Over the years I have become a carnitas expert. Lito's has the best tasting premium quality carnitas i am aware of. Lean, trimmed, crispy, not greasy, tender, perfectly seasoned carnitas. You can purchase them by the pound for $8.75. Their salsas are outstanding. The carnitas burrito is a great value at $7.50. Complimentary chips and salsa with orders. Plenty of free street parking. Life is good. Check out Lito's Mexican Food when you're in Santa Barbara. read more

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Lito's offers affordable mexican food in a city with VERY expensive brunch/lunch options. Food is vast, and like $10 bucks. Portions are so big you can have leftovers for dinner. read more

Best menudo in town. If you prefer menudo with less meat this place is not for you. Reasonably priced and authentic, must try.

Lito's is great, I always enjoy coming to Lito's early on the weekend for the menudo. The menudo is not the best I've ever had but it is quite good - it just lacks hominy! Breakfast time is the time for Lito's, try it. read more

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I asked for a tri tip burrito with NOTHING but the meat and beans. I repeated that NOTHING besides refried and beans be in the burrito. I requested onions and cilantro on the side. Imagine my surprise when I got back to my hotel and opened my burrito. Tri tip, beans AND a great amount of cilantro and raw onion! Is it too much? Is it too much to ask for something so simple and have it ignored? read more

Serving massive tacos and rolling up burritos the size of infants, Lito's is the Cheesecake Factory of Santa Barbara taco shops. Unfortunately, bigger is not always better. On my sole lunch-time visit with a colleague, I ordered three tacos, all of which were served with two grilled white corn tortillas each, and were quite large. Any single one of the tacos I ordered could have been an entire lunch meal by itself. The meat in my Lengua Taco was a lot drier than I expect lengua to be in addition to being under-seasoned and plain. It was a chore to eat this, honestly. The Fish Taco was decent -- and Lito's fish taco features grilled fish. Although it also needed a touch more seasoning, it was clean-tasting, cooked alright, and generally decent. But one of the things that living in San Diego has done is raise my bar for fish tacos to a level where if you're not doing something special with your tacos, you're wasting my time. In that sense, this was a waste of time. My third taco, the Adobada Taco, was my favorite since it had something the other two didn't: an identity. Yes, well-seasoned, marinated pork is hard to screw up -- but so is lengua, so I credit Lito's for making a decently juicy, tasty Adobada Taco, even if I must confess it would not pass muster in L.A. or San Diego. Each taco comes with tomatoes, lime, and lettuce on the side. The Adobada Taco and Lengua Taco also are served with onions and cilantro. I had to ask for "squeeze bottle" hot sauces -- and it turned out that Lito's does not really have them. Instead, they give you green salsa in a small bowl. Stale chips and salsa (chopped tomatoes and onions, really) are also provided complimentary when you order. My colleague ordered a chicken burrito that looked bigger than his upper arm. Unlike me, he doesn't live in Southern California -- and as a Floridian who has been exposed to nothing but bad Mexican most of his life, he thought his burrito experience at Lito's was "take it or leave it," which is not the type of reaction one expects to hear when an east-coaster eats a burrito in California for the first time. Sorry Lito's, but the flavors, charm, and "duende" I expect in a good taco shop I did not find in yours. Yes, San Diego has spoiled me but, even by Santa Barbara standards, I think this place is average or below -- especially after having excellent tacos at El Pollo Rico in nearby Goleta. Also the taco size here is way too big, and much larger here than 99.9% of others I've had in Mexico or southern California. At the risk of sounding meaner than I want this to come across (because I don't HATE Lito's, I merely think they're mediocre), smaller tacos allow you to sample more variety while paying for less product and presumably throwing away less middling food. Food-Décor-Service: 2.7/3.0/NA read more

