teetering on my toes trying to see the kitchen. Just then I heard a man's voice from behind me, a cook was taking his break while leaning against a tree." "Si, Mexicanos." he kind of wanted to laugh at me. Chile Rellenos, Carnitas, Tacos...it's all bueno. Cooked up in authentic Mexican tradition and served by smiling friendly brown faces.
(4)
Janice L.
Sorry, but the fish taco was very mediocre and the ceviche tostada was sub par. No free tortilla chips either. This place sucks and have crying kids. Pass, next.
(2)
Alexis I.
great food, super pricey, but a good location. wasy to grab food and then walk downtown. You walk up and order at the counter and then grab a place to sit and they will bring your food to you. Not a lot of seating room, but they definitely do their best to accommodate larger parties. I plan to go back, this place has been a great place to eat for years!
(4)
Mina S.
I came here on a coworker's recommendation and i was not disappointed. This place is phenomenal, and in such a great location. I ordered the bean and cheese burrito and it had a good ratio of black beans to cheese (definitely go with black beans). The salsa bar was really what stood out. Every salsa I tried elevated thr burrito to new flavors, and everything tasted so fresh. I also like how the red onions in the salsas were kept to a minimum, since onions have a bad aftertaste for me. Hands down the best part was the free cupcakes available at the counter. Not the shop bought variety, but bakery worthy. I left the restaurant verrrry happy that day.
(5)
Shelby R.
Disappointed bc we got food to go on a date when we got to shoreline to eat our food and we didn't get forks to eat our tostadas and the soda was warm and isn't twist off and we couldnt open it. so we're on our way home now with our warm food going cold. We come here a lot and otherwise we love this restaurant but we're disappointed for sure this time but we'll still come back eventually. I still do recommend this restaurant as this is the first time I've had a disappointing experience
(3)
Mike F.
So good! Enough said. Great service and carnitas and enchiladas very tasty. This was our first time here and everyone was so friendly with the desire to help.
(5)
Rachel F.
So in love. Tacos a Mano is everything I love about Mexican food summed up on one plate. 2 tacos (one chicken, one steak) with rice and beans = perfect meal. The rice is perfectly fluffy and the beans are so flavorful. Also, the tortillas are my favorite part--they tasted housemade. Their salsas are pretty great, but everything really stands on its own. It's a bit pricier than some other taquerias but to me, it's totally worth it. My boyfriend got a veggie Runaway burrito (ironically huge) and that was tasty as well. The staff was very kind and friendly, too. Can't wait to come back next time I'm in the area! Was a super comforting stop on the way home for the holidays.
(5)
P E.
Simply one of the best Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara. I love their salsa bar, and their Arroyo Burrito is one of the best seafood burritos I've ever had.
(5)
Helen D.
Oh my god, the food here is fabulous. I love it when I find a really good Mexican joint that just makes great food unapologetically. They have Caldo here! It tasted great. My skirt steak was awesome too. Corn tortilla please. Get some serious peppers over at the self serve counter. They do limit you though so choose wisely. Haha The table arrangements could be better cuz there was a table right in front of the entrance that did not make any sense no matter how you tilt your head. It's order at the counter and find your own table. So teamwork ok.
(5)
Jen G.
Mexican food done right. Simple dishes that taste great. Not super fun expensive and that works for me. I love the California salad, tacos, and fresh salsa bar. This is my go to restaurant for week night dinner. If you want more of a sit down experience try their Montecito location. It's great for a little fancy!
(5)
Michael J.
Here is a tip for all you frugal diners, like me. Taco Tuesday at Los Arroyos! I had two tacos, one with shredded beef, one with chicken...total cost $4.32! The salsa is free. So, go ahead, load up those tacos. What a deal and it filled me up! But remember it's only on Tuesday.
(5)
Kim B.
Order at the counter, but food is brought to you in separate room that makes you feel like you're dining in a nice sit down restaurant. From the chips to the main course, everything we tried was delicious. The shredded beef was my favorite.
(5)
Jennifer G.
Always so friendly! I often call the downtown location to place a pick up order and I have quite a few dietary restrictions and they are always so kind and accommodating and have my food often before the 10 minute wait time they quote. I love it. The food is delicious and fresh. I have an allergy to dairy and avocado. I order the garden burrito hold the cheese, sour cream, and avo. I ask for a side of red sauce (the pour it over the wet burrito) and it is very flavorful. Pro tip- it is a very popular place so calling in is helpful!
(5)
Eric P.
Weird service ride bartender but very good food. Nachos, salads, high protein tenderloin burrito.
(3)
Ashley B.
I love their combo plates! So affordable and great choices! I chose the crunchy chicken taco and enchilada! Delicioso!
(5)
Dennis S.
1st time in as a recommendation from the hotel. Food was great. Al pastor was great. Nice salsa bar selection. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Stacy G.
Our favorite Mexican restaurant in town! The food is so delicious and fresh! We have lived in SB for 20 years and Los Arroyos is our go-to spot. The staff is always kind and helpful, and that makes a big difference. We are always happy to see their smiling faces :) The salsa bar is fantastic too!! We love Los Arroyos and don't know what we would do without them! We literally crave their food on a weekly basis! Thank you for being awesome and delicious, Los Arroyos! We love you (did I mention that?)!
(5)
Nathaniel P.
Quite frankly was disappointed. I had been loyal to Lito's and Rose's but went on a day they were closed. Friends had raved about this place for years, but it was just plain "meh" by any standard, nonetheless Santa Barbara's standard for Mexican.
(3)
Christine Z.
I ordered the Tacos del Mar and it was delicious! I would definitely come here again! Not to mention, their service is quick! For how busy they were, our plates came out to us in less than 10 minutes!
(4)
Tina P.
Happened to eat here because Savoy was closed early on a Sunday. Got the arroyos enchiladas and wasn't expecting much but it was sooo good! I love their rice almost as much as I love the one at Los Agaves! Their chip tray that they put the beans in are actually crunchy unlike Los Agaves! The enchiladas had more veggies than I thought but the shrimp and fish was very good. I got a chicken enchilada at Los Agaves, so it was different but I think I prefer the red sauce there over the green sauce here because it's more on the sour side. Otherwise, I love how they also have a salsa bar and their green salsa is pretty good.
(4)
TopChef T.
Darn good! I had the shrimp burrito and it was tasty. Chips and salsa fresh and good. they serve beer. It was a great spot for our large group, and we were all very happy. Guac and Salsa were very good! Thanks!
(4)
Paula K.
Friendly staff. I had Juanita protein burrito. The meat was nice and tender. The flavor was yummy. Salsa's were very tasty My husband enjoyed the fajitas too. I would definitely recommend the restaurant and look forward to going back.
(4)
Young Mi K.
So disappointed. I'm a bit shocked at the high reviews. I don't think anyone could say the chile relleno here is anything special. Even the sope... What I do know is that everything was drenched in too much sauce and made everything super soggy and flavors muddied. This was not enjoyable Mexican. Maybe I'm spoiled by all the yummy Mexican I get in east LA. I'm really surprised by the positive reviews. On a side note, I also think the place has an identity crisis. You have the option to sit and have someone come take your order or to order at the counter, pay, and wait for the food to be brought to you. This makes consistency in terms of service all over the place. Some people get complimentary chips and some don't unless you ask. The servers usually get no tips since orders are completed over the counter. Servers are helping with ordering and finding tables for people. It's complicated. I wonder if the servers would be more on top of it and less rude if they just served and got tips instead of the quasi server role.
(2)
Cherry T.
I love the food. My favorite is the chicken enchilada with verde sauce with rice and black beans. I finally have a house margarita for the first time and it was delicious! So I had a second one. :) This thing is that I love the Montecito location with it's full service and seating. But I avoid the SB Figueroa location like the plague because I hate that you have to assign somebody from your party to hunt and search for a free table to sit at before you can even order. And the room is a tight fit. Not a fan AT ALL. I usually like the guacamole but my most recent visit I wasn't too jazzed with it but my usual dish was excellent as usual.
(4)
Matt K.
Great little place with gourmet type Mexican food. The special today was carne asada Sopapillas, very delicious. Good guac also.
(4)
Andi L.
A great Mexican restaurant. Good margheritas and chips & salsa. Good menu with lots of variety. Really great wait staff.
(5)
hans d.
Fun! Great Taco Tuesday no doubt! No second class tacos for the Tuesday special. I was impressed. Service with a smile, got a booth in back, had our friends meet us, and yay! Tacos! for $2. I had three primo beefy tacos, and everyone else had chicken. The girls had chicken? no se...beef is best. Go see and give it a test!
(4)
Carl R.
First time here for lunch. I'm vegetarian so I tried the Garden Burrito which came with a serving of rice. This Garden Burrito was HUGE! I could only finish half of it. We also shared freshly made tortilla chips with fresh salsa and guacamole. What's notable is that all ingredients tasted very fresh. The tortilla chips seemed freshly warm and just out of the oven. The salsa, guacamole and tortilla chips all were amazing. Great ambience and location. Servers and staff were very friendly and did a great job. No complaints whatsoever, so.... 5 stars! Will be back!
(5)
Simone D.
Great salsa bar, pleasant atmosphere, good service and delicious food. I had the carnitas chimichanga and was thoroughly satisfied. My only minor quip with this location is that they don't offer complimentary chips while you wait, but the food is so delicious that I guess you don't want to lose your appetite.
(4)
Nicolai D.
I simply can't say enough about this place. Tucked onto Figueroa and away from State St., Los Arroyos sits next to the infamous Norton's Deli and holds its own with some of the finest Mexican cuisine I've ever had. And I eat a TON of Mexican food. A TON. I came here for the first time with my mother when she visited me at the university, and their dishes were fantastic (I can't remember what they were, sorry!). The service was quick, the open salsas available were delicious, and the atmosphere was more than comfortable. Returning this afternoon with a friend, I ordered their crab enchiladas and he had their steak nachos. The enchiladas were TO DIE FOR...like I'd take a bullet for that beauty. Coupled with their light mango salsa, perfect black beans, Spanish rice, and an ice cold Corona, I melted while I ate my lunch. His steak nachos, while simple, were still outstanding. The steak was wonderfully cooked, tender, and marinated perfectly. This will certainly be a staple whenever I visit Santa Barbara (and while I'm here for school). Cheers.
(5)
Srikanth S.
Pretty good selection of fresh salsa. The regular rice n beans - made fresh and enjoyable. Good for small groups. The weird part..you have to go to the counter to order food. Busy nights..expect confusion and a bit of waiting. Place is small. But you'll come back for more.
(4)
Moni A.
We came across this restaurant by mistake, but are so glad we did. The Maria's Enchiladas with grilled chicken were delicious! My son also enjoyed his taquitos. The best part? They don't use lard, but the food is still very tasty. We will definitely be back when we are in town. Thank God for happy accidents.
(4)
Janet S.
Perfect short notice go to great food! Super fast and always consistent. Year after year-
(4)
Jodi A.
We had a great meal while visiting Santa Barbara! It seems to be one of the few places in the area around our hotel that has wonderful food without a hefty price tag! The atmosphere was relaxed, only downside is they don't have margaritas! The fajita burrito was delicious, and all the toppings and sides were so fresh! They had a fantastic salsa bar with many different types of sauces which were all delicious with varying heats and textures. The staff was friendly and helpful. We will definitely try and have another meal here before the end of our time in SB!
(4)
Amber G.
Los Arroyos catered my wedding and made all my wedding dreams come true! We met with the catering manager, Areli, about a year before the wedding. She was able to craft some vegan options for me (I'm vegan; hubby is not) and the tasting went PERFECTLY. Not only was the food good; we could tell Areli was very experienced and she offered tons of suggestions for things we had not yet thought of (such as how to serve our root beer float dessert and how to pass out tequila shots for the toast). Throughout the year leading up to the wedding, I mostly had contact with Aurielle, who was equally awesome. They were on top of everything and contacted me to pin down final details instead of waiting for me to call (which is a huge relief towards the end of wedding planning, trust me). And then the wedding was perfect. Guests LOVED the food and are still talking about it. I had always heard the bride and groom don't really get a chance to eat at their wedding, but I made sure we did because we were SO looking forward to it. And it was as delicious as I remembered! Plus, the catering staff was very professional and very fun and friendly. I am so happy we booked them and can't wait to visit the restaurant again.
(5)
Eve K.
Small legit neighborhood Mexican spot. Tasty fresh ingredients that avoided being greasy. 4.5 stars Atmosphere: 4, food 4.5, service 4 Cost to worth it rating: 3 (breakfast burrito ~$6, tacos ~$10, burritos $8-12) Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Breakfast on weekends til 1: a set of breakfast burritos (my favorite) and other Mexican goodies like chilaquiles. Secret though is there's an egg burrito on the normal menu too - Machaca breakfast burrito: crispy shredded beef with egg, cheese, and beans in a fresh four tortilla. Not being a cilantro fan, I was worried it was included, but it wasn't pronounced being a small part of the overall flavoring - Salsa: very fresh. I loved the brownish roasted one and the orange chipotle one--both with spice but not too much - Queso dip: different than I expected but liked the hunks of cheese and thick mild green chile slices throughout - Kids meals: choice of burrito or quesadillas with appropriately small portions - Corn tortillas: often these lack texture and flavor and are too flimsy. These didn't have any of these issues - Rice: hub raved about this and its flavoring - Takeout friendly: counter up front to order from. Though if you'd like to eat in, there's a room to the side. Lowlights: - Full menu: I didn't get to try all of the things I would've liked to (sopas, filet burrito, langostino quesadilla, etc). Besides the standard menu, they had specials on another loose page and written up on the board. Liked this recommendation from my local friends and would come back again.
(4)
Ryan B.
Apparently nobody told them that the chips are supposed to come before the meal (and are included in the purchase). This place breaks every rule in the Mexican food playbook. You leave hungry with an empty pocket.
(1)
Mason M.
Our order took a bit to prepare but well worth the wait. Had the fish tacos and the ingredients are fresh. The place was very busy for a Tuesday afternoon.
(4)
MICHAEL K.
Food could of potentially been good, but service was so horrible it didn't matter... Also my meal came out 30 minutes after the rest of the family and then came out so raw I couldn't eat it .. Nobody came by for 30 minutes despite efforts to flag someone. Down... Gave up and ate my sones left over bean and cheese burrito... Manager tried to make up for it by taking my meal off the bilk plus 20% discount.. Which was nice... But honestly to many good places in sb to bother with this place again..
(2)
Venturelli G.
I love the ceviche tostada! One of the most authentic salsa bars around. It always seems busy but not so much so that you have to wait for a table. The patio is also nice to enjoy the wonderful Montecito weather. Enjoy the margarita's!
(5)
Francesca R.
Not to happy. I was hesitant on writing this review but I think everyone who is thinking about visiting this place knows about my experience. First of the staff is unfriendly and the two woman working the front registers were not pleasant at all. The prices for the food is high compared to other fine Mexican restaurants. When I got my food the woman placed my salad down and I had ordered dressing on the side which she spilled all over my handbag. I didn't get upset when it happened as I knew accidents happen. She handed me three napkins...three napkins!!!! I asked for more and she handed me another two. I then said may I please have a wet towel since all the salad dressing spilled. She became annoyed and handed me it and now my creme colored Michael Kors bag was left with this hideous green tint. I e-mailed the owner to let her know what had happened and they didnt do anything about it. After this incident I never returned back and have told everyone I know not to return again. Service and food is not a huge loss, to many other good choices in Santa Barbara...check them out instead!
(2)
D D.
Everything tasted fresh and authentic to me. I enjoyed the salsa bar especially - since Mexi food lovers know it's all about the salsa bar for the basic stuff like tacos and the like. The portion sizes are solid without being overwhelming. In terms of service, if you want chips, you have to ask for them. This can be a tad irritating. I would go back if it's convenient. But if you really want better cuisine with more options, you owe it to yourself to get to Los Agaves.
(3)
Rebecca B.
Los Arroyos is restaurant that is known for its authentic Mexican food as well as their attentive staff. Unfortunately, I was incredibly disappointed in the lack of quality among the food and staff during my last visit. I came in around 5:30 on a Saturday night and the restaurant was about half full, if that. I was greeted by Claire who took our orders without an issue. After sitting down at our table, I found multiple balled up napkins under the table. No one came by to clean it. No one offered. I order the exact same thing every time: 2 item combo plate, soft steak tacos, add lettuce and cheese. When I received my tacos, they were absolutely plain. No lettuce and cheese. I brought my plate up to the counter, stood for about 2 minutes with no one helping me, until finally Tania (who was talking and laughing with the cooks) turned around. She turned and said "What happened" and stuck out her hand to grab my plate. No question. No "Is something wrong with your meal?". Nothing. I told her that I had asked for lettuce and cheese and she took my plate and turned back around to the cooks. I stood around because Tania didn't tell me what was going on, I thought they were going to just throw some on the tacos, which is all I wanted. She then turned back around and said "You can go, I'll bring it to you". I left and went back to the table. When she came back 2 minutes later, she just blurted out "tacos" and held my plate in front of me across the table. Where are the days when the staff let the elderly veteran sit at the table. Where is the staff that was always so kind and welcoming? In the end, the tacos were good and I left full. Tania I could live without. And the new bean/tortilla bowls. Those can go too.
(2)
J C.
I made a point to visit this restaurant before leaving Santa Barbara. I had their Burrito Mojado. It's a wet burrito topped with cheese, sour cream, and guacamole with a side of rice. The marinaded meat was tasty and tender. The burrito was smaller than what I'm used to, but still enough to leave you full and satisfied. I also ordered their new sopaipillas to-go. Since it's a take-out order, they give you 2 salsa cups to pack your choice of salsas to-go. I'm not sure if they charge extra if you request for more salsa cups. The last time I had sopaipillas was in a well known southwestern restaurant in Colorado's oldest town. It was one of the best desserts I've ever had. I still remember despite the fact it was 10 years ago! The one in Los Arroyos is actually an entree with shredded chicken and vegetables similar to a tostada. It was nothing special. I wish they actually made dessert sopaipillas. My search for real sopaipillas continues...
(4)
Jeannine B.
Just walked out of this place. They need to update their hours. Thy close at 9pm. We go to order and when I say it's for her she looks at me and says we close in 10 minutes. Umm ok... I guess we will leave I say. Weird and not very customer service orientated.
(1)
Alex O.
