Driest fried fish I've ever had. Won't be coming back anytime soon. To much money for good fries but inedible fish

An ok restaurant. The Service was a little slow and the wait staff not very attentive. As for the food, I Ordered the ribs - 1/2 rack, onion rings and rice pilaf. The ribs were tender but the meat was bland, flavored only by the bbq sauce slathered on top. The rice pilaf tasted like something from Trader Joe's. The onion rings however were very good. The meal came with 1 small cup of ranch dressing. After the meal was delivered, the waitress only came by 2 more times. The first time was after I was almost finished eating. I asked for a refresh of my drink. If she had come earlier, I would have asked for more ranch. The second time was to deliver my refreshed drink and the bill. That's when I asked for boxes for what was left over. read more

My family and I went out to dinner and decided to try this place out. We waited, waited, waited and waited some more to be seated. NO ONE ever came up to us. The bartender pretended like we didn't exist and went about her business. Would rate no stars if I could read more

One of Goleta's true gems, in my opinion. I was happy to hear several years back that the Summerland parent restaurant was expanding into the Good Land. The Calle Real Center location has been cursed to say the least, with probably 4 restaurants in a 10 year span, all the way back to when Arby's was the tenant. The Nugget seems to have had success here, and it's not hard to see why. Sure, it's not a first-rate dining experience. However, it's certainly a place to come for great down home service, some killer comfort food, and a cool ambiance. I dig the unique 19th century gold rush-era motif with just the right amount of kitsch. The restaurant has a bevy of comfy booths, a full bar, as well as a neat rear patio for dining. It's always clean, and the service is always friendly. There is an assortment of items on the menu. I'm partial to their wonderful wedge salad, and the meatloaf and beef stroganoff plates encompass the definition of real comfort food. The cocktails I've ordered are made well, too. Don't be duped by the lower-starred reviews. As a Goleta local, I can truly contest that this is a locals' spot worth trying. read more

Solid. Everyone who works at the Goleta Nugget is awesome. They consistently provide good food. Highlights are the nuggies, onion rings, sliders, shrimp louie salad and burgers with great shoestring fries. My favorite! Generous drinks add to the allure read more

Came into the bae & Brad made the best drinks. Comfortable, relaxed bar. Dinner just improved the evening. Foid, beeg strogonoff & Shromp Scampi with mashed potatoes, were beth great. Wished we had room for dessert. Perfect dining event. read more

We're regular customers here, but recently had a humiliating experience with our waitress. Ten minutes after paying our bill (with a 20% tip), our conversation with our out-of-town guest was interrupted by the waitress. She asked us to leave the table so she could seat a new party who "seamed very hungry". We had been there a total of 1hr 15min. We didn't want to make a scene, but were all very upset. The next morning I called and expressed our disappointment to the manager. He was very understanding and apologetic, and said he would address the incident with the waitress and the staff. However, the situation left such a bad taste in my mouth, I don't see any reason to return. It's too bad because I'm a local and have been going there regularly for years. read more

Excellent place for a decent wide fare menu and good drinks. True locals spot with consistent staff that makes it warm and friendly.

We've been going to The Nugget for a couple of years and always had a good experience - good food, generally good service. Lately the waitstaff has been understaffed and overworked, making service a little slower - we usually eat early 5:00pm-5:30pm because we have a family of 5, including two medium sized children. Unfortunately tonight we caught the tail end of a rush, most tables were leaving as we arrived at 6:24pm, so the place was clearing out. We were seated right in the middle of the room - and then nothing. No one stopped by to get our drinks, take our order, say hello, or tell us to f@#& off. Just service silence. Meanwhile, a family of four, including two small children, were seated, their drinks ordered, delivered, bread for the children brought to the table and their order taken. We waited for 16 minutes before we walked out. I stopped at the hostesses station to let her know we were leaving and why. She didn't remember us or where we were seated (she asked what table we were). Shame on the Nugget for treating regular customers so poorly and not training their hostess on how to handle a walk out (she just replied with, "oh!") We routinely spend $100+ for dinner and dessert at least 2-3 times a month. We will not be returning. read more

I was extremely surprised to discover that this bar & grill joint has AMAZING fish dishes selection. I had the seared Ahi Tuna steak and all of my doubts went out the window... It was cooked to perfection! The light buttered sautéed vegetables on the side were fresh and juicy which were accompanied by one of the best margaritas I have ever had. Service was so so until the bartender, a young gentlemen name Jeff, came to our table and charmed us with his unbelievable knowledge of alcohol and the history of the restaurant. We will definitely visit again soon. Highly recommended!!! read more

