Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Sitio

    3.7 (64 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 8:00 am - 8:30 pm

    El Sitio Photos

    EL SITIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - El Sitio

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Eddie D.

    El Citio is a mainstay in Santa Barbara, this one in Montecito is tucked away in a neighborhood. Solid tacos!! Try'em!

    Barely any meat.

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Great food I love their pico de gallo. Always been my favorite in Santa Barbara. Highly recommend food without a doubt.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great burritos. This is arguably the best el sitio in sb but for some reason has a low review. I recommend the rajas burrito.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Massive delicious chicken burrito, super quick service! Salsa bar is clean and great!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    I only had the carnitas tacos and the green salsa but it was fantastic! Super fast service too.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Best Mexican restaurant in town. They are vegetarian friendly and have some of the best salsa. Check them out.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aaron D.
    158
    14
    8

    4 years ago

    Great tacos! Recommend el adobado. No frills, but has a nice sunny patio and the price is right.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex G.
    136
    12
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    $18.07 for an asada burrito and a can of coke is ridiculous. Barely any meat. Sorry for the bad review but I'm mad about this.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim K.
    4
    14
    4

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bryan M.
    332
    189
    6

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rolando R.
    80
    107
    39

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg W.
    379
    623
    3061

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris G.
    5
    104
    332

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    El Sitio Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Sitio

    Review Highlights - El Sitio

    The subtle umami and saltiness of the filling balance perfectly with the otherwise simplistic, bright tomatillo salsas and pico de gallo.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 15,634 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Los Agaves - Burrito Mojado Con Extra Carne

    Los Agaves

    4.5(4.6k reviews)
    0.9 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

    See all

    Margarita Flight

    Corazon Cocina - So much food!

    Corazon Cocina

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    2.0 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.

    Corazon Cocina is a Mexican seafood restaurant located in the Santa Barbara Public Market in…read moredowntown Santa Barbara. It was featured on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list but started off as a pop-up. You get in line and order your food. Then you get a buzzer that rings when your food is ready. They have some dedicated seating for customers but you can sit anywhere in the public market. We got the al pastor ($6.95) and coliflor ($7.95) tacos. The sizes were bigger than normal but I thought they could've used a little salt and the al pastor was a little tough. The sal de mar ceviche ($23.95) could've used more salt and lime but it was still refreshing with the watermelon. For drinks both the passionfruit margarita ($21) and hibiscus margarita ($24) were good. You can ask for their three salsas of varying spice levels. The food and drinks were on the pricier side too but we didn't think the quality matched the price.

    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.

    See all

    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)
    1.3 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

    See all

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

    Loquita - Broccolini

    Loquita

    4.4(1.8k reviews)
    1.4 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!

    Popular, over hyped just ok restaurant. Service was soooo slow and the paella just ok. Tomato…read morespread appetizer and artichoke appetizer were solid. I love a good sangria - this was not. My dining partner didn't finish hers. I ordered a second and had two sips. Expensive night out with mediocre food in a lovely space.

    Photos
    Loquita - Cake table set up by staffers.

    Cake table set up by staffers.

    Loquita - Gambas Al Ajillo

    Gambas Al Ajillo

    Loquita - Piquillos Ahumados

    See all

    Piquillos Ahumados

    Maíz Picante - Insanely delicious tacos!

    Maíz Picante

    4.7(326 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    I just wanted to take the time and leave a review for this amazing company! They catered for my…read morewedding reception in Santa Barbara by the beach. Their service was absolutely amazing, as well as their communication and timeliness. The food was delicious so much so that all of my friends and family praised how tasteful it was. The drinks are yummy too! I couldn't be more happy with how everything went. I was already a customer previously before my wedding, and I really enjoy their tacos and burritos! If you're wondering if you should use them as a vendor for your upcoming event, definitely do it!

    We stopped by about 20 minutes before closing because of all the great reviews, but unfortunately…read morethe customer service was really disappointing. As soon as we walked in, the woman working the register seemed visibly annoyed that we had come in before closing and rolled her eyes at us. She immediately said, "Umm, we're closing, so you want to take it to go?" We were already planning on taking our food to go, so the attitude felt completely unnecessary. While we were waiting for our order, another customer walked up to ask her a question, and she continued staring down at her phone and completely ignored her. The woman actually had to say, "Excuse me?" just to get her attention. I completely understand wanting to wrap things up at the end of a shift, but if a business is still open, customers shouldn't be made to feel unwelcome for coming in during posted business hours. We specifically chose this place because of the great reviews, so this was a really disappointing first impression.

    Photos
    Maíz Picante - Inside seating and ordering counter

    Inside seating and ordering counter

    Maíz Picante - Great service and delicious tacos. I highly recommend the steak with potatoes taco.

    Great service and delicious tacos. I highly recommend the steak with potatoes taco.

    Maíz Picante - Volcanes de bistec

    See all

    Volcanes de bistec

    El Sitio - mexican - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...