I always order the steak fajitas and share with a friend. The grilled onions, bell peppers and avocado along with the salsa are delicious. For $15.00 this is the best deal for two people at this place. The other items for one person are too much for what you get and lack flavor. The chicken taqutos are good too.
(4)
Roselle W.
We were looking for a quick bite before a concert at the bowl and stumbled upon this restaurant and it was excellent.
(4)
marisa v.
Wonderful! My boyfriend and I stopped here on the way home from driving along the coast. Service was great and the food was fresh. Homemade tortillas! Fresh salsa bar too. Would definitely come here again.
(5)
Cynthia C.
Los Arroyos has been one of my favorite places to go since moving to Santa Barbara two years ago. It's a little on the pricey side, but the food quality and portion size always made it worth it until now. Even when the service was less than good, the food was always good enough to bring me back. The last few times I've eaten there the portions have become ridiculously small. Today I ordered the basic bean and cheese burrito for $5.00, but it came with hardly any beans inside, and so unfortunately I think today was the last time I'll be going back. Very Disappointed.
(2)
Micah A.
So hey. I have now been in California for almost two years, which means I am an expert at claiming I am an expert on things related to California. Mexican food is one of those things! Los Arroyos was recommended to me by my aunt. It had a tremendous salsa bar and chips that were tasty. But the food was... Well, it was. It was basic. Very, very basic. I was not actually that fond of it, but in Bronson Arroyo's defense I ordered items I would not normally order, because I thought "hey, a place to try new things!" New things are bad. I do not like new things. However, I am giving it four stars because I also don't believe that one should just a place based solely on their own experience, and the two people I was with both enjoyed it a great deal. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things. Or perhaps they have poor taste in food. I know for a fact the latter is true but I am going to give them credit for the former, because I should have ordered something that I like. Also, the service existed but I do not remember because this was like a month ago. Maybe I should give it three stars. But I am not going to. Take THAT society!
(4)
Kevin T.
Really enjoyed this place -- came for lunch. Has table service and a salsa bar, but ordering at the front (fast casual style) means you can get in and get out pretty fast. Thought my burrito was excellent $ There is a parking lot across the street
(4)
Kristin K.
Decent salsa bar and a passable bacon breakfast burrito. Off State Street which is always a plus. Cute spot and will likely hit it up again soon.
(3)
Chris T.
so good! al pastor was bomb.com and the posole was spicy as hell! made the cold go away!
(5)
Kevin F.
Very disorganized when busy! Self service, but no self seating, but you wouldn't know that from the time you enter. No freebies... Food not worth the price! NEXT...
(2)
Lisa S.
Tasty Mexican place off the main street in downtown Santa Barbara. Order at the counter and then find your seat. They have a lot of options and all their food is pretty good. Also have a full service location in Montecito. I love the burritos, fish tacos and ta quite.
(4)
Chacon L.
Was happy to come to Santa Barbara- it's been a while. Looked up a few Mexican restaurants in the area and decided on Los Arroyos. We were not disappointed! The food was amazing, the ingredient was very fresh and the service was adequate. Had the arroyo enchiladas (fish, shrimp, peppers and veggies) awesome! Rice and beans were great and the guacamole was tasty. Salsas had the perfect flavor with the right amount of spice! Definitely recommend Los Arroyos to my fellow Yelpers!
(5)
Tom D.
Great crunchy tacos! We had the beef and they were fabulous. The chips and guacamole were fantastic. The chips were hot, light and fresh. The salsa selection was also great. The chili relleno was good, but it could have done without the red sauce. The place is clean and the service was friendly. I recommend eating here.
(4)
Tim P.
Average Mexican food. Had a carnitas burrito, and it was amazingly small, half of the typical size of most places. Meat was more just basic pork than the expected blend of soft plus crunchy diversity expected in carnitas style pork.
(2)
Debra R.
I snagged the last table during the locals' lunch rush. I ordered at the counter, and filled my own glass of delicious tropical iced tea. My order of two perfectly grilled large shrimp tacos, with authentic black beans arrived promptly despite the crowd. Lots of salsa choices included a habanero that was labeled very hot which was perfect on the beans. Pico de gallo was fresh, not watery, one of the best I've had outside of Zihuatenejo. I ordered the meal without rice since other Yelpers complained about it, and was given a double order of their tasty beans. Yes, it is more expensive than other Mexican restaurants and places with counter service, but their high quality and salsa are worth it. I will be back!
(5)
Steve M.
I'm in LOVE -- amazing fish taco -- fresh clean taste -- awesome salsa bar -- perfect lunch.
(5)
Ashley P.
I think this place is honestly Yelp overrated and hyped up Came to try it out on a few occasions based on good reviews from coworkers & after reading some yelp reviews, and have tried the burritos and Maria's enchiladas. The enchilada sauce was whatevs. Something crucial seemed to have been missing from both of these dishes for me that wasn't cutting it for me or making me want to run back tomorrow to get something else. They were on the bland side, and the best part about this place has actually been the salsa bar (which made the dishes MUCH better) and warm chips that i've had to request on the side (for free at least), but then again, many places have an assorted salsa bar BOTH were mediocre and i've tried a solid amount of Mexican food in my life, it nothing dazzling or special enough to make me want to come back or make me dying to instagram a foodie pic and rave about it, and i'm a bit disappointed because I thought I could trust some of these reviews!! Lets just say I could be as easily pleasured and satisfied from something from Chevys. & If this place and Los Agaves were to have a battle, i'd choose Los Agaves in a heartbeat The pricetag is also what kills this place for me, the enchiladas and burritos were pretty small (12+ dollars for 2 s/m sized enchiladas). Overall, not impressed, what would only keep me coming back are the delish & solid salsas Although I have heard good things about the Pozole (perhaps one more lucky chance) Sometimes some of the workers give off a strange and unfriendly vibe as well that makes me want to dip as soon as im done! Some type of scheming or lightweight secretive haterade that radiates through. Some fans or AC would be nice also as I was sizzling in there from the summer/fall heat!
(2)
Samantha L.
Oh my gosh this place was exactly what I wanted! Not far from state street and amazing food! I have NOTHING bad to say about this place. The salsa bar was so delicious and the food has excelled my expectations. The food came so incredibly fast. We ordered and (I'm not kidding) two minutes later, all four of our plates came out. This will be definitely a new favorite spot.
(5)
Slo B.
oh yummm guys! I've been here several times, and to their camarillo location, but I prefer this one by a lot! The service is great and speedy too. All the salsas are wonderful, and I loooooove that they have Fresca on their soda fountain. I mix it with iced tea and it's delish with all their dishes. The pozole is wonderful, as is my favorite thing to order here, the sopes. We came here for dinner after spending the day at Cottage Hospital by a family member's side (they're doin' fine) and it was a welcome respite. and by the way....DO NOT MISS THE GUACAMOLE!!!
(5)
Katie R.
I ordered the kids Bean Rice and Cheese Burrito, expecting it to be around $5 or $6. I ordered and the cashier had no idea what she was doing. I asked for a bean rice and cheese burrito, she barely knew what that was. She charged me $7 for the burrito and an additional $1.75 for the rice (that was supposed to be in the burrito). My friend ordered the same burrito but a regular (not a kids) and they charged her for a steak burrito. Her bean rice and cheese burrito was $8 (including rice in hers). When I got my burrito it was about half the size as the regular burrito. It fit on my palm, which says a lot because I petite and TINY hands. Let's try another perspective: my phone was bigger than my burrito. When I ate the burrito they didn't even include the rice!! How difficult is it to put three ingredients on a tortilla and wrap it up?! Will not be eating there again.
(1)
Dana T.
Love love love! Fresh, clean, tasty, affordable---and great service! Will be back very soon!
(5)
Michael K.
they messed up my order and did a stellar job repairing it with an extra dish. nobody is above free food, 5 stars.
(5)
Chad M.
They got the best tacos in the area. beef is the best but all are good. If you get the breakfast burrito ask without the potatoes because they put way too many. Their chicken in the chicken tacos are soaked in various herbs and its very good.
(4)
Henry P.
i would have honestly say this is probably one of the best mexican restaurants i have tried.
(5)
G E.
Don't waste your money. On a recent trip to Santa Barbara our son wanted fish tacos. We waited in a short line and quickly ordered a la carte two fish tacos minus everything but the lettuce for $4.95 each. The seating area was small and after waiting for a couple of minutes a group left and a table opened up. Someone from the back came to clear the dishes, but never cleaned the table. We thought that someone would be right back so we stood there holding our drinks waiting to sit down for a good five minutes. Finally we went up to the front and asked for someone to clean the dirty table. The tacos came and the lettuce that we ordered was missing. We asked our waitress for a side and she was nice enough but she never came back. We ended up going back up to the counter to get a side from the back. The lady at the counter gave us attitude. She said that we never ordered lettuce on our tacos and then finally handed over a small bowl of shredded lettuce. It was poor service overall. Pros: Off State St. Our son seemed to enjoy his food. Cons: Terrible customer service Over priced
(1)
Aaron D.
At first glance, Los Arroyos looks as if I was going to love it. Everything is clean, Salsa bar looked good, diverse menu, kitchen smelled great, well designed store, comfortable environment. Unfortunately, their first impression failed me miserably. I ordered the Chile Relleno Burrito from a woman who's face could not break a smile, and her mouth scowled when I asked if the chips were made on-site. Our meal came quickly, and as I dove into it, my burrito had great flavor but was cold in the center. The Chile Relleno was pre made and tasted like it might have been reheated in a microwave. The Salsa bar was a bit of a disappointment too, being that the chip salsa had the flavor of canned tomato sauce (which I like to call "Minnesota Mild"), and the remaining sauces were just a little under flavored. Based solely on the flavor of my food, I would have given this restaurant 4 stars. But being so close to State street, Los Arroyos should have no excuse for lacking so much on the essentials of everything else. Let the Midwestern tourists of State st enjoy this place, because I will be taking my taste buds back to Milpas st for good Mexican food.
(2)
MC T.
This is a great lunch stop when your downtown on State Street. Definitely try the tostada ranchero salad, tacos y manos with chicken, or the chile rellano burrito. All of these dishes are phenomenal. Another favorite is the tortilla soup - you can not go wrong, and it is literally a saving grace when you are sick and under the weather. Just be sure to call ahead to see if they are serving the tortilla soup before venturing down there since the soups change every day. The spanish rice is by far my favorite out of all of the mexican restaurants I've been too in Santa Barbara. Be sure to order the chips and guacamole - it's super yummy and the chips are always delivered hot and fresh. Also, they have self-serve salsa bar with a mix of spicy and delicious salsas to choose from. You are sure to leave here full, satisfied, and happy!
(4)
Andy A.
Good not great. Super fast food, but priced like an actual restaurant. The best thing here was the salsa bar. Atmosphere was okay but it felt like the most cramped I've been eating somewhere in a while. If there is more than 4 of you, don't go. Only 3 booths to accommodate, and forget about it if you have kids. Overall, just an okay place to eat.
(3)
Carolina J.
Love the food!! Service questionable when it comes to a specific person he's extremely rude and has no hospitality skills what so ever. Hope someone finally says something to this guy because he seems to never improve. Server's name is Pedro and after working in other restaurants its shocking that he is still in the restaurant business. Probably the rudest server I've ever dealt with ever.
(4)
Daisy L.
Came here for the first time. Experience was great. The food and service was excellent. Delicious and clean.
(4)
Madeline A.
I got carnitas tacos. They were good.. The meat was like, crispy. They were out of rice and beans, which was disappointing. The salsa was good though, and they have jalapenos out.
(3)
Connie W.
Awesome Mexican food, Pozole is great, burritos fantastic!!! Worth a stop! Oh and cleanest bano ever!
(4)
Tessa O.
We have been dining fairly regularly at Los Arroyos since they first opened in 1999 and sadly I think I just made my last visit. My office just moved nearby and I have enjoyed lunch there alone 5-6 times recently. I have an Axxess Card, which is a card sold to LOCALS, not tourists, hence promoting repeat business. There is a buy1/get1 deal and after that it's free chips and drink with purchase. Each time I have dined there in 2014 I have utilized the recurring deal simply because I was dining alone or our family had ordered take-out at dinner and the buy1/get1 is for dine in only. At some point during 2014 I'm sure my husband and I would have used that deal. Today the manager refused to honor the discount, which I would completely understand except that it had been done for me by every other staff member. She was horrifically rude, then proceeded to have a loud, ranting conversation with the customer behind me about this being their first year using Axxess and it has never worked since day one and it's a bad program and a mistake. Really? Not only was this exaggerated conversation happening for my benefit - but you were slamming one of your marketing partners! The fact is, Axxess is a great program that generates repeat business. The PROBLEM is not an Axxess Card issue - it's a TRAINING issue with the Los Arroyos staff. If they had the card offer stated in the restaurant, if your staff were consistent with the "rules", the program would work just fine. The saddest part is that you were ready and willing to embarrass me in front of your other customers after I had paid and was waiting patiently and politely for my food - over a single entree discount, $10 max. Considering the amount we have spend over the past 14 years and would have spent in the future is likely into the thousands, I hope it was worth it for you.
(1)
Adena B.
So, there are three locations: this one, the one in Montecito, and another in Camarillo (perfect after a full day of shopping at the outlet stores). This and the Camarillo ones are pretty laid back, while the Montecito location has got more of a nice, sit-down vibe to it. The food at all three, however, is excellent. I don't know what it is with their Caesar salad, but it's SO good. It's just your average Caesar, but there's just enough garlic, deliciously crunch croutons, and the right amount of dressing. Also tasty: +ARROYO BURRITO: a seafood burrito with halibut, shrimp, roasted red peppers, onions, zucchini, black beans, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. It's served with rice OR Caesar salad OR house salad (psst... go for the Caesar. If you wanna feel like a beached whale walking outta there, get the rice. And finish it. I dare you.) +CHIMICHANGA: essentially, a deep-fried burrito with shredded beef or chicken, black beans, and cheese. This comes with rice, guacamole, sour cream. Gut-bustingly delicious. +TACOS al PASTOR: my then-boyfriend swore by these. Two soft tacos with grilled seasoned pork, pineapple, and onions on homemade corn tortillas. These are served rice and black beans OR a Caesar salad. With decent prices and excellent service, Los Arroyos is definitely the place to go to when craving good Mexican food.
(4)
Marvin S.
I used to love this place sadly the quality has gone down. I ordered a carne campestre this time, the steak was super small compare too previous experiences but the worst part was that it was totally dry, I went and asked what kind of steak they gave me, the meat was way too well done and the worst part is that the desever told me that i should've asked for medium, instead ofbthey asking me how I wanted my meat cook they wanted me to tell them, then he told me that probably I got confused with the tampiquena, which doesn't make sense because the tanpiquena is much cheaper and it is ranchera. I know what I ordered and I am disappointed. No going back to this place anymore I will drive farther and go to Los agaves is so much better now.
(1)
Levi W.
Stopped in after a long walk down state street to feed the empty stomachs and we are def pleased!! The food is so amazing and the presentation is beautiful! You have to order at a counter then sit down and wait for ur food, there's not really any servers to assist with ur experience and the food is so good and at a price where you SHOULD have servers! It would really make the experience much better. Oh... Had to pay FIVE DOLLARS for an un-refillable bowl of chips! Wonder if the owner has ever been to any other Mexican restaurant before?
(4)
Gregory M.
Everytime I come to Los Arroyos, I noticed everything I eat is fresh. When I come to Santa Barbara I used to think about Norton's deli: they have a really good pastrami. But... right next door is los Arroyos and everything there is really really good. The best I've found in Santa Barbara.
(5)
Jacklyn T.
Their food is okay and prices are a little high. Burrito with a side salad for $13. Their salsa bar is nice but their food is just average tasting.
(3)
Bill P.
The food here is delicious. Recently one evening we decided to try this place because our normal Mexican places on Milpas had gotten a little boring, a little greasy, and one which will remain nameless is just too heavy on the toppings and sauces. We had sirloin soft tacos and the combination platter with chile relleno and chicken enchilada. Both were excellent, well seasoned, and not greasy or fatty. The relleno was by far one of the best I have had while living in CA. Definitely not pre made. So, I'm not sure what happened during Aaron D's visit. And the salsa bar was definitely not disappointing - it had at least 5 types of salsa! I would never ask an employee in a counter service restaurant like this if something was "made on premises" because in such a casual and inexpensive place, it shouldn't be expected. If the chips are fresh and tasty, what does it matter where they are made? Asking if something is made on-site is reserved for those 5 star fine dining restaurants IMO. 2 stars is a harsh review in my opinion, but I guess we are all entitled to our opinions. Just go and try this place, you will like it. And we shouldn't be too critical of the Midwestern / Minnesotan tourists on State St, because they help keep the economy of our great city humming along.
(4)
P. H.
My mother in law and I came here while visiting Santa Barbara. We walked here from our hotel. We passed on a few other "mexican" restaurants that looked like they were trying to be fancy. Boy were we glad we did. The service was wonderful. The food was so good and fresh. It was authentic and we could tell it has to be a local favorite. Definitely worth checking out!
(5)
Mariyam M.
No chips? Seriously? At a Mexican eatery? I'm sorry but I was appalled, especially since they have a tantalizing salsa bar on display. This is a super casual place where you order and pay at the register, seat yourself and fill up your own drinks. Given that it is self serve, the pricing is way too high. I had the tacos del mar, with one shrimp taco and one fish taco. The shrimps were ginormous and fresh which was nice, the fish taco was bland. My friend got the tacos al pastor and thought it was too saucy, I tried some and it was okay, although the pineapple they cook it with throws off the flavor for me. We also shared the ceviche which was way too lemony and mushy, would not recommend. I would go to an el torito over this place.
(2)
M A.
Los Arroyos Montecito wasn't quite up to par! The service was rushed and servers seemed not at all relaxed which was a mood wrecker for sure. The mole was way too sweet and steak bites awkwardly large for the small tacos. The tacos rajas were delicious though, as was my marguerita. Maybe the staff was transitioning or something but just wasn't very welcoming.
(2)
X Y.
This place is AMAZING. One of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to. They have a salsa bar with so many different varieties, you really can't go wrong. My absolute favorite was the salsa asada. You definitely get your money's worth here. Quantities are large and filling, and prices are reasonable. Service is also very friendly and attentive. I will definitely eat here again when I'm back in this area.
