Little Alex's — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

I found my food too bland and the prices mediocre. Admittedly my standards might be high because I live in the Mission district of San Francisco, but Santa Barbara should also have great Tex-Mex and Mexican food, and their prices/expenses should be the same if not lower.

My first impressions were good. The space is clean and looks upscale, with lots of covered outdoor seating and some nice indoor seating with large TVs showing sports. It was a bit loud indoors, so we ordered at the counter and sat outside.

My first surprise was that you had to walk inside each time you wanted a water refill, more napkins, or any utensils. The prices are high enough that I would expect a full service restaurant or at least a second station outdoors. The hot sauces are generic and bland, not even Yucateco or Melinda's or even Sriracha.

Once we received our meals, it was a mixed bag. My chipotle chicken chimichanga had a mild amount of chipotle flavor, while the chicken itself was bland and there was very little salsa to add flavor. The guacamole had a good texture and simple flavor. At least it was generously sized. The tostada salad was solid, but not nearly as large or filling.

Overall, it doesn't feel worth the high prices. You could eat here if you really need Mexican food in a classy space without the table service, and don't need your food to be...

I am from Phoenix and came to Santa Barbara to visit my daughter. Friends in Phoenix suggested we go to Little Alex’s restaurant. I’m so glad we did! The food was beyond great! Everything was fresh, homemade, flavorful, and full of color. We ordered the two soups on the menu which were homemade and absolutely delicious. We were so happy to find soup that is nourishing, colorful, and tastes delicious! The chips were fresh and warm, and the pico de gallo was out of this world. Everything tasted like it was just picked from the garden. If you love homemade Mexican food that is fresh delicious and reasonably priced-This is your place. While you are here, you can also enjoy a great variety of adult beverages. We...

Little Alex's is a family owned gem! The food is great and the atmosphere is mellow and friendly. At any Mexican restaurant, my first judgement is always about the chips and salsa. They seriously have THE best chips in town. Their salsas are all made in house and run from a very mild but tasty base salsa to a hot that tastes great while simultaneously stripping paint! My personal favorite is their medium roasted salsa, Baja salsa, which has lots of flavor and a fair bit of kick. I or my family have eaten most of their menu here and everyone always finds something to love.

Whether you are a Chiliophile or you like completely non-spicy food, you will find something that...