Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch image

Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch

Restaurant Chicken restaurant

Local counter-serve BBQ chain offering mesquite-grilled chicken & tri-tip burritos & plates. People often mention chicken, burrito, good, great, stop, flavor, recommend,


Address

2618 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States

Website

www.sbchickenranch.com

Contact

+1 805-569-1872

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (991 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Monday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: chicken (26) burrito (15) good (11) great (9) stop (8) flavor (8) recommend (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Brenda M. 10 months ago on Google
    I love Tri-tip, but here the chicken is so good that it is a cointoss on which I would choose! Which is why I usually get the combo option. We recently discovered the burrito bowl! We go to the salsa bar and get Pico de Gallo, Original Salsa, Marinated Onions, and Limes...and add it all to the bowl. It is a very large meal for 1 person, but we are both full if we share it! Our friend ate the whole thing by himself and was full 4 hours later! Images below is what it looked like when we split it onto 2 plates. We also had Guacamole and added it to the plates. I definitely recommend their Guacamole! Also the burrito bowl comes with homemade tortilla chips! So good! Don't forget the salsa/ guacamole to dip in!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aj W. 3 years ago on Google
    Omg Wow wee Wow Wow... what a fantastic place to stop at. Super Delicious foods. Amazing service from the cashiers. And thank you for the cooks. For making a such a delicious burrito 🌯 😋 I will see you again soon.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeff P. 1 year ago on Google
    This review is from over 20 years ago. I use to frequent this location and Think about the great food often. To this day, this was the best Tri Tip Burrito I’ve ever had!. Massive portion and excellent taste and quality I wish I could go back to City College and dine here again.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Dylan T. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a chicken burrito that was beyond dry. They constantly burn their food so much every day that everywhere in a 4 block radius reeks of carcinogenic burnt-chicken smoke. Every time I walk down De La Vina I can’t escape the smell. Literally pluming air-polluting smoke during virtually all hours of operation—I don’t know how those living across the street bear the smell. The owners need to either upgrade their ventilation system to capture more of the smoke in HEPA filters or simply stop burning their food. Do not recommend.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Darren F. 1 year ago on Google
    SUPER overrated, the chicken here is like chicken at a Pollo a la brasa place without the seasoning. The flavor is not as great as everybody says it is. All of their food is EXTREMELY DRY. If you order a burrito, they just put rice, beans, and the meat. The most dry burrito I have ever had. If you want guacamole, sour cream, cheese, etc (that should normally come in a burrito) they charge you extra. What kind of service is that? If I go to a pizza shop and i buy a pizza and they hand me the crust in a box without any toppings and say "oh, you want sauce and cheese and peperroni? That'll be extra." See how ridiculous that sounds? Don't come here, these reviews are FAKE.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jazz T. 2 years ago on Google
    If your traveling by Santa Bárbara this place is amazing. Best chicken I’ve ever had! Prices are not bad either! Trust me you will not regret it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 E B. 2 years ago on Google
    Fast service. Cashier doesn’t wasn’t very friendly nor listens well. Tables outside as well as inside. The corn tortillas were flavorless. The rice wasn’t edible, same with the cole slaw. The chicken was tender but had some weird yellow hue and taste. Salsa bar should be more obvious. It’s definitely needed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maria P. 6 months ago on Google
    Run (don't walk), because the chicken IS all that! And...go straight to the chicken, don't need anything else. Seriously...this restaurant has been recommended to me more than once, I'm so glad we came
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Scott E. 1 year ago on Google
    I dont come up to Santa Barbara very often anymore, but when I do, the Chicken Ranch is a must stop. Their burritos are amazing!

  • 5/5 Jodi H. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely the Best ♥️ from the kindness cashier with my order additions and then my reassurance about my meat medium-rare after ready for payment, to me being outside and not at a table...to the cook that after one bite you know what you are doing...THANK YOU and HAPPY HOLIDAYS

  • 5/5 Victor G. 10 months ago on Google
    Had the 1/2 chicken meal. Really good seasoning. Buddy’s had the Chicken burrito. The burrito is big enough to hurt a fella; go easy.

  • 5/5 Symon M. 9 months ago on Google
    This place is AMAZING. Great prices, large portions and fast friendly service....what's not to like? Chicken and Tri-Tip Beef Combo were excellent. There are a few local bars close by to start the evening. We sunk a few craft beers at bar across the road called Yellow belly, and that was great too. Was only short walk north just off State Street so no driving and made super change to downtown upscale places. Definitely recommend.

  • 5/5 Janice H. 6 months ago on Google
    This is a place that I forget about sometimes, but then when I have it, I ask myself why don't I come here more often? The food has the perfect balance between great taste and value. I would definitely get the combo burrito. It's the best thing on the menu. You can also get a piece meal, which is really good, especially if you're trying to eat healthy, but the burrito is the best way to go.

