Visitor Information
Car Rentals in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Restaurants

Pepe Delgado's

254 Orange Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117; Tel: 805.967.0313 or 805.967.2069
Hours: M-F 11am-9:30pm, Sa-Su 9am-9pm

Finding a restaurant in the greater Santa Barbara area that has been open since 1958 is no easy task, but, for almost 50 years, Pepe's has been going strong. Santa Barbara, and all of Southern California, prides itself on its delicious Mexican food and there are countless options from street tacos to high end sopapillas. So what is the secret behind Pepe's? Pepe's occupies an otherwise quiet corner of Old Town Goleta — a groovy, historic, authentic, and largely overlooked neighborhood in town. While their menu drifts towards California fusion, they offer a mountain of Mexican favorites, a bustling family friendly environment, and a full bar to leave everyone satisfied.

An overview of the menu is no small task. Soups and salads include Mexican favorites albondigas and menudo (Sunday only) alongside garden salads and tostadas for the less adventurous. From there one will find nachos, quesadillas, and flautas... oh my! All this before one even reaches the specialty dishes like Camaron al Mojo de Ajo or Relleno Michocano. There are two sections of burritos: one for huge burritos and one for GIANT burritos. Fajita and egg dishes round it all out and in between all this there are countless dishes that my word count does not allow. The best part: one would really have to stretch to spend more than $10 on a main dish here — most of which would likely end up in a to-go box.

Service is famously friendly but can be slow but Pepe's reminds you that Mexican food is best served piping hot (which is how it arrives — sizzling at your table) and worth waiting for. Other reasons to make the trip to Goleta are the Sunday Brunch Buffet, which cannot be beat, and the Friday dinner buffet where hungry diners can gorge themselves on a huge variety of Pepe's favorites for a set price. For those who still need more than one reason to visit Goleta, remember that the ultra-chic Mercury Lounge is just around the corner for pre or post-dinner drinks and Goleta Beach Park is a couple of minutes by car for a priceless evening stroll. Like so many under-utilized resources, Pepe's is well worth the price.

Price Range: $-$$
Personal Star Rating: ****
Credit Cards: Yes
Reservations: Yes
Handicap Access: Yes
Delivery: No
Smoking: No
WiFi: No

— Pepe Delgado's review by Clare Nisbet