While Joe's is iconic as a local watering hole, it's really the Wednesday stuffed chicken special that my mom and I come back for. My mom's family lived on Cota St. for decades (since the 1940s), so Joe's holds a special place in our hearts. I lived there during my stint at SBCC, and during that time, it became a monthly-ish tradition for my mom and I to gorge on the blessed stuffed chicken. Now, we're both out-of-towners (shout out celebrity gentrification!) but we always make it a point to stop by Joe's when we're in the area, especially if it's a Wednesday. It's impressive this dish has maintained its quality in the 15 or so years my mom and I have dined here. That's not even considering the excellent staff or the old-school diner ambiance amid the beauty of State Street. Long live Joe's! read more

Joe's Cafe - Wednesday stuffed chicken special - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Joe's Cafe on lower State Street in Santa Barbara, opens at 7:30 am to showcase its extensive menu. There are numerous attractive items and I had a tough time choosing. However, by the time I got there, it was past noon and selected their daily special which was a stuffed chicken dish. Think of something like cordon bleu, white meat stuffed with 3 different cheeses and spinach, then breaded on the outside and deep fried. The dish arrives hot and sliced in 3-4 good sized pieces. Lovely aroma and optics. The chicken meat was moist and tender, the cheeses melting in harmony and each bite delivered a piece of that crispy outside. For the sides, I chose the mashed potatoes and vegetables (zucchini and carrots), both of which complemented the main perfectly well. Service was attentive, caring and friendly. This eatery has a spacious dining area and the place can get busy. Not surprising, because there are so many options on the menu (for breakfast, lunch and dinner), that there is every reason to come back, so you could try more of the vast menu. read more

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Had to come to Joe's Cafe while here. Had a drink because they are legendarily large pours according to local lore. Umm. Can neither confirm nor deny that claim. Recommend you check it out and report back! Enjoyed the wines and service at the bar. Reasonable drink prices. Great place! An institution. read more

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I ordered the Salmon Salad, I had to ask for dressing as the dressing was not in the salad. The drinks were pretty good too. My kids got scrambled eggs, with bacon and toast and my husband got the meat marinera sauce spaghetti. Staff was friendly. The lights inside the restaurant was nice. The restaurant has almost been around almost 100 years, I'm not sure if in that particular place. read more

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Most people would take this place for granted but it's a gem. The menu reads like a food bible. We smashed the open face tri-tip sandwich that you can see in the photo. It came with a nice sized portion of fries and a salad. We were able to split everything and still left full. Our waitress Jenny was incredibly kind and fun, the ambiance is that of a New York bar and diner. The NFL playoffs were on the tele and the atmosphere was fantastic. The food was very good. All in all whether you live here or whether you're passing through, this Joe's ain't average and is worth your time. read more

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Service and food were okay... little bit of a 'tude from our server but I'll say hospitality was best we were greeted and sat rat away, atmosphere is fun. Great music but don't think we'll be back read more

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This has always been one of my favorite breakfast places. The servers are all seasoned and really know how to make you feel at home and take care of you. The menu has a really great variety. Everything is good quality. None of that IHOP or Denny's B.S. They have cozy booths, or a nice long full service bar. It's always festive and lit up. It's a great place to come when you're nursing a hangover or you're working on getting one. It's a diner, but a goooood diner. read more

Joe's Cafe - Avocado Toast - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The food and service was great. They give you a side car when you order a martini so it feels like you are getting a bonus. This restaurant has been around for a long time and has a good following. The restroom was ok but I noticed that the stall doors needed some attention. read more

We had the most wonderful late lunch here at Joes. Adorable homey spot with the red and white checkered table cloths and 50s diner music playing. The service was warm and friendly and the happy hour menu is fantastic. Don't sleep on the steak bites - they are truly delicious although the sauce is spicy so get it on the side. The best part though was the home made cherry pie. My daughter said it was the best pie she had ever had. Light buttery crust and LOTS of ice cream and whipped cream. We're told Alfonso has been making the pie here for 20 or so years and he does a damn good job! Hopefully our daughter ends up coming to school up here and we will be back! read more

