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    El Sitio

    4.1 (166 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

    El Sitio Photos

    EL SITIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Sitio

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    Timothy A.

    This is the third El Sitio I've tried in the SB area. I like all of them. Here, I tried a veggie burrito, which was quite satisfying. It wasn't overly cheesy or rice-centric. The red salsa was hot and flavorful. I also loved the elaborate Christmas miniatures.

    Adobado plate
    Lianna M.

    Good amount of food for the price. I've ordered many different items from here in the past, from tacos to burritos, but this time I ordered the lunch special with adobado. Their adobado pork is so yummy! I love that the plate came with a half of an avocado. Made the plate super filling. Their salsa is also really good, I'm bummed that the salsa bar is closed! It is what it is, for now. The staff here is really nice, and the restaurant keeps it at a maximum of two customers at a time. I felt safe ordering from here. I'll be back!

    Exterior
    Carol K.

    Why are there so many locations? Uh HuH... it is delicious. I love the pasilla pepper burrito (beef) or Pasilla pepper torta. The burrito has the exact amount of rice and beans so you are not overwhelmed with filling food and you can savor the fabulous flavors. They do Mexican food right and there is really no reason to go anywhere else. Ever.

    Take-out nachos. Enough for two!
    Liana C.

    I called ahead to order nachos and wow, they are HUGE! Very quick pick-up, reasonable price, and you get a lot of food. Actually big enough for two. When there's a bunch of people waiting outside, it must be good, right?? Don't let the a hole-in-the-wall vibes deter you! Thanks for making my absolute favorite food so well SN: Please update the health score for this year on the Yelp page.

    Mixto Especial plate. Shrimp, cheese and rajas served with rice and beans.
    Eddie V.

    We were staying at the Lemon Tree Inn, which happens to be property adjacent to El Sitio. We were in the mood for some Carnitas, and I found El Sitio on Yelp, with good reviews AND a short walk from the hotel (approx 450 feet)! Amazing food! We ordered a breakfast burrito with ham and eggs and the Mixto Especial plate. My wife and I had a Ratatouille moment where we swept into our memories of home cooked meals. The beans are wonderful. The burrito was packed with scrambled eggs and diced ham slices. It was exactly what my wife's grandmother would prepare at home. The tortilla had great chew and held the burrito together without tears or crumbling. The Mixto Especial plate is a shrimp, rajas (julienned strips of Serrano and Bell peppers) and cheese dish, served with rice and beans. It was very flavorful and exactly what I was looking for. This is a true hole in the wall. There are only 4 tables, and most of them are 2 seaters. This is primarily a to-go business, but we got lucky and got a table, so we ate there. They offer fountain sodas for beverages. All of the food is prepared to order, so they have a little sign that asks for each customer's patience on the food prep. They do not consider themselves a fast food establishment. If you're ever in the area, give this place a try. The other burritos, tacos and torts looked pretty good. They've got steady business, so you know this place is legit.

    Adobada tacos close up! Soooo yummy
    Angela R.

    I've written a review for the location on Fairview but the food to me here tastes way better than their other locations. My go to choices on the menu are usually the carne asada burrito, and brocheta de pollo which is chicken sautéed with mushrooms, cheese, onion and bell peppers. It also comes with corn tortillas so you can make yummy tacos from it. On my latest visit I tried their nachos suggested by Javier J. who raved about them so naturally I had to try it. Well he was right they were pretty bomb and massive in size! It was a mountain of nachos and they didn't skimp on any ingredients. For $9.99 I'd say this was well worth the money! They also have a taco special for only $6 bucks and you get two tacos & your choice of meat served with rice and beans on the side. There's a small salsa bar with pico de gallo, salsa verde (my fave), red salsa, and grilled jalapeños. The inside of this restaurant is very small and can get stuffy inside but there are a few tables outside. It's not the cleanest place but I've never gotten sick here and the food is good. Give it a try!

    Dnainsb G.