(5)
Stan W.
My best friend used to work at SB Outfitters and I met him here for lunch a couple of times and I totally dig this place. I've had the burritos and tacos and I have not been disappointed with any of those dishes. What I enjoy about this place is the great flavors from the food without the greasy, heavy feeling after the meal. The food tastes fresh and comes out of the kitchen quickly. Los Arroyos reminds me of Chipotle but with a more extensive menu. The prices are very fair and the efficiency of how they operate makes this place a great option for people on a short lunch. I dig this location too because is far enough up State Street that it's not too overly crowded but close enough to the action of downtown. So if you're looking for good quality, good tasting Mexican food for a decent price Los Arroyos is a great choice. If you happen to over eat and the weather is nice, you can walk it off window shopping on State Street.
(5)
Ruben F.
Wow my favorite. I live in LA but I am thinking of coming back here soon. Everything tastes fresh and cooked with care.
(5)
Angela R.
I highly recommend Mama's Salad with steak! This salad has grilled veggies, avocado, and your choice of grilled steak, chicken, or shrimp. I usually get the balsamic vinagrette dressing since it seems to really compliment the salad and it tastes homemade. You also have the choice of ranch too. They have a great salsa bar. My only GRIPE is you have to buy the tortilla chips! For the cost of the food here the least they can do is give you complimentary tortilla chips, especially when there is a salsa bar. I can go to other mexican restaurants in town and get free chips.
(3)
Martha L.
Food was okay, fajitas burrito had too much black beans and another needed more sauce. It was my first time there so I thought I would use my Access Card , it was denied for pick up orders but the book didn't say that.
(1)
Ariane C.
This is our favorite restaurant in town, period. We've been coming to Los Arroyos at least once a week for years, my husband and I always get Maria's Enchiladas. So good! We've gotten other things from the menu from time to time, every thing is great but we keep coming back to the enchiladas. We especially love the iced tea, chips, and salsas too. This restaurant has quickly become our toddler's favorite too, she loves the chicken sot tacos and can eat more chips and salsa then both my husband and I combined. The only downfall is the people working there always kind of look like they're too busy to smile and say hi. Other places we frequent all recognize us by face and know our orders by now. The restaurant is always clean, the interior is gorgeous (love the big heavy wooden tables and chairs - especially appreciative of that now that we have a toddler who sits on a chair every which way), the food quality is consistent.
(5)
Kent M.
Reasonable prices, easy to order up at the counter and get your meal delivered at table. This is genuine and good, fresh mexican food. The salsa bar is outstanding, and even includes a habenero/onion salsa that burns appropriately but not obtusely. Worth going a block West of State Street for great mexican.
(4)
Brennan N.
I dig this joint. Good food, excellent service, pleasant atmosphere, fast. It's not THE BEST Mexican food I've had, but I do still enjoy it very much. Plus the girl at the register is cute. What more could I ask for?
(5)
David M.
I took my kids here for a burrito. We overpaid for a simple, very small burrito with refried beans and rice. They do not have steamed vegetables, and when I asked they would not accommodate us. Overall pretty disappointed that they do not know what a healthy meal for kids is. We will not eat here again.
(1)
Nicole G.
Great food- we had fish tacos and beef chimichanga. Amazing. But- margaritas suck- order beer. Otherwise fabulous
(4)
Cathy N.
Absolutely LOVE this place and everything we had here! The Burritos were fantastic! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Ani H.
If you are wandering around SB and don't know where to eat, pick this place. Been here a couple of times myself, the husband has been here a dozen or so times. The people are friendly, the food is pretty good. The guacamole is plentiful and they have a good salsa bar. The food is fresh and flavorful. They have a great variety on their menu and the meat is well prepared. Went there for the nephew's 7th birthday and he surprisingly enjoyed his birthday flan.
(4)
Sakya T.
It is a self serve place but there was a guy helping out. We had a baby with us and he helped us getting situated. Food wise it is average. We ordered the veggie fajita, which was sub par. But it came out fast. So if you are looking for a quickie then you should go for it, else keep looking.
(3)
Stephanie L.
I am so glad I found this place! I chose to have today's special, mole enchiladas, and they were AMAZING! It was great having chips that were still warm from being freshly made brought to the table too. My friend had the chile relleno and said it was the best she ever had. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Maria Z.
Had this place recommended for its authenticity to had to try while in town. I ordered an horchata which was the main reason I go to mexican and it ran out! It was around 7 pm on a busy sunday but they ran out! Instead I had to order some tea. The food is good but definitely not a place where you say "oh I have to go there". The seating is an issue becasue its find your own spot and so its hectic being the place isn't too big. To order is kind of a mess because there is no real order as far a a line to get in, and the hostess don't really tell you where to go.
(2)
Michelle H.
NOMNOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! FISH/CRAB ENCHILADAS ARE SO AMAZING. chips are bomb. their rice is amazing the beans are so heavenly their salsas are soo freakishly good. love love love!
(5)
Eric W.
Food was amazing. The service wasn't. The counter doesn't make sense. It feels more like a sit-down restaurant with waiters. My wife is a vegetarian so when she asked the girl at the counter if they could make veggie tacos -- beans instead of meat -- she said no. My wife asks this almost everywhere and she's never been told no. Putting beans in the taco instead of chicken or beef is ... cheaper for food costs! Food was really delicious as we realized. It was also a bit awkward with one person at the counter and like 5 people ready to order.
(4)
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Address :14 W Figueroa St
Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Graham B.
Found by accident, but will return on purpose! Order at counter then sit at a nice natural wood table. Amazing guacamole. Delicious burritos. Rice that is flavorful and not mushy.
(5)Giancarla C.
My boyfriend and I went on a day trip to Santa Barbara for Valentine's Day and we researched this place here on Yelp to see what we should have. After the short walk from the SB Courthouse, we were starving! I opted for the Tacos del Mar with one fish & one shrimp while the bf had the fajita al pastor burrito and the ceviche. I can't say it was the best fish taco I've had but they were very tasty. I have to say that the highlight of the meal for me was my bf's burrito and the rice and beans. I don't normally order beans but theirs was so flavorful and cooked just right. The burrito was huge and the filling was the bomb! The salsa choices were great but be careful with the habanero one because it was just intense! Atmosphere was very pleasant and cheery. Service was awesome, they went around and asked us how our food was. It's too bad that this restaurant is so far away from where we live because we would definitely go back again!
(5)Brent C.
Food is good. Says they are open until 9:30, but they close the kitchen at 9p even though there are probably still people there.
(1)Freddie F.
I'd rate them higher but they always seem to skimp on the good stuff on the plate and the portions aren't as large as some places. That's irritating considering the prices. If I'm going to spend that much I want to walk away fully satisfied. I always feel short changed. Staff members are friendly enough, so they get a passing grade on that. The food IS tasty but for the above reasons, I typically will choose another place.
(3)Richard R.
Delicious chimichangas! Tasty beans and rice. Refreshing horchata. Hidden gem off state that brings class to Figueroa. Makes my ladies smile every time.
(5)Steevens A.
Holy sh*t how did I not find this place earlier?! Decent prices, great food, and great service lead to a great place for lunch! We went here on the way up to the wedding and back. I tried their Alambre on the way up... with the freshly made corn tortillas, and habanero salsa I was in heaven. Of course I needed a beer to quench the fire of the salsa. On the way back down, I had two of their crispy beef tacos and they were F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. Try their hot chipotle salsa on their crispy tacos... you will love it. :)
(4)Shelley B.
Lucked out while shopping in Santa Barbara and found Los Arroyos. Fresh, fast, and delicious. The homemade corn tortillas and salsa selection are memorable. The only bad thing about the restaurant is that it is 90 miles from my home.
(5)Greg W.
Ordered a chile verde burrito, burrito mojado, and a quesadilla to go. The rice was hard, greasy, and tasteless. The burritos were heavily salted and covered with brownish (old) guacamole. The quesadillas were soggy. This was just a gross, unhealthily, but expensive excuse for a meal. Never going back.
(1)Hailee K.
Ive never had a bad experience at los arroyos! the food is ALWAYS good. and the salsa bar is my favorite in down. When you want good mexican food, you can count on los arroyos to come through. I often call to order for pick up and they always have my order ready in less than 10 mins. Los Arroyos is GREAT!
(4)Stephanie C.
I was told this was the place to go to for good mexican food so I tried it out and wasn't that impressed. I honestly think Super Cucas makes better burritos. I had the Burrito Mojado, which was pretty good but it just didn't stand out over others I've had elsewhere. The side of rice was soggy and bland and we had to pay $2 for chips. I will compliment the salsa though. Not bad at all.
(2)Jenny G.
Great place to grab a quick bite for some great Mexican food! I was surprised how fast our food came out. We paid, grabbed some salsa/drinks, sat down at our table, and a few minutes later the server came with our food. Talk about speedy service! :D I ordered the steak tacos and they were mmmmmm tasty! Throw some of their complimentary salsa in and I was a happy camper. Would love to try some of their other foods.
(5)Kelley C.
Maybe it is what we ordered...but for what we got, I felt ripped off. My daughter ordered a cheese quesadilla and I got a cheese enchilada combo plate. The rice was dry but the rest was delicious. The guacamole tasted packaged-not at all fresh. Undercooked chewy chips. And $3.50 for a side of beans?! Tasted great but crazy price for what you get. Want to find good Mexican food in this town...
(2)Matt S.
In most other cities, Los Arroyos would be a solid "best mexican restaurant", but in Santa Barbara we have the superior Los Agaves. Despite this, Los Arroyos is still a great place in it right. Everything I have tried has been extremely tasty. If you want to save a few bucks, go to the Santa Barbara location over the Montecito one, as the only difference appears to be the price.
(4)Mary N.
I tried just about everything here, and these are my top favorites: Rajas con Chorizo Tacos - so friggin' tasty! Roasted chiles, grilled onions & chorizo with a generous sprinkle of cheese on top... it oozes with flavor! Chicken Mole Tacos - only on Mondays, the best I ever had. Not too chocolatey, just enough spice. Pastor Tacos - grilled juicy pork and pineapple... add a squeeze of lime, some of their cabbage salsa plus that brown spicy salsa & you will be in taco heaven! Chorizo Tacos - perfectly crunchy, yet juicy chunks of shredded pork. Best with a squeeze of lime and the tomatillo salsa, which I don't like with anything else. Ensalada Tropical w/Grilled Shrimp - the shrimp are a decent size, and always perfectly grilled, never dry. I love the jicama & mango, plus the dressing is really good too. Chips - it still bugs me that I have to pay $2 for chips that I feel should be free with each order (at least they're made fresh), but I make up for it by ignoring the 2 salsas per entree rule and help myself to as much as I want. Salsa - thank goodness this is free because they have THE BEST salsa bar ever!!! Their habanero salsa is no joke, and their pico de gallo is always super fresh. I really like that dark brown spicy salsa too. Tip - even though those specialty tacos aren't listed as part of the build-your-own combo selections, they'll let you include them in your order. Oh, and don't forget to get a stamp card if you're a regular like me... 10th meal is free, woo hoo!
(5)Arteen R.
This restaurant is a glorified self service taqueria, I personally don't want to have to fight for a table! Though we were fortunate this evening there was enough tables as we came a little early. In any case let me start out by saying the ingredients were very fresh. I ordered the enchiladas which was one of their signature dishes. It was good but I felt it was too lemony. my wife had a burrito and the steak was not fully cooked through, under seasoned and chewy. The salsa bar was nice but the guacamole lacked seasoning and other salsas were good but needed more flavoring . overall it was not bad but not as great as I expected as per other reviews.
(3)Kiesha R.
It seemed like a toss-up between Los Arroyos and La Super Rica...until it was raining and we had a party of 6 plus a baby. The tarp-covered benches and long line at La Super Rica suddenly seemed far less appealing. Los Arroyos is still a casual Mexican restaurant, but with a more civilized bent :) You'll still order up at the counter, but then they'll bring your food to you at a comfortable, indoor table. The food is delicious (Maria's Enchiladas - yum! Plus chips and guac!), the prices are fair and the atmosphere is great. I agree with others who have remarked on the swift delivery of the food - very impressive when what arrives is not like classic taqueria fair, but more traditional restaurant quality. The best of the best of the best I've ever had? No, probably not. But very satisfying? Absolutely.
(4)Lauren B.
Delicious Guac- the Montecito location usually isn't salty enough for me, but this was spot on. Love the generous portion of the Mama's salad- I've had it with steak and chicken, and all have been fantastic. Have also had the Ensalada Tropical Salad with shrimp and it is majorly yummy too. Lots of fun salsas to try! Chips could use more salt (but maybe I have a sodium deficiency?!) Decent prices for generous portions. A great go-to for Mexican in SB.
(4)Tina F.
It's my favorite mexican restaurant! i love the food there! The food is always fresh, they make fresh chips- sometimes it's still hot when it comes out to the table. They have a little bar with the different kinds of salsas and sauces, it's always full and clean! I recommend getting the ceviche salad! yum! Now if only they served margaritas :)
(5)Lisa Z.
Great little casual place for a quick meal. Everything here is freshly prepared and expeditiously served. Solid food, but nothing particularly memorable tasting except for the mango/passion fruit dressing they serve with some salads. One of these days I'm going to storm the kitchen and demand the recipe. It's close quarters in the dining area--seating can be a hit or miss. It also gets loud. Which is great. I like to get rowdy at dinner sometimes and in this place, no one seems to mind.
(4)Chris J.
when this place first opened it was amazing, high-quality, moderately priced Mexican food. long lines but always worth it. now it's lower quality, bland, and super salty. it was great, but I feel like they've over-expanded.
(2)Noni D.
The food here is good, but it can be a bit hit or miss in terms of quality and presentation. Love their salads and fish dishes, and the rice is yummy.
(3)Anita Y.
If you like authentic Mexican food and you are obsessed with different salsas like I am, this is the place to go. There is so much variety and everything is fresh and tasty. I've been to both locations in SB and both have a great atmosphere. Los Arroyos is top 5 of my favorite restaurants in SB.
(5)Amanda S.
They had me at ceviche....... The freshest mexican food you will ever eat around Santa Barbara! My friend ordered the fish and shrimp tacos with a side of black beans and rice, which she loved! And I had a taste of the black beans and rice...yup as authentic as it gets. I mobbed on my ceviche like there was no tomorrow because the halibut was amazing! The salsa bar is awesome and the service is great!!! If you're in Santa Barbara give this place a try.
(4)Monica G.
Out of all the days in the year I went to Los Arroyos on Cinco De Mayo which was not the best idea but all the other Mexican places in town had over an hour wait. So if you havent been here before, make sure you order first because they don't take orders at the tables. We didn't know that so we sat around for 10 minutes thinking the waiter was just to busy to take our order....no one told us otherwise. Second, they do not serve any alcohol here besides beer and wine which was a problem since we were craving margaritas. Third, the prices are pretty steep and the food does not deserve the cost. We had the enchiladas and some sort of a $12 salad which was forgetable. On the plus, the guacamole was delicious and the food came out extra fast.
(3)D. Henry C.
This is where I take guests who aren't from the Southwest to experience good Mexican food.
(5)Dazz W.
"Expensive mediocracy!" A real let down. A group of us was trying this out and is pales in comparison to Los Agaves.
(2)Fred M.
The assumption by your common tourist is that any Mexican restaurant in Southern California is good, is a fallacy. Los Arroyos is pretty good if you like the typical burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc. The menu is on the board above the counter where you order, and then find a seat, but be careful as this place can stay pretty busy. If you have a group, it's best to assign one person as your oder giver and one as your seat finder. My Mole Enchiladas were pretty dang tasty, but they didn't make me scream for more as some Mexican restaurants in the area have.
(3)Xabi C.
The pork carnitas on a Mama's salad is amazing! Best salsa quemada! On weekends the Steak Azteca and eggs will have yo coming back!
(5)Jeff M.
I probably give out too many five star reviews, I'll admit, but Los Arroyos has the most incredible pozole I've had in the states. It comes with all the right garnishes: radishes, cilantro, really fresh avo, etc. Anyone who knows Mexican cooking knows that pozole is all about the broth, and this is rich, deep, and complex. The hominy is cooked to slightly crunchy perfection. When I told the server how much I enjoyed it she gave me a smile that said "I know".
(5)Schoene M.
A little expensive for counter service but the ingredients are fresh and the presentation is very nice. Yummy!
(4)Jenn C.
mojado burrito!!!!!
(4)Dannie F.
Gooooooooood I really liked it
(5)Tanya H.
Best ceviche I've had. They have really good horchata, too.
(4)Vivian M.
Stopped here on our way back to Los Angeles and it was amazing. My brother and his girlfriend have stopped at this restaurant many times and since I was with them they wanted me to try it as well. Prices are at least $9 a plate and you have to pay for chips.... However, the salsa selection is great. They have a lot to choose from and many of them are spicy and all are fresh. YUM. I ordered the tacos al pastor and were they delicious or what! The pork was cooked perfectly and had nice spices. There was also some pineapple in it which really complimented the meat. The corn tortillas were fresh and great as well. The black beans were great and so was the rice. I loved it all and they made for great leftovers as well. Go here for tasty Mexican!!
(5)Trish H.
Great salsa bar. I like the burnt chili one. Too bad you have to buy chips to fully partake of the salsa goodness. I like the value of their combo plates. Shredded beef or chicken sopes and crunchy taco are a good way to go. Rice and beans on the side. The burritos are over-priced.
(4)Jessica M.
This is a order at cashier type of place which i was surprised about when i walked in. Have someone in your party find seat if possible because seating is limited!!! I ordered the Chicken enchilida combo plate which comes with rice and black beans and it was all delish!. My fiance got the Chimichung rice and black beans whcih i tasted and enjoyed. We also ordered the Chips and Guacamole to share which was also very tasty. Cons: Chips are not free As i said before the seating is limited. Pros: Food reasonably priced Nice salsa selection Chips and the guacamole were really good and fresh Decor is really nice Service is Fast i'm talking fast!
(4)Paul L.
Indifferent service, small portions, decent food. Depends on what you'd be satisfied with in a dining experience.
(2)Doc B.
Its so hard to find well done, non greasy mexican food made with actual fresh ingredients these days, but this place has it all. I got the Mama's chicken salad and I actually feel better about myself because of it. Try it!