Joe's Cafe - Cherry Pie À la mode home made by Alfonso. - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Joe's is known for its strong cocktails and fun bar vibe but let's talk breakfast at Joe's! I think it's one of the best breakfasts in Santa Barbara. Great food, decent portions and legendary environment. Now, if you like pie for breakfast (I'm not a pie fan), they have fresh pies everyday. My pie friends tell me it's great. I usually get The Champion, avocado toast with eggs, bacon and chile flakes-salsa on the side. Today I mixed it up today with the smoked salmon amd poached eggs with grits. Yum! This is a spot for locals and visitors alike. read more

Joe's Cafe - Salmon and poached eggs with grits and rye - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Service was fast seated right away. Very friendly host/waiter. Very calm and quiet place to enjoy some breakfast with family and friends. Food was good and came out quick. read more

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I am more familiar with Lucky's steakhouse and D'Angelos, but I've eaten here a number of times and this would be considered a Santa Barbara favorite. I don't drink alcohol, but I know this place is known for strong drinks. I love the ambience, particularly during fiesta season! read more

Amazing clam chowder!! Staff super attentive and friendly! Great seating and strong cocktails! Loved it!

Fun staff and interior but the food was okay at best. We got the Cuban and the all day breakfast. There was a strange after taste with the eggs but the toast and butter were great. French fries were nice too. My partner enjoyed the Cuban. The total ran us about $46 which was slightly pricey but well worth the ambiance. The thing that irked me the most was the water cups, it smelled like dog for some reason, therefore was slightly off putting to drink and get refills. Otherwise a decent experience. read more

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Stopped in for lunch at Joe's. My server was very friendly and attentive. I sat out on the patio and watched people walking up and down State Street. I had a really good old fashion and a hearty salad. The salad was really good and filling, couldn't finish it all. I would stop into Joe's again. read more

Joe's Cafe - Delicious Old Fashion - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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It's been a while since we were last here. I do remembered they offer breakfast which we were originally interested in but when we arrived, there was a sign posted that breakfast was finished and lunch was being served. Oh well... We ended up staying for lunch instead and got seated on the patio. Downtown Santa Barbara has changed since we were last here. The restaurant use to utilize some of the street for outdoor dining but there's now a new walkway that takes over that area. It did take a while for our waiter to come to us even the hosts (gentlemen who seated us) asked if we've been helped yet. He was gracious and brought out some water which was nice. After a bit the waiter did come out to take our order. Menu wise, it's still the same from last visit. Even though breakfast was over, mimosas was still good. Mini bottles of bubbly was served with a mini carafe of orange juice. I remembered the onion rings last time and that they were good. So that was a must with the meal. It's was a mixture of everything for our table. The Cobb salad which portion wise was nice and big. You have everything in it, nice chunks of blue cheese, eggs, bacon, turkey, tomatoes and a nice potion of avocado. The salmon salad was also a nice option. Petty big size of salmon on top a bed of mixed green. The fried chicken sandwich with a side of sweet potatoes fries and chicken quesadillas. Sandwich was great, nice big chicken battered and cooked perfectly. Quesadillas on the other hand, it was whatever. Nothing really major to rave about. Had to ask for some salsa to accompany it. Then the onion rings. From what I've seen with other tables ordering it, it looked great. And i remembered last time. When ours arrived, it was overcooked. And not only that, cold to the touch. Seemed like it was made in a huge batch and left there till someone ordered it. I don't like sending anything back but we asked one of the waiter if they could just replace it with something hotter. He was kind of hesitant at first. Asked if I wanted them heated up in the microwave which I said no. And asked if it was possible to get another order. From what I've seen coming out, our batch was a disappointment. Maybe a minute later, he brought out the onion rings which was exactly the same thing we originally had. They must had just threw it in the microwave.... Oh well, guess they didn't care to make customer happy. Anyways, we still munched on them as it was being paid for. Food, some of the dishes were good. Service, it was nice. Staff were friendly. Overall, we would have like to have breakfast but now know that there's a cutoff time. Didn't want to be a nag but the onion rings situation could have been dealt better but it's whatever. Didn't want to complain as it didn't affect our other meal but it could have been better. read more

