Hana Kitchen - Santa Barbara Downtown — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

I’ve been a long time Hana kitchen customer but after today I don’t think I’ll be going back. I’ve taken dozens of people there over the years. Cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. But today I drove from lompoc for 3 meals. I asked for 2 spicy mayos, 2 teriyaki sauces, and 1 pickled cucumbers per meal, which I don’t believe is an excessive amount considering how they used to offer a whole bar! Instead of giving me what I asked for she only gave me 2 of each total, then said she would need to charge me 50 cents per extra sauce. So then I asked for at least 1 of each PER MEAL. But no. She said she still couldn’t do it which I think is bull. Basically, I bought three meals but one meal isn’t getting a spicy mayo, another meal isn’t getting a teriyaki sauce and another meal isn’t getting the pickled cucumbers. I would’ve happily paid for for extra sauce if I would’ve asked for an excessive/unreasonable amount of it. But 1 of 3 options per meal, considering they offer 5-6 options, is not unreasonable at all. I’ve been going to hanas since before they even moved to state street. I’ve taken dozens of people there, and now I don’t think I’ll be returning. It’s little experiences like this one that loose you loyal customers. Honestly, I should’ve just gone to jack in the box. Would’ve been faster and at least they would’ve given me a single ranch, single bbq and some damn ketchup...

Yeah yeah, I’m that person who’s giving it one star. So let me explain why... I came in for the first time and it took, no joke, 5 minutes for someone to greet me even though I was standing right in front of the cashier - he saw me and proceeded to not look or say anything until he figured out how to do something on his iPad. So I already had a sour taste in my mouth ... then I asked if I’d be able to get the special plate but without the chicken, which apparently is impossible because it’s premade- gross. So I settled for a basic bowl without protein and he kept badgering me to pick a protein... I had to basically yell at the dude what I wanted before he got it.

The one thing that was good about the place were the amount of sauces and how quickly I got my food.

But the food wasn’t even good. And the environment is noisy and crowded. And the type of people who go their are super rude and inconsiderate.

So all in all, I highly advise away from this place. I went once and will...

I used to eat here often and always appreciated the quick, tasty, and affordable bowls. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what happened. A regular-sized rice bowl with meat is now $17.50 before tip, and the meat portion was minimal to nearly nonexistent.

Even stranger—the menu wasn’t posted anywhere visible, so unless you already knew what to ask for, you wouldn’t even know rice bowls were available. The staff seemed uninterested and offered no real guidance or welcome. It felt like they had given up.

For the same price, Galanga Thai next door offers a fuller dine-in experience, and at least their portions and service reflect the cost. Hana Kitchen was once known for being a solid, inexpensive bite on State Street. I really don’t understand what’s going on now—no menu, high prices, low portions, and zero energy.

I truly hope they return to the quality and clarity they used to have.

Update:,’ I’ll never go here again. It’s no...