Zookers Restaurant — Restaurant in Carpinteria

This was a very disappointing meal. First, we ordered a bottle of wine that on the menu was a 2019. However when the wine came out it was a 2021. I said that was fine but then asked the price since a two years younger wine was significantly less expensive. Answer: no still $54. Odd and off putting but whatever.

The actual food was mediocre at best. My wife got the filet mignon special which was also $54. She ordered it medium rare but it came out medium well to well done. Fine, we sent it back no big deal. They said it would take five minutes. Again, totally fine.

Twenty minutes later it still hasn’t arrived and everyone else finished eating. We tell the staff to cancel it and just not charge us. She had food from other people. They say “it’s already ready so at least let us give it to you to go.” She says fine.

Guess what: they still charge us for the entire meal including the steak special. Rather than fighting we just paid and left. However, the whole thing was very off putting. It was mostly older folks who I assume are local but apparently they’re okay with this. Don’t look at the reviews- this...

It's 1:00 and time for Lunch, and a break from driving! I searched local restaurants, aside from the chains, and found this place. I was able to find their menu and checked it out. A Reuben?! I'm done looking! I walked into a fairly empty dining room and was seated right away. I ordered, and within 10 minutes had my meal. It was... burnt! Outwardly, it did not look so but it's a whole wheat / nut bread and that type just toasts differently! It was so off that I decided to cut the better bits off and eat it from the inside out. Sadly that was a disappointment too! The meat was lacking flavor, the sauce was very weak and ultimately for a $30 sandwich; I was massively disappointed!!

So why didn't I say something? Why didn't I send it back? Two reasons: I feared retaliation from the Kitchen... And, I was anxious to get back on the road.

I just hope my review can maybe save somebody else from...

Stayed in Carpinteria for a couple days for a Sports Tournament. We arrived pretty late (730-8ish) on a Friday evening so there wasn't much of a selection open when we searched for nearby restaurants. Zookers was the closest and reviews looked good.

The food itself was very good. I had the Cioppino, and my kids had Fettucini and a kids Spaghetti. The menu itself was pricier than most for the meal we received. The server was just okay, as they weren't very attentive to us, and we had to keep asking for water and other things. The owner/manager was not friendly at all, and some of the comments I overheard from her were distasteful. If we have another tournament in that area, this is one place we will not be returning to at all. I also do not recommend this place at all, especially if you...