Authentic Mexican cuisine. Would love if they had better wine. But food makes up for it!

Always been curious to try this place, finally did so today. I thought it was a order pay and then seat type of restaurant , but it's actually a seat in restaurant. The ambiance seems very nice and had a very nice decorated dining room. It took a while for them to notice I was there, I just wanted to order for take out and they weren't very busy, only about 3 tables were occupied. Ordered chilaquiles to go, and they were satisfying. Not so great but were very tasty regardless. My chilaquiles even came with more chips and salsa. Oh and I ordered off the breakfast menu at around 12:30pm so will be back again, I can eat breakfast for all meals read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Chilaquiles - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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El Rincon Bohemio is such a hole in the wall find! It is located in the back of a plaza on the right if you were looking. We had the Axxess card (buy one dish get one free) and found this restaurant on yelp. The service is very friendly and quick! You know this is a quality place if they've been around since the 70's! The waitress graciously refilled our water whenever it was past the half way line, which was important because the green sauce was HOT! We got the green chilaquiles and a plate with cheese enchilada, beans, spanish rice, and a chicken taco. The chilaquiles is definitely something anyone who is a first time visitor should try. The plate was very delicious and well made. Both of these dishes are LARGE so you will be full, we had to take some home. Although I am a HUGE cheese fanatic, and by huge I mean I would eat blocks of cheese if I could, the dishes had a little bit too much for me. That pains me so much to say, but if both the dishes were just a little less cheese empowering, I would've enjoyed it a lot more. - J read more

We've never been here! We went on a Sunday and it was busy. It's a cute little place at the back of a strip mall. There is a warm wood feeling inside with several booths and a patio area outside. We walked in and were told to seat ourselves. The only booth left had a clear view of the kitchen. We chose our "go to" Mexican plates. I had a chile rellano with a cheese enchilada and Wifee had a crispy chicken taco with a cheese enchilada. We tried the chips and salsa and we both thought the chips weren't fresh. The salsa was runny and had little depth. As we waited, I watched the kitchen line work. They put out a lot of soup! Either Menudo or Pozole, it was coming out fast. I noticed a microwave being used a lot and wondered why that was necessary. We received our plates and they were insanely hot. The server warned us before but WoW! I was disappointed to see my plate was a huge mess of sauces, rice and beans. It was one of those plates where you don't know where the enchilada begins and the rice is located. My wife said her taco as ok just had one flavor, her rice was bland but she liked the beans. Server never checked on us until the check came. Overall, with all the exceptional Mexican restaurants in SB we won't be back. However this place has been around for decades so maybe our experience is not the norm. read more

Been here a few times mostly because it's on the Access card. It's pretty good. Got my usual shredded beef taco and a chile relleno. My husband got the carnitas plate which also came with a cup of albondigas. I thought the soup was good but he thought it was a bit salty. Its great for the two-for-one deal. They had a location in Goleta which says closed here on Yelp but I asked when we were there and the waitress said new name, slightly different menu, but same owner. read more

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"El Plato Grande" very filling and delicious... The order includes Chile Relleno, enchilada and shredded beef taco with loads of

So we really enjoyed the staff. The red salsa was extremely mild and the green salsa we requested was nice and hot. Chips were fresh. Everything had a mild flavor. The chile relleno was homemade and stuffed full of cheese. The lettuce was also very fresh. We stopped on our way home from a trip to Northern California. It had easy freeway access and we will stop again. read more

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I wish I knew about this place sooner, I went here after an appointment I had in the area and it was the most amazing Mexican food I've had in Santa Barbara! Authentic Mexican, food served extra hot and delicious. Highly recommend coming here, excellent and friendly staff as well. read more

Been coming here since I was a kid... such good food always!! Burrito supremo and chicken tostada are my faves!

Service is ok(also there was a lot of people so might be that). The food was great, I look forward to this place on Sunday dates with my mom. read more

My wife and I and friends have been very happy with the food the service and their speed. We haven't been since the virus started, but I read they have outdoor seating. We'll be there this week for sure. Joe and Joyce McDeviitt read more

I love this restaurant for reliably delicious dishes. The chilaquiles with chicken is so savory, it's my go to!