Lito's Take Out is part myth, part legend but all reality nonetheless. Santa Barbarians lol I've been waiting to use that on my brethren to the north of me... Know all about Lito's and their scratch made, cheap and legit Mexican food that is also a favorite hole in the wall featured on Diner's Drive In's and Dives... Rockstar old-school Mexican food in SB. Lito's is a little hole in the wall spot, in a non-descript area but always packed, just follow the crowd or the alluring aroma that permeates this SB commercial enclave. The food is well known and a local family-owned Mexican food haven in SB serving legendary breakfast burritos. Park a block away, hoof it and quickly scamper to Lito's to secure your place in line usually out the door and down the block that meanders through the handful of the diner's eating inside... Everything is scratch made and all the meats are freshly carved in the back. Dude has a serious set of OJ signature model blades and gets after it with surgical precision. Everything is ordered at the counter and served up pippin hot and made fresh to order. My breakfast burrito came stuffed with Eggs, cheese, grilled potatoes, homemade Salsa Fresca, diced onions and fresh cilantro along with your just carved and made to order protein (Bacon, Sausage, Carne Asada, Al Pastor, Chorizo, Chicken, Lingua, shredded pork etc) I opted for the Carne Asada and added fresh Avocado all for $6.50 Rice and beans as well but 86'd those... Seriously people OMG amazing bursting with layers of flavor and fresh fresh fresh. Lito's is family owned and operated along with being a destination for all locals getting their Mexican food fix on a limited budget. No frills, no sommeliers, no tablecloths, no Open Table reservations, no cans or can openers on premises. Everything is sliced, diced and prepared with love and precision right in front of you not to mention served with a smile. Clean, efficient, friendly and fast. People don't be confused this isn't to be assimilated or even mentioned in the same breath as Baja Fresh, Chipotle, Poquito Mas et al, completely different animal. Full menu and daily specials for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Clearly, SB has a wealth of great Mexican food and variety of options to explore and enjoy. Make no mistake Lito's needs to be on that list and near the damn top. Lito's is mostly all take-out thus the name HELLO Lito's Take Out. The crowd is a combination of locals, surfers, students, professionals, adults and kids alike with one thing in common a hankering yep hankering for some legit scratch-made Mexican food. Bring a serious appetite and a small wallet. Big portions and a great staff. A local gem to get your grub on and not to be missed... read more

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After eating here the last 25 plus years can confirm still the best carnitas in SB-crispy, chewy, salty and oh-so porky. They also do a great huevos rancheros served up with pork chile verde. Taquitos with fresh guacamole is also yummy. Basic red salsa with chunks of fresh tomato and onion, and a spicier green salsa with canned green chiles are both delicious although the complimentary chips served with your order are always kinda stale and blah. There are a few tables to enjoy your food after ordering at counter, or get it to go. Service is okay, not particularly warm or attentive but hey, it's about the food. read more

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In my opinion. Best Mexican food in Santa Barbara. The food was authentic, fresh. The dining area was immaculate and the service was very friendly. I have lived here for 24 years and have tried many Mexican restaurants, but this one is the best. I wish I would have found this place sooner. Thanks to the help of Diners, Drive in's and Dive's this is our new spot for Mexican food. read more

This gem of a hole in the wall serves authentic food with genuine staff. I've been eating at Litos for almost 15 years and never get tired of the food to go or sitting down for a meal. If you have a chance I suggest visiting the breakfast is just as good as the lunch and dinner. When you walk in and the staff know you by name and half of the people in line behind you, they're doing something right!! read more

Well. Well. Well. Popped back into my favorite burrito place in SB for a vegan burrito; papas, frijoles, avocado. So good. And they have roasted peppers that are delicious. The staff here is so friendly and helpful and kind and generous. The ladies are very sweet and warm. They always greet me like I'm a friend who they haven't seen for a while. Wendy rocks that burrito bar like its nobody's business but her's. She's a gem! AND the new interior is EXCELLENT. VERY NICE upgrade. Thanks Litos. I'll always be back! read more

Lito's serves some of the best Menudo I have ever had. The place is small & cozy. The workers are friendly and the food is delicious. Some of the other dishes look just as good. It's Homestyle Mexican food just like my grandmother used to make. I'm looking forward to trying everything on the menu! read more

Lito's Take Out - Large menu served with all the toppings and I love toppings! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I was skipped in line in favor of someone the cashier knew personally. I couldn't believe it, I'm never going back there again.

Ordered take out, chicken burrito and carnitas burrito, love that you can choose to have rice or not and whole beans instead of refried, also added cilantro, onion and jalapeno at no extra charge. Both burritos were delicious, I judge spots by there tortillas, not sure if they are handmade but nice and thin and delicious. Will be coming back! read more

Dry delicious, but beware... burritos are huge!!! Could only eat half. They are generous with their portions. And delicious.

A delicious Santa Barbara tradition. Perfect quick Mexican place for lunch and if you order online, skip the line. The best burritos in town! If you get in for breakfast, it's well worth it too:-) read more

Lito's Take Out - Guy ate here:-) - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came here for my birthday lunch with my cousin Juliet on August 30. She had the shrimp fajitas and I had pork soup with hominy. I've been wanting to come here since I seen it on diners drive-ins and dives on the food channel. read more

Lito's Take Out - Came here for my birthday lunch with my cousin Juliet she had the shrimp fajitas and I had the pork soup! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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First time here, and I'm from LA, so finding a bomb Lil spot to get a fire breakfast Burrito in my favorite Lil getaway town of Santa Barbara is essential thanks for an amazing breakfast and easy location with parking, friendly staff and quality food!!! Don't have a picture because we ate them, but you will be in my bookmarks for every time I come up!! read more

Lights out Breakfast Burritos! Fully customizable with Plenty 'O ingredients , w/ great salsas! Hall of Fame Good!