    Tiny hole I the wall with a strong following. They mainly use a flat top grill so the flavors are mixed well. Parking is easy in the shopping center. I had the chicken mixto. Chicken,bell pepper, onions and mushrooms on a flat top grill. Topped with cheese and served with corn tortillas and some chips. It was very good but a huge amount of bell pepper. My wife had the chicken floutas, which were essentially taquitos made with flour tortillas. They were very basic. My son had a chicken burrito. He really liked it! They crisp it on the flat top after it's folded so it has a little crunch to it. Overall this place has a large following who love the food. I wouldn't run back but the Tortas looked very good.

    Busy at lunch

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    4 months ago

    Very good, very tasty. I've tried it all, about to do my second run through the menu.

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    4 years ago

    Excellent authentic Mexican food. No nonsense, just really good, prepared fast. Get there early to avoid lines

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    6 years ago

    Delicious as always. It's better to call and order ahead so you're not waiting outside.

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    3 years ago

    In an unassuming building, an incredible menu of Mexican food. So delicious and authentic. All made fresh to order.

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

    I love their carnitas torta it's absolutely delicious, it's a definitely must. The service is also great and friendly.

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    4 years ago

    Best breakfast burrito I've tried in Santa Barbara Recommend it if you haven't tried it

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    Los Agaves - Burrito Mojado Con Extra Carne

    Los Agaves

    4.5(4.6k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    The food, service and ambiance are superb. Ironically we were going to another taco place but it…read morewas closed today. My husband and I were delighted to experience such a clean, fresh restaurant. The prices are right as well. Highly recommend!

    Los Agaves On De Lavina St. -- A Rare Review from Someone Who Hates Writing Reviews…read moreI spent 25 years owning a business. I know what good service looks like, and I know what entitled looks like. I never write reviews -- I watched Yelp destroy good people over bad nights, and I swore I'd stay out of it. Tonight changed that. I sat at the bar. It took the bartender over five minutes to acknowledge I existed. Another five to ten to deliver a Coke. I ordered dinner and waited forty minutes -- which I might have forgiven, except getting his attention was nearly impossible the entire night. No eye contact. Body language that made clear I was an inconvenience, not a guest. Every interaction felt like I was interrupting something more important. When I finally got him to check on my order, he went to the computer and discovered he'd never placed it. I walked out. I noticed the people around me weren't faring much better. The slowness wasn't just my experience -- it was the room. Los Agaves appears to be a popular place, and maybe on another night with another bartender it earns that reputation. But entitlement has a way of spreading when nobody checks it. I hope management is paying attention -- because a beautiful restaurant dies one invisible guest at a time.

    Photos
    Los Agaves - Fresh new update to the restaurant

    Fresh new update to the restaurant

    Los Agaves - Cocktail Apps!

    Cocktail Apps!

    Los Agaves - Margarita Flight

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    Margarita Flight

    Corazon Cocina - So much food!

    Corazon Cocina

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Back to table service! Yay!!!…read more Attractive and very clean restaurant with great service. Truly delicious Mexican food. I love pozole - Cc's rendition is top notch and comes with all the extras to put in the soup including avocado, chopped onion, a whole fried tortilla to break up into the broth and Mexican oregano (the small is more than enough for one hungry person or to share with two).Homemade chips come with a four salsa selection ranging substantially hot to a delicate tomatillo green. I tried my tablemate's tacos, all three varieties were very very good. I've had takeout from here, but it's really worth going in person because the food is nuanced and best when piping hot as it's made.

    Corazón Cocina is located inside the Santa Barbara Public Market (food court like setting). Just a…read moreheads up, the parking lot is extremely tight, and finding a spot can be frustrating, especially during busy hours. This is a Michelin-recognized spot in 2021 and I came in with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, the seasonal fish ceviche was a major letdown. The albacore tasted overly fishy and had a stringy texture. The combination of watermelon, cucumber, and avocado was creative and refreshing, but the fish itself was disappointing. We ended up picking around it and eventually threw away all of the albacore because we didn't feel comfortable eating it. Thankfully, the tacos were a completely different story. We ordered the skirt steak taco and the octopus taco, and both were fantastic. Great flavor, well-balanced, and easily the highlight of the meal. The other downside was the service. The guy taking the order was dismissive and turned away when we told him about the quality of their fish in their ceviche. Between the disappointing ceviche and lackluster service, it was the tacos that were the saving grace.