(5)Jamey W.
GREAT selection of Salsas. Food is good and a bit pricey The place typically crowded especially during the work week
(4)Gary T.
Another great eating spot in SB that I was introduced to by my gf. The decor is spanish tiled floors and walls w/wood tables and chairs, nothing too crazy. The first time I came here was for breakfast, this time it was for dinner. I ordered the Maria's Enchiladas which consisted of two pollo asado enchiladas homemade salsa verde, melted cheese, and salsa fresca. It also came with rice and black beans and I backed it up with a cold Bohemia beer. The enchiladas were delicious w/the juicy grilled chicked and zesty green sauce. The rice was cooked to perfection as were the beans. The salsa bar and the fresh hot chips are an added bonus. The Bohemia was the necessary liquid refreshment to wash it all down. Los Arroyos esta muy bueno y delicioso! Vamos aqui cabrones!
(5)Samantha U.
This place was awesome! I had the Chilaquiles in green sauce. It was sooo yummy! I can't get enough of this place. The food is cooked perfectly. The tortillas are fresh, the servings are moderate not overwhelming like in other mexican restaurants. I am definitely returning here if i'm in the area. The price was above average seeing that it's in the heart of Santa Barbara's shopping district. The food was a little pricey. Good place to come when you have money and looking for a place to walk off your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(4)Sumay J.
Food was okay but they dont really flavor the food much. Fish tacos should be able to hold their own without drowning in spicy sauce - beans and rice had no flavor. Please pass the salt.
(2)Isabella O.
Coming down to SB for my sister's college orientation and didn't know where to eat for dinner. Good thing my dad's friend brought us all to this little place. I liked the place itself, nice warm walls and the tables are far apart enough to not overhear everyone's conversations. However, there was some construction going on with the fountain next to us, so that was a little annoying - but what can you do? On to the food: Guacamole: eehh... I have definitely had better in my life. It was a little TOO creamy/whipped for my liking. I am more into the chunky style, also with a little bit of spice - which this one lacked. Mama's Salad: I got it with chicken and it was good. The chicken breast wasn't dry, which is always nice, and the roasted corn is just yummyyy with all the other stuff going on in it. Carnitas Plate: My sister got this one and it was pretty good. The carnitas could have been a little juicier, but the flavor was on point. The beans and rice were normal, I liked that there was black beans (my personal favorite). Overall: Pretty OK food, but I have definitely had better for the price. Let's just say I had this at 4 stars the whole time writing this, but now I'm putting it down to 3.
(3)Shae F.
This is s small...very small Mexican Restaurant in the busy part of Santa Barbara, off of State Street and definitely worth visiting. Although it was a bit busy, we were greeted right away. Everything on the menu sounded great and I ended up selecting the Steak enchiladas, chips n guacamole! Wow! The food was amazingly fresh, flavorful and delicious! The service was great. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Michelann Q.
My parents took me and my husband and my in-laws here for dinner when we were visiting. The chips were great, the guac was wonderful. I had a shrimp taco and a green chili taco, both were excellent. The horchata is quite nice as well. The place is small and gets crowded, there's no real way to queue up to order, seems like it might be better if they offered table service in the evening.
(4)Janiene L.
Good, affordable, and consistent food. This is a very casual dining experience where you get a number at the cash register and someone brings you your food. Salsas, silverware, and drinks (except for horchata) are self-serve. I am especially a fan of their arroyos enchiladas and my partner loves their chicken chimichangas. Their burritos are large and, with a side of beans and rice, more than enough food for one person. The decor is basic, but pleasant. The place can get packed in the afternoons, though, so plan ahead either by doing take-out or scoping out a table that looks like it's going to empty out.
(4)Cam B.
Dear Yelpers, I have a confession to make. Before this week, I have never had a fish taco before. So this Spring Break, I made it a mission to consume as many fish tacos as possible. And when we Yelped "Fish tacos" in Santa Barbara, this is where we ended up. What we tried: Fish tacos platter. Moist and soft and flaky and perfectly cooked. It comes out with just fish and cabbage on the soft taco shell. Add your choice of salsa. Ceviche tostada. mmmmmmmmm. mmmmmmmmm. Supposedly, it's larger than your average ceviche plate. And it's rimmed with tortilla chips for dipping. It didn't really need any salsa in my opinion. Salsas. As others have said: So many delicious choices! try them all. Overall though, I think the place is a tad overpriced. Our bill came out to be $32 for 2 plates, a soda and an horchata. Don't get me wrong, the food is good. But I definitely don't think it's $16 a meal good.
(3)Binh C.
My boyfriend and i were visiting Santa Barbara and wanted to find a good mexican restaurant for dinner. Based on Yelp reviews, we decided to try Los Arroyos. At first glance, I didn't have a lot of expectations as it was pretty casual dining since I had to order my food at the counter. I was thinking it was going to like fast food. However, I was surprisingly wrong. The person we placed our order with at the counter was super nice and gave us various recommendations. I didn't feel like meat so decided to try the ceviche and my boyfriend had the enchiladas (chicken & beef). They have a great salsa bar which I enjoyed immensely. I was practically drinking and downing my food in their salsas. My ceviche was pretty good (I'd like it to be tangier) and I had a few bites of the enchiladas which was delicious! I would have loved some free chips to eat with the oh-so-yummy salsas so that's the only downside that you have to pay for it. Overall, a great mexican restaurant. Don't be fooled that since you have to order at the counter that it's fast food, it's not! It's a nice sit-down restaurant.
(4)Matthew O.
Overall, this place was pretty good. In fact, I thought it was standard for 'restaurant' Mexican food. The prices are fair considering the area, and food was good. I'd give this more stars, but for some reason, I cannot seem to think of anything that was rather memorable eating here. They had all the typical things that are usually located in a place like this, but I was sort of indifferent to it all. It might be possible that because I was in the mood for Norton's Sandwich Shop [right next door and incidentally, was packed that day], I just wasn't feeling like eating Mexican food which is probably why I don't remember it too much. Anyway, I'm personally more of a street/fast food Mexican food eater, so I rarely frequent restaurants of this kind. Therefore, to plagiarize the yelp rating, this place is just: "A-OK."
(3)Aron A.
love the salsas, great service and burrito mojado. I've only been to the one on victoria so i can't talk about the others.
(5)alli b.
I like almost everything about this place. It's a cozy, cute, little sit-down restaurant, but it's really more like fast food Mexican. It usually has a bustling atmosphere that I like, not really any personal service but I don't mind that. The food is good...everything I've had on the menu I've enjoyed. The portions are large and I usually can't finish my plate. It's not the most incredible Mexican food I've ever had, but it hits the spot and I have no complaints whatsoever.
(4)Margot D.
Pretty good for a totally whitebread town. I am a taco truck girl so I was kinda skeptical of getting good Mexican in a place like SB... Great fast service and a funky little salsa bar. Sad that you have to pay for chips but I got a good amount of food for just getting a one-item combo plate. My only complaint is that everything was QUITE salty, especially the rice--however the black beans were awesome and I don't normally like black beans, so I won't complain too much. And salty rice or not, I still cleaned my plate. Yum :-) One thing to note: we showed up right around 6pm and by the time we had ordered and sat down the place was getting FLOODED with diners. When we left it was packed! Get here early!
(3)Bob M.
Here's the Deal... We've all been there... that evening in the middle of the week when "I haven't eaten anything today" meets "I have no idea what to eat". the next thought is usually... "Mexican Food". And in Downtown SB that means Los Arroyos. Nice, fresh, and almost always superb, all the staples for getting right with your tummy and the universe are here for the asking. A couple of tacos a manos; one chicken, one steak... order the combination and it comes with rice and beans, then hit the freshest, and best, salsa bar in town. Chips are extra, ( I know, I know ) but they're hot, and worth it. When you're this hungry it's worth a bit extra for great service, and just knowing it's going to feel authentic, fresh, and consistently good. We usually avoid the busyness of eating in and rather call it in to take out most evenings, but if you have some guests from out of town you can bring them in on a weekend morning and it seems a perfect place to pass a slow morning eating breakfast burritos, or getting your "huevos" ... "ranchero'd" if you know what I mean, And even if you don't. Cheers, Bob
(5)Abby I.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Everything I've had is great, burritos, sopes, tacos, beans. They have an awesome salsa bar. I also like how you order at the counter for quicker service. Everyone is really friendly too.
(5)Erin W.
We arranged to have Los Arroyos cater dinner for 10 people for my best friend's bachelorette party. The food was not good. The chile rellenos arrived cold - the cheese was totally hard and congealed. In fact, everything arrived cold - the enchiladas, the tacos, the rice, the beans. The tacos came with just tortilla and meat - no lettuce, no tomatoes, no salsa. They didn't even give us salsa for the chips! Very, very disappointing.
(1)Gina A.
Great tacos!
(5)Bianca R.
So did you know that La Super Rica is closed on Wednesdays? Neither did I, so when my family trekked to Santa Barbara for the sole vacation purpose of eating at La Super Rica for the hundredth time we were so upset! How could I forget to check if it was open?! What are we going to do now?! So before my family got out their pitchforks and torches ready to chase me down the road from Mexican food depression I got out my cellphone and quickly yelped Mexican in Santa Barbara. Just as they were closing in on me and my life began to flash before my eyes I was able to shout out LOS ARROYOS!!! and things started to calm down again. We navigated ourselves over from Milpas to Figueroa St. and walked in to what would be our foodie heaven for the next hour. The restaurant is a bright and ethnically decorated two rooms. The first room has the ordering counter and the salsa bar, and the second room is the dining room. Once inside we knew what we wanted in a matter of minutes because the Specials board was right in front of us and chock full of our favorites. We ended up with Tortilla Soup, Bistec Ranchero, Dungeness Crab Enchiladas, and Pasilla Tamales. We also ordered a basket of chips and three drinks. The only reason I gave Los Arroyos 4 stars instead of 5 is because between the three of us we spent over $60 for this meal. Even with Dungeness Crab it was a little steep for Mexican food. Did we regret it? Not one bit. The salsa station is where we first fell in love. Los Arroyos has pico de gallo, chip salsa (which is basically pureed pico de gallo), salsa chemada (it means burnt in spanish), a cabbage salsa, chipotle salsa and the unforgettable habanero salsa. It is literally chopped up onions, cilantro and lime juice with flecks of orange. The orange isn't grated carrot but shaved habanero. This salsa is delicious but deadly. Everything was incredible. The Crab Enchiladas were 75% crab. The rice and beans were fantastic - since rice and beans didn't miss me I never really am impressed by this Miami staple, especially when done by other cuisines but these were impressive and topped with Queso Fresco for a smooth and salty finish. Also, everything came with a little avocado so metaphorically it's like the food proposed to me. This place is a must stop for foodies and Mexican food lovers passing through Santa Barbara. Next time we come through here we will have to eat two Mexican meals - one at La Super Rica and one at Los Arroyos - unless of course it is Wednesday.
(4)Kim C.
Delicious, authentic casual. Our favorite local takeout for mexican.
(4)Brendan P.
While staying at the Four Seasons we were told that Los Arroyos restaurant is one of the best Mexican places to eat near by, and so near by that we could walk to it. So we footed our way around to the Mexican eatery and were sat down pretty quick, but then again we eat real early like 6 ish. I ordered the fajitas and a few margarita's that were very, very tasty,... oh and the margarita was not weak either. It was just right with a little extra kick, just how a great one should be. Do ask for the spicier salsa that comes with your chips and salsa. I did think the standard salsa was too mellow in the fire dept, if you like it hotter like I do. The staff and atmosphere are very nice and pleasant, even the patio seating in the winter is fine. There are patio heater lamps that were more then adequate. Would be more then happy to return to this great Mexican cantina!
(4)Lauren E.
Good and inexpensive. The vegetarian tacos weren't so good - they were mainly just full of cheese. Service was fast and friendly.
(3)Tina C.
The service is fast and the price is affordable. I have never had mexican rice so fresh before. The seafood burrito was delicious. I really like the restaurant's atmosphere. It's a perfect place to go after a day at the beach.
(5)Suzanne L.
I am baffled as to how this restaurant averages such a high rating. For realz. We had dinner here last night. I wasn't sure how to go about ordering. Do we sit and order from the waiter? Do we wait in line and order at the register?? What to do?! As it turns out, you order at the register, and the food is brought out to you. Los Arroyos has the feel of a sit-down restaurant, but it is/isn't. Refill your own drinks at the soda fountain. I assumed the prices would be a bit more reasonable because of the set up, but NAW dude. It's kind of pricey, averaging $11-12 per entree. One tortilla soup was $5.50. I ordered chips and guacamole (small serving), and it cost $4.50. @_@ I regret ordering the guac now cuz it was such a small portion. I should have ordered chips only, cuz there is a really good salsa bar with 5 or 6 salsas. If I brought my time machine, why, I would have hopped in there, and taken it back 5 minutes to remind myself about the salsa bar. The pico de gallo (my favorite) was really fresh. There is a HABANERO version that would have kicked my ass hard, but I did not try it. I got a 3 taquito dinner that came with rice and beans. Why did I get that? They were not much better than the frozen ones from the market. REALLY not worth it for $11 and change. I ordered Seafood Enchiladas for the Angry Robot. Not bad. I never had an enchilada with seafood in it before, so it was interesting. The siblings shared a 3 item combo and their Chile Relleno was pretty good..I'd say above average for sure. DO NOT order their Tortilla Soup. It had this weird sour taste. Not spoiled sour, but like... tomato pasty sour. Strange. It was a really large bowl, but we'd never order that again. I hope this really isn't the best place to get some Mexican food around Santa Barbara, cuz that would definitely be a disappointment.
(2)John K.
Ran in here for a light, quick bite. Yeah, right. Light doesn't usually describe Mexican food. But I enjoyed my visit to Los Arroyos. It's one of the stops I make when I visit Santa Barbara. Easy to remember where: Figueroa just off of State. The food is good. The basics. Two tacos come with rice and beans. The salsa bar provides the right variety of spice choice. But a word of advice: obey the labels!! There's one salsa that's labeled "Very Hot" That's no joke. My friend who can normally handle heat was struggling! I'm a wuss and stayed safe with mild and medium. ha ha! It's a great thing to say that over the number of times I've been here, the quality and flavor of the food has been consistently good. Viva Los Arroyos!
(4)Garrett F.
Very good. Not being from Santa Barbara, this was a great find. A local at one of the stores told us about this place and he was right, great choice. I got the Arroyo burrito, no cheese or sour cream and rice on the side. Simply put amazing. A great combo of fresh halibut and shrimp, mixed with fresh roasted vegetables was great. Reminds me of jambalya with zucchini, onions and peppers.The black beans were very tasty and blended well with the halibut. The guacamole was fresh and mixed in with the burrito was a perfect compliment. The rice was very, very good. It mixed well with all the ingredients in the burrito, when put together. The salsa bar was awesome, they had five or six salsas from mild to hot. The very hotest had habaneros in it, and it was good and hot. The chips were tasty and warm too. Great service, though the place was packed. I will definatley be back the next time I am down in SB.
(5)C K.
Such a gem of a place. I had my top 3 favorite salad here. There were actual vegetables, cooked to perfection, with crisp romaine lettuce in the Mama's salad. I'll definitely go back again. The portions are huge.
(5)Stephanie C.
Salsa Bar! Salsa Bar! Salsa Bar! That's all it takes to keep me coming back for more. The chicken tacos are delightful, too.
(4)Ronjon H.
I love their food. I can't tell you how many times I have eaten here, but it is a very large number. Until I moved recently, I lived just a short walk from here, and I never got tired of it. The best thing they make is the mole enchiladas, but the sad part is, they don't make them every day. Just on Tuesdays. Just telling you about them makes me want some right now. As others have mentioned, you have to pay for the chips, but the salsa bar is complimentary, so it balances out. The salsas are all great. Really. I can't say enough about the food here. If you are able to go here, then go here. That's about as good a review as I can write.
(5)Amanda T.
Decent. I frequent there when I'm in that area at meal time. However, there is certainly better Mexican food to be had in Santa Barbara.
(3)Calla G.
I love the Arroyo Enchilada with fish and veggies. They grill their veggies and it tastes healthy and good. Their Caesar salad is really great too. It's my favorite Mexican restaurant because I like the atmosphere, the salsa bar and just the good veggie-tastic, feel good when you walk away food.
(5)Michael D.
The only bad thing I can say is that I had to eat quickly to catch my plane. Holy mother of pearl...the mole sauce is probably the best I've had. Unfortunately I hear they only have the mole enchiladas on Monday and Tuesday. All this should tell you is that you need to go on Monday or Tuesday. It's like a perfectly spiced chocolate party in your mouth. The service was quick. I told them I needed to get it quick because I had to get to the airport and the guy was on top of it. I loved that. This is tough, I want to say more but I can't think of anything other than... mole
(4)John I.
My wife has been a fan of this place for years. She moved out of SB and stressed to me when we first started dating that she never visits SB without getting the Maria's enchiladas from here. It's been almost 3 years and I have the same mindset. We definitely make sure to stop by every time we're in town.
(5)Mal S.
Amazing food. The salsa bar is legit. We have been here a few times and have never been disappointed. Sometimes it is hard to find seating.
(5)John T. C.
I buy the "Run Away Burrito" 2-3 times during weekdays. It costs $8.25 plus tax. It is not eligible for a buy-10-get-1-free loyalty card stamp ($9.00 pre-tax minimum). C'mon!
(1)Tiana T.
Love this place! Love the food, prices, service, cleanliness, and sooooo tasty. Was my go-to spot after a long hike on the weekends! You will not be disappointed!
(5)Jeffrey A.
I considered myself a regular at this establishment though recently I noticed the qualify of food and service has came down. Case in point, this past Sunday my son and I stopped by. We got up to get something to drink and two minutes later when we got back our food was gone. We weren't done eating.
(2)Amanda K.
I really didn't think this place was that great. The tortilla soup didn't taste like the one I'm used to. I wasn't a fan of the chile relleno either. Maybe it's just me, but I think chips should be free with your meal. I liked that they had a selection of salsas. Overpriced.
(2)Rick O.
This place is good to check out if you're craving Mexican good. I got the Wet Burrito with steak. It was pretty tasty but nothing special. It was a great portion and came with sour cream and guacamole on top of the burrito along with a side of rice.
(4)Mario G.