Absolutely delicious sausage breakfast burrito with refried beans, cheese & sour cream Can't wait to get another one

Lito's is ok nothing special wanted more from my Mexican excursion to Santa Barbara but did not find it here. It was just in the ok range of Mex's food. Price was very to to food ratio but that's Santa Barbara. read more

Lito's Take Out - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The positive reviews brought us here but it was a mistake. We left most of our food on the plates. Maybe other dishes are good, but the chilaquiles and the huevos con chorizo were fairly dreadful. Cheap packaged chips, flour tortillas that tasted like cardboard, overcooked eggs, and nothing fresh. We love Mexican breakfast and have eaten it in hundreds of mom-and-pop taquerias and cantinas that were just wonderful, from LA to Austin to NY. This was is in the bottom 10%. read more

I was excited to try this spot for years, and it was the main reason I was willing to go to Santa Barbara. This spot is mediocre at best, and I know many I'd rather get food from in LA (plus more in the bay). If you want a decent carnitas burrito, and happen to be in the area? Sure. I've had and made better carnitas myself. read more

Ordered online which was super easy to pick up quick on way to LA. Service was exceptional and the breakfast burritos were very tasty. We ordered the "small" breakfast burritos and they were SO big! read more

Went for the first time during a trip to Santa Barbara; Staff was SUPER FRIENDLY and helpful! When our takeout order was brought outside to us, staff was nice enough to bring us more salsa and see if we needed anything else before we left. We were craving breakfast burritos and Lito's has a pretty big selection of them. They were a pretty big size and so delicious! When I'm back in the area, I'll definitely make sure to check them out again :) read more

I really enjoyed my burrito from Litos! I got the breakfast burrito with potatoes and carnitas. You don't get much better than this! I think it may be my favorite breakfast burrito in Santa Barbara, and that's coming from an avid burrito eater! read more

Stopped in for lunch for the first time Wow Clean everything including bathroom in the back Ordered Chicken torta with salad stuff on the side Great choice Mayo and jalapeños and avocado perfectly blended Enough for 2 meals Huge generous serving Cheery staff Will come again for Chille Rellenos read more

Lito's Take Out - Try chicken torta Perfect - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This our first time, the place is nice and cozy. They don't have a salsa bar. Very authentic Mexican food I got the chile verde burrito and it was not tender the way I like it. The burrito was running and fell apart. Probably get a plate if you like chile verde. This place is know for the carnitas and I had taste and it was yummy, yummy like lots of lard. It was kind of well done and crispy too. The green salsa was yummy yum. The carnita plate was good with the rice and beans. But I think the burrito is just as good. There is parking in the back of the restaurant. read more

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We were looking for breakfast burritos on our way to SF. This place was visited by thee great Guy Fieri so I was more than down. I should have done research before I ordered but I didn't. I got the egg and potato burrito with added guacamole. They give you chips and salsa to begin with. The portion is huge and came out fast. After I ordered, I came to realize that I should have ordered the pozole but I didn't see it when I ordered! Aargh.. Anywho, my burrito was lacking flavor. It was filling though. I only ate half. I purchased a side of sour cream to add some flavor. Even with the salsa and the sour cream, my burrito was not in Flavortown. All my friends said their burritos were subpar. A bit of a disappointment. Another thing... i think breakfast burritos should have all the necessary fillings in it like potatoes, eggs, cheese, meat, avocado. But this place only lets you get certain things and charges you extra to add the necessary items! The service was great and the price is very affordable. However, on the breakfast burritos alone, this place merits a three in my opinion. Their other dishes tried tasty but I don't think I'll come back here again as I'm never in the area. read more

HECK YES VEGAN BURRITO WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD! Beans, rice, grilled veggies, and avocado (plus they let me add potatoes)!!!! VEGAN PRO TIP: the guac has cheese, just substitute avocado :) To die for and it's HUGE but that didn't stop me from eating it all. And don't even get me started on the homemade salsas! Hubby said the carne asada was some of the best he's ever had. You won't be sorry! Solid Mexican take out! read more

Despite the stigma and stench of Guy Fieri this place is legitimately delicious. Cheese enchiladas are the bomb. Tri tip burrito a close second. Salsa yes. read more

Yes, very good food. I have been going by on my way back to SD and this is a good place to stop for a breakfast burrito.

