Rudy’s Restaurant

We were rolling north on 101 and starving. We had planned to head to Santa Barbara to eat, but traffic sucked so we pulled off. We saw Rudy’s and decided to give it a try. My buddy and I both had the Pablano tacos with grilled chicken. They were delicious! Loved the variety of fresh salsas too. Glad we stopped!

–negative stars if I could. I came in on a Monday night at 8pm (they close at 9) and first thing the cashier said was were only doing Togo orders and credit cards only… so I’m like ok… I give her my order of 2 burritos one being a bean and cheese burrito and the other a fajita burrito she says «$ 20.00» I’m like what!!! I ask «how much is a bean burrito» «plus tax it’s about 7 $ so 20 $ total… uh ok. Then. I ask why credit card only «because the cash register is broken.» Then walks over to it and starts counting out the money for the night… lame and Togo orders only?!? That’s funny because I see two of your friends you are talking to eating in house… And you charged us $ 4.90 OVER WHAT WE NORMALLY PAY!!’ Don’t be lazy chick! Do your job until closing time. I don’t put up with lazy people I’m not going back… And no receipt because it’s credit card who does that?!? I’ll be talking to the manager… don’t go here at night!

Called in a order only to get «what do you want» instead of «hey this is rudys» or what would you like. I was so shocked I ordered in under 15 seconds she was rushing thru. So when I went to get it she didn’t even get my name and had to guess which order to go was mine. It was only 9.32 and I gave her a 20 and she only gave me 10 back and I was in disbelief as she walked away so I just wanted to leave and not be in there any longer. Bad service by far. Never again.

Update! Perhaps I may have been a tad sensitive in my last review. Maybe I just went on a day where they were stressed or busy. Regardless, I am intoxicated with the food that comes from Rudys. I’ve never had to wait very long for my dish to come out. I like to call myself a semi regular. And if they’re gonna cook me bomb food and stuff the tacos to perfection, then who am I to complain that my butts not being kissed? Great food. That’s all that counts really.

Not so good. I decided to visit again today after many years since my last visit. Disappointed and expensive for what I got. Two grilled chicken soft tacos and a regular size drink cost $ 14! There was nothing to them, just chicken and supposedly Pico de Gallo. I couldn’t find it. The salsas at the salsa bar are not flavorful. I am still looking for a good Mexican restaurant in Carpinteria. Been looking for 8 years now.

If you like good Mexican food, GO TO RUDYS… It is the best Mexican food I have ever had. They also give you a big plate at a fare price. One more thing the salsa in the salsa bar is excellent.
Enjoy

First time I went, ordered a fajita bowl with grilled chicken. It was decent enough to give it another shot. I called in the order, «fajita bowl, with grilled chicken». Picked it up, drove home and wouldn’t you know it, no grilled chicken. It really shouldn’t be difficult to mess a one item order up, too many other options to go back here after that.

The food was delicious! I ordered the two item combo with two hard beef tacos, OMG! They were amazing, the rice and beans were delicious as well. Their salsa bar had a bunch of different choices. They also serve beer here. Definitely coming back when I visit again!

It was okay. Ordered takeout, kind of weird on the containers they used, like a Dixie bowl and foil??? Strange.
I ordered the chicken tostado… And I liked it. A little on the greasy side to the tostada but the shredded chicken and the rest of it was pretty good.
The price on the hand was pretty up there but I understand… It’s Santa Barbara, everything is pricey.

This restaurant is so good. Not only did the food here cure my cancer, it also fixed my impotency and helped me get over my fear of heights.

Should have checked reviews first. Had the mole chicken enchiladas. The portion was huge, and the price was reasonable, but the meal itself was on the bland side. I had to add a ton of salsa to spice things up. Fortunately, the salsa bar has a nice array of salsas to choose from.
There were lots of people there for Taco Tuesday, so maybe that’s the way to go…

Very disappointing with multiple aspects including authenticity, flavor, service and general appearance of restaurant. Food was bland. Wait staff and counter staff were uninterested in customers. Staff members had their kids and extended family’s using the restaurant as a day care ! Noisy and distracting.
Consider going across street to Taco Grande whet they deliver on good Mexican food with nice service !

Food was average, below average for Cali
Poor service
Disturbing part was that they had 1 high chair. The high chair was in use by a family sitting in the restaurant that was not eating. They were finishing as I was ordering. The family ended up being a relative or friend because one of the waitresses sat with them for 20 minutes and was still there when we left. Not having a high chair for a 13 month old makes it difficult. Also I had shoulder surgery and was in a sling struggling trying to eat and feed her. Basically I only have use of my left right now. Disrespectful, selfish move not catering to a patrons. We left no tip. But here’s a tip now, don’t go there.

Sadly I have to admit this Rudy’s location is awful. An absent owner allows for extremely rude register staff, very inconsistent food quality, and frankly a not always so clean restaurant. I am a resident of Carpinteria but this location survives only on single visit tourists –yes it is that bad. I try it every few months just in case they might get the message but mostly the problem is the register staff. Unbelievably incompetent and rude, almost every order wrong and then they argue with you even if you tip!!! I have resigned myself to stop going altogether. With a heavy heart I say any other Rudy’s location is great. Just skip this one.

Restaurant food was the worst, complete with «delicious» iceberg lettuce, «appetizing» bean paste, «wondrous» flour tortilla. After eating, day old leftover chipoltle chips served to detoxify our bodies.
Thanks Rudy’s. Worst Mexican Restaurant NA. (° °)

Really good Mexican Food, I had Rudy’s big enchilada it was delicious. My wife enjoyed Her Fish Tacos as well

Needs a deep clean! The food is alright. I prefer the Montecito street location because the food is prepared much bettter. The avocado salsa is hard to top! Perfect amount of spice. I always get the crispy chicken taco that is piled high with lots of cheese. Drench it with juice from fresh limes and the avocado salsa … so yummy! Dog friendly seating outside is a plus!

Picked this place at random for dinner while visiting the area. Service was friendly. The salsa bar is nice with a larger variety of salsas. I had the fish tacos which were average. I barely tasted the fish. I remember when a fish taco use to be a frozen fish strip thrown into a taco instead of beef. The fish taco has come a long way. The fish were smaller fish cubes that I barely tasted at times. The beans and rice were ok. I have had better. Overall, an average place for ok Mexican food.

The one star isn’t for the food because I haven’t eaten here… it’s for the customer service. A group of us from work are doing field work in the area and a few of us went for lunch here. One of my coworkers ordered food and purchased a drink for me since I brought my lunch and we ate outside. I asked to use the restroom and she said «No it’s for customers only.» I explained to her my situation and it still didn’t matter. I know it may be petty but seriously? This is one of the top places that my coworkers eat at when we’re in town. I know where I WON’T be going to eat from now on! Fortunately Pee Bee and Jays let me use theirs even though I didn’t purchase anything from them.

Dank food/​TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE… great carnitas fiesta burrito but the girls that work here act like they are court ordered for community service. NO Courtesy whatsoever .I had to drive back to the restaurant because they put the wrong meat In my burrito and the girl looked at me like it was my fault, didn’t apologize at all, or say thanks, nothing, blank… and they are always like this. Foods good tho…