Had dinner here the on our way down the coast. The food was really good and the drinks are better. The servers working that night were super nice and very accommodating. I would definitely recommend stoping by if you are in the area. Great meal at a great price thank you for the service. read more

Finally a place to take the long held slot of old Straw Hat Pizza! The Nugget does itself proud! Food is rich and tasty. Staff works on a pool so there is always someone there making sure you get what you need. Helpful suggestions like last night's "get the a'jus to go with your philly steak sandwich" makes all the difference. They have a full bar, and they were open semi late on a Sunday night! Great decor and I have to tell you...someone is finally playing good dinner music! Classic crooners and old timey western make you feel at home in a bi-gone era. Take a look around and see what Santa Barbara and Goleta used to be in the olden days. There are lots of pictures to see and enjoy! Thanks Nugget for making Goleta the taste of home it should be! On suggestion on the Goleta front. If you really wanna go over the edge, add some real lemon desserts like lemon pie, or bars, or...? Goleta was the lemon capitol of the world after all. I will be back...often! read more

For an average American sports bar type of place, it was okay! I liked the potato skins - I also tried the BLT and fries and both were nice and average. If you're looking to watch sports and eat standard American food, you'll probably like this place. However, I found the 20 animal heads on the wall staring at me & the musty scent all kind of disconcerting.... read more

The Nugget - Potato skins! - American Near Me - Goleta, California

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Went to the Nugget yesterday for their Sunday music on the Patio. It was a ton of fun. I got there on the party bus jumpontheschoolbus.com which adds a lot to any event. (why aren't they available in YELP for a review). The band was Live Culture band and they had lots of energy and played great covers. I didnt' eat the food so this review is more about the atmosphere and the overall experience. The patio was full of people and there were plenty of friendly servers so getting drink refills was no problem. I think that they do this every Sunday from 3-6. It was happy hour pricing with $4 well drinks and wine. The had bbq too, a small rack of ribs was $3 and so was the 1/4 chicken. read more

Went to The Nugget in Goleta yesterday with family. I had the Philly -Cheesesteak with fries and it was D-licious! The sandwich and fries were huge and arrived piping hot. The service was great. The atmosphere was fine but as time passed the noise level was pretty high. But that's what you get with a bar/restaurant combo. I look forward to going again and I will order this again. read more

One of our favorite places! I lived in Goleta for ten years, and I frequently brought out-of-town guests here. Great portions at fair prices, and the meals have always been outstanding. Very well trimmed steaks; not a single bite of waste. Their cooks actually know how to cook steak, which is getting less and less common these days. Cute, funky décor. Highly recommended! read more

Quick service, tasty food and friendly employees. Lost one star because my cocktail was horrible and I had a bit of trouble keeping my steak salad on my plate while trying to cut it up into bites. Good for a quick meal and a beer, but I'd stick to burgers and sandwiches when ordering. read more

I just love the nugget. Such a fun atmosphere and the staff is always very friendly. I've had their cheeseburger & veggie burger and both were really good. The wings here are amazing! All in all a really fun place to grab a bite. read more

This place is solidly ok. The food is good, but not amazing. Walking in, I was very excited by the midwestern/southern feel, but between the food and service, I was not blown away. I've been here a couple of times. The first was with a large group. They were not happy with a large group and gave away one of our tables before our whole group got there. The service was slow and not particularly friendly. They have perfectly decent greasy food, but it is nothing to write home about. read more

Came in for lunch. Menu was a classic mix of sandwiches, salads and burgers and the usual accompaniments. Had the crunch burger. Definitely thought the English muffin approach was interesting, but it was not delivering on any of its namesake crunch. Still, a decent basic burger. Held together nicely. Paired it with the sweet potato fries which did not fail to deliver at all. Dining companion had the teriyaki chicken burger. Quite a messy sandwich. Chicken much bigger than the bun and sauce dripping everywhere. They didn't seem to mind, and remarked that the chicken was properly cooked, not overdone or too dry. They paired there's with the onion rings, which were a good take on the diner classic. Overall food was decent, but nothing stood out. Prices were a bit high for being a go-to place to quench a burger craving when better product can be found in Goleta for less, albeit portions here were large which will certainly appeal to those with an appetite. read more

This is a cross between an old-school steakhouse and a supper club! Such a good feeling inside. Don't come if you have an aversion to meat or stuffed animals on the walls... I mean the taxidermy kind. Got me a steak with sweet potato fries and a drink. It was all good! Left feeling full and satisfied. They have a very cool old-fashioned bar that I wish I had more time to sit and drink at. This place is worth a visit! read more