Looked on Yelp for a place for some good menudo , this place did not disappoint!! Really really good tasting menudo , with all the sides to go with it , and good serving sizes as well!! The michelada was also really good!! Would recommend for the menudo and michelada, will come back if in the area again! read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Michilada modelo !! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Great food that tasted like no other Mexican restaurants around here. Their menudo soup lived up to my expectation after reading about all the praises in the reviews: mild, flavorful and filled with chunky slow cooked goodies (I was surprised to find a bit of tendon and skin in there, nice touch!), and it didn't have the strong smell of stomach like those I've tried before. Not to mention it came with a large tray of condiments to choose from. The chicken tostada, on the other hand, was unexpectedly delicious. The chicken came in as juicy shredded chicken, and had so much umami flavor that surpassed any other chicken I've tasted in US, and it reminded me of a good Chinese hen soup. Looking forward to coming back for another enjoyable meal! read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Chicken tostada, incredibly tasty! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I had such high hopes after seeing the reviews I haven't been feeling to well so I wanted to go get some albóndigas soup to help. Got 2 large orders to go spent $40 only to get home and have to recook it myself because the meatballs were raw inside. Really disappointed almost felt like they were rushing to just get us out the door and they didn't care if we had a bad experience. Would honestly give 0 stars but that's not an option. Super disappointed. read more

Great little hidden restaurant. It may not be the best around, but it is still a great local place. Same waitresses are always there and food is consistent. Chips usually very fresh and there's 2 types of salsas...the mild seems very generic (and almost store-bought) but the hot is very good. Food is always very hot. Really good beans and the sauce on the enchiladas is so good I wish I could take a jar of it home. Parking can be a challenge around the lunch rush. Overall, it's a great place to go, especially away from the hustle and bustle of some of the more crowded places...it's full service instead of ordering at the counter as most other local places are. read more

The price is not worth the food. Really disappointed. I don't recommend eating here. You are better eating at Taco Bell read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Plain carne Asada plate - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is not my first trip here but it is my last.As ee walked in i thought i was walking into a Freezer. It was Damn cold...i ordered cheese enchiladas and it was 2 toritllas drowning in cheese No flavor. Aside was albonda soup No flavor. Bobby ordered 2 beef tacos. He said they tasted old. I always give a second chance sorry wont be back read more

Had lunch there today. Good service, good basic food, but seemed 'americanized' to me in the sense of not very spicy or reflective of Mexican cuisine in any regional sense. Rather generic. I had the Burrito Supremo, which was loaded with meat but short on spices. Little evidence of red peppers or cilantro. Spouse had cheese enchilada platter, rated as not quite as good as the former Pepe's in Goleta. Maybe the specific Queso Fresco used, don't know. On the plus side, they did serve Negra Modelo beer, my go-to with Mexican food, but strangely didn't have Cholula hot sauce, but rather Tapatio or Tobasco, meh. On balance, I'd have to say, 'OK' but you might do better if you are a little picky about your Mexican food. read more

SHREDDED CHICKEN. When I first moved to Santa Barbara 9 years ago, I immediately found a list of all the Mexican food restaurants in the area looking for my "go-to" Mexican place. I was on the hunt for greatness. Thankfully I found it within the first 4 places on the list of 100s. It was here, El Rincon Bohemio, that I found a true Mexican restaurant that gave me what I wanted. I always judge a Mexican Restaurant on their marinated shredded chicken. If they don't have said shredded chicken, "I'll be on my way Jose". They have it down to perfection. Order the Burrito Supremo with shredded chicken and I guarantee your eyes will close in ecstasy. Im sending off a future "you're welcome" I love this place and I only hope I can continue to come here and enjoy their exquisite Mexican cuisine. Oh ya, the margs ain't to shabby either. read more

horrible service, horrible food, this is the worst place to go eat, I wouldn't even take my enemies here!! 0/10, oh & the owner is super rude when you let them know of your complaints, just go to Taco Bell, & or buy a menudo from a can which will be much better read more