This place has good food. There's no question about that. I ordered a fajita burrito and it's your standard burrito that's sold at a Mexican restaurant. However, the rice and black beans are cooked correctly, which is something DIFFICULT to find at a Mexican restaurant like this. The rice and beans was moist, flavorful and not dried out. The burrito was as big as my head, but it's stuffed with rice, beans, chicken, etc., It's pretty much your standard restaurant burrito. They have their own salsa bar with a good selection of salsa, which is a major plus. It also took the kitchen about five minutes to bring out our party's (three people) order and the restaurant was full. A couple of negatives: I've never been to a sit-down restaurant where waiters don't take your order at the table. You show up, order at the cash register, and find a seat. We also had to pay extra for chips, which to me, seems a little stingy especially since the food isn't cheap to begin with. Finally, the restaurant is tiny, so it was a little crowded, and I almost felt rushed to eat. Nonetheless, I liked this place. I would go again. Very good food and I'm looking to try some of the more authentic dishes on the menu.
(4)Jessi S.
Very good burritos. Check out the salsa bar. They have about 8 different salsas to accompany your food. The seating is on your own once you order. We were there at lunch time and it was packed. My burrito was very tasty and huge. Steve had fish tacos and really liked them.
(4)Molly L.
Love it!! The food is not necessarily even that good here but it's what you expect more or less and it's close to my apartment and easy and has good portions so I always leave feeling like I ate too much. Perfect.
(4)Huan V.
I had the Steak... Ranchero? From the menu it sounds like it's going to be a big slab of meat (They mention NY Strip) but it turns out to be more fajita style. I should have known something was wrong when the girl at the register didn't ask me how I wanted it cooked. Anyways, I was disappointed that it wasn't a steak but the meat was cooked medium rare which is how I would have ordered it. The meat and vegetables were delicious and the fresh tortillas were excellent. This place has the feel of a $5 burrito joint because you gotta order at the register and get your own drinks but the prices are definitely not. My fajita plate was $14 but it's about the same I would pay at any chain restaurant but 100x better. Minus 1 star for pricey order yourself food and minus 1 star for confusing descriptions.
(3)Chris M.
Got a suggestion to go here from Christopher L. Though the homemade corn tortillas were awesome, I just didn't see the different between this place and any other taqueria. It also may have been my lackluster order of two chicken tacos. No toppings other than rice, beans, and 3 shreds of lettuce? $9 bucks too?! Guess I should have gotten a burrito.
(3)Caralee N.
This is a nice little place for lunch or maybe a very casual dinner. It was pretty busy when we went but we managed to nab a table. The food arrived really quickly and the fish tacos and ceviche were really fresh and tasty -- didn't smell like trimethylamine at all. They even did a substitution for me (the tacos came with a caesar and I wanted a garden). The drink selection was limited so we just had beers.
(4)Tbone M.
Great spot for Mexican in Santa Barbara and unlike most places in SB, not outrageously overpriced. My favorite is the wet fajita burrito.
(4)Joe O.
Oh boy do I love Mexican food. I honestly haven't had a fajita burrito like this since San Francisco. This place is legit - the food was fast, cheap and unreal. Like many of my earlier reviews, it's a lunch spot, so the coveted 5-stars will be near-to-impossible. The burrito was big, the grilled chicken was fresh and the salad/veggies in and around this masterpiece was fresh and cold! Man, I can't wait to go back.
(4)Joy P.
The best salsa ever and one of the best Mexican places in SB. It's not greasy, it's decently priced (the Montecito location has higher prices... perhaps because of their bar?) and damn good food. The service is always fantastic - I've been going for years and the manager always recognizes my voice on the phone and remembers my name when I come in, even if it's been a while. The Carne Campestre is my favorite, while I try to mix it up and get the Chile Relleno burrito and the Burrito Mojado with asada every once in a while. I would kill a man for their salsa. It's the best I've ever had. I also love that they are local and family owned. Small, local business is what it's all about. I love you Los Arroyos.
(4)Rick M.
As far as good non resturaunt service mexican food this is tits. Foods great, salsa's better. Will make this a manditory stop everytime we visit SB.
(5)Stefan L.
Standard Mexican food at a premium price. There have to be better more affordable options in Santa Barbara.
(2)SoCal Mom D.
CASUAL Atmosphere, DELECTABLE Food! At this place, you order & pay at the register, then they bring your food to your table - very casual, rustic-chic ambience. The food is absolutely DEELISH... I chose a salad with grilled chicken & it was super yummy; I took a bite of a friend's enchilada & the chicken was tender, the enchilada itself perfectly seasoned. I've visited another location in Camarillo, also super tasty, so if you want some yummy, easy Mexican food for a great price, this is the place to go!!
(5)Matthew J.
We ate here solely based on the reviews we found on Yelp. We were in Santa Barbara for the weekend and looking for a good place to eat. Pull out the iPhone and check Yelp and saw all the great reviews so we tried it. The restaurant is very small and the the place was packed. It is an order-at-the-counter-and-get-a-number type of restaurant which made the prices a little high since there are no waiters. No free chips was a downer and really could have used a margarita (not on the menu).
(4)Amanda N.
The guacamole is DEFINITELY worth purchasing. It made the whole meal. I got the Burrito Mojado, it was good but the rice on the side was very bland, adding some salsa fresca made a difference. My fiance got the pozole soup and he really liked it *warning* it is VERY spicy! I would come back to try more dishes and taste the world's best guacamole again!
(3)T D.
A must for lunch or dinner. Breakfast is good also but only served on the weekend. I can't stop thinking about the sopes. Highly recommended.
(5)Caitlin C.
I come here EVERY time I pass through SB. The have a great salsa selection and although they charge for the chips it is well worth while. You order and pay at the counter and then they bring the food to your table. It's nice to have an informal option for superior sit down Mexican food. I usually go for the Rajas con Queso or the Chili Cheese tamales when they have them. My mouth is always so happy after every visit here.
(5)Matthew S.
Stopped by here on a road trip and a tasty, fast meal that made the drive that much more enjoyable. Relaxing atmosphere and nice staff.
(4)ChefP C.
We came here for lunch one day and it was awesome! I ordered a burrito and my bf got a taco platter. My steak burrito is really good, and it came with black beans and rice. The taco dish is vegetarian, the grilled onion/pepper is a bit overcooked/burnt, which makes it taste bitter. Each dish is very large, and we both struggled to fiinish them. The best thing about this place is that you can get warm chips, and you can help youself with different types of dipping (many different kinds of salsa). I find it quite exciting for people that don't eat mexican food that often, as you are experimenting through new things. There's a big parking lot right behind this restaurant. Since parking in Santa Barbara is free for the first 75min, you can grab a quick great lunch with free parking!
(4)D. R.
First off to the other reviewer: O'Douls? When I think of the taste of beer and Anheuser-Busch product and beer, I mean those two concepts work worse than drinking and driving. Solid burritos and mouth bombs of taste are hidden in the salsa, sure a little more gringo than Lilly's but it makes up for it with the arriba attitude that is intoxicating, and the solid patio.
(4)Denise C.
Yelp didn't let us down! My family & I were visiting Santa Barbara for the day and wanted some simple, good Mexican food at reasonable prices and we found it. The food and salsa bar were great. Would definitely go back.
(5)Queen A.
The food is just slightly better than average, not very greasy and you have a choice of black or pinto beans when ordering, which is nice. The help is always friendly, which is I also like. The ceasar salad is good but next time i would ask for less dressing. I would like it if they gave you chips instead of having to order and pay for them, because you have to purchase way too many to eat. I did notice that the plates seemed a little gritty around the edges and underneath....perhaps if you're reading this, please have dishwashers wash more thoroughly. The food is served quickly, so you can get in and out in a hurry if you like, and you can also call ahead for food to go.
(3)Whitney M.
I love Mexican food. From Taco Bell to La Serenata to El Cholo and everywhere in between, I love it all. And so it's really no surprise that I also love Los Arroyos. This is a great place for a casual lunch after emptying your wallet on State Street. The food is fresh and filling, and the service is quick and efficient. Yum.
(4)Mary S.
We had the crab enchiladas and they were fantastic. The salsa was great and the price was the best part. We are going back to try out the Arroyos special enchiladas next!!
(5)Nathan T.
Los Arroyos is an awesome restaurant for some good Mexican food. Very simple restaurant with great Mexican Food. You order at the counter and a server will bring your food to you at the table. Great Salsa bar just like any good Mexican Restaurant should have. The Burrito Mojado is my personal favorite.
(4)Shaun T.
I have only been here a couple times - most recently just a few weeks ago. I had chicken sopes - and they were tasty but the plate/presentation was a little plain. They just kind of slopped it down and had rice on the side not even taking up the whole plate. I wasn't disappointed with the portion size - it was just about perfect maybe a little on the big side - but the plate was very large and unappealing (wow, am I nitpicking or what?) The restaurant itself is a pseudo take-out/dine-in full service half service fast food joint. Dont get me wrong - the food is definitely not 'fast food' but you order at the counter and you're served your order at your table. This is a fine place for a nice lunch - nothing too exciting though.
(3)John M.
Really great sopes. The Burrito mojado is good as well as the enchiladas. Never a let down coming here.
(4)MScott S.
My dad to the guy behind the counter: "Do you have any non-alcoholic beers?" The guy: "Sure, hold on." He brings back an Amstel Light and opens it. "There you go." Me to the guy: "That's not nonalcoholic. That's just light. Do you have any ODoul's, for example?" The guy, a bit flustered at the prospect of having wasted a beer by opening it: "Oh no, I think this is nonalcoholic. See: 'light'. It says so." Wondering how someone could have missed all those superbowl ads, I responded: "Um, light means less calories, not alcohol-free. You have anything else?" He brings an O'Douls. He points to the label, "See this one has 0.5% alcohol. It's not alcohol free. The Amstel, it doesn't say the percent. So it must be free." Cut to a ten minute montage of debates about what it means not to print a percent alcohol, whether or not 0.5% is close enough to zero, and several taste tests by various parties. In the end, we got the O'Douls, a grumpy attitude, and an order of the nachos with grilled chicken. Those were the best nachos I've had in years. All is forgiven.
(4)Drew T.
This is a weekly stop for us. Everything I have had there I have enjoyed. Our regular is the chili rojo burrito and a Side of crispy beef or chicken tacos. Service is always prompt and friendly.
(5)Andrew G.
Great enchiladas, fair pricing
(4)David P.
Excellent shrimp enchiladas
(4)Rick C.
In my opinion, this restaurant offers the best Mexican food in Santa Barbara. Everything is always incredibly fresh. Their Chille Relleno is the best in town, by far. Seating is a drag so you have to get there early but it's worth it.
(5)Picky P.
Great food. Service is erratic. Salsa bar good (ignore their limit) Atmosphere nice. Kitchen really fast! Parking sucks. Portions huge.
(4)J M.
Best Mexican food in town!
(5)Mandy C.
Food was tasty but way expensive. For ordinary Mexican, there are much better options in this town. Not much seating.
(3)Nick K.
I went here for the first time today and I liked it! I had fish tacos that tasted nice and fresh. Its a conveniently located place with plenty of space. My vegetarian friend wasn't able to order anything except the salad. They use animal products of some sort in the rice.
(3)A S.
Their Mexican breakfasts are exactly what you will need after a long night partying on State St. If I were taken to a hospital post-Fiesta for alcohol poisoning and exhaustion, I am certain that the doctor would hook me up to an IV of Los Arroyos huevos rancheros to bring me back to life. Their orange juice is also the freshest and most delicious in town, and you won't pay an arm and a leg for it like you will at Tupelo Junction around the corner (not hating on the Junction, just saying). They also won't give you a hard time if you have to pay with coins because you realize you left your debit card at the Sportsman the night before. Oh Los Arroyos, never stop being you.
(4)Leslie J.
This is some of the best Mexican I have ever had. It is very authentic. The guacamole is amazing, and the beans are made from black beans, not pintos. Very tasty. I LOVE thee Enchiladas Arroyos. They are filled with halibut and shrimp. This is 5 star food at 1 star prices. You can't beat Los Arroyos.
(4)Don M.
Good pedestrian style Mexican food at reasonable prices. The salsa bar has some great and hot specialties. It can get busy, so be prepared for a line at peak hours/days. They also have a fidelity card, so if you plan to go often get one and rack up the stamps for a free meal.
(4)Amith N.
Awesome food. While you do order at the counter and then sit down, don't let that set you back if you are looking for a nice meal. The place is clean, looks good, etc. And the food is spectacular. These guys do it right. The prices are reasonable and staff are pleasant, but again, go here for great Mexican food.
(5)Joyce W.
ordered the chicken and beef tacos--delish! it was my first time here earlier this afternoon, at about 4pm after a 30 mile bike ride and my friend and i were FAMISHED. the meat was tender and juicy and the rice was so buttery and tasted amazing with the cheese they sprinkle on top. the salsa bar was also fresh and carried a wide variety from mild to super hot. the cabbage and onions also made my tacos 10x better.
(4)John W.
Great food and very fresh and fast service. A bit pricey for a counter service restaurant and it could be a bit spicier. But I'd definately go back.
(4)Darryl S.
I went to Los at least 2 times a week on my lunch break. What i love about this place is how reliable it was. I always knew exactly how my food was going to taste, which was delicious. The super hot salsa is sooo good, especially if you mix it in a milder one to get a chunky but smooth salsa with a nice kick. I dearly miss the burrito mojado with mixed meat...
(4)Jen M.
Don't be thrown off by the walk-up counter style of ordering- the food here is fantastic, as well as the service. Forget about La Super Rica- this is the best Mexican food I've found in Santa Barbara!
(5)april k.
Really great, authentic food. Everything is really flavorful and simply prepared. The fish tacos are heavenly, salsa bar is fantastic. Man, their guacamole is good! And what a nice bunch of people running the place.We are customers every time we're in S.B.
(4)Shawn C.
I've been coming here since I had a field trip for my spanish class at UCSB. LOVE the Arroyo burrito.
(5)J T.
A bit expensive for a burrito, but they have the best in town. Be sure and get chips and salsa, it's rediculously good here.
(5)Jesse B.
Santa Barbara is home to some incredible Mexican restaurants, but Los Arroyos has them all beat. The food is delicious, plentiful, and fast, and while it is kinda spendy, the quality is well worth the extra cash. Plus, any good Mexican establishment should be measured by the success of their salsas, and Los Arroyos has some kick ass toppings. Many places label their salsa "hot" and they're lying, but this place has heat that sneaks into your soul and makes your ears fall off. For quantity, quality and efficiency, Los Arroyos is stupendous. Don't forget to try the Jamaica juice.
(5)Neil I.
Some of the best Carnitas ever! Quick service and good food. Perfect for before or after a night on the town. Don't forget to try the salsas.
(4)M D.
I would describe this place as an upscale taqueria. Located off a side street in downtown Santa Barbara, you order your food at the counter and then find a seat. They deliver the food to you. My friend and I both enjoyed our food - quite good. Most of us expect complimentary chips these days at Mexican Restaurants but not here - you must purchase chips. I suggest the chips with guacamole (chips come warm - mmmmm). Very reasonable prices, good food, friendly service. I'd return.
(4)Andy W.
Stopped by for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Food was great! The pastor tacos were awesome, the guacamole was fresh and tasty, and the salsa bar was killer. Everyone at the table loved it. Not much seating for a popular place, but the food is worth the wait/hassle. Really good.
(4)James B.
Pretty good Mexican considering the downtown location. The quality seems to run consistent with the Montecito location. Although I believe the same items in Montecito are a bit more expensive, understandable though.
(4)Charles C.
This was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in SB. It was a small, unpretentious, family owned and operated establishment and by God, they made the best chile rellenos I've ever had! Fresh ingredients, wonderful flavors Los Arroyos rocks! I remember that you had to pay for the chips and salsa, but it was worth whatever small amount they were charging.
(5)Rick R.
whats not to like, good prices, family owned, fantastic breakfast and a great salsa bar....approved oh and o the guy that flamed the place with a 2 star review because he didn't like the chairs?//??? get a life
(4)Faith L.
Amazing Mexican food. Best ceviche outside of Peru! Really delicious. Worth going out of your way to eat there.
(5)Paul H.
I don't know about being one of the best restaurants in SB, but it is excellent quality and always consistent, it seems like we go there at lease once a week. For us, the best dish is the beef enchiladas. Oh, and the salsa is the best in town.
(4)Lori G.
OK, they were slammed and it was Christmas break and maybe I ordered the wrong thing; but Santa Barbara is almost officially Southern California and you should be able to get good Mexican food almost anywhere, right? And it is expensive for what it is AND you have to order at the counter. This is sounding like a 2 star-at-best review and it is for what I had, which was basically an over-cooked crispy taco and a chile relleno that was soggy and luke warm on the outside with cold, brick-like cheese on the inside. I was saddened by my meal, but the 5 other people I was dining with completely enjoyed their meal and the seafood enchiladas looked amazing...so 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars, heck it was the holidays and I am feeling charitable.
(3)angie b.
A chile relleno burrito and basket of chips with the tomatillo salsa would definitely be my last meal on earth if I had to choose one. I can't even explain the awesome-ness of this. As my boyfriend and I like to say, "It's jesus juice." I love all the burritos that I've tried, and their chips are always hot and crispy. Their salsas are probably the thing that puts the food over the edge of goodness, as they have a wide array of them and they are always fresh and taste fantastic. Burritos are definitely my favorite food, and I'm pretty sure I've tried 90% of the mexican places in town, and los arroyos still takes the cake, er, burrito. The tacos are also great - best fish tacos I've EVER had. Their homemade corn tortillas are sooo good. Everytime I have friends or family visit, I take them here, and they are never disappointed. The only downside is that people have figured out how good it is and it gets crowded on weekends. But it's totally worth it.
(5)tinybubbletoes L.
3 words: crispy. beef. taco.
(4)Megan D.