My family and I had dinner here and we had great time. Our server taylor was awesome. He was attentive and gave great recommendations with food and drinks! He also was super patient and answered all our questions, even had a kick talking sports with my dad! We couldn't have had a better experience! The atmosphere here is super welcoming and comfortable. We will definitely be back to see taylor! And for the food of course! read more

Enjoying my lunch when some people walk in with two little dogs -- one of them not even on a leash -- yipping and yapping at each other very loudly. They continue to the patio in back, but not after their owner (sporting a prosthetic leg, an unfortunate condition but unclear how a leashless "service" dog would help) yells at the thing for trying to wander around the restaurant. Management said nothing, as per usual. If dogs are indeed allowed in the back patio, they should have access to it from outside, not through. Ugh. read more

Went at 9:30. They close at 10:00. A waitress behind the bar scowled at us and rudely said they were closed. If you close at 10:00 a customer should be able to come in at 9:59 and still be served! read more

I've been here twice more since my last review and oh. my. god. the turkey burger almost made me pee my pants. So juicy I hardly touched my drink. Only complaint is the thick raw onion ring in the burger. I keep forgetting to ask them to leave it out, and then I don't take it out myself because I am in such a trance eating my burger. I don't mind the onioniness, but boy does it make my breath stink, or so I'm told. Repeatedly. (The second time I ordered the burger, I grabbed a mint on the way out. My boyfriend said my breath smelled like peppermint and onions.) This place has proven to be consistently good in terms of both food and service, even during lunchtime when it was completely packed. And kitschy too.... What more could you want? read more

A friend and I ordered drinks here on a Saturday night. My gin an tonic was flat... Worst of all, the taxidermy heads adorning the walls were hella uncomfortable. I should have known better at a place with a wagon wheel and """Indian""" statutes out front. The waiter was mildly attractive, which was a plus. read more

I'm an animal lover, and after entering Nugget Bar & Grill, I almost turned around. There are tons of taxidermy animals on the walls and elsewhere. After seeing this, we requested to sit outside, where there were less disturbing decor. I ordered the chicken teriyaki which was extremely good, and I recommend it to anyone who goes. After a problem with one of our orders, the waiter was very helpful and resolved it quickly. We would go back there, but definitely sit outside if you want to have enjoyable meal. read more

The food was fantastic Been here many times love the food Kaila was wonderful with a great smile Will be back again for sure5 stars read more

This is a great restaurant. It makes me feel like I am at home. Priced right. The staff makes you feel right at home from the time you walk in the door. I now eat there most days during the week. The Friday and Saturday Prime Rib is fantastic, but you have to wait until 4:00 pm. to order it. Very fun environment. Bring your friends. read more

My husband and I love this place and have been coming here for years, but tonight the owner made us feel unwelcome. I've always been partial to the meatloaf dinner and my husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy, so the Nugget has always been a local favorite of ours. A couple months ago we ate here and brought our one and a half year old son. Despite our best efforts he was louder and less well-behaved than we would like. At the end of our meal we found out that another guest had decided to pay our dinner bill, which was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. We didn't know who it was, but the waiter indicated that the people who had paid remembered their own experience raising toddlers. This place is frequented by a lot of older local folks who are generally quite friendly. Fast forward to tonight. Our son was squirmy and fussy at times, but the couple at the table next to us was interacting with him a bit. They left, and once we ordered, we found out from the waiter that they were the same guests that had paid last time, and that they had covered our bill again! Quite a shock! Our son was fussier than we'd like again, so as he was getting antsy around the end of the meal my husband and I took turns walking him around and pointing out some of the many animals and signs covering the walls that add to the Nugget's rustic charm. At this point the owner comes up to me, says she heard that our bill had been paid by others twice, and accused us of taking advantage of people's generosity and basically warned us not to let it happen again. We had fully expected to pay for our meal, and I might have offered to do so anyway, but my husband was so mortified by the suggestion that we were taking advantage that he left ASAP with our son after hearing. It ruined his night, and I'm bothered by it as well. I don't know if you really thought we were trying to get a free meal with our son, or if this was about him being disruptive. If it's the former, then I'm disappointed that you assumed the worst about us - we're long-standing customers and this has been one of our favorite local places for years. If it's the latter, I am genuinely sorry about my son's noise level, and we tried to keep him well-behaved by being attentive to his needs, distracting him with toys and videos, telling him in no uncertain terms when he's being too loud, etc. We want him to behave more than anyone, and if that was the issue I'd rather you spoke to us directly about it. But we were treated like some kind of freeloaders for something we didn't have any input on, which feels disrespectful. Despite the bad experience with the owner tonight, I'm still giving this place four stars because the food is good, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is homey and welcoming (part of why tonight was so jarring, we've always had good experiences before). But we probably won't be coming back for a good while at least. Which might be what you wanted anyway. read more