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Joe's Café in Santa Barbara is one of those rare places that becomes an icon in the memories of countless people. It's been around for God knows how long and has so many people that worked there that have stayed with the place for many many years. It adds to the allure of it, the history, The memories, and just the overall experience. It's a really casual dining spot in Santa Barbara, but somehow their bar feels super Lux and classy in its own way. The red and white checkered tablecloths are sweet and just so representative of the place. We have a lot of memories here over the years from late nights and night caps to brunch or lunch. Anytime of day, Joe's is the answer. Lots of memories to be had here and lots of great service. You'll always find it busy and bustling it's just a magnet. read more

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Gio was our waiter and was excellent. Bacon, eggs, hashed browns and sourdough toast with a large OJ. Everything cooked perfectly and hot. read more

Joe's Cafe - All American Breakfast! - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Just stopped in for a drink, Kyla at the bar is wonderful. If we lived in Santa Barbara we come here every day!! read more

Joe's Cafe - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Great location on State St. with a diner style menu. Joe's serves a large menu of American and California comfort food classics. It is a Santa Barbara institution and the city's oldest restaurant, having served locals and visitors on State Street since 1928. It is widely celebrated for its "stiff" cocktails, generous portions, and a nostalgic, high-energy atmosphere that transitions from a family-friendly eatery during the day to a lively bar scene at night and is a central hub for socializing. Situated in the heart of Lower Downtown on State Street, it offers both indoor seating and an outdoor patio perfect for people-watching. read more

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No thanks. The server was beyond slow. Then brought me a completely wrong sandwich. I only came to this restaurant for a crab sandwich. The bread was toasted, but the filling was ice cold. I was sitting on the patio. There was a man smoking while playing music on a speaker AND picking fleas off his dog. French Fries were the best part, although I never got the ranch I ordered. read more

Joe's Cafe - Crab Sandwich. - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

There are a few iconic, old-school restaurants in Santa Barbara and Joe's is one of them. Boasting a good-sized menu with Italian and American classics, it has a comfy feel and a friendly atmosphere. On Weekend nights and during Fiesta, the bar is swarmed with locals seeking out the self-described "stiffest drinks in town" (though Harry's would certainly object to that assertion). The service is very friendly and the food is solid. Last night I had the club sandwich, my compadres had Italian classics, the kids got pb&j's, our neighbors wings smelled amazing, and everyone had a good time. Sometimes I forget about Joe's because it's surrounded by bars, but it's a solid sit-down spot in a town that needs a few more. read more

I want to give this place a horrible review because of the service but I can't because the food was so damn good! A large group of us decided to eat here on our way home from a road trip to Pismo. When we walked in we waited at the host counter only to be greeted with a "what do you want". I thought the host was just trying to be funny but I realized he wasn't when I replied "to eat" and he just gave me a blank look. After waiting a few, uncomfortable, moments he begrudgingly took us to a booth. When we sat we debated leaving but a few of us were too hungry so we stayed. We ordered a good amount of food and we all liked our dishes. Especially my Chicken Alfredo, I still have cravings and seriously consider driving back there and be treated poorly just for that dish. Mmmmm! read more

Joe's Cafe - Menu - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Friendly staff, great service and tasty food. Went here for breakfast while staying at the Hotel Santa Barbara which is right across the street. Husband ordered the Bloody Mary and was not disappointed. Highly recommend the chili! read more

Last Saturday, on the final weekend of May, my mother and I visited your restaurant at the end of our one-day trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. We had lunch in Downtown Santa Barbara, and our server, Ms. Mayerling W who was wearing olive earrings, was extremely kind and gave us wonderful service. My mother and I would like to sincerely thank her for her kindness and excellent hospitality. read more

