The food was excellent as always. We just got unlucky because our server was not attentive. She forgot to bring our bread basket and was slow to refill our water glasses. After our meal was completed she didn't come by to check on us and we ended up asking the hostess to get our waitress for our check. We love the food there are will of course be back!
TimmyR
Enjoyed a traditional steak house dinner. Good drinks, fresh salads, tender flavorful beef, nice variety of sides, yummy dessert and strong coffee - definitely recommend! Vibrant location too!
HelgaundHelmut
Great Cutler's gin martinis— some of the best ever. My $66 lobster tail was pricey but perfect. Sadly, my wife's steak was tough and dry, even though she ordered it medium rare. I also told them it was her birthday, but got no recognition of it. If they're supposed to be one of the best steak houses in SB, they have some work to do. The service was really good, and the server did cut the bill for the steak in half. Thank you!
DebG
We came for the "Anniversary Special" which we do every year. We ate early (5:30) so the restaurant wasn't crowded and the ambiance was quiet. The food is excellent and the service is done in a "team" approach. Very efficient and good quality.
RosaG
We ordered from the anniversary menu and they did not skimp on anything, it was so good ! I ordered the babyback ribs that were so tender!, hubby ordered the pork chop and also excellent, for dessert we shared the flourless chocolate cake with ice cream, sooo good!
leechie707
Food was delicious! I had the rack of lamb and twice baked potatoes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Twice Baked Potato
MikeS
Service, cocktails and food were excellent. My top sirloin steak was cooked perfectly. My wife enjoyed her linguine and prawns. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Holdren's.
We went to Santa Barbara looking for good stake house, saw the reviews for Holdren's, we had the bone in and Ahi Tuna, the meat was poor quality and no flavor. The Ahi Tuna had the worse mustard taste couldn't eat more then two bites. Wouldn't recommend this place for food maybe drinks.
The first time I went to Holdren's a few years ago it was fantastic. The next few times it progressively got worse. Most recently for Valentine's Day, my girlfriend and I went for their fixed menu dinner. The food came cold. Both appetizers, and steaks were room temperature. The shrimp on the skewer were all cold. The steaks were also wildly undercooked. The baked potato was the best item mostly because it was the only warm item. To their credit the server did wave my girlfriend's dinner but also up-charged me on desert. I likely won't be going back
LindaW
Husband's ribeye was a hit! The filet mignon that I ordered medium rare was raw in the center and twice baked potato was pretty bland. I would definitely eat here again though, and order meat medium or seafood.
Although not on the February special discount menu the New York steak was great. Tender, cooked exactly to specifications to give it the most flavor with the correct amount of chew. Very good cocktails, great service
shellyc
Good food. Only disappoint was the difference between how the regulars and outsiders were treated. Had to ask for more water and drinks and never received the bread that we ordered meanwhile others were showered with attention and refills .
Max Rosenberg
Great locals spot in the tourist zone. Holdren's delivers great food and great service in a nice location on State Street. The dishes are served in a savory way with little additions to make them not run of the mill for a steak house.
We arrived about 30 mins early and it was no problem. The service was fantastic! It was a early birthday dinner for my wife and the server was very attentive and made it a point to make the evening highly enjoyable. We came at the recommendations of a friend and it was not a disappointment. Thank you
ChristopherM
As a local Holdren's is my "Go To" for great steaks! I don't eat much seafood so I can't comment on those options but the red meat choices are delicious. Service is usually professional-beach-town-style, so slightly on the casual side. Staff is knowledgeable about the menu items and wine list and usually very friendly. Solid wine choices as well. Very cool old Western Saloon style bar with cool leather studded booths. I dig the ambiance. Hits a sweet spot for me where it's slightly high scale but still casual enough to wear a T-shirt and jeans.
The food was excellent as always. We just got unlucky because our server was not attentive. She forgot to bring our bread basket and was slow to refill our water glasses. After our meal was completed she didn't come by to check on us and we ended up asking the hostess to get our waitress for our check. We love the food there are will of course be back!
Enjoyed a traditional steak house dinner. Good drinks, fresh salads, tender flavorful beef, nice variety of sides, yummy dessert and strong coffee - definitely recommend! Vibrant location too!
Great Cutler's gin martinis— some of the best ever. My $66 lobster tail was pricey but perfect. Sadly, my wife's steak was tough and dry, even though she ordered it medium rare. I also told them it was her birthday, but got no recognition of it. If they're supposed to be one of the best steak houses in SB, they have some work to do. The service was really good, and the server did cut the bill for the steak in half. Thank you!
We came for the "Anniversary Special" which we do every year. We ate early (5:30) so the restaurant wasn't crowded and the ambiance was quiet. The food is excellent and the service is done in a "team" approach. Very efficient and good quality.
We ordered from the anniversary menu and they did not skimp on anything, it was so good ! I ordered the babyback ribs that were so tender!, hubby ordered the pork chop and also excellent, for dessert we shared the flourless chocolate cake with ice cream, sooo good!
Food was delicious! I had the rack of lamb and twice baked potatoes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Twice Baked Potato
Service, cocktails and food were excellent. My top sirloin steak was cooked perfectly. My wife enjoyed her linguine and prawns. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Holdren's.
We went to Santa Barbara looking for good stake house, saw the reviews for Holdren's, we had the bone in and Ahi Tuna, the meat was poor quality and no flavor. The Ahi Tuna had the worse mustard taste couldn't eat more then two bites. Wouldn't recommend this place for food maybe drinks.
The first time I went to Holdren's a few years ago it was fantastic. The next few times it progressively got worse. Most recently for Valentine's Day, my girlfriend and I went for their fixed menu dinner. The food came cold. Both appetizers, and steaks were room temperature. The shrimp on the skewer were all cold. The steaks were also wildly undercooked. The baked potato was the best item mostly because it was the only warm item. To their credit the server did wave my girlfriend's dinner but also up-charged me on desert. I likely won't be going back
Husband's ribeye was a hit! The filet mignon that I ordered medium rare was raw in the center and twice baked potato was pretty bland. I would definitely eat here again though, and order meat medium or seafood.
Restaurantji Recommends
Although not on the February special discount menu the New York steak was great. Tender, cooked exactly to specifications to give it the most flavor with the correct amount of chew. Very good cocktails, great service
Good food. Only disappoint was the difference between how the regulars and outsiders were treated. Had to ask for more water and drinks and never received the bread that we ordered meanwhile others were showered with attention and refills .
Great locals spot in the tourist zone. Holdren's delivers great food and great service in a nice location on State Street. The dishes are served in a savory way with little additions to make them not run of the mill for a steak house.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Dinner, Twice Baked Potato
We arrived about 30 mins early and it was no problem. The service was fantastic! It was a early birthday dinner for my wife and the server was very attentive and made it a point to make the evening highly enjoyable. We came at the recommendations of a friend and it was not a disappointment. Thank you
As a local Holdren's is my "Go To" for great steaks! I don't eat much seafood so I can't comment on those options but the red meat choices are delicious. Service is usually professional-beach-town-style, so slightly on the casual side. Staff is knowledgeable about the menu items and wine list and usually very friendly. Solid wine choices as well. Very cool old Western Saloon style bar with cool leather studded booths. I dig the ambiance. Hits a sweet spot for me where it's slightly high scale but still casual enough to wear a T-shirt and jeans.