I found this place by accident, I was trying to find a different restaurant but it was closed. Service was good, but the food was bland. The burrito was huge but it was missing flavor. Not going to knock this place, but I can't legitimately give it 5 stars either read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Burrito Mexicano - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I hardly eat Menudo, but when I do, I indulge. So far for my own taste, I love the one from El Rincon Bohemio. You can get it with/without hominy, with/without cow's feet. For condiments they bring out onion, lemon, dried oregano, cilantro, diced jalapeño and pepper flakes with a side of tortillas (corn or flour). They serve it every day of the week and not just on weekends. You can also bring your own container (pot or thermal container, etc.) to take home. read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Menudo and a michelada. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great little authentic restaurant in a hidden location! This is one of my favorite spots to order posole. It's fresh, infused with immense flavor, just the right amount of spice, and served in a large bowl complete with all the fixings. I don't know what their secret ingredient is, but it always tastes amazing. A must-try! The dining room is on the smaller side. On a sunny day, they will open the huge patio, adjacent to the cafe, for dining. It's a great spot to enjoy your meal along with the mild Santa Barbara climate. Service is always quick and friendly. The last time I was there, our busboy was extremely attentive with filling up our water cups, which I appreciated. This is a wonderful option if you're in the mood for a true Mexican meal. This place knows their food. You won't leave disappointed. read more

I always forget about this little place. It is so tucked away that a person really has to intentionally go there! A friend had suggested it for lunch and I could see how scared she looked when I pulled out my phone and clicked on Yelp. As I checked in she said in almost a panic.... "Don't give them a bad review--I love this place!" I reassured her that I had eaten there before and promised, based on my past experience, that I would not be giving them a one-star rating. We ordered. She had Abondigas soup and I had a number 22 combination. A beef taco and a chile relleno with rice and beans. Ordered a coke. Surprisingly my meal came out first... again she looked at me. She knows how I hate it when a restaurant serves one meal before the other. And for Pete's sake, hers was soup! A few minutes later her soup arrived. I have to say that the food was wonderful. I really like the shredded beef in the tacos and the crispy freshly cooked taco shell. The chile relleno was very nice as well. The abondigas soup seemed to be excellent! Then we waited for our check....and waited.... and waited..... it occured to me that my coke was empty half way through my meal, does this place do refills? I wouldn't know. We hadn't seen the waitress since our food was dropped off. Isn't it nice when you are part way through your meal and someone checks to make sure everything is OK? I think so. I smuggly asked my friend if she was having a five-star experience. We got up and went to the register, still having not received the bill. The cashier quickly sorted it out and we were on our way. Is my 3-star review absolutely sincere? Of course it is! Had the service been a little better I might have been tempted to give it four stars for the good food. Certainly not as good as Los Agaves and that is my current standard for five stars, but I will be back. read more

Very disappointed NOT AUTHENTIC at all!!!!!! Ok so we stopped at this restaurant because it boasted the best menudo in Santa Barbara....ummmm NO!! Extremely disappointed!! Their menudo is watered down and somewhat bland. It tastes like canned menudo and even some canned menudo is way better.......so so disappointing :( Not only is their menudo "ehhh" but their chilaquiles could have been sooo much better. First you NEVER mix green and red sauces. I ordered their chilaquiles (traditionally they came in red sauce...some places will offer both red and green) and asked that they be made extra spicy. When they came out they had been topped with green chili sauce. You cannot eat red chilaquiles with green chili sauce!! Not only did they commit a chilaquil cardinal sin but they were soggy too. This is what I referrer to as "white-Mexican food." It has all the potential but watering it down just ruins it, save your money go to Taco Bell instead. I was extremely disappointed and will not be dining or recommending this place...go somewhere else. I do have to say that the service was good. Very friendly and attentive servers but the food completely ruins the experience NEVER AGAIN!! read more