Ate here while in vacation in the Santa Barbara area. Very good food and a variety of items to satisfy everyone in your party. Theme here is roadside kitsch and they pull it off well. Restaurant and restrooms were clean. Pasta is just as good as the steaks which usually isn't the case for restaurants that have a wide variety. Full bar with TV's and it gets busy with locals in the evening. Service was relaxed, but still attentive. My hubby and I are still talking about this place 4 weeks later! read more

I went back at the bar a few days after and had a blast. The bartender was excellent and even entertained us with magic. I'll be going back to the Nugget when I'm in this town again. read more

Good food, good service, no complaints. I've had duds (the appetizer sampler) and they've knocked out of the park with some of their specials. Fun place to hang out with friends. read more

C'mon people, let's raise the ratings here! The food is amazing and while the atmosphere is that of a saloon I don't think it should distract from the quality of the food. I first came here a couple years ago and noticed that they had stroganoff on the menu which is a childhood favorite of mine and ordered it despite my reluctance to spoil the memories of my grandmother's homemade recipe and was pleasantly surprised, possibly because my expectations were so low or because I was famished that day. So fast forward three years later and after having ordered nothing else I decided to try something different and requested the advice of the bartender. I was leaning towards the filet and asked the bartender whether I should have the surf or turf and she told me that she was particular to the salmon and I was, again, pleasantly surprised. The salmon was PERFECT! I was in Maryland last week and had salmon at least three times and this was amazing! I can't give this place a five star because of the laid back comfortable atmosphere but it definitely deserves more than three. read more

Food was good. Service was excellent. Made it in just before closing and they were still very happy to serve us. Western decor. read more

The Nugget - American Near Me - Goleta, California

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WOW I loved this place. Just had a great girls weekend and enjoyed two nights at The Nugget. I had the fried chicken with salad and mashed potato. The price, food, service and atmosphere was great. If you want down home food go here. The waitress and server were great, smiling and super accommodating. It seems like a great place to hang out for the locals too read more

This is now my husband and my "go to" place in Goleta. Good food!! Classic Americana done right!! Everything well seasoned, cooked, done timely, and served with smiles all around! We haven't had a bad experience ever, and we have also never been disappointed by our orders! Great portions for price, comfortable setting, and just all around AWESOME! read more

The Nugget - Yum! - American Near Me - Goleta, California

Been going to this Nugget since they opened. Service has always been decent. Tues night we went and I ordered the Southwest chicken salad...what a disappointment. I have had it twice in the past, but they might have a newer chef. The dressing tasted just like Thousand Island (gag!). The waiter brought out a side of their Southwest or Santa Fe dressing which he explained is ranch and bbq sauce mixed (blech!) and the 1,000 island. I tasted it again with out the lettuce just to be sure that was what they ruined the nice looking salad with-indeed it was the gross concoction! The waiter asked if I would like another salad and I said no, just bring me a Patty Melt with no mayo ot 1,000 island. So to review that, it was good except the pepper jack cheese was the texture and taste of American cheese. I gave up at that point so I could finish with the rest of our group. I went the week before and ordered the combo sampler plate. Everything on it was deep fried and over cooked and dry (except the tortilla chips). The salsa was pretty good though. My son had the calamari but wasnt that thrilled with it. Portions are always good size if you are into that. The dirty martinis in the past have been pretty good and ample! I want to try the pepper vodka next time, the other review were raving about the drinks. We have had many breakfasts there but not sure if they are just on weekends or if they even offer them anymore. The pancakes as I recall are super thick and dense (I dont like that) but the bacon is super tasty! Kids enjoy the atmosphere! read more

We had a very good server and equally good Sunday morning breakfast at The Nugget in Goleta. We will gladly go back again and check it out for dinner. read more

I am a member of a group of ladies who dine out locally each week. Our favorite restaurant is The Nugget in Goleta. Our favorite server is Heidi. Heidi knows us all by name and is one of the best servers I personally have ever met. All of our members feel the same. Our group consists of 6 to 12 ladies. We never know how many show up. Heidi and the other servers at the Nugget always accommodate us. They couldn't be nicer or more professional. The food is always excellent and the price is right! read more