Had intended on trying La Super Rica, just 'cause we were "there", but we had ended up taking our sweet time on State Street. This place was next on our list and close by. I absolutley LOVED the freshly cut and cooked chips. Don't think I've ever had chips that fresh and warm (warm, yes, as in reheated, but not just cooked!). The guac was great, too, and I didn't mind that it wasn't a heaping portion. We did have dinner on the way. Yes, the ordering at the counter was a bit confusing at first, but I've been to many restaurants that do this (no matter the price), and once we navigated the menu and ordering process, it was easy to find a table, load up at the salsa bar, and wait for what was to come. And what was to come was delish! And it came quickly! I ordered a special, a chicken mole taco, which was smothered in a smokey sweet mole sauce. My boyfriend ordered enchiladas and couldn't help but finish every bite, even though he was stuffed after one. Overall, I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, very friendly service (even when I spilled salsa all over the salsa bar), and delicious food that satisfied our craving for Mexican food. The price may have been a bit more than we expected, but we were in Santa Barbara. WE opted to go for something right off of State Street and convenient. We left happy, and will have no hesitations in going back.
(4)Jason W.
Generous portions, affordable prices, genuine tastes. It's not a fast-food joint, yet you order at the cashier, which deters the hassle of asking for itemized checks if you're in a group and one person only has plastic. The sundry menu lists all sorts of items without compromising authenticity with originality.
(4)Allan D.
one of the better mexican eateries in town. its very clean. it is very cozy. They have a great salsa bar and give you decent portions. They have a great mariscos burrito and i hear their mole tacos. this is definitely a sit down and eat your burrito with a knife and fork kind of place. A little pricey but its worth it because their rice is really good
(4)Maryanne R.
This is a casual little counter-service restaurant that we visit every time we are in Santa Barbara. The food is fresh, nicely prepared, inexpensive and delicious. The service is always friendly and efficient. The place is busy and you may have a short wait for a table, but it's worth it. I would recommend the fish tacos, the chile rellano and the queso appetizer. Good kid's menu too.
(4)Ken M.
Best wet burrito. Period. Order the burrito mojado with chicken and bring your appetite. Can't really review anything else because in 10 years of going to this joint I never wanted to order something different. (OK, I have ordered this with steak and a few other items but none were as good.) One favorite quality of this place is speed. It may be the fastest burrito I've ever received - I have had it come to my table before I have had a chance to sit down. One awesome item can constitute a 5 star review.
(5)Anne R.
I'm not sure about Los Arroyos. I want to like it because it's downtown, easy to access with the parking lot across the street, and has relatively fast service. But in recent history, the only thing I thought was great was their gordita. I haven't had their chicken tacos in a few years, and I do remember them being good when I did have them. But more recently, I had a wet burrito which had burned chicken in it and tasted a bit like charcoal, I had another burrito that was just mediocre, and a few days ago I tried their al pastor tacos, which turned out to be pretty bland and disappointing. Hence my three star rating. Maybe some dishes are better than others, but why can't all of them be spectacular?
(3)Christopher L.
Perhaps one of the best restuarants in SB. You must try the Arroyos enchiladas. It's orgasmic. I've been here countless times.
(5)David M.
I recently went here with some friends on one of their parent's tab. It should first be made clear that if I had to pay myself this place would get a star less because the price they charge is ridiculous considering the experience you get. The food itself is pretty tasty, but the portions are not large enough to merit the prices that are charged. The salsa bar is robust and the chips are delectable; at any other place this alone would encourage me to give a higher score (though the fact that you have to pay for chips left me with a sour taste in my mouth). So why, you ask, did this place earn such a low score? First, the place did not offer much in the way of seating, instead of cozy booths or stylish tables the place boasts massive wood tables that would be more at home in a Norse mead hall than a mexican restaurant; these seats have a detrimental effect on both the ability to sit and atmosphere. Second, the workers, while amiable enough, gave me the feeling that they were trying to rush my friends and I out so they could refill the woefully cramped place with new customers (they even tried to take my plate while I was bringing a fork full of food to my mouth). Finally, the entire place was infested with flies. the damned things were everywhere, landing on food and exposed skin alike, both annoying me and giving me cause to doubt that sanitation requirements were fulfilled at the same time. Overall, while I enjoyed hanging out with my friends and having a free meal, I would have much rather enjoyed it somewhere else.
(2)Gary S.
Pretty good quality at a reasonable price. I had one of the specials - the soft tacos with steak. Very good. I also had the home made guacamole. It was pretty good but I've had much better.
(3)Allison T.
This was one of the more successful suggestions I've gotten from yelp!! Los Arroyos was DELISH!! I wish I could eat here tomorrow, again and again and again!! Homemade tortillas for their tacos, homemade corn sopas with shredded chicken were ah-maz-ing and their nachos tasted perfect and fresh!! A must go!
(4)Andrew M.
Los Arroyos has some of the best Mexican food in Santa Barbara. At their downtown location, it can be crowded and you do have to order from the counter, but their service is generally quick and the food tastes great. Maria's Enchiladas and the Burrito Mojado are favorites of ours. Also see their other location in Montecito for more of a sit-down dining experience.
(5)Lindsay S.
This review is for their catering - Los Arroyos catered our wedding about a month ago and they were so awesome. The food was AMAZING - one of our greatest regrets about our wedding was that we didn't get a chance to eat enough - because everything from the apps with chicken taquitos and cheese quesadillas to the taco bar with homemade tortillas, fresh guacamole and salsas... it was all so good - our friends and family still rave about the food. Areli and her team were so friendly, helpful and fun. I cannot save enough good things about them! I did most of the planning myself so Areli really help guide me in the right direction with rentals and ice and just general wedding things I would have never even considered. We really tried to keep a tight budget with our wedding - but wanted Los Arroyos and at first it seemed like a splurge, but in the end, I felt like it was an amazing value. Other caterers we looked into were initially cheaper per person, however, many of them placed the rental fees on us for tables, chafing dishes, cooking ware, etc. and ended up being just as expensive, if not more for lower quality food. If you are considering Mexican food for your wedding or next major event, Los Arroyos is the way to go. I wish I lived in Santa Barbara so we could eat there all the time!
(5)Suzie Q.
This is one of our favorite restaurants - and we are really fussy! We like both the downtown location and the Montecito one. Haven't tried the Camarrillo one. Our favorite dish which we ordered every time is the Rajas Con Queso. The tortillas are always super fresh and the portions are good. Salad is good. Service is super fast and the atmosphere is easy and nice. Also enjoy the crab enchiladas.
(5)Aric M.
I went to Los Arroyos with a friend as everyone says how great this place is. While the service was okay, the food sucked. The carne campestre (6 oz steak, rice, beans, and tortillas) I ordered left a lot to be desired. The steak was okay, but the rice was salty mush and the beans (were they ever beans?) looked like baby food, tasteless mush. My friend ordered the burrito and his rice was much worse. However, the burrito was really good. Having been to much better Mexican restaurants throughout SB and the world, I would not recommend Los Arroyos on Figueroa because of their inconsistent quality. If you do go, be careful what you order and don't have any expectations for the side dishes.
(2)Rachel H.
AWESOME FOOD. Everything was so fresh, reasonably priced and huge portions. Salsa was delish and the guac was probably the best I've ever had and I've lived in CA my entire life, so I've had some guacamole. I had the lobster quesadilla (special of the day) and it was full of plenty of lobster, huge slices of fresh avocado, and wasn't globby with too much cheese. Hubby had the carnitas tacos and loved them and our friends had steak burritos - one wet and it looked soooo good. Both loved their food. What is keeping me from giving five stars is this: 1) I waited a really long time to use the single restroom, and when it was finally free, a Los Arroyos employee exited. He left ZERO toilet paper (trust me, from the amount of time he spent in there and the smell, he was seated - sorry TMI) and didn't say a word to me or offer to refill the paper. I was stranded, thank goodness they had paper towels. The dude WORKS there. So lame. 2) They forgot hubby's order entirely. I also watched them screw up the order for the guy at the table next to us. They also entered our guacamole order not once, not twice but three times and each time tried to bring it to our table. None of this is terrible, but it's customer service stuff that needs to come up to the level of the awesome, delicious food they serve. We will be back, tho!
(4)Mark F.
What a difference location makes. In this case, it's 1 star. The two locations in Santa Barbara serve the same good food but with completely different atmospheres. West Figuero Street, I would consider a fast eat taqueria perfect for lunch but never for dinner. Coast Village Road location is a dining experience and great all day and night. But you can read about that in another review. Los Arroyos kicks out delicious burritos and enchiladas along with fish tacos but I come for the guacamole. quick service at the bar then seat yourself and wait for the food to arrive. The salsa bar politely reminds to you limit your taking. Maybe the homeless people like to come in here for all you can eat picante. Fast service, good food but a small dining space makes this taqueria great for lunch. I prefer the other location.
(3)Steve S.
Excellent ingredients, well prepared. I usually don't care for black beans. There's showed long cooking time and were tender and outstanding. Nice salsa bar with well crafted selections. Great lunch in a homey atmosphere. Only demerit is smallish portion size.
(4)Jessica B.
Fast, fresh, and delicious!
(4)I R.
I tast the food here and then... I get real happy! Oh golly its one tasty pinada place. If you're thinking of going, you should! It's delicious, it's scrumptious, it's down right lip smacking. Yeah, I'd go again. Try the wet burrito, it taste so good going down. Delicious!
(4)Ryan P.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant on the West coast... or the East coast... or anywhere for that matter! Try the Arroyo Burrito, and order some guacamole. Basically, everything that I've had here has been delicious, so I don't really think you can go wrong. Their salsa bar is excellent too. Wish I still lived on the West coast so I could go here more often!
(5)Vira P.
When I worked in downtown and craved Mexican food, this was the go to place. The food is delicious and the prices are good for Santa Barbara. It can get busy, so finding a table can be difficult.
(4)Billy D.
OMFG you had me at 'salsa bar.' 8 different beautiful kinds waiting your you to try made from cabbage, chipotle, tomatillo, habenero, roasted tomatoes, limes, and just plain red/green sauce. There's a sign up that says 'limit 2 per item' which I conveniently didn't see until after the meal. The taco was good, but bare without anything in it except chicken; boring for $4. The chille relleno was really the winner in my book. Totally immersed with cheese, sauce, and a light breading, it will take you back to Oaxaca - or wherever you have dreams of cheese-stuffed fried peppers. The employees were super nice and helpful. Only 1/2 block off of State street too.
(4)Brian P.
A little expensive but worth it. The highlights for me are the steak burrito mojado (the marinade on the steak is amazing) and the guacamole, which is freshly made and simply amazing.
(5)Zulien M.
The food here is delicious!!! Love the home made tortillas and sopes. and of course the homemade guac and chips. And they were really nice in accomodating a party of 9 right away. This is a place I would definetely eat at again when in Santa Barbara.
(5)M W.
Best Mexican food in Santa Barbara. Boom! I said it. Hand made tortillas, salsa bar, meat cooked to perfection and refillable soda. What's not to love?
(5)Mikey J.
WOW! I came here on a visit to SB, and ALL the locals recommended this place for a must-eat. I got the Tacos al Pastor. The ingredients are SO FRESH and the staff very friendly. One of the cooks even came out to chat with me about my hometown Chicago. I especially love the different salsas, so much variety! Writing this review makes me crave Los Arroyos (stomach growling), so I will stop here and say it was some of the best Mexican food I've ever had!
(5)Krista E.
Los Arroyos is excellent! We love coming here when we want to eat out because they are consistently good. They have the best chips and salsa and guacamole around and I LOVE their Tacos al Pastor as well as their taco salads which I take beans and veggie style. The guys love their CCT (crispy chicken taco), burritos and nachos. You really can't go wrong here.
(5)Tony E.
Excellent burrito. Chicken was fresh and tasty. Loads of different salsas to choose from.
(4)Nikki H.
Fast, good food! We live up in Seattle now and there's a few ok Mexican places but really - if you want GREAT Mexican food, you have to head south. We only had a very short time to grab lunch before having to get to the airport, so stopped into Los Arroyos. I had a simple garden burrito, but man was it good. Tasted very fresh and it was a hearty enough lunch to tide me over. The guac was bright and fresh, lots of awesome salsas to choose from. Service was FAST and the staff was organized and friendly. Will definitely eat here again when in town.
(5)Dacia M.
Stopped by for lunch today. I ordered the fish and shrimp enchiladas with rice and black beans. I also had the horchata water. The meal was not my favorite. The veggies gave it a different taste. I didn't finish it. My wife ordered the sopes. I had some of hers and I liked them better than my meal. The horchata was not my favorite either. I didn't taste the natural taste of vanilla and rice. It tasted very artificial to me. I liked the coke better, cold and carbonated. We also ordered the chips and guacamole and they were good. The chips were fresh and the guacamole had good flavor. They have a salsa bar with different types of fresh salsa. I would go back but will have to order something different than the enchiladas. Also, the bathroom was clean which is a plus.
(4)Mimi C.
I had the best dinner there last Sunday night, I was craving fish tacos and going to all our local hotspots that were packed and full of large parties and being a single diner I felt guilty taking up a whole table and I felt awkward eating alone. But when I went over to Los Arroyos , it was calm and easy the service was friendly fast and incredible , and my tacos and all the lovely fixings were INCREDIBLE !! Thanks Los Arroyos, I was so happy after I left and I didn't feel weird eating alone.
(5)Monica N.
I was looking for a quick bite to eat. I saw Mexican food here and took a peek from outside their large windows to investigate. Was it good Mexican food? Who was eating here? I took a look around and saw only gringos. I was skeptical. I asked my husband "Can you see in the kitchen? Are there Mexicans in there?" I was teetering on my toes trying to see the kitchen. Just then I heard a man's voice from behind me, a cook was taking his break while leaning against a tree." "Si, Mexicanos." he kind of wanted to laugh at me. Chile Rellenos, Carnitas, Tacos...it's all bueno. Cooked up in authentic Mexican tradition and served by smiling friendly brown faces.
(4)Janice L.
Sorry, but the fish taco was very mediocre and the ceviche tostada was sub par. No free tortilla chips either. This place sucks and have crying kids. Pass, next.
(2)Alexis I.
great food, super pricey, but a good location. wasy to grab food and then walk downtown. You walk up and order at the counter and then grab a place to sit and they will bring your food to you. Not a lot of seating room, but they definitely do their best to accommodate larger parties. I plan to go back, this place has been a great place to eat for years!
(4)Mina S.
I came here on a coworker's recommendation and i was not disappointed. This place is phenomenal, and in such a great location. I ordered the bean and cheese burrito and it had a good ratio of black beans to cheese (definitely go with black beans). The salsa bar was really what stood out. Every salsa I tried elevated thr burrito to new flavors, and everything tasted so fresh. I also like how the red onions in the salsas were kept to a minimum, since onions have a bad aftertaste for me. Hands down the best part was the free cupcakes available at the counter. Not the shop bought variety, but bakery worthy. I left the restaurant verrrry happy that day.
(5)Shelby R.
Disappointed bc we got food to go on a date when we got to shoreline to eat our food and we didn't get forks to eat our tostadas and the soda was warm and isn't twist off and we couldnt open it. so we're on our way home now with our warm food going cold. We come here a lot and otherwise we love this restaurant but we're disappointed for sure this time but we'll still come back eventually. I still do recommend this restaurant as this is the first time I've had a disappointing experience
(3)Mike F.
So good! Enough said. Great service and carnitas and enchiladas very tasty. This was our first time here and everyone was so friendly with the desire to help.
(5)Rachel F.
So in love. Tacos a Mano is everything I love about Mexican food summed up on one plate. 2 tacos (one chicken, one steak) with rice and beans = perfect meal. The rice is perfectly fluffy and the beans are so flavorful. Also, the tortillas are my favorite part--they tasted housemade. Their salsas are pretty great, but everything really stands on its own. It's a bit pricier than some other taquerias but to me, it's totally worth it. My boyfriend got a veggie Runaway burrito (ironically huge) and that was tasty as well. The staff was very kind and friendly, too. Can't wait to come back next time I'm in the area! Was a super comforting stop on the way home for the holidays.
(5)P E.
Simply one of the best Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara. I love their salsa bar, and their Arroyo Burrito is one of the best seafood burritos I've ever had.
(5)Helen D.
Oh my god, the food here is fabulous. I love it when I find a really good Mexican joint that just makes great food unapologetically. They have Caldo here! It tasted great. My skirt steak was awesome too. Corn tortilla please. Get some serious peppers over at the self serve counter. They do limit you though so choose wisely. Haha The table arrangements could be better cuz there was a table right in front of the entrance that did not make any sense no matter how you tilt your head. It's order at the counter and find your own table. So teamwork ok.
(5)Jen G.
Mexican food done right. Simple dishes that taste great. Not super fun expensive and that works for me. I love the California salad, tacos, and fresh salsa bar. This is my go to restaurant for week night dinner. If you want more of a sit down experience try their Montecito location. It's great for a little fancy!
(5)Michael J.
Here is a tip for all you frugal diners, like me. Taco Tuesday at Los Arroyos! I had two tacos, one with shredded beef, one with chicken...total cost $4.32! The salsa is free. So, go ahead, load up those tacos. What a deal and it filled me up! But remember it's only on Tuesday.
(5)Kim B.
Order at the counter, but food is brought to you in separate room that makes you feel like you're dining in a nice sit down restaurant. From the chips to the main course, everything we tried was delicious. The shredded beef was my favorite.
(5)Jennifer G.
Always so friendly! I often call the downtown location to place a pick up order and I have quite a few dietary restrictions and they are always so kind and accommodating and have my food often before the 10 minute wait time they quote. I love it. The food is delicious and fresh. I have an allergy to dairy and avocado. I order the garden burrito hold the cheese, sour cream, and avo. I ask for a side of red sauce (the pour it over the wet burrito) and it is very flavorful. Pro tip- it is a very popular place so calling in is helpful!
(5)Eric P.
Weird service ride bartender but very good food. Nachos, salads, high protein tenderloin burrito.
(3)Ashley B.
I love their combo plates! So affordable and great choices! I chose the crunchy chicken taco and enchilada! Delicioso!
(5)Dennis S.
1st time in as a recommendation from the hotel. Food was great. Al pastor was great. Nice salsa bar selection. Will definitely come back.
(5)Stacy G.
Our favorite Mexican restaurant in town! The food is so delicious and fresh! We have lived in SB for 20 years and Los Arroyos is our go-to spot. The staff is always kind and helpful, and that makes a big difference. We are always happy to see their smiling faces :) The salsa bar is fantastic too!! We love Los Arroyos and don't know what we would do without them! We literally crave their food on a weekly basis! Thank you for being awesome and delicious, Los Arroyos! We love you (did I mention that?)!