  • 5/5 mike s. 3 months ago on Google New
    Food is great their is just a heavy set cashier that seems a little Indifferent to me. Her tone of voice is a little stand offish and body language and I observed her with other custermers right after me which she was super friendly and animated with so it’s just me she appears to not like. Been coming her 18 years

  • 5/5 Lindsay C. 8 months ago on Google
    Very kind to first responders/medical staff, etc to offer free drinks. Food was amazing. My burrito was huge and it totally fell apart but that’s okay because it was so good. The chicken was flavorful as were the salsas. Decor was great too. If I’m ever back in Santa Barbara again, I’d love to come by again.

  • 5/5 Priscilla G. 4 months ago on Google
    Food is delicious here. Hubby had the chicken tri-tip burrito and I had the tri-tip quesadilla. Lots of flavor and the quality of the food for the price is great. Definitely coming back.

  • 5/5 J C. 8 months ago on Google
    Absolutely loved this place. It's kind of like El Pollo Loco, but soooo much better. The chicken flavoring is much like I just mentioned, but with more flavor, juicy and plump. Their smoked meat was delicious as well. Definitely a place I would go back to if I'm ever in SB again.

  • 5/5 Marilynn G. 3 months ago on Google New
    Tonight, the chicken was exceptionally good. It was full of flavor and juicy. This is best it has been in a long time.

  • 5/5 Dj C. 1 year ago on Google
    Grill chicken cooked with mesquite that gives the chicken special flavor totally recommend, the spicy salsa is very good!

  • 5/5 Brent F. 1 year ago on Google
    Found this place on a whim, one of the best random spots I've ever been too. Chicken Ranch is what El Pollo Loco wishes it could be. Salsas all on point, option to order made fresh guacamole, chicken is not burned to a crisp and actually full of tender meat full of flavor AND EVEN COOKED ON CHARCOAL all at a very reasonable rate. They also make tri tip, I'm sure it's great, I just have never had it because I can't stop ordering the chicken. If they had one in the Oxnard area they would have all of my $$$.

  • 5/5 Stephen T. 1 year ago on Google
    I come here all the time! The mesquite grilled tri-tip and chicken are incredible. The flavor is so amazing, the meat so tender and juicy, you never need any sauce to enhance it - it’s perfect as is. But if you want, the guac is also excellent with both. Also, try their slaw. If you like slaw, this one is soooo gooood Side note: this place is heaven if you are on KETO or AIP !!!!

  • 4/5 Cesar C. 1 year ago on Google
    First time there and it was really good. Simple menu chicken, trip meals or individual items. Will visit again and write more about it great place to eat always busy so that's always a good sign of good food. Lol

  • 5/5 Nik S. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious. It reminds me of El Pollo Loco, but much better. Had the family meal with combination tri tip and and chicken. The chicken was marinated and grilled to perfection. The trip tip was seasoned well and moist. Sides were beans, rice, and flour tortillas, all good. We were passing through Santa Barbara on our way from San Simeon and my husband decided to stop here on a whim. Glad he did. Wish they had a location in L.A.

  • 5/5 Keesha M. 1 year ago on Google
    Incredible flavour. The chicken burrito was so juicy and huge. Husband got the beef burrito and he loved it as well. The coleslaw is to die for, it’s honestly the best I’ve ever had.

  • 5/5 Walter C. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing experience with our family while on vacation. Ordered a family meal with both chicken and tri-tip. Both meats were excellent especially when combined with fresh salsas, warm tortillas, beans and rice. Wish this place was in our home town, although I'd be much larger....

  • 5/5 Rad R. 3 years ago on Google
    Oh man, this place is just simply the bomb! Simple menu, simple food and simply awesome. Whenever I'm near this place I make a point to stop by. Both the chicken and tri tip are filled with flavor. Highly recommend this place if your in the area. Makes me wanna kick myself for moving out of Santa Barbara.

  • 5/5 Angie H. 2 years ago on Google
    Every time we come into Monterey, we stop here for lunch or a quick dinner. It's a small place and we don't stay to dine in, but they do bring your food to your table if you do. Word to the wise: even if it looks packed, stop anyway. They're usually to-go orders and they're super fast.

  • 5/5 Victoria R. 1 year ago on Google
    The best salsa you'll find anywhere. Friendly staff. Super fresh. Reasonably priced.

  • 5/5 GG 1 year ago on Google
    Best chicken and tritip you can find in town!!!! But even more important. Excellent customer service. Alejandro was very attentive and did the impossible on a busy Saturday to accelerate the order for my expecting wife. this place is the BEST!

  • 5/5 Huy V. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing spot! The food is aesthetically pleasing and delicious. The chicken are grilled just right; moist, tender, and seasoned well. Chips and guacamole: crispy & crunchy, and fresh. Salsa: uniquely spiced with green chili or jalapeños. Rice and beans are not my thing but they look and tasted perfect and beautiful. Highly recommend!


Call +1 805-569-1872 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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