    Photos
    Corazon Cocina - Corazon Cocina

    Corazon Cocina

    Corazon Cocina - Sal de Mar Ceviche

    Sal de Mar Ceviche

    Corazon Cocina - Sal del mar.. Good but could use a bit more acidity. Comes with tortilla chips.

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    Sal del mar.. Good but could use a bit more acidity. Comes with tortilla chips.

    Flor De Maiz - Scallops chiltepin

    Flor De Maiz

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$

    A Must-Visit in Santa Barbara If you're visiting Flor de…read moreMaiz, you absolutely cannot skip this place. We ordered the pulpo and the chicken mole, and both dishes were incredible. The pulpo was perfectly cooked--tender with a great char and packed with flavor. The chicken mole was rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying, with that classic complex mole flavor that keeps you going back for another bite. What really stood out, though, was the service. It was phenomenal from start to finish--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling rushed. The staff clearly care about the experience they're giving guests. The food, the atmosphere, and the service all came together for a great meal. If you're in Santa Barbara, make sure this spot is on your list. Highly recommend.

    We came in as a group of 14 for a reservation and the food itself was genuinely delicious -- the…read morefresh corn tortillas and ceviche were my favorites, and overall the flavors were great. That said, the service experience really brought things down. We arrived at 3:00 for our reservation but weren't seated until 3:20. Once we were seated, it took a while to get settled -- some guests in our own party were slow to get moving and had clearly had a lot to drink, so there was a strong smell of alcohol at our table for a bit, which added to the chaos of getting everyone situated. On top of that, the staff seemed overwhelmed the whole time. There was a fiesta event going on, so the whole restaurant was using plastic cups instead of glassware, which felt a little unfestive for a place at this price point. The music was also very loud, which made it even harder to flag anyone down for service. Despite it being clear the staff were short-staffed and stretched thin, no one offered any acknowledgment, apology, or gesture of care for the wait or the overall experience. The food quality (minus the steak) makes me want to come back, but the service needs real improvement, especially during busy events. The steak in particular didn't match its price -- it tasted more like a $35 steak than what we were charged.

    Photos
    Flor De Maiz - Romantic lit candles along steps

    Romantic lit candles along steps

    Flor De Maiz - MOLE NEGRO   Jidori chicken| black mole | rice | fried plantains | sesame seeds | tortillas

    MOLE NEGRO Jidori chicken| black mole | rice | fried plantains | sesame seeds | tortillas

    Flor De Maiz - Flan - delicious! And I'm not a flan girly

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    Flan - delicious! And I'm not a flan girly

    Loquita - Broccolini

    Loquita

    4.4(1.8k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    My husband and I were visiting Santa Barbara for the first time and celebrating a special occasion,…read moreso I made a reservation here for a special dinner- and I'm so glad I did! We had such a wonderful experience from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. Our waiter was attentive and checked in on us regularly while still giving us plenty of space to enjoy our food and conversation. We sat outside, which I highly recommend if the weather is nice. Even though the restaurant was busy, the atmosphere felt intimate and romantic. We ordered two tapas, two cocktails, and the paella, and we were completely stuffed! We ended up taking quite a bit of the paella home, and thankfully, it was just as delicious reheated the next day. We actually wanted to come back again the following night, but decided to save it for another special celebration when we visit Santa Barbara again. One of the sweetest touches was that they gave us a postcard with a handwritten message- it was such a thoughtful little detail that made the experience feel even more special. Definitely recommend for a date night, but I could also see this being such a fun spot to experience with a group of friends. We'll absolutely be back next time we're in Santa Barbara!

    I have been to Santa Barbara multiple times but I am so disappointed in myself for not dining here…read moresooner! From the food to the service to the ambiance - everything was perfection! We ordered a paella and 6 small plates - for 4 people it was just right. We were also hungry but unfortunately did not leave room for churros. Next time!

    Photos
    Loquita - Cake table set up by staffers.

    Cake table set up by staffers.

    Loquita - Gambas Al Ajillo

    Gambas Al Ajillo

    Loquita - Piquillos Ahumados

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    Piquillos Ahumados

    El Sitio - mexican - Updated August 2026

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