(5)Nathaniel P.
Quite frankly was disappointed. I had been loyal to Lito's and Rose's but went on a day they were closed. Friends had raved about this place for years, but it was just plain "meh" by any standard, nonetheless Santa Barbara's standard for Mexican.
(3)Christine Z.
I ordered the Tacos del Mar and it was delicious! I would definitely come here again! Not to mention, their service is quick! For how busy they were, our plates came out to us in less than 10 minutes!
(4)Tina P.
Happened to eat here because Savoy was closed early on a Sunday. Got the arroyos enchiladas and wasn't expecting much but it was sooo good! I love their rice almost as much as I love the one at Los Agaves! Their chip tray that they put the beans in are actually crunchy unlike Los Agaves! The enchiladas had more veggies than I thought but the shrimp and fish was very good. I got a chicken enchilada at Los Agaves, so it was different but I think I prefer the red sauce there over the green sauce here because it's more on the sour side. Otherwise, I love how they also have a salsa bar and their green salsa is pretty good.
(4)TopChef T.
Darn good! I had the shrimp burrito and it was tasty. Chips and salsa fresh and good. they serve beer. It was a great spot for our large group, and we were all very happy. Guac and Salsa were very good! Thanks!
(4)Paula K.
Friendly staff. I had Juanita protein burrito. The meat was nice and tender. The flavor was yummy. Salsa's were very tasty My husband enjoyed the fajitas too. I would definitely recommend the restaurant and look forward to going back.
(4)Young Mi K.
So disappointed. I'm a bit shocked at the high reviews. I don't think anyone could say the chile relleno here is anything special. Even the sope... What I do know is that everything was drenched in too much sauce and made everything super soggy and flavors muddied. This was not enjoyable Mexican. Maybe I'm spoiled by all the yummy Mexican I get in east LA. I'm really surprised by the positive reviews. On a side note, I also think the place has an identity crisis. You have the option to sit and have someone come take your order or to order at the counter, pay, and wait for the food to be brought to you. This makes consistency in terms of service all over the place. Some people get complimentary chips and some don't unless you ask. The servers usually get no tips since orders are completed over the counter. Servers are helping with ordering and finding tables for people. It's complicated. I wonder if the servers would be more on top of it and less rude if they just served and got tips instead of the quasi server role.
(2)Cherry T.
I love the food. My favorite is the chicken enchilada with verde sauce with rice and black beans. I finally have a house margarita for the first time and it was delicious! So I had a second one. :) This thing is that I love the Montecito location with it's full service and seating. But I avoid the SB Figueroa location like the plague because I hate that you have to assign somebody from your party to hunt and search for a free table to sit at before you can even order. And the room is a tight fit. Not a fan AT ALL. I usually like the guacamole but my most recent visit I wasn't too jazzed with it but my usual dish was excellent as usual.
(4)Matt K.
Great little place with gourmet type Mexican food. The special today was carne asada Sopapillas, very delicious. Good guac also.
(4)Andi L.
A great Mexican restaurant. Good margheritas and chips & salsa. Good menu with lots of variety. Really great wait staff.
(5)hans d.
Fun! Great Taco Tuesday no doubt! No second class tacos for the Tuesday special. I was impressed. Service with a smile, got a booth in back, had our friends meet us, and yay! Tacos! for $2. I had three primo beefy tacos, and everyone else had chicken. The girls had chicken? no se...beef is best. Go see and give it a test!
(4)Carl R.
First time here for lunch. I'm vegetarian so I tried the Garden Burrito which came with a serving of rice. This Garden Burrito was HUGE! I could only finish half of it. We also shared freshly made tortilla chips with fresh salsa and guacamole. What's notable is that all ingredients tasted very fresh. The tortilla chips seemed freshly warm and just out of the oven. The salsa, guacamole and tortilla chips all were amazing. Great ambience and location. Servers and staff were very friendly and did a great job. No complaints whatsoever, so.... 5 stars! Will be back!
(5)Simone D.
Great salsa bar, pleasant atmosphere, good service and delicious food. I had the carnitas chimichanga and was thoroughly satisfied. My only minor quip with this location is that they don't offer complimentary chips while you wait, but the food is so delicious that I guess you don't want to lose your appetite.
(4)Nicolai D.
I simply can't say enough about this place. Tucked onto Figueroa and away from State St., Los Arroyos sits next to the infamous Norton's Deli and holds its own with some of the finest Mexican cuisine I've ever had. And I eat a TON of Mexican food. A TON. I came here for the first time with my mother when she visited me at the university, and their dishes were fantastic (I can't remember what they were, sorry!). The service was quick, the open salsas available were delicious, and the atmosphere was more than comfortable. Returning this afternoon with a friend, I ordered their crab enchiladas and he had their steak nachos. The enchiladas were TO DIE FOR...like I'd take a bullet for that beauty. Coupled with their light mango salsa, perfect black beans, Spanish rice, and an ice cold Corona, I melted while I ate my lunch. His steak nachos, while simple, were still outstanding. The steak was wonderfully cooked, tender, and marinated perfectly. This will certainly be a staple whenever I visit Santa Barbara (and while I'm here for school). Cheers.
(5)Srikanth S.
Pretty good selection of fresh salsa. The regular rice n beans - made fresh and enjoyable. Good for small groups. The weird part..you have to go to the counter to order food. Busy nights..expect confusion and a bit of waiting. Place is small. But you'll come back for more.
(4)Moni A.
We came across this restaurant by mistake, but are so glad we did. The Maria's Enchiladas with grilled chicken were delicious! My son also enjoyed his taquitos. The best part? They don't use lard, but the food is still very tasty. We will definitely be back when we are in town. Thank God for happy accidents.
(4)Janet S.
Perfect short notice go to great food! Super fast and always consistent. Year after year-
(4)Jodi A.
We had a great meal while visiting Santa Barbara! It seems to be one of the few places in the area around our hotel that has wonderful food without a hefty price tag! The atmosphere was relaxed, only downside is they don't have margaritas! The fajita burrito was delicious, and all the toppings and sides were so fresh! They had a fantastic salsa bar with many different types of sauces which were all delicious with varying heats and textures. The staff was friendly and helpful. We will definitely try and have another meal here before the end of our time in SB!
(4)Amber G.
Los Arroyos catered my wedding and made all my wedding dreams come true! We met with the catering manager, Areli, about a year before the wedding. She was able to craft some vegan options for me (I'm vegan; hubby is not) and the tasting went PERFECTLY. Not only was the food good; we could tell Areli was very experienced and she offered tons of suggestions for things we had not yet thought of (such as how to serve our root beer float dessert and how to pass out tequila shots for the toast). Throughout the year leading up to the wedding, I mostly had contact with Aurielle, who was equally awesome. They were on top of everything and contacted me to pin down final details instead of waiting for me to call (which is a huge relief towards the end of wedding planning, trust me). And then the wedding was perfect. Guests LOVED the food and are still talking about it. I had always heard the bride and groom don't really get a chance to eat at their wedding, but I made sure we did because we were SO looking forward to it. And it was as delicious as I remembered! Plus, the catering staff was very professional and very fun and friendly. I am so happy we booked them and can't wait to visit the restaurant again.
(5)Eve K.
Small legit neighborhood Mexican spot. Tasty fresh ingredients that avoided being greasy. 4.5 stars Atmosphere: 4, food 4.5, service 4 Cost to worth it rating: 3 (breakfast burrito ~$6, tacos ~$10, burritos $8-12) Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Breakfast on weekends til 1: a set of breakfast burritos (my favorite) and other Mexican goodies like chilaquiles. Secret though is there's an egg burrito on the normal menu too - Machaca breakfast burrito: crispy shredded beef with egg, cheese, and beans in a fresh four tortilla. Not being a cilantro fan, I was worried it was included, but it wasn't pronounced being a small part of the overall flavoring - Salsa: very fresh. I loved the brownish roasted one and the orange chipotle one--both with spice but not too much - Queso dip: different than I expected but liked the hunks of cheese and thick mild green chile slices throughout - Kids meals: choice of burrito or quesadillas with appropriately small portions - Corn tortillas: often these lack texture and flavor and are too flimsy. These didn't have any of these issues - Rice: hub raved about this and its flavoring - Takeout friendly: counter up front to order from. Though if you'd like to eat in, there's a room to the side. Lowlights: - Full menu: I didn't get to try all of the things I would've liked to (sopas, filet burrito, langostino quesadilla, etc). Besides the standard menu, they had specials on another loose page and written up on the board. Liked this recommendation from my local friends and would come back again.
(4)Ryan B.
Apparently nobody told them that the chips are supposed to come before the meal (and are included in the purchase). This place breaks every rule in the Mexican food playbook. You leave hungry with an empty pocket.
(1)Mason M.
Our order took a bit to prepare but well worth the wait. Had the fish tacos and the ingredients are fresh. The place was very busy for a Tuesday afternoon.
(4)MICHAEL K.
Food could of potentially been good, but service was so horrible it didn't matter... Also my meal came out 30 minutes after the rest of the family and then came out so raw I couldn't eat it .. Nobody came by for 30 minutes despite efforts to flag someone. Down... Gave up and ate my sones left over bean and cheese burrito... Manager tried to make up for it by taking my meal off the bilk plus 20% discount.. Which was nice... But honestly to many good places in sb to bother with this place again..
(2)Venturelli G.
I love the ceviche tostada! One of the most authentic salsa bars around. It always seems busy but not so much so that you have to wait for a table. The patio is also nice to enjoy the wonderful Montecito weather. Enjoy the margarita's!
(5)Francesca R.
Not to happy. I was hesitant on writing this review but I think everyone who is thinking about visiting this place knows about my experience. First of the staff is unfriendly and the two woman working the front registers were not pleasant at all. The prices for the food is high compared to other fine Mexican restaurants. When I got my food the woman placed my salad down and I had ordered dressing on the side which she spilled all over my handbag. I didn't get upset when it happened as I knew accidents happen. She handed me three napkins...three napkins!!!! I asked for more and she handed me another two. I then said may I please have a wet towel since all the salad dressing spilled. She became annoyed and handed me it and now my creme colored Michael Kors bag was left with this hideous green tint. I e-mailed the owner to let her know what had happened and they didnt do anything about it. After this incident I never returned back and have told everyone I know not to return again. Service and food is not a huge loss, to many other good choices in Santa Barbara...check them out instead!
(2)D D.
Everything tasted fresh and authentic to me. I enjoyed the salsa bar especially - since Mexi food lovers know it's all about the salsa bar for the basic stuff like tacos and the like. The portion sizes are solid without being overwhelming. In terms of service, if you want chips, you have to ask for them. This can be a tad irritating. I would go back if it's convenient. But if you really want better cuisine with more options, you owe it to yourself to get to Los Agaves.
(3)Rebecca B.
Los Arroyos is restaurant that is known for its authentic Mexican food as well as their attentive staff. Unfortunately, I was incredibly disappointed in the lack of quality among the food and staff during my last visit. I came in around 5:30 on a Saturday night and the restaurant was about half full, if that. I was greeted by Claire who took our orders without an issue. After sitting down at our table, I found multiple balled up napkins under the table. No one came by to clean it. No one offered. I order the exact same thing every time: 2 item combo plate, soft steak tacos, add lettuce and cheese. When I received my tacos, they were absolutely plain. No lettuce and cheese. I brought my plate up to the counter, stood for about 2 minutes with no one helping me, until finally Tania (who was talking and laughing with the cooks) turned around. She turned and said "What happened" and stuck out her hand to grab my plate. No question. No "Is something wrong with your meal?". Nothing. I told her that I had asked for lettuce and cheese and she took my plate and turned back around to the cooks. I stood around because Tania didn't tell me what was going on, I thought they were going to just throw some on the tacos, which is all I wanted. She then turned back around and said "You can go, I'll bring it to you". I left and went back to the table. When she came back 2 minutes later, she just blurted out "tacos" and held my plate in front of me across the table. Where are the days when the staff let the elderly veteran sit at the table. Where is the staff that was always so kind and welcoming? In the end, the tacos were good and I left full. Tania I could live without. And the new bean/tortilla bowls. Those can go too.
(2)J C.
I made a point to visit this restaurant before leaving Santa Barbara. I had their Burrito Mojado. It's a wet burrito topped with cheese, sour cream, and guacamole with a side of rice. The marinaded meat was tasty and tender. The burrito was smaller than what I'm used to, but still enough to leave you full and satisfied. I also ordered their new sopaipillas to-go. Since it's a take-out order, they give you 2 salsa cups to pack your choice of salsas to-go. I'm not sure if they charge extra if you request for more salsa cups. The last time I had sopaipillas was in a well known southwestern restaurant in Colorado's oldest town. It was one of the best desserts I've ever had. I still remember despite the fact it was 10 years ago! The one in Los Arroyos is actually an entree with shredded chicken and vegetables similar to a tostada. It was nothing special. I wish they actually made dessert sopaipillas. My search for real sopaipillas continues...
(4)Jeannine B.
Just walked out of this place. They need to update their hours. Thy close at 9pm. We go to order and when I say it's for her she looks at me and says we close in 10 minutes. Umm ok... I guess we will leave I say. Weird and not very customer service orientated.
(1)Alex O.
I always order the steak fajitas and share with a friend. The grilled onions, bell peppers and avocado along with the salsa are delicious. For $15.00 this is the best deal for two people at this place. The other items for one person are too much for what you get and lack flavor. The chicken taqutos are good too.
(4)Roselle W.
We were looking for a quick bite before a concert at the bowl and stumbled upon this restaurant and it was excellent.
(4)marisa v.
Wonderful! My boyfriend and I stopped here on the way home from driving along the coast. Service was great and the food was fresh. Homemade tortillas! Fresh salsa bar too. Would definitely come here again.
(5)Cynthia C.
Los Arroyos has been one of my favorite places to go since moving to Santa Barbara two years ago. It's a little on the pricey side, but the food quality and portion size always made it worth it until now. Even when the service was less than good, the food was always good enough to bring me back. The last few times I've eaten there the portions have become ridiculously small. Today I ordered the basic bean and cheese burrito for $5.00, but it came with hardly any beans inside, and so unfortunately I think today was the last time I'll be going back. Very Disappointed.
(2)Micah A.
So hey. I have now been in California for almost two years, which means I am an expert at claiming I am an expert on things related to California. Mexican food is one of those things! Los Arroyos was recommended to me by my aunt. It had a tremendous salsa bar and chips that were tasty. But the food was... Well, it was. It was basic. Very, very basic. I was not actually that fond of it, but in Bronson Arroyo's defense I ordered items I would not normally order, because I thought "hey, a place to try new things!" New things are bad. I do not like new things. However, I am giving it four stars because I also don't believe that one should just a place based solely on their own experience, and the two people I was with both enjoyed it a great deal. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things. Or perhaps they have poor taste in food. I know for a fact the latter is true but I am going to give them credit for the former, because I should have ordered something that I like. Also, the service existed but I do not remember because this was like a month ago. Maybe I should give it three stars. But I am not going to. Take THAT society!
(4)Kevin T.
Really enjoyed this place -- came for lunch. Has table service and a salsa bar, but ordering at the front (fast casual style) means you can get in and get out pretty fast. Thought my burrito was excellent $ There is a parking lot across the street
(4)Kristin K.
Decent salsa bar and a passable bacon breakfast burrito. Off State Street which is always a plus. Cute spot and will likely hit it up again soon.
(3)Chris T.
so good! al pastor was bomb.com and the posole was spicy as hell! made the cold go away!
(5)Kevin F.
Very disorganized when busy! Self service, but no self seating, but you wouldn't know that from the time you enter. No freebies... Food not worth the price! NEXT...
(2)Lisa S.
Tasty Mexican place off the main street in downtown Santa Barbara. Order at the counter and then find your seat. They have a lot of options and all their food is pretty good. Also have a full service location in Montecito. I love the burritos, fish tacos and ta quite.
(4)Chacon L.
Was happy to come to Santa Barbara- it's been a while. Looked up a few Mexican restaurants in the area and decided on Los Arroyos. We were not disappointed! The food was amazing, the ingredient was very fresh and the service was adequate. Had the arroyo enchiladas (fish, shrimp, peppers and veggies) awesome! Rice and beans were great and the guacamole was tasty. Salsas had the perfect flavor with the right amount of spice! Definitely recommend Los Arroyos to my fellow Yelpers!
(5)Tom D.
Great crunchy tacos! We had the beef and they were fabulous. The chips and guacamole were fantastic. The chips were hot, light and fresh. The salsa selection was also great. The chili relleno was good, but it could have done without the red sauce. The place is clean and the service was friendly. I recommend eating here.
(4)Tim P.
Average Mexican food. Had a carnitas burrito, and it was amazingly small, half of the typical size of most places. Meat was more just basic pork than the expected blend of soft plus crunchy diversity expected in carnitas style pork.
(2)Debra R.
I snagged the last table during the locals' lunch rush. I ordered at the counter, and filled my own glass of delicious tropical iced tea. My order of two perfectly grilled large shrimp tacos, with authentic black beans arrived promptly despite the crowd. Lots of salsa choices included a habanero that was labeled very hot which was perfect on the beans. Pico de gallo was fresh, not watery, one of the best I've had outside of Zihuatenejo. I ordered the meal without rice since other Yelpers complained about it, and was given a double order of their tasty beans. Yes, it is more expensive than other Mexican restaurants and places with counter service, but their high quality and salsa are worth it. I will be back!
(5)Steve M.
I'm in LOVE -- amazing fish taco -- fresh clean taste -- awesome salsa bar -- perfect lunch.
(5)Ashley P.
I think this place is honestly Yelp overrated and hyped up Came to try it out on a few occasions based on good reviews from coworkers & after reading some yelp reviews, and have tried the burritos and Maria's enchiladas. The enchilada sauce was whatevs. Something crucial seemed to have been missing from both of these dishes for me that wasn't cutting it for me or making me want to run back tomorrow to get something else. They were on the bland side, and the best part about this place has actually been the salsa bar (which made the dishes MUCH better) and warm chips that i've had to request on the side (for free at least), but then again, many places have an assorted salsa bar BOTH were mediocre and i've tried a solid amount of Mexican food in my life, it nothing dazzling or special enough to make me want to come back or make me dying to instagram a foodie pic and rave about it, and i'm a bit disappointed because I thought I could trust some of these reviews!! Lets just say I could be as easily pleasured and satisfied from something from Chevys. & If this place and Los Agaves were to have a battle, i'd choose Los Agaves in a heartbeat The pricetag is also what kills this place for me, the enchiladas and burritos were pretty small (12+ dollars for 2 s/m sized enchiladas). Overall, not impressed, what would only keep me coming back are the delish & solid salsas Although I have heard good things about the Pozole (perhaps one more lucky chance) Sometimes some of the workers give off a strange and unfriendly vibe as well that makes me want to dip as soon as im done! Some type of scheming or lightweight secretive haterade that radiates through. Some fans or AC would be nice also as I was sizzling in there from the summer/fall heat!
