Los Arroyos Montecito Mexican Restaurant & Take Out — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

As I was headed down 101 South from Goleta during rush hour no less, I decided that rather than spend 25 minutes sitting in the car moving just inches every few minutes, it was best to get off the freeway and enjoy a leisurely dinner until traffic was flowing again. As a new arrival to the SB area, I opted for the first Mexican restaurant I spotted just off the freeway. The place is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Montecito on Coast Village Road. Parking was easy, hassle free and no meters! I slipped into a parking space right in front of Los Arroyos (1280 Coast Village Hiway). I was immediately greeted and seated at a lovely table (I chose to dine al fresco--it is Santa Barbara where the weather is beautiful, after all!). Camille was quick to get my order and before I could barely get started on the chips, my meal arrived. I ordered salmon enchiladas and while I am a salmon fan I have never tasted anything like what I just had. The sauce was creamy but not sickeningly rich; it was a a red-sauce base but didn't trigger heartburn. The salmon was fresh, cooked just right without being dry and overcooked, and it was topped with thin slices of avocado. In a word, it was otherworldly. Guacamole was equally appealing to the taste buds-- not your everyday, smashed up avocado with some generic Pico di gallo tossed in. Same with the salad--fresh, crispy and served with house Ranch. Los Arroyos takes Mexican food to a whole other level with their secret recipes. (I asked what was in their salsa and, true to chef culture, was politely informed it was proprietary). To top it all off, they have an impressive offering of wine, beer, and mixed drinks--Justin cab never disappoints!

Definitely a 5-star dining experience across the board! ...

Unfortunately this is what is happening in our restaurants around the country. Nobody wants to work and those who are working have no social skills and are angry and the it out on paying customers. FIRE the hostess immediately! I believe her name was Katie. She was working on Tuesday 8/9/23 @ 7pm. You are going to loose customers. I'll never go back because of her. Rude, uneducated, angry young girl. She seemed pissed at the world. She never smiled at any customers and seemed like she didn't understand how to talk to people and look them in the eyes. She cleaned menus with a dirty Rag infront of everyone as we waited for 20 mins. No explanation why we were waiting with 90% of tables open and a reservation. As it got busy our waiter was slammed and dropped food off with no extra plates. So I grabbed them from the podium. She had the balls to come over to me and tell me that customers aren't allowed to do that. Obviously she has never worked in a restaurant or anywhere else. She needs to be fired or put in the back in kitchen. Happy to talk to a manager and give a better review. I feel bad when the waiter was great and...

Love this place! Totall amazing class act of a place. Food is phenomenal and the staff even better! However, If you went this night ypu would wonder are we at a kids restraunt definitely not a high end mexican restaurant in Montecito. So we Went for moms birthday it was fabulous, fun and very interesting! I had my service dog who is a Rottweiler. And yes she is a real service dog. Does medical tasks for me. And My niece had her emotional support dog. Well...This night at Los arroyos was an interesting one to say the least, Because.... there were 4 other service dogs there as well. All out on the patio. (No this is a dog restaurant)Everone of them were well behaved. Except, for One. One of the dogs who was there wanted to play with the 2 kids running around like maniacs. So between a barking big dog trying to escape his owners grasp and 2 little kids screaming and running around it was a little rambunctious, you could say. But that staff handled it so well I was amazed and impressed! The kids calmed down and the dog did too. Not sure what was said but obviously nobody left upset. Best part Nothing...