We came in to just get some food to go, and everyone we came in contact with treated us so well. Even though we were there for less than 20 minutes, they all made such a lasting impression. The BLT was delicious! The Christmas decor was also so beautiful and unique. When in SB again I will definitely be coming back, the staff were so kind! Thank you again! read more

Joe's Cafe - Seating area - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The service was great. The food however was horrible. We ordered two Philly steaks that were super greasy, mushrooms were non existent, it had some type of orange sauce/spread on the bread that was not a french roll, and it looked more like a bolillo (a Mexican bread). They also had red peppers. The fried calamari were the worst quality too, with a side of chipotle dipping sauce that tasted more like spicy mayo. We also had a bowl of N.E. Clam chowder, that was really tasty. Definitely not coming back because of the food. read more

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We often eat here, when we're in town. Was seated quickly, but then promptly ignored. Restaurant was NOT crowded & the wait person (woman) seemed testy that the mgr. summoned her to wait on us. Ordered our bevs (took a while) she finally took our very simple, straight forward order. Food took a while. In the meantime I physically had to get up from the table to ask for more coffee. Ordered french toast & my request for fruit on the side was not remembered- No bigs. When the french toast arrived - it was mostly air, flavorless, disappointing & unlike any french toast I've ever had. Had to ask for maple syrup. Perhaps the fact that they offer their french toast w/ fruit, powdered sugar and whipped cream might enhance it, but that's not how I prefer it. Ate 1/2 slice & left the rest. Terrible service, terrible food, disappointing experience. read more

Joe's Cafe is your classic historical restaurant that has stood the test of time since 1928. It's definitely a staple here in town and known for their stiff drinks. My friends love coming here whenever there's an event happening in town and we always meet up for breakfast. The ambiance here is dated, but with a classic old school feel. It's pretty loud and busy here, so if you're looking for a nice chill place to dine at, then this isn't the spot. They do offer table seating outside though, and the view is great if you want to people watch on State Street. The service is always great here, but a little slow depending on how busy it is. For my order, I usually gravitate towards the All American breakfast. This comes with two eggs, bacon, sausage or ham, home fries or hash browns and a side of toast. When my plate was served, it only had one slice of toast! I quickly pointed it out to the waiter, and he was kind enough to bring me the rest of my bread. If you plan on ordering a mixed cocktail here, then expect it to be extra heavy handed! You have been warned. I recommend asking them to make it on the lighter side if your liver can't handle it. Overall, this place is a piece of history in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and one that I do like coming to on occasion. read more

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Always excellent food and service! Never a bad meal. Everyone was pleased with their meals. read more

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This place is SOOOO good. We got the chicken Alfredo and a meatball sandwich. The sandwich was good but not amazing but the pasta was so good the service was AMAZING . I wish I got our servers name cause he was the best !! We'll for sure be back ! read more

Joe's Cafe - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

5 stars because I've been eating at joes for 2 decades now and they deserve the love. I would hate to tank their rating based on one experience. Sadly though our experience tonight was pretty bad. The food has never been perfect, we come for the atmosphere and drinks. But it's always been at least edible and comforting. We were starving so we forced down the meatloaf and Alfredo. They just tasted bad. They weren't super busy or in the weeds it was just mediocre at best. New kitchen staff perhaps? The Alfredo which used to be decent was watery and sour. My husband's meatloaf came cold and tasted off. We each ate half our plates simply cause we were starving but each bite was worse and worse. The server, while a kind gentleman who has always provided great service was having an off night perhaps, never checked in with us till it came time for the bill. I know I could have flagged him down I just would have felt rude doing that. I ended up eating all the saltine crackers to fill up cause I couldn't stand another bite. To be honest, even if he did check in I'd probably feel too awkward to say the food was bad. Both of us having worked in restaurants, we don't like to be "those customers". It's just such a bummer with the cost of living in SB to spend a whole days salary on food that left a sour taste and not feel waited on. I hope this was an off night and not management cutting corners with food quality. I would hate to lose Joe's as my go to restaurant, I live 2 blocks away. But I'm apprehensive to come back and waste money if the food continues to be like that. read more