(2)Samantha L.
Oh my gosh this place was exactly what I wanted! Not far from state street and amazing food! I have NOTHING bad to say about this place. The salsa bar was so delicious and the food has excelled my expectations. The food came so incredibly fast. We ordered and (I'm not kidding) two minutes later, all four of our plates came out. This will be definitely a new favorite spot.
(5)Slo B.
oh yummm guys! I've been here several times, and to their camarillo location, but I prefer this one by a lot! The service is great and speedy too. All the salsas are wonderful, and I loooooove that they have Fresca on their soda fountain. I mix it with iced tea and it's delish with all their dishes. The pozole is wonderful, as is my favorite thing to order here, the sopes. We came here for dinner after spending the day at Cottage Hospital by a family member's side (they're doin' fine) and it was a welcome respite. and by the way....DO NOT MISS THE GUACAMOLE!!!
(5)Katie R.
I ordered the kids Bean Rice and Cheese Burrito, expecting it to be around $5 or $6. I ordered and the cashier had no idea what she was doing. I asked for a bean rice and cheese burrito, she barely knew what that was. She charged me $7 for the burrito and an additional $1.75 for the rice (that was supposed to be in the burrito). My friend ordered the same burrito but a regular (not a kids) and they charged her for a steak burrito. Her bean rice and cheese burrito was $8 (including rice in hers). When I got my burrito it was about half the size as the regular burrito. It fit on my palm, which says a lot because I petite and TINY hands. Let's try another perspective: my phone was bigger than my burrito. When I ate the burrito they didn't even include the rice!! How difficult is it to put three ingredients on a tortilla and wrap it up?! Will not be eating there again.
(1)Dana T.
Love love love! Fresh, clean, tasty, affordable---and great service! Will be back very soon!
(5)Michael K.
they messed up my order and did a stellar job repairing it with an extra dish. nobody is above free food, 5 stars.
(5)Chad M.
They got the best tacos in the area. beef is the best but all are good. If you get the breakfast burrito ask without the potatoes because they put way too many. Their chicken in the chicken tacos are soaked in various herbs and its very good.
(4)Henry P.
i would have honestly say this is probably one of the best mexican restaurants i have tried.
(5)G E.
Don't waste your money. On a recent trip to Santa Barbara our son wanted fish tacos. We waited in a short line and quickly ordered a la carte two fish tacos minus everything but the lettuce for $4.95 each. The seating area was small and after waiting for a couple of minutes a group left and a table opened up. Someone from the back came to clear the dishes, but never cleaned the table. We thought that someone would be right back so we stood there holding our drinks waiting to sit down for a good five minutes. Finally we went up to the front and asked for someone to clean the dirty table. The tacos came and the lettuce that we ordered was missing. We asked our waitress for a side and she was nice enough but she never came back. We ended up going back up to the counter to get a side from the back. The lady at the counter gave us attitude. She said that we never ordered lettuce on our tacos and then finally handed over a small bowl of shredded lettuce. It was poor service overall. Pros: Off State St. Our son seemed to enjoy his food. Cons: Terrible customer service Over priced
(1)Aaron D.
At first glance, Los Arroyos looks as if I was going to love it. Everything is clean, Salsa bar looked good, diverse menu, kitchen smelled great, well designed store, comfortable environment. Unfortunately, their first impression failed me miserably. I ordered the Chile Relleno Burrito from a woman who's face could not break a smile, and her mouth scowled when I asked if the chips were made on-site. Our meal came quickly, and as I dove into it, my burrito had great flavor but was cold in the center. The Chile Relleno was pre made and tasted like it might have been reheated in a microwave. The Salsa bar was a bit of a disappointment too, being that the chip salsa had the flavor of canned tomato sauce (which I like to call "Minnesota Mild"), and the remaining sauces were just a little under flavored. Based solely on the flavor of my food, I would have given this restaurant 4 stars. But being so close to State street, Los Arroyos should have no excuse for lacking so much on the essentials of everything else. Let the Midwestern tourists of State st enjoy this place, because I will be taking my taste buds back to Milpas st for good Mexican food.
(2)MC T.
This is a great lunch stop when your downtown on State Street. Definitely try the tostada ranchero salad, tacos y manos with chicken, or the chile rellano burrito. All of these dishes are phenomenal. Another favorite is the tortilla soup - you can not go wrong, and it is literally a saving grace when you are sick and under the weather. Just be sure to call ahead to see if they are serving the tortilla soup before venturing down there since the soups change every day. The spanish rice is by far my favorite out of all of the mexican restaurants I've been too in Santa Barbara. Be sure to order the chips and guacamole - it's super yummy and the chips are always delivered hot and fresh. Also, they have self-serve salsa bar with a mix of spicy and delicious salsas to choose from. You are sure to leave here full, satisfied, and happy!
(4)Andy A.
Good not great. Super fast food, but priced like an actual restaurant. The best thing here was the salsa bar. Atmosphere was okay but it felt like the most cramped I've been eating somewhere in a while. If there is more than 4 of you, don't go. Only 3 booths to accommodate, and forget about it if you have kids. Overall, just an okay place to eat.
(3)Carolina J.
Love the food!! Service questionable when it comes to a specific person he's extremely rude and has no hospitality skills what so ever. Hope someone finally says something to this guy because he seems to never improve. Server's name is Pedro and after working in other restaurants its shocking that he is still in the restaurant business. Probably the rudest server I've ever dealt with ever.
(4)Daisy L.
Came here for the first time. Experience was great. The food and service was excellent. Delicious and clean.
(4)Madeline A.
I got carnitas tacos. They were good.. The meat was like, crispy. They were out of rice and beans, which was disappointing. The salsa was good though, and they have jalapenos out.
(3)Connie W.
Awesome Mexican food, Pozole is great, burritos fantastic!!! Worth a stop! Oh and cleanest bano ever!
(4)Tessa O.
We have been dining fairly regularly at Los Arroyos since they first opened in 1999 and sadly I think I just made my last visit. My office just moved nearby and I have enjoyed lunch there alone 5-6 times recently. I have an Axxess Card, which is a card sold to LOCALS, not tourists, hence promoting repeat business. There is a buy1/get1 deal and after that it's free chips and drink with purchase. Each time I have dined there in 2014 I have utilized the recurring deal simply because I was dining alone or our family had ordered take-out at dinner and the buy1/get1 is for dine in only. At some point during 2014 I'm sure my husband and I would have used that deal. Today the manager refused to honor the discount, which I would completely understand except that it had been done for me by every other staff member. She was horrifically rude, then proceeded to have a loud, ranting conversation with the customer behind me about this being their first year using Axxess and it has never worked since day one and it's a bad program and a mistake. Really? Not only was this exaggerated conversation happening for my benefit - but you were slamming one of your marketing partners! The fact is, Axxess is a great program that generates repeat business. The PROBLEM is not an Axxess Card issue - it's a TRAINING issue with the Los Arroyos staff. If they had the card offer stated in the restaurant, if your staff were consistent with the "rules", the program would work just fine. The saddest part is that you were ready and willing to embarrass me in front of your other customers after I had paid and was waiting patiently and politely for my food - over a single entree discount, $10 max. Considering the amount we have spend over the past 14 years and would have spent in the future is likely into the thousands, I hope it was worth it for you.
(1)Adena B.
So, there are three locations: this one, the one in Montecito, and another in Camarillo (perfect after a full day of shopping at the outlet stores). This and the Camarillo ones are pretty laid back, while the Montecito location has got more of a nice, sit-down vibe to it. The food at all three, however, is excellent. I don't know what it is with their Caesar salad, but it's SO good. It's just your average Caesar, but there's just enough garlic, deliciously crunch croutons, and the right amount of dressing. Also tasty: +ARROYO BURRITO: a seafood burrito with halibut, shrimp, roasted red peppers, onions, zucchini, black beans, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. It's served with rice OR Caesar salad OR house salad (psst... go for the Caesar. If you wanna feel like a beached whale walking outta there, get the rice. And finish it. I dare you.) +CHIMICHANGA: essentially, a deep-fried burrito with shredded beef or chicken, black beans, and cheese. This comes with rice, guacamole, sour cream. Gut-bustingly delicious. +TACOS al PASTOR: my then-boyfriend swore by these. Two soft tacos with grilled seasoned pork, pineapple, and onions on homemade corn tortillas. These are served rice and black beans OR a Caesar salad. With decent prices and excellent service, Los Arroyos is definitely the place to go to when craving good Mexican food.
(4)Marvin S.
I used to love this place sadly the quality has gone down. I ordered a carne campestre this time, the steak was super small compare too previous experiences but the worst part was that it was totally dry, I went and asked what kind of steak they gave me, the meat was way too well done and the worst part is that the desever told me that i should've asked for medium, instead ofbthey asking me how I wanted my meat cook they wanted me to tell them, then he told me that probably I got confused with the tampiquena, which doesn't make sense because the tanpiquena is much cheaper and it is ranchera. I know what I ordered and I am disappointed. No going back to this place anymore I will drive farther and go to Los agaves is so much better now.
(1)Levi W.
Stopped in after a long walk down state street to feed the empty stomachs and we are def pleased!! The food is so amazing and the presentation is beautiful! You have to order at a counter then sit down and wait for ur food, there's not really any servers to assist with ur experience and the food is so good and at a price where you SHOULD have servers! It would really make the experience much better. Oh... Had to pay FIVE DOLLARS for an un-refillable bowl of chips! Wonder if the owner has ever been to any other Mexican restaurant before?
(4)Gregory M.
Everytime I come to Los Arroyos, I noticed everything I eat is fresh. When I come to Santa Barbara I used to think about Norton's deli: they have a really good pastrami. But... right next door is los Arroyos and everything there is really really good. The best I've found in Santa Barbara.
(5)Jacklyn T.
Their food is okay and prices are a little high. Burrito with a side salad for $13. Their salsa bar is nice but their food is just average tasting.
(3)Bill P.
The food here is delicious. Recently one evening we decided to try this place because our normal Mexican places on Milpas had gotten a little boring, a little greasy, and one which will remain nameless is just too heavy on the toppings and sauces. We had sirloin soft tacos and the combination platter with chile relleno and chicken enchilada. Both were excellent, well seasoned, and not greasy or fatty. The relleno was by far one of the best I have had while living in CA. Definitely not pre made. So, I'm not sure what happened during Aaron D's visit. And the salsa bar was definitely not disappointing - it had at least 5 types of salsa! I would never ask an employee in a counter service restaurant like this if something was "made on premises" because in such a casual and inexpensive place, it shouldn't be expected. If the chips are fresh and tasty, what does it matter where they are made? Asking if something is made on-site is reserved for those 5 star fine dining restaurants IMO. 2 stars is a harsh review in my opinion, but I guess we are all entitled to our opinions. Just go and try this place, you will like it. And we shouldn't be too critical of the Midwestern / Minnesotan tourists on State St, because they help keep the economy of our great city humming along.
(4)P. H.
My mother in law and I came here while visiting Santa Barbara. We walked here from our hotel. We passed on a few other "mexican" restaurants that looked like they were trying to be fancy. Boy were we glad we did. The service was wonderful. The food was so good and fresh. It was authentic and we could tell it has to be a local favorite. Definitely worth checking out!
(5)Mariyam M.
No chips? Seriously? At a Mexican eatery? I'm sorry but I was appalled, especially since they have a tantalizing salsa bar on display. This is a super casual place where you order and pay at the register, seat yourself and fill up your own drinks. Given that it is self serve, the pricing is way too high. I had the tacos del mar, with one shrimp taco and one fish taco. The shrimps were ginormous and fresh which was nice, the fish taco was bland. My friend got the tacos al pastor and thought it was too saucy, I tried some and it was okay, although the pineapple they cook it with throws off the flavor for me. We also shared the ceviche which was way too lemony and mushy, would not recommend. I would go to an el torito over this place.
(2)M A.
Los Arroyos Montecito wasn't quite up to par! The service was rushed and servers seemed not at all relaxed which was a mood wrecker for sure. The mole was way too sweet and steak bites awkwardly large for the small tacos. The tacos rajas were delicious though, as was my marguerita. Maybe the staff was transitioning or something but just wasn't very welcoming.
(2)X Y.
This place is AMAZING. One of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to. They have a salsa bar with so many different varieties, you really can't go wrong. My absolute favorite was the salsa asada. You definitely get your money's worth here. Quantities are large and filling, and prices are reasonable. Service is also very friendly and attentive. I will definitely eat here again when I'm back in this area.
(5)Stan W.
My best friend used to work at SB Outfitters and I met him here for lunch a couple of times and I totally dig this place. I've had the burritos and tacos and I have not been disappointed with any of those dishes. What I enjoy about this place is the great flavors from the food without the greasy, heavy feeling after the meal. The food tastes fresh and comes out of the kitchen quickly. Los Arroyos reminds me of Chipotle but with a more extensive menu. The prices are very fair and the efficiency of how they operate makes this place a great option for people on a short lunch. I dig this location too because is far enough up State Street that it's not too overly crowded but close enough to the action of downtown. So if you're looking for good quality, good tasting Mexican food for a decent price Los Arroyos is a great choice. If you happen to over eat and the weather is nice, you can walk it off window shopping on State Street.
(5)Ruben F.
Wow my favorite. I live in LA but I am thinking of coming back here soon. Everything tastes fresh and cooked with care.
(5)Angela R.
I highly recommend Mama's Salad with steak! This salad has grilled veggies, avocado, and your choice of grilled steak, chicken, or shrimp. I usually get the balsamic vinagrette dressing since it seems to really compliment the salad and it tastes homemade. You also have the choice of ranch too. They have a great salsa bar. My only GRIPE is you have to buy the tortilla chips! For the cost of the food here the least they can do is give you complimentary tortilla chips, especially when there is a salsa bar. I can go to other mexican restaurants in town and get free chips.
(3)Martha L.
Food was okay, fajitas burrito had too much black beans and another needed more sauce. It was my first time there so I thought I would use my Access Card , it was denied for pick up orders but the book didn't say that.
(1)Ariane C.
This is our favorite restaurant in town, period. We've been coming to Los Arroyos at least once a week for years, my husband and I always get Maria's Enchiladas. So good! We've gotten other things from the menu from time to time, every thing is great but we keep coming back to the enchiladas. We especially love the iced tea, chips, and salsas too. This restaurant has quickly become our toddler's favorite too, she loves the chicken sot tacos and can eat more chips and salsa then both my husband and I combined. The only downfall is the people working there always kind of look like they're too busy to smile and say hi. Other places we frequent all recognize us by face and know our orders by now. The restaurant is always clean, the interior is gorgeous (love the big heavy wooden tables and chairs - especially appreciative of that now that we have a toddler who sits on a chair every which way), the food quality is consistent.
(5)Kent M.
Reasonable prices, easy to order up at the counter and get your meal delivered at table. This is genuine and good, fresh mexican food. The salsa bar is outstanding, and even includes a habenero/onion salsa that burns appropriately but not obtusely. Worth going a block West of State Street for great mexican.
(4)Brennan N.
I dig this joint. Good food, excellent service, pleasant atmosphere, fast. It's not THE BEST Mexican food I've had, but I do still enjoy it very much. Plus the girl at the register is cute. What more could I ask for?
(5)David M.
I took my kids here for a burrito. We overpaid for a simple, very small burrito with refried beans and rice. They do not have steamed vegetables, and when I asked they would not accommodate us. Overall pretty disappointed that they do not know what a healthy meal for kids is. We will not eat here again.
(1)Nicole G.
Great food- we had fish tacos and beef chimichanga. Amazing. But- margaritas suck- order beer. Otherwise fabulous
(4)Cathy N.
Absolutely LOVE this place and everything we had here! The Burritos were fantastic! I will definitely be back!
(5)Ani H.
If you are wandering around SB and don't know where to eat, pick this place. Been here a couple of times myself, the husband has been here a dozen or so times. The people are friendly, the food is pretty good. The guacamole is plentiful and they have a good salsa bar. The food is fresh and flavorful. They have a great variety on their menu and the meat is well prepared. Went there for the nephew's 7th birthday and he surprisingly enjoyed his birthday flan.
(4)Sakya T.
It is a self serve place but there was a guy helping out. We had a baby with us and he helped us getting situated. Food wise it is average. We ordered the veggie fajita, which was sub par. But it came out fast. So if you are looking for a quickie then you should go for it, else keep looking.
(3)Stephanie L.
I am so glad I found this place! I chose to have today's special, mole enchiladas, and they were AMAZING! It was great having chips that were still warm from being freshly made brought to the table too. My friend had the chile relleno and said it was the best she ever had. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Maria Z.
Had this place recommended for its authenticity to had to try while in town. I ordered an horchata which was the main reason I go to mexican and it ran out! It was around 7 pm on a busy sunday but they ran out! Instead I had to order some tea. The food is good but definitely not a place where you say "oh I have to go there". The seating is an issue becasue its find your own spot and so its hectic being the place isn't too big. To order is kind of a mess because there is no real order as far a a line to get in, and the hostess don't really tell you where to go.
(2)Michelle H.
NOMNOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! FISH/CRAB ENCHILADAS ARE SO AMAZING. chips are bomb. their rice is amazing the beans are so heavenly their salsas are soo freakishly good. love love love!
(5)Eric W.
Food was amazing. The service wasn't. The counter doesn't make sense. It feels more like a sit-down restaurant with waiters. My wife is a vegetarian so when she asked the girl at the counter if they could make veggie tacos -- beans instead of meat -- she said no. My wife asks this almost everywhere and she's never been told no. Putting beans in the taco instead of chicken or beef is ... cheaper for food costs! Food was really delicious as we realized. It was also a bit awkward with one person at the counter and like 5 people ready to order.
(4)