What a poor, pathetic excuse for a dining establishment. Places like this make me think twice about reading Yelp reviews, because how on Earth this place can average 4 stars....well, it's a joke. Large party, we called ahead to make sure they could accommodate us. They said they could, but they were not prepared whatsoever. That they were actually busy is another mystery. I'm still not sure what was more dreadful, the food or the service. Or the margaritas. Oh wait, maybe the chips. After I took a bite of my first chip and salsa I should have got up and exited immediately. I knew right then it would be horrible, and it was. Terrible non-existent service, everything was marginal at best but mostly bland, and if you come here you will absolutely be disappointed. read more

I think all I've ever had here is the pozole but it's the best I've had in town and I won't stop coming back for it. It comes with plenty of fixins-cabbage, radish, lime, oregano, chile, onion and with tortillas or guacamole tostadas. They serve it every day, too. The outdoor patio seating is very nice and cozy. read more

Very good menudo... hits the spot when your hungover! The service was good but the played Vicente Fernandez greatest hits....personally I could listen to like two Chente songs before I say WTF! So besides that I was a solid 4 stars on the menudo! read more

Just because your place has been here for nearly 30 years and you've been slinging this hash for nearly all of those years, doesn't mean that you can just drop the food off and never return to see if everything is okay. I guess you know that the food is good... We would have liked to tell you that it was. El Rincon Bohemio aka The Romantic Corner (nothing romantic about it)...stuck in the 1980's. read more

Had a bad experience with super bland food. The service was great, very nice staff. The decor is dated. The food had no flavor and they need to change their fryer oil. The food could use some help. Everything tasted watered down. Will not be headed back here. read more

Bland food that all tastes the same. They pour the same sauce on everything. They had ketchup on the table and when we asked for hot sauce, they just brought us another cup of green salsa, instead of the red one they brought out with the stale chips. Plates were so hot to the touch that they burn you when readjusting on the table. Would recommend the cook staff taste test their food for flavor... As they currently don't have much. Service was slow and inattentive. They had specials for the "Fiesta" but our experience was nothing to celebrate. read more

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Just received order from sb food connection, ordered a shredded beef burrito w no beans, received a burrito that was basically rice and beans. shredded beef almost non existent! Horrible restaurant....never again!!! read more

After searching Yelp for a spot that served Menudo, El Rincon Bohemio was the top location with the best menudo Stopped by during a weekend getaway in Santa Barbara. I ordered a bowl of menudo. It was very flavorful. My girlfriend ordered the machaca plate. I took a bite out her food and it was also good. If you're ever in Santa Barbara area and in need of some great menudo, this is the spot. read more

Tried this place again last week. It smelled moldy like old people's house when we walked in. The chips and salsa are subpar. The taco we ordered was ok but the cheese enchilada tasted funky like they used some old cheese. Probably the last time we go there since there are so many good places to eat in Santa Barbara. read more

Don't even waste for time! Bad Service rite off the bat only three people in there... RUDE Óyeme que mal servicio read more

This place is great for a food coma. The portions are huge at a relatively inexpensive price. Plus even though it's not super fancy it's always clean and the staff are nice. I always get the enchiladas when I'm here and can barely finish my plate. Whenever I've gone it's been pretty empty (which can be nice). But that might be because it's a bit out of the way and kinda hidden if you're not already familiar with the place (or haven't seen the sign). read more

My husband and I always come here anytime we have a craving for Menudo....so far the best in Santa Barbara. Love this place and service is great read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Menudo - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Bottle of beer $5! Tostada $15! Average food, fly buzzing around my area, overpriced

To those who said the menudo here was not authentic..you wouldnt know authentic if it slapped your mom in the face.. im a cook who grew up with mexican families and studies the cuisine..MENUDO DOESNT COME SPICED!!! YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR THE ACCOUTREMENTS. Its like this because its good for a hangover and your body is very sensitive at that time so you add what you want. You get Serranos, oregano, lemon/lime, onions, chili flakes, cilantro, and salt.It was soo good i had a nice beer to wash it down.. im a customer for life..service wasnt the best though..but it doesnt matter. read more

El Rincon Bohemio - Some of the best menudo ive had in a long time.. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California