A classic SB staple in downtown area. If you're looking for a hefty Italian meal this is your go-to place with strong cocktails! It can get busy after 7 so there could be a wait time but no reservations accepted. There is plenty of seating and the service is excellent. Love the upscale diner style interior! read more

Joe's Cafe - Potato skins - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Service- Honestly, the wait wasn't worth it. We got here around 11:20, and were promised 11:45. We weren't seated until 12:00. I've never wait this long to sit inside a restaurant. When we walked in there was plenty of booths and tables open, but they made guests wait outside. Food- The food was pretty alright, it wasn't life changing to the point where I would return again. We ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo which is basic, but we wanted a simple dish to compare to other places we've been too. I understand they may not be known for their pasta, but waiting long to even enter the restaurant made it seem that way. Ambiance- The ambiance was good, there's plenty of seating inside. There's a bar area, if people are dining for cocktails or just want to chill. As far as the service, lady was super sweet and did her best. We sat at a booth which was nice because it was enough room for five people. The menu underneath the glass table was a nice touch. Overall, very pricey for a diner quality food, but nothing to miss here especially with better options around state street and surrounding areas. read more

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Yes it's great - and historic. Probably should be almost a 5 star review, except for the fact that it is a bit dark inside (historic building so I get it) and they put us at the worst table, staring at the dirty dish area cramped, almost at the back, when there were better areas. I said I didn't wanna stare at the kitchen. The hostess snappily told me the kitchen was on the other side...I think she took me literally - what I meant was I did not want to sit in the dark stuff back facing the spot where they store the linens. Also left side has the bar side, which is ok but loud and feels cramped...Hostess said seating is by sections and seemed annoyed. We moved outside..Outside is lovely. Food is excellent, outside ambience great, nice servers. Chicken parmesan was excellent, with fettuccine and veggies. Friends got fish and chips -- huge portion and they split - so many fries too. Bread was good and nice touch with tomato tapenade. Would have come twice but today we sadly we went elsewhere and were regretful because that other place was terrible....this place is a must. read more

It's a 50's diner, from the decor, the uniforms, and the background music. The bacon is actually cooked TO ORDER (a rarity these days) and great (strong) coffee. Great complements to otherwise good food (huge breakfast variety) and friendly servers. read more

Joe's Cafe - Bacon actually cooked to order. - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Old world vibe with a beautiful diner ans bar setting and a drape of lights that meet in the middle. Service was fast and smooth. We came in on a Monday. My friend was sick and ordered a hot Toddy and instantly the waiter knew what she was talking about. Strong black coffee and great portions as well as prices. The waffle with fruit was filling and delish as well as the eggs and pancakes. Most def a place to get breakfast when in Santa Barbara. :) read more

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Growing up in SB we would always either start the night at Joe's for the drinks or end the night for the late night food. We popped in there the other night, because i've been craving a good Cosmo. Joe's did not disappoint! They pour you your martini and also a little side kick. The stack of onion rings was a delight. And i love their salsa and bread. It was a great way to end the night! read more

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Absolutely the best pasta I've ever had in my life! If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. It was my first time here, but it has instantly become my favorite restaurant. Huge thanks to the team for the amazing care and hard work -- you've truly made my day! read more

Joe's Cafe - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Is super loud and smoky place as well as mediocre service. We sat and took 10 mins por a waitress to take our order. We asked for coffee and took another 15 mins for the waitress to bring it and only because we reminded her about it. After they brought our food, she didn't come to check if everything was ok. We had to place our coffee mugs by edge of table for her to notice it... run away from this place. Not worth it and hamburgers are better at the habit. read more