Jack's Bistro & Famous Bagels — Restaurant in Carpinteria

February 2025: My new usual haunt across the street, Carp Moon was closed so desperate for a coffee and bagel I went back to Jack's. Bagel is good as always. Takeaway service was quick. Pity they were so rude 18 mos ago!

March 10/23: Changed my review today from a 5 star to a 2 star..... I have lived in Carpinteria for most of 45 years and have enjoyed Jack's since it became an eating establishment instead of my old Wells Fargo bank! It's not fancy, but I like the bagels and outside dining and easy parking. See my original review below!

But today I left pretty irritated. It's rainy and we went for lunch arriving at the door at 1:50pm. There were 4 tables with diners still eating. We removed our jackets, sat down in a booth, and a man came to say they were closed. He insisted and we put our coats back on walked past surprised diners and went back out into the rain. The hours PAINTED on the door say they are open until 3pm, but the woman pointed to a printed paper sign taped to the door saying they closed at 2pm. Ok FINE, but even as I drove away, I pointed to the clock in my car and told my wife, "Look, it's STILL only 1:56pm" Seriously! What's the deal? This is a longstanding local place, frequented by us locals and they throw us out the door 5 minutes before closing. I wonder if the actual owners would approve?

Very sad...and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that will make me at least hesitate to return despite 40 year history.....

Previous review: 5 star The biggest toasted bagel with scrambled eggs I have ever seen! ...

It has taken me some time to write this review, but finally ! Did you know Jack's Bistro does catering!? Delicious catering! Well they do. They catered my wedding. Not only was the food Delicious but the service and service coordinator was amazing! I cannot say enough wonderful things about Justen Alfama and her team. What a relief to have them cater our wedding. We wanted fajita , buffet style catering. She provided from the plates to the staff to my bar tenders. It was all reasonably priced for everything they did. Justin went above and beyond for us and we can't thank her enough for the amazing service and accommodation. We are not from Santa Barabara but because we had Jack's Bistro cater, everything went so smoothly. Everyone loved the food at the wedding. I would give them 10 stars if it was an option. Justin thank you for helping us so much ❤. And I'm so sorry I didn't write this review...

Ok. Let me say this. My first impression of this place was something like 20 employees working and nobody acknowledges you. I asked the cashier what his recommendations were for breakfast, got them and also said "food must be very good if you have this many people here and nobody says hi to a guy". The food is simple and unpretentious. Blew me away! This fare is great. Everything is fresh and made to order. This is the only bagel breakfast place I've gone to that doesn't microwave their egg for there bagel sandwich, they cook it in a salamander. So we came back again the next morning. The service is ok if your taking out, better if you dine in. When the food hits it out of the park, service can be what it is when it needs to be. Ordered a side of tomatoes and you can tell they just cut it, not some tomato that's been sliced and waiting around since Wednesday. Stop by and...