I was visiting from Orange County and wanted something homemade and delicious. I found Lito's. It was clean, fast, and delicious. I'll be sure to stop by again during future visits. The breakfast burritos are definitely the way to go. read more

Saw this place on Food Network's "DDD" I've hit up several places he's been to and it's been hit and miss whether I liked it or not, so far on Mexican food he's striking out in my book!. Came here during the week at lunch time and the little place was jam packed, and had a line to the door to order your food. I really didn't bother looking at the menu because according to "Guy Fieri" the Carnitas are Money. Carnitas Plate - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/litos-take-out-santa-barbara?select=Q_UrjsUATtb3ebP15jSjeQ#W0vhU7bvEKwRF2d4Tz-Qqw Carnitas, Rice, Beans, Lettuce, Tomato, Jalapenos and Guacamole with a side of tortillas. I must say they give you a nice sized portion of slightly crispy and moist and juicy meat http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/litos-take-out-santa-barbara?select=Q_UrjsUATtb3ebP15jSjeQ#Q_UrjsUATtb3ebP15jSjeQ not the best around but still very good at a solid 4-Stars Beans were just OK, rice I didn't bother, they do have a variety of salsa's from don't bother to decent/not bad. I'd definitely go back for some more Piggy when in the area.... read more

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I love you Guy Fieri, but not on this pick. You are usually on point about your recommendations, but we found these carnitas to be a bit dry. Flavorful, but dry....Ordered the carnitas combo plate w beans, rice, n a generous portion of yummy guacamole. So I have nothing else to say except this was just a so-so dish. read more

Glad we decided to check this place out before we left Santa Barbara. We ordered chicken burrito, pork tacos, refried beans, chicken enchilada. Everything was so good! You could tell the food is made fresh daily. I highly recommend stopping here before you leave Santa Barbara. read more

We saw this place on triple D so we figured it was worth a shot. Pretty much starving when we arrived. Chips, standard. Salsa, standard. Fish taco was big, lots of fish. Sautéed, not battered and fried Baja style like I like them. Crispy chicken taco, Meh. Chicken over cooked to death. Cinnamon spice in chicken meat. Weird. Yellow cheddar, not the preferred Monterey Jack. Beans, meh. Rice, dry, meh. Sopes, GF had. Same over cooked chicken. She did not like. #2 Daughter had cheese enchiladas and didn't like, and she never complains. Maybe burritos are the way to go here. There are far too many restaurants in SB for me to come back here and find out. Good luck and farewell Lito's. read more

Lito's Take Out - Fish taco and crispy chicken taco. They were okay. Nothing to get excited about. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I used to work near Lito's and for a quick fix of Mexican food this place did the trick. It's nothing fancy, just simple, good Mexican food, and in generous portions for $10 or less. Items can be bought a la carte or as a combination including rice, beans and a fountain soda for about $2-3 more. Moderately hungry folks are fine getting a la carte, big-stomached and absolutely famished people can get the plate. Ordering in comes with complimentary basket of chips and salsa, while ordering take-away does not. You can get a bag of chips and a pot of salsa for an extra charge. It's usually worth it, because the chips and salsa are perfectly decent. Seating is sparse, but I've never had any trouble getting a spot to sit down. Ambience is typical hole-in-the-wall. Order at the counter, and pick it up when you're called or maybe if the kitchen isn't slammed they'll bring the food out to you. Dining there for a late lunch recently we ordered chips and salsa, the chilequiles with rice and beans, and a carnitas burrito. The man at the counter, an older and very friendly gentleman, asked if wanted beans and rice with the burrito. I said sure. Perhaps this means that a normal burrito comes in its purest form: tortillas and carnitas. Perhaps. But cutting it with some starches was fine, along with a few drizzles of salsa. This was an a la carte item, costing about $5. As a combination plate, it would have been around $8. The chilequiles are made with crunchy tortilla chips, with a flavorful sauce and a hint of egg. It came with a big dollop of sour cream and guacamole, too. It's a lot of food and cost about $8. Finally, some flan for dessert! It's shaped in a small styrofoam cup, and if you felt so inclined to take it home, you could invert it into your own bowl and have a fine flan complete with the caramelized top and the syrup spilling over. But I dined in, and simply scooped the custard out. Price was $2.50. Lito's is good, dependable stuff. read more

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5/5 if not for the strange hours. We stopped by here at 2:30pm right before close. Probably the best guac I've ever had in a burrito in my adult life. My wife ordered a bean and cheese burrito and I had a deluxe burrito with tri-tip. I understand why this place has been a Santa Barbara staple for 40+ years. It was amazing. Service was friendly - it's just that they close that 3pm local time. They have a bunch of low-effort signs in the front that made feel this place wasn't managed properly but the food is SO amazing. read more

Great service and great food! The menudo is amazing. I can't wait to go back and try more of their items. We just moved here from Los Angeles and have been looking for a new go-to mexican spot. This is definitely in the running ! read more