In Santa Barbara for vacay, this spot was recommended by a local. wings - half and half of the two flavor choices. Both the signature and the Vietnamese were delightful Green papaya salad - ingredients were fresh and tasted good. But not my cup of tea, preferences? Braised pork noodles - kinda felt like a half/third sized portion for a noddle dish. This is an individual sized side portion. Tasty, but tiny. Naughty nuri spare ribs - delish. Accompaniments - delish. Service was prompt and friendly.
Lily L.
The service was great. The food though it was okay. Our fish was frozen in the middle, and we accidentally had a frozen bite. However, no discount or anything additional provided for the uncooked food. The fried rice- nasi goreng was probably the best part. The satay chicken was pretty dry.
Joseph Lehmann
Most gangster of flavors and cocktails. Crispy Rice and Vietnamese Wings till I die.
I have been here so many times and would die on this hill.. best wings in the west and the service is unmatched. This spot has gotten me laid countless times and I praise the efforts of all parties involved.
Lindsay H
Not worth the hype anymore
Jerome Laviolette
We have been to Sama Sama several times since we arrived in SB a few years ago. It is one if not the best restaurant in town at an affordable price for the quality offered. The Market Fried Fish is a must if available on the menu! Wine list is excellent.Strongly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Fried Rice, Coconut Rice, Green Papaya Salad
Ora B.
Food was testy, service was good, but to added 20% tip with our ordered was a bit much, and when the bill came it asked for additional tip..ha..ha..I didn't think so. Love the food, but will not go back for a long time. Thank you very much.
Kailesh Patel
Very small portions that would not satisfy a hungry brood and ridiculously expensive for what it offers in terms of value for money. Probably affordable for high living Californians but certainly an indulgence for the rest of us.Wheelchair accessibility: Ground floor venue , easily accessible by pedestrians and wheelchair users
$16 for a small bowl of nasi goreng? Plus, there is a 20% mandatory service fee, so it ends up being close to $20? Ridiculous!
Lemon P.
The food was so bad, I'm so sorry. Party of 2, we ordered the signature wings, fried brussel sprouts, and crispy pork rice and none of it was good; wings strange tasting, brussel sprouts horrible after taste and rice was dry and honestly bland, more cilantro than meat. Our total came out to be $70 with tip, honestly super disappointed. I'm only giving it 1 star because the atmosphere, staff and presentation were nice.
Was a good place. Had their nasai goreng jawa and a fish curry which was slow cooked. Even though the quantity was less,food tasted amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sumita P.
They were understaffed, but hoo boy, did they fail at holding it together - the waitstaff was snappy with customers, left us without water for 20 minutes, took 45 mins to get one person's dish that she had forgotten about, while the rest were done and we were about ready to leave. The food was fine - not a patch on what you'd get in the SGV, but decent at bringing out SE Asian flavors and using subtle combinations. Not sure I'd call it the best I've had, and DEFINITELY not Michelin star worthy. At a default 20% service charge, the piss poor service was not something that would make me ever want to go back.
Every one Has one
If I could give 10 stars I would! The two bartenders were amazing! These two ladies new their stuff, recommended some amazing drinks. We already knew what we were ordering on someone else's recommendation.You have to try the Crispy Duck Salad. It is Out. Of. This. World. Tasty.We also had their signature wings with both sauces. They are just as worthy!Only con about this place was that we went the last night we were in town and couldn't go back for more.Sama Sama Kitchen will be our first stop when we return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura L.
I loved the food here! Brussels sprouts were fabulous. I am not in favor of an imposed "gratuity" of 20% added before taxes. A gratuity is optional and earned, what they impose is an extra charge.
In Santa Barbara for vacay, this spot was recommended by a local. wings - half and half of the two flavor choices. Both the signature and the Vietnamese were delightful Green papaya salad - ingredients were fresh and tasted good. But not my cup of tea, preferences? Braised pork noodles - kinda felt like a half/third sized portion for a noddle dish. This is an individual sized side portion. Tasty, but tiny. Naughty nuri spare ribs - delish. Accompaniments - delish. Service was prompt and friendly.
The service was great. The food though it was okay. Our fish was frozen in the middle, and we accidentally had a frozen bite. However, no discount or anything additional provided for the uncooked food. The fried rice- nasi goreng was probably the best part. The satay chicken was pretty dry.
Most gangster of flavors and cocktails. Crispy Rice and Vietnamese Wings till I die.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Rice Salad, Crispy Fried Rice, Traditional Wings, Vietnamese Wings, Signature Wings
I have been here so many times and would die on this hill.. best wings in the west and the service is unmatched. This spot has gotten me laid countless times and I praise the efforts of all parties involved.
Not worth the hype anymore
We have been to Sama Sama several times since we arrived in SB a few years ago. It is one if not the best restaurant in town at an affordable price for the quality offered. The Market Fried Fish is a must if available on the menu! Wine list is excellent.Strongly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Fried Rice, Coconut Rice, Green Papaya Salad
Food was testy, service was good, but to added 20% tip with our ordered was a bit much, and when the bill came it asked for additional tip..ha..ha..I didn't think so. Love the food, but will not go back for a long time. Thank you very much.
Very small portions that would not satisfy a hungry brood and ridiculously expensive for what it offers in terms of value for money. Probably affordable for high living Californians but certainly an indulgence for the rest of us.Wheelchair accessibility: Ground floor venue , easily accessible by pedestrians and wheelchair users
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut Rice, Braised Pork Mie Goreng, Green Papaya Salad
$16 for a small bowl of nasi goreng? Plus, there is a 20% mandatory service fee, so it ends up being close to $20? Ridiculous!
The food was so bad, I'm so sorry. Party of 2, we ordered the signature wings, fried brussel sprouts, and crispy pork rice and none of it was good; wings strange tasting, brussel sprouts horrible after taste and rice was dry and honestly bland, more cilantro than meat. Our total came out to be $70 with tip, honestly super disappointed. I'm only giving it 1 star because the atmosphere, staff and presentation were nice.
Restaurantji Recommends
Was a good place. Had their nasai goreng jawa and a fish curry which was slow cooked. Even though the quantity was less,food tasted amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They were understaffed, but hoo boy, did they fail at holding it together - the waitstaff was snappy with customers, left us without water for 20 minutes, took 45 mins to get one person's dish that she had forgotten about, while the rest were done and we were about ready to leave. The food was fine - not a patch on what you'd get in the SGV, but decent at bringing out SE Asian flavors and using subtle combinations. Not sure I'd call it the best I've had, and DEFINITELY not Michelin star worthy. At a default 20% service charge, the piss poor service was not something that would make me ever want to go back.
If I could give 10 stars I would! The two bartenders were amazing! These two ladies new their stuff, recommended some amazing drinks. We already knew what we were ordering on someone else's recommendation.You have to try the Crispy Duck Salad. It is Out. Of. This. World. Tasty.We also had their signature wings with both sauces. They are just as worthy!Only con about this place was that we went the last night we were in town and couldn't go back for more.Sama Sama Kitchen will be our first stop when we return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I loved the food here! Brussels sprouts were fabulous. I am not in favor of an imposed "gratuity" of 20% added before taxes. A gratuity is optional and earned, what they impose is an extra charge.
Amazing food. So many flavors and high quality.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Rice Salad, Chicken Satay, Vietnamese Wings